Printer and computer program for the printer

Abstract

To disclose a printer that can switch between execution and non-execution of predetermined processing for cutting a cut sheet.SOLUTION: A printer comprises a printing executing part that executes printing on a cut sheet, a processing executing part that executes predetermined processing for cutting the cut sheet, and a control part. The control part makes the printing executing part execute printing of an image on the cut sheet, in response to reception of a printing execution command from a terminal device, makes the processing executing part execute the predetermined processing to the cut sheet, when obtaining a predetermined processing instruction instructing that the predetermined processing should be executed to the cut sheet, before receiving the printing execution command from the terminal device, and does not make the processing executing part execute the predetermined processing to the cut sheet, when not obtaining the predetermined processing instruction before receiving the printing execution command from the terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a printer that can execute predetermined processes related to cutting of cut paper. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device that can cut cut paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-94784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification discloses a printer that can switch whether or not to execute a predetermined process related to cutting a cut sheet.

[0005] The printer disclosed herein may include a storage unit for storing cut sheets, a transport unit for transporting the cut sheets from the storage unit, a print execution unit for printing on the cut sheets, a process execution unit for performing predetermined processes related to cutting the cut sheets, and a control unit. The control unit may include a command receiving unit for receiving a print execution command from a terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device, a print control unit for causing the transport unit to transport the cut sheets and causing the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheets in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, and a process control unit for causing the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheets if a predetermined process instruction indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheets has been obtained from the terminal device before the print execution command is received, and for not causing the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheets if the predetermined process instruction has not been obtained from the terminal device before the print execution command is received.

[0006] With this configuration, if the printer has received a predetermined processing instruction from the terminal device before receiving the print execution command, the printer executes the predetermined processing on the cut paper, and if the printer has not received a predetermined processing instruction from the terminal device before receiving the print execution command, the printer does not execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper. For this reason, the printer can switch whether or not to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper.

[0007] A control method for implementing the printer, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. Also novel and useful is a communication system including the printer and a terminal device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] This shows the hardware configuration of the printer. [Figure 2] 1 shows the control configuration of the printer. [Figure 3] 1 shows a flowchart of a printing process. [Figure 4] 1 shows a sequence of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] The sequence continues from FIG. [Figure 6] 10 shows a sequence of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows a sequence of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First Example) (Hardware configuration of printer 10; Figure 1) 1, printer 10 includes a storage unit 18, a transport unit 20, a print execution unit 22, a cutting unit 24, and a paper output tray 50. Storage unit 18, transport unit 20, print execution unit 22, and cutting unit 24 are provided inside a housing (not shown) of printer 10. Paper output tray 50 is exposed to the outside of the housing.

[0010] The storage unit 18 stores cut sheets 56. "Cut sheets" refer to sheets that have been cut to a predetermined size, such as A4 size, A5 size, letter size, postcard size, etc. In this embodiment, A4 size cut sheets are stored in the storage unit 18.

[0011] The transport section 20 includes a transport path 52 and a plurality of rollers 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66. The cut paper 56 stored in the storage section 18 is transported along the transport path 52 by the rollers 58 and the like.

[0012] In this embodiment, the print execution unit 22 includes an inkjet head 68. The inkjet head 68 prints an image on the cut sheet 56 by ejecting ink onto the cut sheet 56 transported by rollers 58 and 60. The printed cut sheet 56 is then transported further downstream in the transport direction by rollers 62 and 64. In a modified example, the print execution unit 22 may include a laser-type printing mechanism.

[0013] The cutting unit 24 is equipped with a cutting blade (not shown). The cutting unit 24 cuts the printed cut sheet 56 by moving the cutting blade in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 . This separates the cut sheet 56 into an upstream portion and a downstream portion in the transport direction. In particular, the cutting unit 24 cuts the cut sheet 56 in half by cutting a straight line connecting the midpoints of a pair of long sides of the cut sheet 56. That is, the cutting unit 24 can cut, for example, an A4-sized cut sheet in half to form two A5-sized cut sheets. Each cut sheet 56 is further transported downstream in the transport direction by rollers 66. As a result, each cut sheet 56 reaches the paper output tray 50.

