Printing device, printing method, and printing program

Abstract

To provide a printer, a printing method and a printing program capable of easily specifying a printing medium to be specified even if the number of printing media to be printed is large.SOLUTION: A printer executes printing on a long medium in which a plurality of printing media are sequentially arranged. Each printing medium includes a first medium and a second medium. The first medium includes printing media of the number of divisions smaller than the total printing numbers being the total number of a plurality of printing media scheduled to be printed. The second medium includes at least one printing medium and is arranged next to the first medium in the long medium. A control part executes printing of prescribed information on the first medium sequentially conveyed to a printing position (S64). The prescribed information includes code information. The control part determines printing quality of the prescribed information printed on the first medium on the basis of acquired reading result (S66). The control part controls a printing part to execute printing of determination result information on the second medium (S76).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a printing apparatus that performs printing on labels of a long medium in which a plurality of labels are arranged in order is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a printing apparatus that includes a scanner that reads printed information printed on a label and performs a quality determination of the printed information. After printing all of the planned number of labels, the printing apparatus prints an error log based on the quality determination of the printed information on the label next to the last printed label. The error log includes information such as the number of labels for which the printed information is determined to be defective and the position of the label for which the printed information is determined to be defective among the printed labels.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above printing apparatus, the label on which the error log is printed is issued after all of the planned number of labels are printed. When an operator identifies a label for which the printed information is determined to be defective, the operator needs to perform an operation of searching for the label for which the printed information is determined to be defective while counting all of the printed labels in order from the beginning while referring to the error log. This operation becomes more complicated for the operator as the number of printed labels increases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program that can easily identify a printing medium to be identified even when the number of printing media to be printed is large.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a conveying unit that conveys a long medium in which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order in a forward direction in the conveying direction of the long medium and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction, a printing unit that performs printing on each of the plurality of printing media conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit, a reading unit that is disposed downstream of the printing unit in the forward direction in the conveying direction and reads the printed content printed on each of the plurality of printing media, and a control unit that controls the conveying unit, the printing unit, and the reading unit. The control unit includes at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium, and executes a first printing process of printing predetermined information, which is predetermined information including code information, on a plurality of printing media having a number of sections smaller than the total number of the plurality of printing media on which printing by the printing unit is scheduled. Based on the result that the reading unit reads the printed content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing has been executed by the first printing process, a determination process is performed to determine whether the print quality is good or the degree of whether the print quality is good for each of the at least one first medium. A second printing process of printing determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result by the determination process, on the at least one second medium is executed in this order.

[0007] When code information is printed on a printing medium, it is required that the printed content is good. For this reason, the user of the printing apparatus needs to perform operations such as identifying a printing medium with poor printed content from the printed printing media and removing the identified one. The printing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention prints determination result information indicating the determination result for each reading result of each first medium on a second medium arranged next to the first medium in the long medium every time a plurality of first media are generated. The user can identify the printing media to be specified from among the plurality of first media based on the determination result information printed on the second medium. Therefore, even when the total number of prints is large, the printing apparatus can easily identify the printing media to be specified.

[0008] The printing method according to the second aspect of the present invention is a printing method for performing printing on a long medium in which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order, including at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium, and a plurality of printing media having a number of sections less than the total number of the plurality of printing media for which printing is scheduled. A first printing step of causing a printing unit that executes printing to execute printing of predetermined information that is predetermined information including code information; and a reading unit that reads the printed content printed on the plurality of printing media, based on the result of reading the printed content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing has been executed in the first printing step, for each of the at least one first medium, a determination step of determining whether the print quality is good or the degree of whether the print quality is good; and a second printing step of executing printing of determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result of the determination step, on the at least one second medium, are executed in this order.

[0009] The printing program according to the third aspect of the present invention is a printing program for performing printing on a long medium in which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order, including at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium, and a plurality of printing media having a number of sections less than the total number of the plurality of printing media for which printing is scheduled. A first printing step of causing a printing unit that executes printing to execute printing of predetermined information that is predetermined information including code information; and a reading unit that reads the printed content printed on the plurality of printing media, based on the result of reading the printed content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing has been executed in the first printing step, for each of the at least one first medium, a determination step of determining whether the print quality is good or the degree of whether the print quality is good; and a second printing step of executing printing of determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result of the determination step, on the at least one second medium, are caused to be executed by a computer in this order.

[0010] By executing the printing method according to the second aspect and the printing program according to the third aspect, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used to explain the technical features that the present invention can adopt, and the configuration of the apparatus described is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely an illustrative example. In the following description, the left and right, front and rear, and up and down indicated by arrows in the drawings are used.

[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a housing 2, a display unit 3, an operation unit 4, a winding device connection unit 241, and an external device connection unit 242.

[0014] The housing 2 has a front wall 24, a right wall 25, a rear wall 26, a left wall 25L, a lower wall 27, an upper wall 28, and a cover 23. The housing 2 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped that can be placed on a desk. In the housing 2, a discharge port 21 and an opening 22 are formed. The discharge port 21 is formed in the front wall 24 of the housing 2 in a rectangular shape that is long in the left-right direction in a front view. The opening 22 is formed in the lower rear part of the right wall 25 of the housing 2 in a rectangular shape in a right side view. The cover 23 is a plate in a rectangular shape in a right side view. The cover 23 is supported rotatably at the lower rear part of the right side surface of the housing 2 between a closed position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1) that closes the opening 22 and an open position (shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) that releases the opening 22. The display unit 3 is provided at the upper right front part of the front wall 24 of the housing 2 and displays an image. The operation unit 4 is provided below the display unit 3 within the upper right front part of the front wall 24 of the housing 2 and is a plurality of buttons for inputting various instructions. The display unit 3 and the operation unit 4 are provided above the discharge port 21.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B), the printing apparatus 1 houses, inside the housing 2, a second conveyance unit 10, a holding unit 5, a partition wall 55, a back tension applying unit 8, a first conveyance unit 7, a medium detection unit 53, a printing unit 6, a third conveyance unit 15, a fixing unit 40, a fourth conveyance unit 19, a reading unit 45, a fifth conveyance unit 48, and a cutting unit 50. The printing apparatus 1 is an inkjet printer that performs printing on a long medium M. The long medium M is, for example, a long base paper wound in a roll around a cylindrical paper tube K. A plurality of printing media L are arranged in order along the longitudinal direction on the long medium M. The long medium M may be a linerless tape without a base paper. In the present embodiment, the plurality of printing media L are label papers.

[0016] The partition wall 55 has a first wall portion 56 extending upward from the lower wall 27 of the housing 2 and a second wall portion 57 extending rearward from the upper end of the first wall portion 56, and partitions the internal space of the housing 2. The second wall portion 57 is spaced apart from the rear wall 26 of the housing 2 in the front-rear direction. The holding unit 5 is provided in a space surrounded by the partition wall 55 and the housing 2, to the left of the cover 23 in the closed position, and at the lower rear portion of the printing apparatus 1, and holds the long-shaped long medium M. The holding unit 5 holds a roll R around which the long medium M is wound. The roll R winds the long medium M such that a plurality of printing media L face outward. The holding unit 5 of the present embodiment includes a shaft portion 51 and a magazine 52. The shaft portion 51 extends in the left-right direction and is inserted into the paper tube K of the roll R. The magazine 52 is a support base in a U shape when viewed from the front, and rotatably supports both left and right end portions of the shaft portion 51 around the axis along which the shaft portion 51 extends in the left-right direction. The shaft portion 51 is removably supported by the magazine 52. The magazine 52 is removably supported by the printing apparatus 1. When the user of the printing apparatus 1 replaces the roll R, the cover 23 is placed in the open position, the magazine 52 is taken out from inside the housing 2, and the replacement operation of the roll R is performed. The roll R may be wound in a roll shape without a paper tube K and be attachable to the holding unit 5.

[0017] The second conveying unit 10 is provided upstream of the first conveying unit 7 in the forward direction F. The second conveying unit 10 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F or the reverse direction B. The second conveying unit 10 of the present embodiment detachably engages with the shaft portion 51 of the holding unit 5, and transmits the driving force of the second conveying drive unit 11, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, to the shaft portion 51 to rotate the shaft portion 51. When the second conveying unit 10 rotates forward, it rotates the roll R held by the holding unit 5, conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F, and feeds out the roll R toward the printing unit 6. When the second conveying unit 10 rotates in reverse, it rotates the roll R held by the holding unit 5, conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B, and winds it onto the roll R.

[0018] The printing unit 6 prints an image on each of a plurality of printing media L of the long medium M fed out from the holding unit 5 and conveyed. The printing unit 6 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of nozzles 6a that discharge the liquid G in the discharge direction, and is an inkjet head that prints an image on each of the plurality of printing media L by discharging the liquid G from the plurality of nozzles 6a. The discharge direction of the present embodiment is downward, and the printing unit 6 is provided above the conveyance path Q of the long medium M with the plurality of nozzles 6a facing downward. The position of the printing unit 6 is fixed, and an image is formed on the printing medium L by discharging the liquid G from the nozzles 6a of the printing unit 6 onto the printing medium L conveyed in the forward direction F along the conveyance path Q. The conveyance path Q is the path along which the long medium M is conveyed from being fed out from the holding unit 5 until it is discharged to the outside of the housing 2 through the discharge port 21. The liquid G is supplied from a tank 20 disposed inside the housing 2 to the printing unit 6 via a tube. Hereinafter, the direction along the conveyance path Q is referred to as the conveyance direction.

[0019] The first conveying unit 7 conveys the long medium M along the conveying direction in the forward direction F from the holding unit 5 toward the printing unit 6 and in the reverse direction B opposite to the forward direction F. The forward direction F is the direction along the conveying path Q from the holding unit 5 toward the printing unit 6. The conveying direction intersects the left - right direction which is the extending direction of the rotation axis of the roll R, and is a direction that changes according to the position on the conveying path Q. The conveying direction from the holding unit 5 to the back - tension applying unit 8 is a direction that changes according to the remaining amount of the long medium M. When the remaining amount of the long medium M is the initial value (the remaining amount value immediately after roll R replacement) as shown in FIG. 2, it is generally upward. The conveying direction from the back - tension applying unit 8 to the discharge port 21 is generally forward. That is, in the printing apparatus 1, at the portion where the long medium M abuts on the back - tension applying unit 8, the conveying path Q bends and the conveying direction changes from upward to forward. The printing unit 6 prints an image on each of the plurality of printing media L of the long medium M fed out from the holding unit 5 and conveyed in the forward direction F.