[0014] In this way, the printer 10 of this embodiment can cut the cut paper 56. Therefore, if the user of the printer 10 prepares, for example, A4-sized cut paper, they can obtain printed paper of a size smaller than A4 (for example, A5 size). For example, even if a user wants to print on A5-sized cut paper but does not have A5-sized cut paper, the printer 10 can provide the user with A5-sized cut paper by printing on and cutting the A4-sized cut paper.

[0015] (Control configuration of printer 10; Figure 2) Next, the control configuration of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. A communication system 2 is realized by the printer 10 and a PC 100. The printer 10 and the PC 100 are connected to a LAN (short for Local Area Network) 4. The printer 10 and the PC 100 can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0016] The printer 10 includes a display unit 12, a communication interface 14, an operation unit 16, a transport unit 20, a print execution unit 22, a cutting unit 24, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numeral omitted).

[0017] The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 12 also functions as a so-called touch panel. That is, the display unit 12 also functions as an operation unit operated by the user. The communication interface 14 is connected to the LAN 4. The operation unit 16 has a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions to the printer 10 by operating the operation unit 16. The rollers 58 of the conveying unit 20, the print execution unit 22, and the cutting unit 24 convey the cut paper 56, print on the cut paper 56, and cut the cut paper 56 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 30 (i.e., the CPU 32 described below).

[0018] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes in accordance with a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc. In addition to the program 36, the memory 34 stores a storage paper size and a cutting setting value. The storage paper size indicates the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18. The cutting setting value indicates either "on," which indicates that the printer 10 will cut the cut paper, or "off," which indicates that the printer 10 will not cut the cut paper.

[0019] (PC100 configuration) The PC 100 is used by a user of the printer 10. The PC 100 is equipped with a generic driver 102. The generic driver 102 is a printer driver provided by a business other than the vendor of the printer 10. Unlike a printer driver dedicated to a specific printer (i.e., a dedicated driver), the generic driver 102 can execute printing on various printers manufactured by multiple printer vendors. The generic driver 102 may be installed on the PC 100 from a server (not shown) on the Internet, or may be pre-installed on the PC 100 at the time of shipment. In this embodiment, the generic driver 102 is a printer driver that executes processing in accordance with the IPP (short for Internet Printing Protocol) method. In a modified example, the generic driver 102 may be a printer driver that executes processing in accordance with a method other than the IPP method.

[0020] (Printing process; Figure 3) The print process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The print process is triggered by receiving an IPP Create-Job request from the PC 100. The Create-Job request is a command that requests the printer 10 to generate a print job. Hereinafter, the request will be referred to as "req."

[0021] In S10, the CPU 32 determines whether the cutoff setting value stored in the memory 34 indicates ON or OFF. If the cutoff setting value indicates ON (YES in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S12, and if the cutoff setting value indicates OFF (NO in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

[0022] In S12, the CPU 32 determines whether the media-size included in the Validate-Job req received from the PC 100 before the Create-Job req is half the stored paper size stored in the memory 34 (i.e., the paper size of the cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18). Here, the media-size is the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, specified by the user of the PC 100. If the media-size (e.g., A5 size) is half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size) (YES in S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S14, and if the media-size is not half the stored paper size (NO in S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S16.

[0023] In S14, the CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 22 to print the image represented by the print data received from the PC 100 after the Create-Job req, and causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed cut sheet. Specifically, the CPU 32 first drives the rollers 58, 60 of the transport unit 20 to transport the cut sheet 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. The cut sheet 56 is transported in the direction of its long side. The size of the image represented by the print data corresponds to the media-size included in the Validate-Job req. The size of the image (e.g., A5 size) corresponds to half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size) (YES in S12). The CPU 32 then rotates the image represented by the print data 90 degrees to generate a rotated image, and instructs the print execution unit 22 to print the rotated image. As a result, the print execution unit 22 prints the rotated image on the downstream half of the cut paper 56 (i.e., the downstream half in the transport direction). In other words, nothing is printed on the upstream half of the cut paper 56 (i.e., the upstream half in the transport direction).