[0020] The first conveying unit 7 is provided upstream of the printing unit 6 in the forward direction F and downstream of the holding unit 5 in the forward direction F. The first conveying unit 7 of the present embodiment has a conveying roller 71 that rotates about an axis extending in the left - right direction and a pinch roller 72, and performs nip conveyance by sandwiching the long medium M between the conveying roller 71 and the pinch roller 72 vertically.

[0021] The medium detection unit 53 is a known optical sensor capable of detecting the long medium M. The medium detection unit 53 includes a light - emitting unit and a light - receiving unit, and detects whether the light emitted from the light - emitting unit is received by the light - receiving unit. The medium detection unit 53 is provided between the first conveying unit 7 and the printing unit 6 above the conveying path Q. The medium detection unit 53 detects the presence or absence of the passage of the leading end of the long medium M conveyed in the forward direction F.

[0022] The back tension applying unit 8 applies back tension to the long medium M between the holding unit 5 and the first conveying unit 7 in the conveying path Q. The back tension is a tension acting in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the long medium M. The back tension applying unit 8 is disposed upstream of the first conveying unit 7 in the forward direction F and downstream of the second conveying unit 10 in the forward direction F. The back tension applying unit 8 abuts on the long medium M and biases the long medium M in a direction intersecting the forward direction F. The back tension applying unit 8 is provided behind the first conveying unit 7 and above the holding unit 5.

[0023] The fixing unit 40 is disposed downstream of the printing unit 6 in the forward direction F. The fixing unit 40 is a halogen heater and includes a halogen lamp 41, a reflector 42, and a housing 43. An opening 44 extending in the left-right direction is formed in the lower wall of the housing 43. The fixing unit 40 radiates infrared light through the opening 44 and heats the long medium M passing directly below the opening 44. Thereby, the liquid G discharged onto the plurality of printing media L on the long medium M by the printing unit 6 is fixed to the plurality of printing media L.

[0024] The third conveying unit 15 is provided below the printing unit 6 and downstream of the first conveying unit 7 in the forward direction F, and conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F. The third conveying unit 15 includes a driving roller 13, a driven roller 14, and an endless belt 16. The driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The endless belt 16 is wound around the driving roller 13 and the driven roller 14. The driving roller 13 rotates to rotate the endless belt 16. As the endless belt 16 rotates, the driven roller 14 rotates. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 16 is substantially at the same vertical position as the portion where the long medium M is nipped by the first conveying unit 7 and faces the plurality of nozzles 6a of the printing unit 6. The upper end of the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 16 supports and conveys the long medium M conveyed between the first conveying unit 7 and the fourth conveying unit 19 from below in the conveying direction.

[0025] The fourth conveying unit 19 is provided downstream of the printing unit 6 and the fixing unit 40 in the forward direction F and upstream of the discharge port 21 in the forward direction F. The fourth conveying unit 19 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F and the reverse direction B. The fourth conveying unit 19 includes a conveying roller 17 that rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction and a pinch roller 18, and performs nip conveyance by sandwiching the long medium M vertically between the conveying roller 17 and the pinch roller 18.

[0026] The reading unit 45 is provided above the conveying path Q, downstream of the printing unit 6 and the fixing unit 40 in the forward direction F, and upstream of the discharge port 21 in the forward direction F. The reading unit 45 reads the images printed on each of the plurality of printing media L by the printing unit 6. The reading unit 45 outputs the data of the read images to the control unit 30.

[0027] The fifth conveying unit 48 is provided downstream of the reading unit 45 in the forward direction F and upstream of the discharge port 21 in the forward direction F. The fifth conveying unit 48 conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F and the reverse direction B. The fifth conveying unit 48 includes a conveying roller 46 that rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction and a pinch roller 47. The fifth conveying unit 48 performs nip conveyance by sandwiching the long medium M vertically between the conveying roller 46 and the pinch roller 47.

[0028] The cutting unit 50 is provided downstream of the reading unit 45 and the fifth conveying unit 48 in the forward direction F and upstream of the discharge port 21 in the forward direction F. The cutting unit 50 includes a blade that extends downward and a driving unit. The blade is driven by a driving force from the driving unit and cuts one or a plurality of printing media L from the long medium M at a position substantially the same as that of the discharge port 21. The cutting unit 50 discharges the one or a plurality of printing media L cut from the long medium M through the discharge port 21. Note that the cutting unit 50 may cut the long medium M by a manual operation of the user.

[0029] The take-up device connection part 241 is provided at the lower right part of the front wall 24 of the housing 2. The take-up device connection part 241 is a connector for electrically connecting to the take-up device 29. The external device connection part 242 is provided below the take-up device connection part 241 on the front wall 24. The external device connection part 242 is a connector for electrically connecting to an external information device such as a PC.

[0030] The take-up device 29 includes a cable 29A and a shaft part 29C. The cable 29A has a plug 29B connectable to the take-up device connection part 241 at its tip. When the user uses the take-up device 29, the take-up device 29 is arranged in front of the printing device 1, and the plug 29B is inserted into the take-up device connection part 241. The take-up device 29 is arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the reading part 45 in a state of being electrically connected to the printing device 1. The cable 29A transmits the power supplied from the printing device 1 in a state of being inserted into the take-up device connection part 241. A core material around which the long medium M is wound is attached to the shaft part 29C. When the user causes the take-up device 29 to wind up the long medium M, the long medium M is pulled out from the discharge port 21, and the pulled-out long medium M is fixed to the core material. The take-up device 29 receives the power transmitted from the printing device 1 and rotates the shaft part 29C together with the core material. The long medium M discharged from the discharge port 21 is wound around the core material. When the take-up device 29 is connected to the printing device 1, the conveyance path Q of the long medium M discharged from the discharge port 21 bends, and the conveyance direction changes from the front to obliquely downward.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. The printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30, a storage unit 31 electrically connected to the control unit 30, an operation unit 4, a display unit 3, a first conveyance drive unit 9, a second conveyance drive unit 11, a third conveyance drive unit 38, a fourth conveyance drive unit 39, a fifth conveyance drive unit 49, a printing unit 6, a halogen lamp 41, a cutting unit 50, encoders 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, a medium detection unit 53, a reading unit 45, a winding device connection unit 241, and an external device connection unit 242. The control unit 30 includes a CPU that controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 30 includes a predetermined electric circuit or the like that transmits drive signals (for example, drive currents) to the printing unit 6, the halogen lamp 41, the first conveyance drive unit 9, the second conveyance drive unit 11, the third conveyance drive unit 38, the fourth conveyance drive unit 39, the fifth conveyance drive unit 49, and the cutting unit 50 in response to instructions from the CPU. The storage unit 31 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, and the like that store various parameters and the like necessary when the control unit 30 executes various programs. The storage unit 31 stores a printing program for causing the control unit 30 to execute the printing process described later with reference to FIG. 5. The control unit 30 functions as an example of a processor that executes the printing process by expanding the printing program stored in the storage unit 31.

[0032] The first conveyance driving unit 9 rotationally drives the first conveyance unit 7. The first conveyance driving unit 9 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The second conveyance driving unit 11 rotationally drives the second conveyance unit 10. The second conveyance driving unit 11 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The third conveyance driving unit 38 rotationally drives the third conveyance unit 15. The third conveyance driving unit 38 is, for example, a stepping motor. The fourth conveyance driving unit 39 rotationally drives the fourth conveyance unit 19. The fourth conveyance driving unit 39 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The fifth conveyance driving unit 49 rotationally drives the fifth conveyance unit 48. The fifth conveyance driving unit 49 is, for example, a stepping motor capable of forward and reverse rotation. The encoder 33 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount to the control unit 30 for the first conveyance driving unit 9. The encoder 34 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount to the control unit 30 for the second conveyance driving unit 11. The encoder 35 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount to the control unit 30 for the third conveyance driving unit 38. The encoder 36 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount to the control unit 30 for the fourth conveyance driving unit 39. The encoder 37 inputs a value corresponding to the driving amount to the control unit 30 for the fifth conveyance driving unit 49. Hereinafter, when collectively referring to the first conveyance driving unit 9, the second conveyance driving unit 11, the third conveyance driving unit 38, the fourth conveyance driving unit 39, and the fifth conveyance driving unit 49, it is simply referred to as the conveyance driving unit. The medium detection unit 53 inputs a detection result indicating the presence or absence of the passage of the tip of the long medium M to the control unit 30 described later. The reading unit 45 includes a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 451 and an AFE (Analog Front End) 452. The CIS 451 reads the images printed on each of the plurality of printing media L. The AFE 452 converts the analog image read by the CIS 451 into digital image data. The reading unit 45 inputs the converted image data to the control unit 30. The take-up device connection unit 241 functions as an input / output interface with the take-up device 29. The external device connection unit 242 functions as an input / output interface with an external information device such as a PC.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 4, a database 80 that stores predetermined information to be printed on the printing apparatus 1 will be described. In the present embodiment, the database 80 is stored in a PC connected to the printing apparatus 1 via the external device connection unit 242. The database 80 stores a plurality of pieces of predetermined information to be printed on a plurality of printing media L in the printing process described later with reference to FIG. 5. In the present embodiment, the predetermined information includes code information. The code information is image information indicating a one-dimensional code. In the present embodiment, the code information is image information indicating a barcode which is a one-dimensional code. The database 80 stores the code information in association with each of the serial numbers indicated by "A001", "A002",... in the "No." column. The database 80 defines the matters to be printed on the printing media L according to the code information as "other printing matters". In the present embodiment, the other printing matters are the serial numbers indicated by "No.". Therefore, in the present embodiment, the predetermined information printed on the printing media L includes the serial number and the code information corresponding to the serial number (see the image P1 in FIG. 12). The printing media L on which the predetermined information is printed is, for example, attached to a certain product and used for quality control of the product. The serial numbers are provided in ascending order corresponding to the manufacturing order of the products. The database 80 stores the code information in association with the serial numbers arranged in ascending order. That is, the database 80 stores the predetermined information arranged in the order of work for attaching the printing media L to the products. In the present embodiment, the code information is obtained by coding various pieces of information regarding the product, such as the manufacturer and manufacturing date of the product.