[0024] Next, the CPU 32 drives the rollers 60, 62, and 64 of the transport unit 20 to transport the printed cut sheet 56 to the cutting unit 24. The CPU 32 then instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed cut sheet 56. This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the boundary between the downstream half and the upstream half of the cut sheet 56. In other words, the cutting unit 24 cuts the cut sheet 56 in half along a line connecting the midpoints of the pair of long sides of the cut sheet 56. As a result, a cut sheet of paper with a rotated image printed on it and a cut sheet of paper with no image printed on it are formed. Each of the two cut sheets of paper has the size indicated by the above media-size (e.g., A5 size).

[0025] Next, the CPU 32 drives the rollers 64, 66 of the transport unit 20 to transport the two cut sheets to the paper output tray 50. This provides the two cut sheets to the user. When S14 ends, the processing in FIG. 3 ends.

[0026] In S16, the CPU 32 displays an impossible-to-cut error on the display unit 12. The impossible-to-cut error includes a message indicating that the cut sheet cannot be cut because the media-size (e.g., A4 size) is not half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size) even though the cutting setting value indicates on (YES in S10). When S16 ends, the processing in FIG. 3 ends.

[0027] In S20, the CPU 32 determines whether the media-size included in the Validate-Job req is equal to or smaller than the accommodated paper size stored in the memory 34. If the media-size is equal to or smaller than the accommodated paper size (YES in S20), the CPU 32 proceeds to S22, and if the media-size is larger than the accommodated paper size (NO in S20), the CPU 32 proceeds to S24.

[0028] In S22, the CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 22 to print an image represented by the print data. Specifically, the CPU 32 first transports a cut sheet 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. The size of the image represented by the print data either matches the stored paper size (i.e., media-size = stored paper size in S20) or is smaller than the stored paper size (i.e., media-size < stored paper size in S20). The CPU 32 then instructs the print execution unit 22 to print the image represented by the print data. This causes the print execution unit 22 to print the image on the cut sheet 56. If the image size matches the stored paper size (i.e., media-size = stored paper size in S20), an A4-sized image is printed on an A4-sized cut sheet, for example. Alternatively, if the image size is smaller than the stored paper size (i.e., media-size < stored paper size in S20), an A5-sized image is printed on an A4-sized cut sheet, for example.

[0029] Next, the CPU 32 drives the rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66 of the transport section 20 to transport the printed cut sheet 56 to the paper discharge tray 50. The CPU 32 does not instruct the cutting section 24 to cut the printed cut sheet 56.

[0030] In S24, the CPU 32 displays a paper size error on the display unit 12. The paper size error includes a message indicating that printing cannot be performed because the media-size is equal to or larger than the accommodated paper size (NO in S20). When S24 ends, the processing in FIG. 3 ends.

[0031] In this embodiment, the PC 100 is equipped with a generic driver 102 rather than a dedicated driver. If the PC 100 were equipped with a dedicated driver for the printer 10 capable of cutting cut sheets, the PC 100 could prompt the user to select whether or not to cut the cut sheets on the print setting screen. However, it is difficult to allow the user to make this selection with the generic driver 102. This is because printers capable of cutting cut sheets are not widely known, and it is highly likely that the print setting screen will not include a setting item for making this selection. Therefore, the printer 10 does not receive a cut request command from the PC 100 instructing it to cut the cut sheets.

[0032] Printer 10 can switch whether or not to have cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet based on the cutting setting value stored in memory 34, even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100 (S10 in FIG. 3). That is, when the cutting setting value indicates on (YES in S10), printer 10 causes cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56, and when the cutting setting value indicates off (NO in S10), printer 10 does not cause cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56. Therefore, printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut sheet, even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100.

[0033] Furthermore, when the cutting setting value indicates on (YES in S10), the printer 10 switches whether or not to have the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet based on whether the media-size is half the stored paper size (S12). That is, when the media-size is half the stored paper size (YES in S12), the printer 10 has the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet 56 (S14), and when the media-size is not half the stored paper size (NO in S12), the printer 10 does not have the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet 56 (S16). Therefore, when the paper size specified by the user (i.e., the media-size) is half the size of the cut sheet 56, the printer 10 can appropriately provide the user with cut sheets of paper of that paper size.