[0034] Note that when the printing media L is attached to a certain product and the code information printed on the attached printing media L is used for quality control of the above-mentioned product, etc., the code information is read by a barcode reader or the like held by the person who performs the quality control of the product. Therefore, the code information needs to be printed on the printing media L with a print quality that can be accurately read by a barcode reader or the like.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, the printing process executed by the control unit 30 of the printing apparatus 1 will be described. The printing process is executed when an instruction to print predetermined information on the printing medium L is detected. In the present embodiment, the instruction to print the predetermined information is executed by the user via the operation unit 4. In the following description, the steps of each process are abbreviated as "S". At the start of the printing process, the long medium M is sandwiched between the first transport unit 7.

[0036] When the printing process is started, the control unit 30 determines whether to execute the print settings (S1). The print settings are to set various printing specifications for printing the predetermined information on the printing medium L using the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 30 displays an image for allowing the user to select whether to execute the print settings on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to input an instruction on whether to execute the print settings using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the instruction on whether to execute the print settings input via the operation unit 4. When the user selects not to execute the print settings, such as using the default print settings or using the previously set print settings as they are, the control unit 30, when acquiring an instruction not to execute the print settings (S1: NO), shifts the process to the determination in S3.

[0037] When the control unit 30 acquires an instruction to execute the print settings (S1: YES), it executes the print setting process (S2) and shifts the process to the determination in S3. The print setting process is a process for executing the print settings.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, the details of the print setting process (S2) in FIG. 5 will be described. When the print setting process is started, the control unit 30 acquires determination result necessity information, which is information indicating whether it is necessary to print the determination result information on the printing medium L (S31). The control unit 30 displays an image for allowing the user to select whether it is necessary to print the determination result information on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to input the determination result necessity information using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the determination result necessity information input via the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 stores the acquired determination result necessity information in the storage unit 31.

[0039] The printing apparatus 1 reads predetermined information printed on a printing medium L using a reading unit 45, and determines the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information based on the reading result which is the result of the reading. The determination result information is information indicating the determination result of the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information, and indicates whether the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information printed on the printing medium L is good or not, or the degree of goodness or badness of the print quality. The goodness or badness of the print quality or the degree of goodness or badness of the print quality is determined based on a predetermined standard used for determining the print quality of the code information. As the predetermined standard, one stored in the storage unit 31 in advance is used, or one acquired from an external device via the external device connection unit 242 is used. When the user selects that it is necessary to print the determination result information on the printing medium L, the printing apparatus 1 prints the determination result information on the printing medium L. Hereinafter, among the printing media L, the one on which the predetermined information is printed is referred to as a first medium LX, and the one on which the determination result information is printed is referred to as a second medium LY. The first medium LX includes at least one printing medium L. The second medium LY includes at least one printing medium L. The second medium LY is arranged upstream or downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX in a state where the long medium M is arranged in the conveyance path Q. That is, the first medium LX and the second medium LY are printing media L arranged continuously in the long medium M.

[0040] The control unit 30 determines whether the acquired determination result necessity information indicates that it is necessary to print the determination result information for the printing medium L (S32). When the determination result necessity information indicates that it is not necessary to print the determination result information for the printing medium L (S32: NO), the control unit 30 stores setting information indicating setting of each of ascending order printing and non-cutting, which will be described later, in the storage unit 31 (S38), and shifts the process to S50.

[0041] When the determination result necessity information indicates that printing of the determination result information for the print medium L is necessary (S32: YES), the control unit 30 acquires the number of divisions of the first medium LX (S33). The number of divisions is a value indicating a number smaller than the total number of prints, which is the total number of print media L on which the printing apparatus 1 prints predetermined information in one printing operation. The printing apparatus 1 executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX of the number of divisions, and executes printing of the determination result information for the first medium LX of the number of divisions on the second medium LY. Thereafter, until the total number of the first medium LX on which the printing apparatus 1 has executed printing of the predetermined information reaches the total number of prints, the printing apparatus 1 repeats printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX of the number of divisions and printing of the determination result information on the second medium LY. That is, the printing apparatus 1 sets the first medium LX of the number of divisions as one division, and prints the determination result information for the plurality of first medium LX included in one division on the second medium LY. The control unit 30 displays, on the display unit 3, an image prompting input of the number of divisions, and prompts the user to input the number of divisions using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the number of divisions input via the operation unit 4. Hereinafter, the total number of prints is denoted as Z. The number of divisions is denoted as X. The control unit 30 stores the acquired value of X in the storage unit 31.

[0042] The control unit 30 acquires the number of media of the second medium LY (S35). The number of media indicates one or a plurality of values. When the user selects "1" as the number of media, the user can select to print the determination result information in a lump on one second medium LY as the second medium LY. When the user selects a plurality of "2" or more as the number of media, the user can select to divide and print the determination result information on a plurality of second media LY as the second medium LY. The control unit 30 displays, on the display unit 3, an image prompting input of the number of media, and prompts the user to input the number of media using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the number of media input via the operation unit 4. Hereinafter, the number of media is denoted as Y. The control unit 30 stores the acquired value of Y in the storage unit 31.

[0043] The control unit 30 acquires whether to arrange the second medium LY upstream or downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX (S36). The control unit 30 displays an image for the user to select whether to arrange the second medium LY upstream or downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to select upstream or downstream and input using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the information indicating upstream or downstream input via the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 stores the acquired information in the storage unit 31.

[0044] The control unit 30 determines whether the winding device 29 is connected to the printing device 1 (S39). When the control unit 30 detects that the plug 29B of the winding device 29 is inserted into the winding device connection part 241, it determines that the winding device 29 is connected to the printing device 1. When the control unit 30 determines that the winding device 29 is connected to the printing device 1 (S39: YES), it stores setting information indicating setting each of the descending printing and non-cutting described later in the storage unit 31 (S48), and shifts the process to S50. Hereinafter, storing various setting information related to the print settings in the storage unit 31 is referred to as "setting".

[0045] Thereafter, the control unit 30 rotates the shaft portion 29C of the winding device 29 according to the driving amount of the conveyance driving unit (S49). When the conveyance driving unit conveys the long medium M in the forward direction F, the control unit 30 transmits an instruction to rotate the shaft portion 29C counterclockwise in a front view to the winding device 29. When the conveyance driving unit conveys the long medium M in the reverse direction B, the control unit 30 transmits an instruction to rotate the shaft portion 29C clockwise in a front view to the winding device 29. When the conveyance of the long medium M by the conveyance driving unit stops, the control unit 30 transmits an instruction to stop the rotation of the shaft portion 29C to the winding device 29. The winding device 29 rotates or stops the shaft portion 29C according to the power and instruction transmitted from the printing device 1.

[0046] When the control unit 30 determines that the winding device 29 is not connected to the printing device 1 (S39: NO), it determines whether to print the predetermined information in ascending order or descending order (S41). The control unit 30 causes the display unit 3 to display an image for allowing the user to select whether to print the predetermined information in ascending order or descending order, and prompts the user to input whether to print in ascending order or descending order using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires information indicating ascending order printing or descending order printing input via the operation unit 4. When the acquired information indicates ascending order printing, the control unit 30 determines that the predetermined information is to be printed in ascending order (S41: YES) and sets the ascending order printing (S42). When the acquired information indicates descending order printing, the control unit 30 determines that the predetermined information is to be printed in descending order (S41: NO) and sets the descending order printing (S43). The process proceeds to S45.

[0047] Ascending order printing means acquiring predetermined information from the database 80 in ascending order (in the order of No. A001, No. A002, No. A003,...) and printing the acquired predetermined information on the printing medium L in the acquired order. In ascending order printing, with the long medium M disposed in the conveyance path Q, the predetermined information is printed on the first medium LX such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is above the image, characters, etc. indicated by the predetermined information. Further, in ascending order printing, when the determination result information is to be printed, the determination result information is printed on the second medium LY as shown in FIG. 12(B) or FIG. 12(C) or the like such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is above the characters, etc. indicated by the determination result information.

[0048] Descending printing means obtaining predetermined information from the database 80 in descending order (when the total number of prints is 100, in the order of No. A100, No. A099, No. A098...), and printing the obtained predetermined information on the printing medium L in the obtained order. In descending printing, with the long medium M placed in the conveyance path Q, printing of the predetermined information is performed on the first medium LX such that the upstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of the image, characters, etc. indicated by the predetermined information. Also, in descending printing, when printing of the determination result information is performed, printing of the determination result information is performed on the second medium LY as shown in Fig. 13(E) etc. such that the upstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of the characters etc. indicated by the determination result information. Thereby, as shown in Fig. 12(B), on the long medium M, the image P2 which is the determination result information of the first medium LX of No. A001, No. A002, No. A003, No. A004, No. A005 is printed on the second medium LY which is in front of No. A001, that is, downstream in the conveyance direction. As shown in Fig. 12(B), on the long medium M, the image P2 which is the determination result information of the first medium LX of No. A006, No. A007, No. A008, No. A009, No. A010 is printed on the second medium LY which is in front of No. A006, that is, downstream in the conveyance direction. The same applies to No. A011 and later. As shown in Fig. 12(C), on the long medium M, the image P31 which is the determination result information of the first medium LX of No. A001 to No. A005 is printed on the second medium LY which is in front of No. A001, that is, downstream in the conveyance direction. On the long medium M, the image P32 which is the determination result information of the first medium LX of No. A005 to No. A010 is printed on the second medium LY which is in front of No. A001, that is, downstream in the conveyance direction, and behind the image P31, that is, upstream in the conveyance direction. The same applies to No. A011 and later.

[0049] The control unit 30 determines whether to cut the first medium LX and the second medium LY for each section (S45). "Cut for each section" means cutting the first medium LX in the number of sections and the second medium LY on which the determination result information corresponding to the first medium LX in the number of sections is printed, continuously from the long medium M. The control unit 30 displays an image for allowing the user to select whether to cut the first medium LX and the second medium LY for each section on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to input whether to cut for each section using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires information indicating whether to cut for each section input via the operation unit 4. When the acquired information indicates cutting for each section, the control unit 30 determines to cut for each section (S45: YES) and sets a cutting setting indicating cutting for each section (S46). When the acquired information indicates not cutting for each section, the control unit 30 determines not to cut for each section (S45: YES) and sets a non-cutting setting indicating not cutting for each section (S47). The process proceeds to S50.