[0034] (Specific cases: Figures 4 and 5) 4 and 5, a specific case realized by the process of Fig. 3 will be described. At T10, the user sets A4 size cut paper 56 in the storage section 18 of the printer 10.

[0035] When the printer 10 (i.e., the CPU 32) accepts the setting of the cut paper 56 in T10, it displays a paper input screen on the display unit 12 in T12. The paper input screen includes a message inquiring of the user about the size of the cut paper set in the storage unit 18 (i.e., the paper feed tray), an area for selecting the accommodated paper size, and an OK button. In T14, the printer 10 accepts the user's selection of the accommodated paper size "A4" and selection of the OK button. In this case, the printer 10 stores the accommodated paper size "A4" in the memory 34 in T16. In a modified example, the printer 10 may be equipped with a sensor that detects the accommodated paper size. In this case, it is not necessary for the user to select the accommodated paper size.

[0036] In T20, PC 100 receives an access operation from the user, including input of the IP address of the web server in printer 10. In this case, in T22, PC 100 transmits an access request to printer 10, including the IP address as the destination address.

[0037] When printer 10 receives an access request from PC 100 in T22, it functions as a web server and can transmit various screen data representing web pages to PC 100. In this embodiment, printer 10 transmits selection screen data representing a selection screen for allowing the user to select whether or not to cut the cut paper to PC 100 in T24.

[0038] In T24, the PC 10 receives the selection screen data from the printer 10, and in T26 displays the selection screen. In T28, the user selects "On" for cutting, which is included in the selection screen. In this case, in T30, the PC 100 sends selection result information indicating "On" to the printer 10. In this way, the user can access the web server of the printer 10 and change the setting for whether or not to cut the cut paper.

[0039] When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 at T30, at T32 the printer 10 stores the cut setting value "ON" in the memory 34. In this way, the printer 10 can store the cut setting value in the memory 34 in advance before executing printing.

[0040] Thereafter, in T40, the user executes a print operation on the PC 100. The print operation includes an operation to select image data representing the image to be printed and an operation to start the generic driver 102. As a result, the generic driver 102 executes each subsequent process. When the PC 100 accepts the print operation from the user in T40, in T42, it sends a Get-Printer-Attributes (hereinafter referred to as "GPA") req in accordance with the IPP method to the printer 10. The GPA req is a command requesting the transmission of capability information of the printer 10.

[0041] When the printer 10 receives a GPA request from the PC 100 at T42, it identifies the accommodated paper size "A4" stored in the memory 34 and sends a GPA response including the identified accommodated paper size "A4" as media-ready to the PC 10 at T44. Hereinafter, the response will be referred to as "res." Note that in a modified example, the identified accommodated paper size "A4" may be sent as media-col-ready.

[0042] When the PC 100 receives a GPA res from the printer 10 in T44, it displays a print dialog in T46. The print dialog includes a preview image showing the image to be printed, a size selection area for selecting the size of the cut paper to be printed on, and a print button. The size selection area displays "A4" included in the GPA res. In T48, the PC 100 accepts from the user an operation to change "A4" in the size selection area to "A5" and select the print button. In this case, in T50, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req according to the IPP method to the printer 10. The Validate-Job req includes a media-size indicating the paper size "A5" specified by the user in the print dialog.

[0043] When the printer 10 receives a Validate-Job req including the media-size "A5" at T50, it sends a Validate-Job res to the PC 10 at T52. As a result, the printer 10 receives a Create-Job req from the PC 10 at T52 (triggering the process in FIG. 3).

[0044] When the printer 10 receives the Create-Job req in T52, it determines that the cutting setting value in the memory 34 is on (YES in S10). The printer 10 also determines that the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the paper size "A4" stored in the memory 34 (YES in S12). Then, the printer 10 sends a Create-Job res to the PC 10 in T56.

[0045] When PC 100 receives a Create-Job res from printer 10 in T56, it converts the image data to be printed to generate print data in a data format that can be interpreted by printer 10. The image represented by the print data has a size corresponding to the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req. Then, PC 100 sends a Send-Document req to printer 10 in T58, and sends the print data to printer 10 in T60.

[0046] The printer 10 receives a Send-Document req from the PC 100 at T58 and receives print data from the PC 100 at T60. In this case, the printer 10 sends a Send-Document res at T62 and executes printing processing at T64 in FIG. 5 (S14). Specifically, the printer 10 rotates the A5-sized image represented by the print data by 90 degrees to generate a rotated image, prints the rotated image on the downstream half of an A4-sized cut sheet, and cuts the boundary between the downstream half and the upstream half of the printed cut sheet. This results in an A5-sized sheet of paper with the rotated image printed on it and an A5-sized sheet of paper with no image printed on it.

[0047] When the printer 10 receives a Get-Attributes req from the PC 100 in T66, it sends a Get-Attributes res including a Job-state "completed" indicating that the printing process has ended to the PC 100 in T68.

[0048] (Effects of the first embodiment) If the printer 10 has already received a cutting instruction before the PC 100 executes the printing operation (YES in S10 of FIG. 3), the printer 10 cuts the cut sheet 56, and if the printer 10 has not already received a cutting instruction before the PC 100 executes the printing operation (NO in S10), the printer 10 does not cut the cut sheet 56. For this reason, the printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut sheet 56 even if it does not receive a command requesting cutting of the cut sheet 56 from the PC 100.

[0049] (Second embodiment; Figure 6) Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the memory 34 stores a size table 38 instead of the cutting setting values ​​of the first embodiment. The size table 38 stores size information indicating the paper size that the printer 10 can cut (i.e., A3, A4, and Letter) in association with the cutting setting value for each of the paper sizes. The cutting setting value indicates either "on," which indicates that the printer 10 will cut the cut paper, or "off," which indicates that the printer 10 will not cut the cut paper.

[0050] The PC 100 and printer 10 execute processes similar to those of T10 to T22 in Fig. 4. At T124, the printer 10 transmits paper size setting screen data representing a paper size setting screen. The paper size setting screen is a screen that allows the user to specify, for each of a plurality of paper sizes (i.e., A3, A4, and Letter), whether or not cut paper having that paper size should be cut.

[0051] In T124, the PC 10 receives the paper size setting screen data from the printer 10, and in T126 displays the paper size setting screen. In T128, the user selects "Off" for A3 size, "On" for A4 size, and "Off" for Letter size, and selects the OK button. In this case, in T130, the PC 100 transmits selection result information including A3 "Off," A4 "On," and Letter "Off" to the printer 10.

[0052] When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 in T130, it stores the cutting setting values ​​indicated by the selection result information in the size table 38 in the memory 34 in T132.

[0053] Next, the PC 100 and the printer 10 execute the same processes as those in T40 to T62 of FIG. 4. At T164, the printer 10 acquires the accommodated paper size "A4" from the memory 34, and at T166, acquires the cut setting value "on" associated with the A4 size from the size table 38. As a result, the printer 10 determines that the cut setting value associated with the A4 size is on (YES in S10 of FIG. 3). The printer 10 also determines that the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the accommodated paper size "A4" (YES in S12). Next, at T64, the printer 10 executes the print process (S14). The print result is the same as in the case of FIG. 4. T64 to T68 of FIG. 6 are the same as T64 to T68 of FIG. 5.

[0054] (Effects of the second embodiment) In this embodiment, printer 10 associates each of a plurality of paper sizes with a cutting setting value indicating whether or not cut sheets of that paper size should be cut, and stores these in memory 34 (T132 in FIG. 6). Therefore, printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut cut sheets depending on the stored paper size, even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100.

[0055] (Third embodiment; Figure 7) Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the memory 34 stores a user table 40 instead of the cutoff setting value of the first embodiment and the size table 38 of the second embodiment. The user table 40 stores, for each of a plurality of users, a user ID that identifies the user, a password, and a cutoff setting value, in association with each other.