[0050] The control unit 30 acquires NG printing necessity information (S50). The NG printing necessity information is information indicating whether it is necessary to overwrite and print a determination result NG printing, which is printing of content indicating that the printing quality of the printed content of predetermined information printed on the printing medium L is not good, on the printing medium L on which the predetermined information determined to have a poor printing quality is printed. The control unit 30 displays an image for inputting the NG printing necessity information on the display unit 3 and prompts the user to input the NG printing necessity information using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the NG printing necessity information input via the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 stores the acquired NG printing necessity information in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 returns the process to the printing process.

[0051] Return to the description of FIG. 5. In response to the completion of the determination in S1 or the process in S2, the control unit 30 determines whether to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L (S3). The control unit 30 causes an image for selecting whether to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L to be displayed on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to input an instruction on whether to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires an instruction on whether to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L input via the operation unit 4. When changing the print settings or the like, the user inputs an instruction not to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L using the operation unit 4. When the control unit 30 acquires an instruction not to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L (S3: NO), the process returns to S1.

[0052] When the control unit 30 acquires an instruction to start printing predetermined information on the printing medium L (S3: YES), it acquires the total number of prints (S5). The control unit 30 causes an image for inputting the total number of prints to be displayed on the display unit 3, and prompts the user to input the total number of prints using the operation unit 4. The control unit 30 acquires the total number of printed sheets (value of Z) input via the operation unit 4. As described above, it is assumed that Z is a value larger than X. The control unit 30 stores the acquired value of Z in the storage unit 31.

[0053] The control unit 30 determines whether the determination result necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that it is necessary to print the determination result information on the printing medium L (S6). When the determination result necessity information indicates that it is not necessary to print the determination result information on the printing medium L (S6: NO), the control unit 30 controls the conveyance drive unit to start the conveyance of the long medium M in the forward direction F (S11). Hereinafter, the conveyance of the long medium M in the forward direction F is referred to as forward feeding. The control unit 30 controls the driving amounts of the first conveyance drive unit 9, the second conveyance drive unit 11, the third conveyance drive unit 38, the fourth conveyance drive unit 39, and the fifth conveyance drive unit 49 based on the detection of the leading end of the long medium M by the medium detection unit 53. Thereby, the control unit 30 conveys each of the printing media L in the form of the long medium M to a predetermined position. Hereinafter, the position where the printing unit 6 is disposed in the conveyance path Q is referred to as the printing position. The printing position is the position where printing on the printing medium L starts. The position where the reading unit 45 is disposed in the conveyance path Q is referred to as the reading position. The reading position is the position where reading of an image with respect to the printed content of the printing medium L starts. The position where the cutting unit 50 is disposed in the conveyance path Q is referred to as the cutting position. The cutting position is substantially the same position as the discharge port 21 in the conveyance path Q.

[0054] The control unit 30 performs an update to add 1 to the value of N for defining which predetermined information in the database 80 to refer to (S12). The value of N is stored in the storage unit 31, and the initial value of N at the start of the printing process is 0.

[0055] When the determination result necessity information indicates that it is not necessary to print the determination result information on the print medium L, the ascending order printing setting is performed in the print setting process. Each time the print medium L is fed forward to the printing position, the control unit 30 controls the printing unit 6 to execute printing of predetermined information on the print medium L (S13). In this process, the control unit 30 refers to the database 80, acquires the Nth predetermined information in the database 80, and executes printing of the acquired predetermined information on the print medium L. The printing unit 6 forms an image of the predetermined information on the print medium L by discharging the liquid G from the nozzles 6a onto the print medium L that is fed forward. Also, the control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and controls the halogen lamp 41 of the fixing unit 40 to fix the image of the predetermined information formed on the print medium L onto the print medium L.

[0056] The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and, in response to the print medium L on which the predetermined information has been printed being conveyed to the reading position, acquires the reading result of the print content of the predetermined information printed on the print medium L from the reading unit 45 (S14). The control unit 30 determines the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information printed on the print medium L based on the acquired reading result (S15). The control unit 30 executes the first printing defect handling (S16). The first printing defect handling is a process of executing determination result NG printing, etc. on the print medium L on which the predetermined information for which it is determined that the print content is not good is printed, according to the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 7, the details of the processing (S16) at the time of the first printing defect in FIG. 5 will be described. When the processing at the time of the first printing defect is started, the control unit 30 determines whether the determination result in S15 of FIG. 5 indicates that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is good (S51). In the present embodiment, the determination of the print quality in S15 is performed in two steps (good / bad) or five steps (rank A to rank E). Whether the determination is made in two steps or five steps may be determined in advance by the printing apparatus 1, or the printing apparatus 1 may be configured such that the user can select whether to make the determination in two steps or five steps. When the determination is made in two steps, a determination result of OK indicates that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is good, and a determination result of NG indicates that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is not good (bad). When the determination is made in five steps, determination results from rank A to rank C indicate that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is good, and determination results from rank D to rank E indicate that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is not good (bad). The correspondence between the ranges of good and bad and the ranks when the determination is made in five steps can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, only rank A may be regarded as good and the other ranks may be regarded as bad. When the determination result is good (S51: YES), the control unit 30 returns the processing to the printing process.

[0058] When the determination result is bad (S51: NO), the control unit 30 determines whether it is necessary to overwrite and print the determination result NG on the print medium L corresponding to the determination result (S52). That is, the control unit 30 determines whether the NG print necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that the determination result NG print is necessary. When the NG print necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that the determination result NG print is unnecessary (S52: NO), the control unit 30 returns the processing to the printing process.

[0059] When the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that NG printing is necessary for the determination result (S52: YES), the control unit 30 stops the forward feeding and conveys the printing medium L with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information to the printing position, so as to convey the long medium M in the reverse direction B (S53). Hereinafter, conveying the long medium M in the reverse direction B is referred to as reverse feeding. After the control unit 30 reversely feeds the printing medium L with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information to the printing position, it starts the forward feeding (S55). The printing unit 6 executes the NG printing for the determination result on the printing medium L being fed forward (S56). In the present embodiment, the NG printing for the determination result is performed by overprinting the symbol P4 shown in FIGS. 12(C) and 13(F) on the printing medium L with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12(C) and 13(F), the symbol P4 is a "×" indicating that the print content is not good. The symbol P4 is overprinted on the barcode image P1 with poor print quality. Thereby, it can be indicated that the print quality of the barcode image P1 on which the symbol P4 is overprinted is not good.

[0060] The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and re-executes the printing of the predetermined information printed on the printing medium L for which the NG printing for the determination result has been executed on the printing medium L arranged adjacent upstream in the forward direction F to the printing medium L for which the NG printing for the determination result has been executed (S58). In this process, the control unit 30 acquires the Nth predetermined information in the database 80 and executes the printing of the acquired predetermined information on the printing medium L. Hereinafter, re-executing the printing of the predetermined information printed on the printing medium L for which the NG printing for the determination result has been executed on the printing medium L arranged adjacent upstream in the forward direction F to the printing medium L for which the NG printing for the determination result has been executed is referred to as reprinting of the predetermined information. The control unit 30 returns the process to the printing process.

[0061] Return to the description of FIG. 5. After executing the process for the first printing defect (S16), the control unit 30 updates the number of printed media L for which printing of predetermined information has been executed (S18). Hereinafter, the number of printed sheets is indicated as T. The value of T is stored in the storage unit 31, and the initial value of T at the start of the printing process is 0. The control unit 30 performs an update to add 1 to the value of T, and stores the updated value of T in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 determines whether the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S19). If the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S19: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to S12. If the value of T has reached the value of Z (S19: NO), the control unit 30 ends the printing process.

[0062] FIG. 12(A) shows an example of a printing result for the long media M when the processes from S12 to S18 are repeatedly executed. As shown in FIG. 12(A), on the long media M, serial numbers such as "A001", "A002",... and an image P1 which is code information corresponding to the serial number are printed. Note that FIG. 12(A) shows an example in which the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that NG printing is not necessary (S52: NO), and reprinting of the determination result NG printing and predetermined information is not executed. In addition, each example shown in FIGS. 12(A), 12(B), 12(C), 12(D) and FIGS. 13(E), 13(F), 13(G) shows the long media M discharged from the discharge port 21. Each example shown in FIGS. 12(A), 12(B), 12(C), 12(D) is an example when ascending order printing is performed. Each example shown in FIGS. 13(E), 13(F), 13(G) is an example when descending order printing is performed.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12(A), when the processes from S12 to S18 are repeatedly executed, since the printing of predetermined information on a plurality of printing media L is performed in ascending order printing, a printing result in which the predetermined information is arranged in ascending order can be obtained from the downstream to the upstream in the forward direction F. When the determination result NG printing and the reprinting of the predetermined information are not executed, and when stains, fading, etc. occur in the printed content of the predetermined information, the printing medium L with the printed content is discharged as it is from the discharge port 21. A user who sees a printing medium L with stains, fading, etc. may be worried that stains, fading, etc. that are not visible to the naked eye may also have occurred in other printing media L other than the printing medium L with stains, fading, etc., and that other printing media L with stains, fading, etc. may have been overlooked. In addition, the user may be worried about whether printing defects that are not visible to the naked eye will affect the reading by a barcode reader or the like, and whether the determination of the quality of the printed content of the predetermined information is being normally executed in the printing apparatus 1. Also, when the total number of prints is large, the task of searching for printing media L with poor print quality among a large number of printing media L tends to become complicated.

[0064] Returning to the description of FIG. 5. When the determination result necessity information indicates that it is necessary to print the determination result information on the printing medium L (S6: YES), the control unit 30 determines whether to arrange the second medium LY downstream of the first medium LX in the forward direction F (S21). The control unit 30 refers to the information indicating upstream or downstream stored in the storage unit 31, and when the referred information indicates downstream (S21: YES), the control unit 30 executes the first determination result information printing process (S22).