[0056] 4 are executed in the PC 100 and the printer 10. In T224, the printer 10 transmits user setting screen data representing a user setting screen to the PC 100. The user setting screen is a screen that allows a user (for example, an administrator of the printer 10) to specify whether or not the cut sheet should be cut for each of a plurality of users.

[0057] In T224, the PC 10 receives the user setting screen data from the printer 10, and in T226 displays the user setting screen. In T228, the user selects "On" for user ID "U1," selects "Off" for user ID "U2," and selects the OK button. In this case, in T230, the PC 100 transmits selection result information including user ID "U1," "On," and user ID "U2," "Off" to the printer 10.

[0058] When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 in T230, it stores the cutting setting values ​​indicated by the selection result information in the user table 40 in the memory 34 in T232.

[0059] Next, the PC 100 and printer 10 execute the same processes as T40 to T50 in Fig. 4. Next, in T252, the printer 10 transmits an Authorization Required (hereinafter referred to as "Auth") command according to the IPP method to the PC 100. Auth is a command requesting the transmission of user information.

[0060] When the PC 100 receives Auth from the printer 10 in T252, it displays an authentication screen in T254. The authentication screen includes a user ID input area, a password input area, and an OK button. In T256, the user enters the user ID "U1" and password "P1" and selects the OK button. In this case, in T258, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req including the media-size "A5", the user ID "U1", and the password "P1" to the printer 10.

[0061] Next, the PC 100 and the printer 10 execute the same processes as those in T52 to T62 in FIG. 4. In T264, the printer 10 acquires the cut setting value "ON" associated with the user U1 from the user table 40 (YES in S10). The printer 10 also determines that the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the accommodated paper size "A4" (YES in S12). Next, the printer 10 executes the print process in T64 (S14). The print result is the same as in the case in FIG. 4. Note that T64 to T68 in FIG. 6 are the same as T64 to T68 in FIG. 5.

[0062] (Effects of the third embodiment) In this embodiment, printer 10 stores in memory, for each of a plurality of users, the user ID of that user and a cutting setting value indicating whether or not to cut the cut sheet, in association with each other (T232 in FIG. 7). Therefore, printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut sheet depending on the user, even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100.

[0063] (Correspondence) The PC 10 is an example of a "terminal device" and an "external device." The cutting unit 24 is an example of a "processing execution unit." The instructions T30 in FIG. 4, T130 in FIG. 6, and T230 in FIG. 7 are examples of "predetermined processing instructions." The selection screen, paper size setting screen, and user setting screen are examples of "selection screens." The cutting setting value is an example of a "setting value."

[0064] T22 in FIG. 4 is an example of processing realized by an "access request receiving unit." T24 in FIG. 4, T124 in FIG. 6, and T224 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing realized by a "screen data transmitting unit." T30 in FIG. 4, T130 in FIG. 6, and T230 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing realized by a "result information receiving unit." T32 in FIG. 4, T132 in FIG. 6, and T232 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing realized by a "first storage control unit." T54 in FIG. 4 is an example of processing realized by a "command receiving unit." T64 in FIG. 5, T64 in FIG. 6, and T64 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing realized by a "printing control unit." T64 in FIG. 5, T64 in FIG. 6, and T64 in FIG. 7 are examples of processing realized by a "processing control unit." T132 and T166 in Fig. 6 are examples of processing realized by the "second storage control unit" and the "acquisition unit", respectively. T232 and T258 in Fig. 7 are examples of processing realized by the "third storage control unit" and the "user information receiving unit", respectively.

[0065] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0066] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 acquires a cut instruction by transmitting screen data to the PC 100 and receiving selection result information from the PC 100. Alternatively, the printer 10 may acquire a cut instruction by receiving a user operation on a software switch of the printer 10. The software switch may be implemented, for example, by displaying a screen on the display unit 12 that allows a user to select between ON, which indicates that the cut sheet should be cut, and OFF, which indicates that the cut sheet should not be cut. In another variation, the printer 10 may acquire a cut instruction by receiving a user operation on a physical switch of the printer 10. The physical switch may be provided, for example, on the housing of the printer 10. In another variation, the cutting unit 24 may be detachable from the housing of the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 may store the cut setting value "ON" when the cutting unit 24 is attached to the housing, and store the cut setting value "OFF" when the cutting unit 24 is detached from the housing. That is, the printer 10 may acquire a cutting instruction by receiving an operation from the user to attach the cutting unit 24 to the housing. In any of the above-described variations, the printer 10 does not need to store in the memory 34 a setting value indicating whether or not the cut paper should be cut, and may determine whether or not a cutting instruction has been acquired by, for example, checking the state of a physical switch. In this variation, the "first control unit," "access request receiving unit," "screen data transmitting unit," and "result information receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0067] (Variation 2) S12 in Fig. 3 may be omitted. That is, the printer 10 may execute printing and cutting when the cutting setting value indicates ON in S10. Generally speaking, the "cutting control unit" may cause the cutting unit to cut the cut paper when the "second paper size" is specified as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed.

[0068] (Variation 3) The printer 10 may be provided with a perforation unit that applies perforations to the cut sheet instead of the cutting unit 24. Once the cut sheet has been perforated, the user can easily cut the cut sheet along the perforations. In another variation, the printer 10 may be provided with a crease unit that applies creases to the cut sheet instead of the cutting unit 24. Once the creases have been applied to the cut sheet, the user can easily cut the cut sheet along the creases. Generally speaking, the "predetermined process" may be any process related to cutting the cut sheet.

[0069] (Variation 4) The printer 10 does not have to cut the cut paper in half. For example, if the media-size is A5 and the storage paper size is A3, the printer may cut the cut paper into quarters.

[0070] (Variation 5) The PC 100 does not need to be provided with the generic driver 102. In this case, the PC 100 is provided with a dedicated driver instead of the generic driver 102. The dedicated driver is a printer driver dedicated to a certain printer.

[0071] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the cut sheet is printed on and then cut, but in a variation, the cut sheet may be printed on after being cut. Generally speaking, the "processing execution unit" may be located upstream of the "printing execution unit" in the cut sheet transport direction.

[0072] (Variation 7) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 acquires the disconnection setting value in S10 of Fig. 3 after receiving a Create-Job req. Alternatively, the printer 10 may acquire the disconnection setting value before receiving a Create-Job req. For example, the printer 10 may acquire the disconnection setting value when the printer 10 is turned on, or when it receives a Get-Printer-Attributes req or a Validate-Job req.