[0065] Referring to FIG. 8, the details of the first determination result information printing process (S22) in FIG. 5 will be described. The first determination result information printing process is executed to align the second medium LY downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX on the long medium M. When the first determination result information printing process is started, the control unit 30 starts the forward feeding of the long medium M (S61). The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and feeds the most downstream one in the forward direction F of the first medium LX to the printing position (S62). In this process, the control unit 30 does not perform printing on the second medium LY arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX, but feeds the second medium LY downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing unit 6. Note that the number of the second media LY fed downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing unit 6 without performing printing corresponds to the value of Y stored in the storage unit 31.

[0066] The control unit 30 performs an update to add 1 to the value of N (S63). The control unit 30 performs printing of predetermined information on the first medium LX fed to the printing position (S64). In this process, when ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 refers to the database 80, acquires the Nth predetermined information in the database 80, and performs printing of the acquired predetermined information on the printing medium L. Further, when descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 refers to the database 80, acquires the (Z - (N - 1))th predetermined information in the database 80, and performs printing of the acquired predetermined information on the first medium LX.

[0067] The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and acquires, from the reading unit 45, the reading result of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX conveyed to the reading position (S65). The control unit 30 determines the print quality of the printed content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX based on the acquired reading result (S66). The control unit 30 stores the determination result in S66 in the storage unit 31 (S68). In S68, when ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S66 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of N. When descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S66 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of (Z - (N - 1)).

[0068] The control unit 30 executes processing during second printing defect (S69). The processing during second printing defect is processing for executing determination result NG printing or the like on the print medium L on which predetermined information determined not to have good print quality is printed, according to the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31. The processing during second printing defect is executed in the first determination result information printing process and the second determination result information printing process described later with reference to FIG. 11.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 9, the details of the processing during second printing defect (S69) in FIG. 8 will be described. When the second printing process is started, the control unit 30 determines whether the most recently stored one among the determination results of the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX indicates that the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information is good (S91). If the determination result is good (S91: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process.

[0070] If the determination result is bad (S91: NO), the control unit 30 determines whether it is necessary to overwrite and print determination result NG printing on the first medium LX corresponding to the determination result (S92). That is, the control unit 30 determines whether the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that determination result NG printing is necessary. If the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that determination result NG printing is unnecessary (S92: NO), the control unit 30 returns the process to the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process.

[0071] When the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that the determination result is that NG printing is necessary (S92: YES), the control unit 30 stops the forward feeding and reversely feeds the long media M to convey the first media LX with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information to the printing position (S93). After reversely feeding the first media LX with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information to the printing position, the control unit 30 starts the forward feeding (S94). The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding, controls the printing unit 6, and executes the determination result NG printing (overwriting printing of the symbol P4 shown in FIGS. 12(D) and 13(F)) on the first media LX being fed forward.

[0072] The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and reprints the predetermined information printed on the first media LX, which is the execution target of the determination result NG printing, on the printing media L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F of the first media LX on which the determination result NG printing has been executed (S96). Hereinafter, the printing media L that is the target of the reprinting of the predetermined information is also treated as the first media LX. In this process, when ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 acquires the Nth predetermined information in the database 80 and executes the reprinting of the acquired predetermined information. When descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 acquires the (Z - (N - 1))th predetermined information in the database 80 and executes the reprinting of the acquired predetermined information.

[0073] The control unit 30 continues the forward feed and, in response to the first medium LX on which reprinting of predetermined information has been performed being conveyed to the reading position, acquires from the reading unit 45 the reading result of the printed content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX (S97). The control unit 30 determines the print quality of the printed content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX based on the acquired reading result (S98). The control unit 30 stores the determination result in S98 in the storage unit 31 (S99). When ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S99 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of N. When descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S99 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of (Z-(N-1)). That is, the control unit 30 updates the determination result stored in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of N or the value of (Z-(N-1)). The control unit 30 returns the process to the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process.

[0074] Return to the description of FIG. 8. After executing the second printing defect time process (S69), the control unit 30 updates the section print count indicating the number of first media LX in which printing of the predetermined information has been completed among the first media LX of one section (S71). Hereinafter, the section print count is indicated as E. The value of E is stored in the storage unit 31, and the initial value of E at the start of the printing process is 0. The control unit 30 performs an update of adding 1 to the value of E and stores the updated value of E in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 determines whether the value of E is smaller than the value of X (S72). If the value of E is smaller than the value of X (S72: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to S63.

[0075] When the value of E reaches the value of X (S72: NO), the control unit 30 clears the value of E to 0, and reversely feeds the long medium M in order to convey the second medium LY arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX on the long medium M to the printing position (S73). When there are a plurality of second media LY, that is, when the value of Y is 2 or more, the control unit 30 executes reverse feeding so that the second medium LY arranged most downstream in the forward direction F is arranged at the printing position. After reverse feeding so that the second medium LY is arranged at the printing position, the control unit 30 starts forward feeding (S75). The control unit 30 continues forward feeding and controls the printing unit 6 to execute printing of the determination result information on the second medium LY (S76). When ascending order printing is performed on the first medium LX, the image indicating the determination result information is printed on the second medium LY such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is the upper side of the image, similar to the predetermined information. When descending order printing is performed on the first medium LX, the image indicating the determination result information is printed on the second medium LY such that the upstream side in the forward direction F is the upper side of the image, similar to the predetermined information.

[0076] FIG. 12(B) shows an example of the printing result for the long medium M when ascending order printing is executed, where the first medium LX consists of 5 printing media L (X = 5) and the second medium LY consists of 1 printing media L (Y = 1). The second medium LY is arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX. Note that FIG. 12(B) shows an example in which the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that determination result NG printing is unnecessary (S52: NO) and reprinting of the determination result NG printing and the predetermined information is not executed. In this example, it is assumed that the printing content of the fourth predetermined information in the database 80 has stains and blurs.

[0077] When ascending order printing is executed, in S68, the control unit 30 stores the determination result obtained in S66 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of N. As shown in image P2, the determination result information is associated with the identification information for identifying each of the five first media LX included in one category, such as "First sheet:", "Second sheet:",... "Fifth sheet:", and indicates the determination result of the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information of the five first media LX. The numerical parts of "First sheet:", "Second sheet:",... "Fifth sheet:" correspond to the value of N stored in the storage unit 31 in association with the determination result in S66. In image P2, the determination result for the print content of the predetermined information of the first media LX is indicated by "〇" or "×". "〇" is a symbol indicating that the determination result is good, and "×" is a symbol indicating that the determination result is bad. By checking the long media M shown in FIG. 12(B), the user can recognize that the determination result corresponding to the fourth first media LX from the upstream side in the forward direction F among the five first media LX indicates bad, and the determination results corresponding to the other first media LX indicate good. Also, like the predetermined information, image P2 is printed on the second media LY such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of image P2. Therefore, the user can list the print content of the five first media LX and the determination results for them in the same direction at a glance.

[0078] FIG. 12(C) shows an example of the printing result on the long medium M when ascending printing is executed, where the first medium LX consists of 10 printing media L (X = 10) and the second medium LY consists of 2 printing media L (Y = 2). The second medium LY is arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX. In the example of FIG. 12(C), the determination result regarding the printing content of the predetermined information of the first medium LX is divided into two images, i.e., images P31 and P32, and each of P31 and P32 is formed on each of the two second media LY. For example, when the number of divisions (X) of the first medium LX is relatively large with respect to the size of the printing medium L, the size of characters or the like indicating the determination result information printed on the second medium LY tends to be small. Since the printing apparatus 1 allows the user to select the number of media (Y) of the second medium LY, the mode such as the size of characters of the determination result information printed on the second medium LY can be made to match the mode desired by the user. In the example of FIG. 12(C), the determination result information is indicated in five levels using characters from A to E. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can more specifically show the user the printing quality of the predetermined information than when the determination result information is indicated in two levels of good / bad.

[0079] Return to the description of FIG. 8. The control unit 30 executes a cutting process (S78). The cutting process is a process for cutting the first medium LX with the number of divisions and the second medium LY on which the determination result information corresponding to the first medium LX with the number of divisions is printed, continuously in one piece from the long medium M for each division.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 10, the details of the cutting process (S78) in FIG. 8 will be described. The cutting process is executed in the first determination result information printing process and the second determination result information printing process to be described later with reference to FIG. 11. When the cutting process is started, the control unit 30 determines whether a cutting setting is made (S101). If no cutting setting is made or a non-cutting setting is made (S101: NO), the control unit 30 returns the process to the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process.

[0081] When the cutting setting is made (S101: YES), the control unit 30 continues the forward feeding (S102) in order to cut the X first media LX on which predetermined information has been printed and the Y second media LY on which determination result information has been printed in one continuous piece. In response to the upstream side in the forward direction F of the printing medium L arranged most upstream in the forward direction F among the X first media LX and the Y second media LY being conveyed to the cutting position, the control unit 30 stops the forward feeding (S103). The control unit 30 controls the cutting unit 50 to cut the X first media LX and the Y second media LY in one continuous piece from the long media M (S105). The continuous first media LX and second media LY cut from the long media M are discharged from the discharge port 21. The control unit 30 returns the process to the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process.

[0082] FIG. 12(C) shows an example in which 10 first media LX and 2 second media LY arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the 10 first media LX are cut from the long media M at the position indicated by the broken line. In this case, since the first media LX and the second media LY are in one continuous piece, the printing apparatus 1 can easily list for the user which of the first media LX is the target of the determination result information printed on the second media LY.

[0083] Returning to the description of FIG. 8, after executing the cutting process (S78), the control unit 30 updates the number of printed copies (S81). The control unit 30 performs an update by adding the value of X to the value of T, and stores the updated value of T in the storage unit 31. Note that the number of the first media LX for which the determination result NG printing has been executed is not added to the value of T. The control unit 30 determines whether the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S82).

[0084] When the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S82: YES), the control unit 30 conveys the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY to the printing position (S83). When the first medium LX and the second medium LY are cut from the long medium M continuously in the cutting process (S78), the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is located downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing position. In this case, in the process of S83, the control unit 30 reversely conveys the long medium M so that the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is arranged at the printing position. When the first medium LX and the second medium LY are not cut continuously from the long medium M in the cutting process (S78), the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is located upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing position. In this case, in the process of S83, the control unit 30 continues the forward conveyance so that the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is arranged at the printing position. The control unit 30 returns the process to S61.

[0085] When the value of T has reached the value of Z (S82: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to the printing process in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the printing process.

[0086] Return to the description of FIG. 5. The control unit 30 refers to the information indicating upstream or downstream stored in the storage unit 31. When the referred information indicates upstream (S21: NO), the control unit 30 executes the second determination result information printing process (S23).

[0087] Referring to FIG. 11, the details of the second determination result information printing process (S21) in FIG. 5 will be described. The second determination result information printing process is executed to arrange the second medium LY upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX on the long medium M. When the second determination result information printing process is started, the control unit 30 starts the forward feeding of the long medium M (S111). The control unit 30 performs an update to add 1 to the value of N (S113). The control unit 30 executes printing of predetermined information on the first medium LX that has been fed forward to the printing position (S114). Similar to the second determination result information printing process, when ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 refers to the database 80, acquires the Nth predetermined information in the database 80, and executes printing of the acquired predetermined information on the printing medium L. Also, when descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 refers to the database 80, acquires the (Z-(N-1))th predetermined information in the database 80, and executes printing of the acquired predetermined information on the first medium LX.

[0088] The control unit 30 continues the forward feeding and acquires, from the reading unit 45, the reading result of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX conveyed to the reading position (S115). The control unit 30 determines the print quality of the print content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX based on the acquired reading result (S116). The control unit 30 stores the determination result in S115 in the storage unit 31 (S118). In S118, when ascending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S116 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of N. When descending order printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result in S116 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of (Z-(N-1)).

[0089] The control unit 30 executes the above-described second printing defect handling (S119). The control unit 30 performs an update to add 1 to the divided print count (value of E) (S121). The control unit 30 stores the updated value of E in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 determines whether the value of E is smaller than the value of X (S122). If the value of E is smaller than the value of X (S122: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to S113.

[0090] In this embodiment, since the fixing unit 40 is disposed between the printing unit 6 and the reading unit 45 in the conveyance path Q, the distance between the printing unit position and the reading position is the distance over which one or more printed media L are arranged in the long medium M. For this reason, in the process in which the processes of S114 and S115 are performed, the second medium LY is conveyed in a state where no printing is performed at a position downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing unit 6. When the value of E reaches the value of X (S122: NO), the control unit 30 clears the value of E to 0 and reversely conveys the long medium M in order to convey the second medium LY arranged upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX in the long medium M to the printing position (S123). When there are a plurality of second media LY, that is, when the value of Y is 2 or more, the control unit 30 executes reverse conveyance so that the second medium LY arranged most downstream in the forward direction F is disposed at the printing position. Note that the reverse conveyance amount of the long medium M in S123 is less than the reverse conveyance amount in S73 of the first determination result information printing process.

[0091] After reversely conveying so that the second medium LY is disposed at the printing position, the control unit 30 starts forward conveyance (S125). The control unit 30 continues forward conveyance and controls the printing unit 6 to execute printing of the determination result information on the second medium LY (S126). When ascending order printing is performed on the first medium LX, an image indicating the determination result information is printed on the second medium LY such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of the image, similar to the predetermined information. When descending order printing is performed on the first medium LX, an image indicating the determination result information is printed on the second medium LY such that the upstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of the image, similar to the predetermined information.

[0092] FIG. 13(E) shows an example of a printing result for the long media M when reverse printing is executed, where the first media LX consists of 5 printing media L (X = 5) and the second media LY consists of 1 printing media L (Y = 1). The second media LY is arranged upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first media LX. Assume that the total number of prints (value of Z) is 100. Note that FIG. 13(E) shows an example where the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that the determination result is that NG printing is unnecessary (S52: NO), and the NG printing and reprinting of predetermined information are not executed. In this example, it is assumed that the printed content of the 98th predetermined information in the database 80, where (Z - (N - 1)) = (100 - (3 - 1)) = 98, has stains and fading.

[0093] When reverse printing is set, the control unit 30 stores the determination result obtained in S116 in the storage unit 31 in association with the value of (Z - (N - 1)). As shown in Image P5, the determination result information is associated with the identification information for identifying each of the 5 first media LX included in one section, such as "96th sheet:", "97th sheet:",... "100th sheet:", and shows the determination results for the printed content of the predetermined information of the 5 first media LX. The numerical parts of "96th sheet:", "97th sheet:",... "100th sheet:" correspond to the value of (Z - (N - 1)) stored in the storage unit 31 in association with the determination result in S116. In Image P5, the determination results for the printed content of the predetermined information of the first media LX are indicated by "A" to "E", shown in five ranks. By checking the long media M shown in FIG. 13(E), the user can recognize that the determination result corresponding to the 3rd first media LX from the downstream side in the forward direction F among the 5 first media LX is rank "E", and the determination results corresponding to the other first media LX are ranks "A" or "B". Also, like the predetermined information, Image P5 is printed on the second media LY so that the upstream side in the forward direction F is on the upper side of Image P5. Therefore, the user can list the printed content of the 5 first media LX and the determination results for them in the same direction at a glance.

[0094] Also, when the winding device 29 is connected to the printing device 1, since reverse-order printing is performed with the non-cutting setting (S48), the printing device 1 outputs a printing result as shown in FIG. 13(E). The winding device 29 rotates the shaft portion 29C and winds the long medium M around the core material attached to the shaft portion 29C at a position downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the reading unit 45. In this case, the serial numbers printed on the first medium LX are arranged in ascending order (predetermined information is arranged in the order of work) from the outside to the inside of the long medium M wound around the core material. After the printing process is completed, the user can sequentially attach the printed medium L on which the predetermined information is printed to the product while feeding out the long medium M wound around the core material by the shaft portion 29C from the outside. In this pasting operation, the user can proceed with the work while checking the determination result information printed on the second medium LY.

[0095] Return to the description of FIG. 11. The control unit 30 executes the above-described cutting process (S128). FIG. 13(F) shows an example of the printing result for the long medium M when reverse-order printing is executed, where the first medium LX consists of 5 printed media L (X = 5) and the second medium LY consists of 1 printed media L (Y = 1). The second medium LY is arranged upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX. In the example of FIG. 13(F), it is assumed that the cutting setting is made (S101: YES). Note that FIG. 13(F) shows that the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that determination result NG printing is necessary (S52: YES), and shows an example when determination result NG printing and reprinting of predetermined information are executed. In FIG. 13(F), 5 first media LX on which the predetermined information is printed with good print quality (including 6 first media LX if those printed with poor print quality are also included) and 1 second medium LY arranged upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the 6 first media LX are cut from the long medium M at the positions indicated by the broken lines.

[0096] In this case, as shown in FIG. 13(F), the printing apparatus 1 can easily present to the user which first medium LX is the target of the image P6 of the determination result information printed on the second medium LY. Also, in the example of FIG. 13(F), the printing of the predetermined information is performed in descending order. Until the printing process is completed, the user receives and stores the first medium LX and the second medium LY that are continuously cut from the long medium M in a tray or the like. Each of the stored continuous first medium LX and second medium LY is sorted so that the serial numbers are arranged in ascending order (the predetermined information is arranged in the order of work) from top to bottom. After the printing process is completed, the user can pick up the cut first medium LX and second medium LY stored in a tray or the like in order from the top and sequentially attach the printed medium L with the predetermined information printed thereon to the product. In this pasting operation, the user can proceed with the work while confirming the print quality of the predetermined information for the first medium LX with a number based on the determination result information printed on the second medium LY.

[0097] Returning to the description of FIG. 11. The control unit 30 executes an update for adding the value of X to the number of prints executed (value of T) (S131). The control unit 30 stores the updated value of T in the storage unit 31. The control unit 30 determines whether the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S132).

[0098] When the value of T is smaller than the value of Z (S132: YES), the control unit 30 conveys the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F to the printing position with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY (S133). When the first medium LX and the second medium LY are cut from the long medium M continuously in the cutting process (S128), the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is located downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing position. In this case, in the process of S83, the control unit 30 reversely conveys the long medium M so that the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is arranged at the printing position. When the first medium LX and the second medium LY are not cut from the long medium M continuously in the cutting process (S128), the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is located upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printing position. In this case, in the process of S133, the control unit 30 continues the forward conveyance so that the printing medium L arranged adjacent to the upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the printed first medium LX and second medium LY is arranged at the printing position. The control unit 30 returns the process to S111.

[0099] When the value of T has reached the value of Z (S132: YES), the control unit 30 returns the process to the printing process in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the printing process.

[0100] As described above, when code information is printed on the print medium L, good print quality is required. For this reason, the user needs to identify the print media L with poor print quality from among the plurality of print media L on which printing has been performed, and perform operations such as removing the identified ones. Each time the printing apparatus 1 prints predetermined information on the first media LX having a number of sections less than the total number of prints, determination result information indicating the determination result for the reading result of each of the first media LX having the number of sections is printed on the second media LY arranged upstream or downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first media LX. The user can identify the print media L to be specified from among the first media LX having the number of sections based on the determination result information printed on the second media LY. Therefore, even when the total number of prints is large, the printing apparatus 1 can easily identify the print media L to be specified. Further, the printing apparatus 1 does not need to store all the reading results for the print media L having the total number of prints in the storage unit 31 in order to generate the determination result information, and only needs to store the reading results for the first media LX having the number of sections in the storage unit 31. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 does not need to increase the storage capacity of the storage unit 31, so the cost of the printing apparatus 1 can be reduced.

[0101] As shown in the image P2 of FIG. 12(B), the determination result information shows the determination result obtained in the process of S66 or S116 associated with the identification information for identifying each of the first media LX having the number of sections. The identification information is information for identifying each of the five first media LX included in one section, such as "First sheet:", "Second sheet:",..."Fifth sheet:". The determination result may be a representation of the quality of the print quality in two steps of "〇" or "×", "OK" or "NG" by characters or symbols. Further, the determination result may be a representation of the degree of the quality of the print quality, such as a five-step rank from "A" to "E", by characters or symbols. Since the printing apparatus 1 shows the print quality of each of the first media LX together with the identification information, the user can specifically grasp the print quality of each of the first media LX.

[0102] After determining the print quality for the first medium LX with a distinguishable number, the printing apparatus 1 reversely feeds the second medium LY, which has been forward-fed downstream in the forward direction F from the printing position without printing being executed, back to the printing position, and executes printing of the determination result information on the reversely fed second medium LY. The second medium LY is arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX. For this reason, after the user visually recognizes the second medium LY, it becomes easier to confirm the print quality of the first medium LX with the distinguishable number. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can reduce the work burden on the user for specifying which of the first media LX with the distinguishable number should be specified.

[0103] Since the control unit 30 executes the process of S62 before the process of S64 in the first determination result information printing process of FIG. 8, the printing medium L arranged downstream in the forward direction F with respect to at least one first medium LX can be used as the second medium LY.

[0104] In the case where the total number of prints is small, etc., the user can relatively easily remove the printed medium L with printing defects without printing the determination result information on the printing medium L. The control unit 30 acquires the NG print necessity information (S50), and executes the first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process according to the acquired necessity information. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can execute an operation according to the user's request.

[0105] Since the control unit 30 executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX after previously confirming with the user the necessity of printing the determination result information on the second medium LY, the operation according to the user's request can be smoothly executed.

[0106] The appropriate distinguishable number for the work differs depending on the content of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX and the work content of the operator who performs the work of attaching the printing medium L to the product, etc. The printing apparatus 1 acquires the distinguishable number, and executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX with the acquired distinguishable number. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can execute an operation according to the user's request.

[0107] Since the control unit 30 executes the printing of predetermined information on the first medium LX after having the user input the number of divisions in advance, it can smoothly execute operations according to the user's requests.

[0108] The control unit 30 executes determination result NG printing (S95) in which the symbol P4 is overprinted on the first medium LX with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information. Thereby, it is possible to facilitate the user to identify the first medium LX with poor print quality of the print content of the predetermined information. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can improve the efficiency of the user's work.

[0109] When the control unit 30 executes determination result NG printing on the first medium LX, it reprints the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX that is the execution target of the determination result NG printing (S96). Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can avoid the first medium LX being damaged due to the execution of the determination result NG printing.

[0110] The control unit 30 acquires the number of the second media LY (S35), and executes the printing of the determination result information on the number of second media LY corresponding to the acquired number of media. Thereby, the user can select whether to use one second medium LY as one printing medium L or a plurality of second media LY as a plurality of printing media L according to the size of the printing medium L, the size of the number of divisions, etc. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can provide the user with the print result of the determination result information in the form desired by the user and improve the efficiency of the user's work.

[0111] The printing apparatus 1 includes a cutting unit 50 downstream of the reading unit 45 in the forward direction F. The cutting unit 50 cuts the first medium LX with the number of divisions and the second medium LY on which the determination result information for the first medium LX with the number of divisions is printed, continuously from the long medium M. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can improve the listability of the determination result information and the first medium LX corresponding to the determination result information.

[0112] The first conveying unit 7, the second conveying unit 10, the third conveying unit 15, the fourth conveying unit 19, and the fifth conveying unit 48 are belts (endless belt 16) or rollers (conveying rollers 17, 46, 71, pinch rollers 18, 47, 72, roll R, driving roller 13, and driven roller 14). Therefore, the long medium M is stably conveyed in the conveying path Q. Since the printing unit 6 is an inkjet head, diverse and high-quality printing can be performed at high speed as compared with, for example, a thermal head or the like. Since the reading unit 45 is configured to include a CIS 451, the reading unit 45 is miniaturized as compared with a configuration using, for example, a CCD image sensor or the like.

[0113] The printing apparatus 1 acquires predetermined information from the database 80 in ascending order and executes ascending printing in which the acquired predetermined information is printed on the printing medium L in the acquired order. When executing ascending printing on the first medium LX, the control unit 30 executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is above the image, characters, etc. indicated by the predetermined information in a state where the long medium M is disposed in the conveying path Q. When executing ascending printing, the control unit 30 also executes printing of the determination result information on the second medium LY such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is above the characters, etc. indicated by the determination result information. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the determination result information printed on the second medium LY and the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX in the order in which the long medium M is fed forward.

[0114] The printing device 1 acquires predetermined information from the database 80 in descending order and executes descending printing in which the acquired predetermined information is printed on the printing medium L in the order of acquisition. When executing descending printing on the first medium LX, the control unit 30 executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is below the image, characters, etc. indicated by the predetermined information, with the long medium M arranged in the conveyance path Q. When executing descending printing, the control unit 30 also executes printing of the determination result information on the second medium LY such that the downstream side in the forward direction F is below the characters, etc. indicated by the determination result information. Descending printing is convenient, for example, when confirming the print quality of the first medium LX based on the determination result information printed on the second medium LY after all of the first medium LX with the total number of prints has been printed by the printing device 1. The user can easily confirm the determination result information of the second medium LY and the print quality of the first medium LX in ascending order, starting from the first medium LX printed last by the printing device 1.

[0115] The printing device 1 includes a winding device connection portion 241 that can be electrically connected to the winding device 29 with respect to the printing device 1. When the winding device 29 is connected, the printing device 1 executes printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX by descending printing. The long medium M with the first medium LX and the second medium LY arranged side by side is sequentially wound around a core material mounted on the shaft portion 29C of the winding device 29. In this case, the predetermined information is arranged in the work order from the outside to the inside of the core material. After the printing of the first medium LX with the total number of prints is completed, the user can confirm the determination result information printed on the second medium LY and the print quality of the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX in ascending order while pulling out the long medium M from the core material.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is an example of the "printing apparatus" of the present invention. The printing medium L is an example of the "printing medium" of the present invention. The first medium LX is an example of the "first medium" of the present invention. The second medium LY is an example of the "second medium" of the present invention. The long medium M is an example of the "long medium" of the present invention. The first conveyance unit 7, the second conveyance unit 10, the third conveyance unit 15, the fourth conveyance unit 19, and the fifth conveyance unit 48 are examples of the "conveyance unit" of the present invention. The printing unit 6 is an example of the "printing unit" of the present invention. The reading unit 45 is an example of the "reading unit" of the present invention. The control unit 30 is an example of the "control unit" of the present invention. The processes of S64 and S114 are examples of the "first printing process" and the "first printing step" of the present invention. The processes of S66 and S116 are examples of the "determination process" and the "determination step" of the present invention. The processes of S76 and S126 are examples of the "second printing process" and the "second printing step" of the present invention. The processes of S62 and S113 to S122 are examples of the "first conveyance process" and the "first conveyance step" of the present invention. The processes of S73 and S123 are examples of the "second conveyance process" and the "second conveyance step" of the present invention. The NG printing necessity information is an example of the "necessity information" of the present invention. The operation unit 4 is an example of the "necessity information acquisition unit", the "classification number acquisition unit", and the "medium number acquisition unit" of the present invention. The symbol P4 is an example of the "determination result printing" of the present invention. The process of S96 is an example of the "third printing process" of the present invention. The database 80 is an example of the "database" of the present invention. The cutting unit 50 is an example of the "cutting unit" of the present invention. The winding device connection unit 241 is an example of the "connection unit" of the present invention.

[0117] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the winding device connection unit 241 may be configured to enable wireless connection between the printing apparatus 1 and the winding device 29.

[0118] As the printing unit 6, the printing apparatus 1 can employ various print heads such as a thermal print head and an LED print head in addition to the inkjet head.

[0119] In the above-described embodiment, the first transport unit 7, the second transport unit 10, the fourth transport unit 19, and the fifth transport unit 48 are configured using rollers (transport rollers 17, 46, 71, pinch rollers 18, 47, 72, and roll R). The third transport unit 15 is configured using rollers (drive roller 13 and driven roller 14, transport roller 46, and pinch roller 47) and a belt (endless belt 16). All of the first transport unit 7, the second transport unit 10, the third transport unit 15, the fourth transport unit 19, and the fifth transport unit 48 may be configured by rollers, or all of the first transport unit 7, the second transport unit 10, the third transport unit 15, the fourth transport unit 19, and the fifth transport unit 48 may be configured by belts.

[0120] The code information included in the predetermined information may be information indicating a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) in addition to information indicating a one-dimensional code such as a barcode. The predetermined information may be configured to include only code information.

[0121] The reading unit 45 may be configured to include, in addition to a CIS, a barcode reader, a two-dimensional code scanner, a CCD image sensor, a CMOS image sensor, etc., which image the code information, read the data of the imaged image, and output it to the control unit 30.

[0122] FIG. 12(D) is an example of the long medium M obtained by executing the second determination result information printing process, showing an example in which ascending printing is performed and the second medium LY is arranged upstream in the forward direction F with respect to the first medium LX in the long medium M. Assume that the first medium LX consists of 5 printed media L (X = 5) and the second medium LY consists of 1 printed media L (Y = 1). Note that FIG. 12(D) shows an example in which the NG printing necessity information stored in the storage unit 31 indicates that determination result NG printing is necessary (S52: YES) and determination result NG printing and reprinting of the predetermined information are executed.

[0123] The printing apparatus 1 can allow the user to select whether the second medium LY is arranged upstream or downstream of the first medium LX in the forward direction F. Therefore, the user can arrange the second medium LY upstream or downstream of the first medium LX in the forward direction F according to their preference. Also, in the example of FIG. 12(D), a cutting setting is made (S101: YES), and it is assumed that the first medium LX and the second medium LY arranged downstream of the first medium LX in the forward direction F are continuously cut from the long medium M at the position indicated by the broken line. In this case, the printing apparatus 1 can easily list for the user which first medium LX is the target of the determination result information printed on the second medium LY. That is, in the present invention, the control unit does not perform printing on the at least one second medium, and after performing the first conveyance process of conveying the long medium in the forward direction and the determination process on the at least one first medium of the number of sections, performs a second conveyance process of conveying the at least one second medium in the reverse direction to the position of the printing unit, performs the second printing process on the at least one second medium conveyed by the second conveyance process, and the at least one second medium may be arranged upstream of the at least one first medium in the forward direction in the long medium.

[0124] FIG. 13(G) shows an example of a printing result for the long medium M when descending order printing is executed, where the first medium LX consists of 10 printed media L (X = 10) and the second medium LY consists of 2 printed media L (Y = 2). In FIG. 13(G), the second medium LY is arranged downstream of the first medium LX in the forward direction F in the long medium M. In the example of FIG. 13(G), the determination results regarding the printing contents of the predetermined information of the first medium LX are divided into two images, images P71 and P72, and each of P71 and P72 is formed on each of the two second media LY. Even when the printing apparatus 1 executes printing on the first medium LX and the second medium LY in this way, it can clearly show the user which first medium LX is the target of the determination result information printed on the second medium LY.

[0125] The first determination result information printing process or the second determination result information printing process may be configured such that the content of the determination result necessity information regarding the printing settings and the values of X and Y can be changed after the printing of the predetermined information on the first medium LX is started.

[0126] In the above embodiment, when the control unit 30 executes the determination result NG printing (S95), the control unit 30 reprints the predetermined information printed on the first medium LX that is the execution target of the determination result NG printing (S96). In addition, the control unit 30 may execute only one of the processes of S95 or S96.

[0127] Each step of the printing process of the printing apparatus 1 is not limited to the example executed by the CPU of the control unit 30, and part or all of the steps may be executed by other electronic devices (for example, ASIC). Each step of the printing process may be distributedly processed by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). Each step of the printing process can be changed in order, omitted, and added as necessary. A mode in which an operating system (OS) or the like running on the printing apparatus 1 performs part or all of the printing process based on an instruction from the control unit 30 is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0128] The instruction for performing the printing process may be executed by the user via the operation unit 4, or may be automatically input when it is detected that the replacement of the roll R has been completed. Further, an instruction for performing the printing process may be input to the control unit 30 from an external information device such as a PC via the external device connection unit 242. Similarly, the determination result necessity information regarding the printing settings, the number of divisions (value of X), the number of the second medium LY (value of Y), and the total number of printed sheets (value of Z) may be input by the user via the operation unit 4. The determination result necessity information, the number of divisions (value of X), the number of the second medium LY (value of Y), and the total number of printed sheets (value of Z) may be acquired from an external information device such as a PC via the external device connection unit 242. When an instruction for performing the printing process is input to the control unit 30 from an external information device such as a PC via the external device connection unit 242, the external device connection unit 242 functions as an example of the "necessity information acquisition unit", "number of divisions acquisition unit", and "number of media acquisition unit" of the present invention.

[0129] The external device connection unit 242 may be configured such that an external information device can be wirelessly connected. A program for executing printing processing may be downloaded from a server connected to a network (not shown) via the external device connection unit 242 (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) and stored in the storage unit 31. In this case, the program for executing printing processing only needs to be stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as an HDD provided in the server.

[0130] The database 80 may be input from an external information device such as a PC that stores the database 80 into the control unit 30 via the external device connection unit 242. The input database 80 is stored in the storage unit 31, and the control unit 30 may refer to the database 80 stored in the storage unit 31 to execute printing of predetermined information on the printing medium L.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0131] 1 Printing apparatus 6 Printing unit 7 First conveyance unit 10 Second conveyance unit 15 Third conveyance unit 19 Fourth conveyance unit 30 Control unit 45 Reading unit 48 Fifth conveyance unit 50 Cutting unit 241 Connection unit L Printing medium LX First medium LY Second medium M Longitudinal medium P4 Symbol

Claims

1. A conveying unit that conveys a long medium in which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order in a forward direction in the conveying direction of the long medium and in a reverse direction opposite to the forward direction; A printing unit that performs printing on each of the plurality of printing media conveyed in the forward direction by the conveying unit; A reading unit that is disposed downstream of the printing unit in the forward direction in the conveying direction and reads the printed content printed on each of the plurality of printing media; A control unit that controls the conveying unit, the printing unit, and the reading unit; and is provided with; The control unit: A first printing process for performing printing of predetermined information including code information on a plurality of printing media having a number of sections less than the total number of the plurality of printing media on which printing by the printing unit is scheduled, the plurality of printing media including at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium; A determination process for determining the quality or degree of quality of printing for each of the at least one first medium based on the result of the reading unit reading the printed content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing has been performed by the first printing process; A second printing process for performing printing of determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result by the determination process, on the at least one second medium; are executed in this order, The control unit: A first conveying process for conveying the long medium in the forward direction without performing printing on the at least one second medium; After performing the determination process on the at least one first medium having the number of sections, a second conveying process for conveying the at least one second medium in the reverse direction to the position of the printing unit; are executed, The second printing process is performed on the at least one second medium conveyed by the second conveying process; The printing apparatus, wherein the at least one second medium is arranged downstream in the forward direction with respect to the at least one first medium on the long medium. **Claim 2** The determination result information includes identification information for identifying each of the at least one first medium of the number of divisions, and characters or symbols indicating the determination result by the determination process for each of the at least one first medium associated with the identification information. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The control unit executes the first conveyance process prior to the first printing process. The printing apparatus according to claim 2. **Claim 4** The printing apparatus includes a necessity information acquisition unit capable of acquiring necessity information indicating the necessity of printing the determination result information by the second printing process. The control unit acquires the necessity information via the necessity information acquisition unit, and executes the first printing process according to the acquired necessity information. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. **Claim 5** The control unit acquires the necessity information via the necessity information acquisition unit prior to executing the first printing process. The printing apparatus according to claim 4. **Claim 6** The printing apparatus includes a number of divisions acquisition unit capable of acquiring the number of divisions. The control unit executes a number of divisions acquisition process for acquiring the number of divisions via the number of divisions acquisition unit, and executes the first printing process according to the acquired number of divisions. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. **Claim 7** The control unit acquires the number of divisions via the number of divisions acquisition unit prior to executing the first printing process. The printing apparatus according to claim 6. **Claim 8** The control unit When it is determined by the determination process that the print content of the at least one first medium is not good, a third printing process is executed to perform determination result printing, which is printing of content indicating that fact, on the corresponding at least one first medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that.

9. The control unit, When the third printing process is executed, in the long medium, on at least one of the plurality of printing media arranged upstream in the forward direction with respect to the at least one first medium, printing of the predetermined information corresponding to the at least one first medium that is the execution target of the third printing process is executed. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. It is provided with a medium number acquisition unit capable of acquiring the number of media indicating whether the at least one second medium is one medium or a plurality of media, The control unit, in the second printing process, When there is an input indicating that the at least one second medium is the one medium, the determination result information is printed on one of the at least one second medium, When there is an input indicating that the at least one second medium is the plurality of media, the determination result information is divided and printed on a plurality of the at least one second medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that.

11. It is provided with a cutting unit arranged downstream in the forward direction with respect to the reading unit and cutting at least one of the plurality of printing media from the long medium, The control unit controls the cutting unit to cut the at least one first medium of the number of sections and the at least one second medium on which the determination result information about the at least one first medium of the number of sections is printed continuously from the long medium. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that.

12. The conveying unit is a belt or a roller, The printing unit is an inkjet head, The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the reading unit is a CIS.

13. The control unit, In the first printing process, the predetermined information is acquired in ascending order from a database in which the predetermined information of the total number of prints is arranged in the order of work related to the plurality of printing media, and the downstream side in the forward direction on the long medium is the upper side of the predetermined information. Thus, the printing of the predetermined information on the plurality of printing media is sequentially executed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the second printing process, the printing of the determination result information on the at least one second medium is executed such that the downstream side in the forward direction on the long medium is the upper side of the determination result information.

14. The control unit, In the first printing process, the predetermined information is acquired in descending order from a database in which the predetermined information of the total number of prints is arranged in the order of work related to the plurality of printing media, and the downstream side in the forward direction on the long medium is the lower side of the predetermined information. Thus, the printing of the predetermined information on the plurality of printing media is sequentially executed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein in the second printing process, the printing of the determination result information on the at least one second medium is executed such that the downstream side in the forward direction on the long medium is the lower side of the determination result information.

15. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a connection unit that is disposed downstream in the forward direction with respect to the reading unit and is electrically connected to a winding device that sequentially winds the long medium in the forward direction.

16. A printing method for performing printing on a long medium on which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order, Including at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium, a first printing step of causing a printing unit that executes printing to execute printing of predetermined information including code information on a plurality of printing media having a number of divisions less than the total number of the plurality of printing media to be printed, Based on the result that the reading unit that reads the printed content printed on the plurality of printing media reads the printed content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing was executed in the first printing step, for each of the at least one first medium, a determination step of determining whether the print quality is good or the degree of whether the print quality is good or bad A second printing step of executing printing of determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result in the determination step, on the at least one second medium Are executed in this order, A first conveyance step of conveying the long medium in the forward direction without executing printing on the at least one second medium and by a conveyance unit that conveys the long medium in the forward direction and the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction in the conveyance direction of the long medium, After executing the determination step for the at least one first medium of the number of divisions, a second conveyance step of conveying the at least one second medium to the position of the printing unit in the reverse direction by the conveyance unit Comprising, Executing the second printing step on the at least one second medium conveyed in the second conveyance step, The at least one second medium is arranged downstream in the forward direction with respect to the at least one first medium in the long medium. A printing method characterized by this.

17. The printing method according to claim 16, wherein the determination result information includes identification information for identifying each of the at least one first medium of the number of divisions and characters or symbols indicating the determination result in the determination step for each of the at least one first medium associated with the identification information.

18. A printing program for performing printing on a long medium on which a plurality of printing media are arranged in order, including at least one first medium and at least one second medium arranged next to the at least one first medium in the long medium, a first printing step of causing a printing unit that executes printing to execute printing of predetermined information including code information on the plurality of printing media in a number less than the total number of the plurality of printing media to be printed, which is the total number of prints; A determination step of determining, for each of the at least one first medium, whether the print quality is good or the degree of whether the print quality is good based on the result of reading the print content of each of the at least one first medium on which printing has been executed in the first printing step by a reading unit that reads the print content printed on the plurality of printing media; A second printing step of executing printing of determination result information, which is information indicating the determination result by the determination step, on the at least one second medium; causing a computer to execute in this order, A first conveyance step of conveying the long medium in the forward direction without executing printing on the at least one second medium and by a conveyance unit that conveys the long medium in the forward direction and in the reverse direction opposite to the forward direction in the conveyance direction of the long medium; After executing the determination step for the at least one first medium in the number of sections, a second conveyance step of conveying the at least one second medium in the reverse direction to the position of the printing unit by the conveyance unit; comprising, executing the second printing step for the at least one second medium conveyed in the second conveyance step; The at least one second medium is arranged downstream in the forward direction with respect to the at least one first medium in the long medium. A printing program characterized by this.

19. The print program according to claim 18, characterized in that the determination result information includes identification information for identifying each of the at least one first medium of the number of sections, and characters or symbols indicating the determination result by the determination step for each of the at least one first medium associated with the identification information.

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