[0073] (Variation 8) In the above embodiment, the processes in FIGS. 3 to 7 are implemented by software, but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0074] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. The following items are elements of the claims as filed: (Item 1) 1. A printer comprising: a storage section for storing cut sheets; a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section; a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper; a control unit, The control unit a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device; a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when a predetermined processing instruction indicating that the predetermined processing should be executed on the cut sheet has been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the predetermined processing instruction has not been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device; A printer comprising: (Item 2) The control unit further includes a memory, the control unit includes a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before the print execution command is received from the terminal device; When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the predetermined process instruction is acquired; Item 2. The printer according to item 1, wherein when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut paper, the predetermined process instruction has not been acquired. (Item 3) The control unit further an access request receiving unit that receives an access request from an external device requesting access to a web server in the printer; a screen data transmission unit that, when the access request is received from the external device, transmits to the external device selection screen data representing a selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute the predetermined process on the cut sheet; a result information receiving unit that receives result information indicating a selection result from the external device when a selection is made on the selection screen displayed on the external device as to whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet; The first storage control unit When the result information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the setting value indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet is stored in the memory; Item 3. The printer according to item 2, wherein when the result information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper, the setting value indicating that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper is stored in the memory. (Item 4) The processing control unit when the predetermined processing instruction is acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device and a first paper size is specified from the terminal device as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper; A printer described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the specified processing instruction is acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and when the terminal device specifies a second paper size different from the first paper size as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, the processing execution unit is not caused to perform the specified processing on the cut paper. (Item 5) The control unit further includes a memory, The control unit further a second storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of paper sizes, a setting value that indicates whether the predetermined process should be performed on cut paper having the paper size, in association with the paper size; an acquisition unit that acquires the paper size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit when the print execution command is received from the terminal device, The predetermined processing instruction is acquired when the setting value associated with the acquired paper size indicates that the predetermined processing should be performed on the cut paper, and A printer described in any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the specified processing instruction is not acquired when the setting value associated with the acquired paper size indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper. (Item 6) The control unit further Memory and a third storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of users, user information that identifies the user and a setting value that indicates whether the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, in association with each other; a user information receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device, target user information that identifies a user of the terminal device; The predetermined processing instruction is acquired when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined processing should be performed on the cut sheet, and A printer described in any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the specified processing instruction is not acquired when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper. (Item 7) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut paper, a process of perforating the cut paper, and a process of folding the cut paper. (Item 8) Item 8. A printer according to any one of items 7 to 8, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet in half, a process of making a perforation at the halfway position of the cut sheet, and a process of making a crease at the halfway position of the cut sheet. (Item 9) Item 9. The printer according to item 8, wherein the predetermined process is a process of cutting the cut paper having an A4 size into an A5 size. (Item 10) the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver; 10. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the command receiving unit receives the print execution command from the generic printer driver of the terminal device. (Item 11) 11. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the processing execution unit is disposed downstream of the print execution unit in a conveying direction of the cut paper. (Item 12) A computer program for a printer, comprising: The printer a storage section for storing cut sheets; a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section; a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper; a computer; The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device; a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when a predetermined processing instruction indicating that the predetermined processing should be executed on the cut sheet has been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the predetermined processing instruction has not been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device; A computer program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Printer, 12: Display unit, 14: Communication interface, 16: Operation unit, 18: Storage unit, 20: Conveyor unit, 22: Print execution unit, 24: Cutting unit, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program, 38: Size table, 40: User table, 50: Paper output tray, 52: Conveyor path, 56: Cut paper, 58-66: Rollers, 68: Inkjet head, 100: PC, 102: General-purpose driver

Claims

1. 1. A printer comprising: a storage section for storing cut sheets; a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section; a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper; a control unit, The control unit Memory and a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before a print execution command is received from a terminal device; a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device; a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper; Equipped with When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, and the designated paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet to be printed designated on the terminal device, is smaller than the stored paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit, the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper; the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper; When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the print control unit does not cause the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper, When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet.

2. The printer further comprises: A display unit; a display control unit that, when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, causes the display unit to display error information indicating that the predetermined process cannot be performed on the cut sheet; The printer of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The print control unit when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or smaller than the stored paper size, causing the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet; A printer as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the print execution unit does not print the image on the cut paper when the setting value indicates that the specified process should not be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is larger than the stored paper size.

4. The control unit further an access request receiving unit that receives an access request from an external device requesting access to a web server in the printer; a screen data transmission unit that, when the access request is received from the external device, transmits to the external device selection screen data representing a selection screen for selecting whether or not to execute the predetermined process on the cut sheet; a result information receiving unit that receives result information indicating a selection result from the external device when a selection is made on the selection screen displayed on the external device as to whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet; The first storage control unit When the result information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the setting value indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet is stored in the memory; A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the result information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper, the setting value indicating that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper is stored in the memory.

5. The control unit further a second storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of paper sizes, the paper size and the setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on cut paper having the paper size, in association with each other; an acquisition unit that acquires the accommodated paper size when the print execution command is received from the terminal device, The processing control unit when the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is smaller than the stored paper size, have the process execution unit perform the predetermined process on the cut paper; When the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the process execution unit is not caused to perform the predetermined process on the cut paper; when the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut paper, the process execution unit is not allowed to perform the predetermined process on the cut paper. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The control unit further a third storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of users, user information that identifies the user and the setting value that indicates whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, in association with each other; a user information receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device, target user information that identifies a user of the terminal device; The processing control unit when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is smaller than the stored paper size, have the process execution unit perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet; When the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the process execution unit is not caused to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet; A printer as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing execution unit does not perform the specified processing on the cut paper when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper.

7. 7. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet, a process of perforating the cut sheet, and a process of folding the cut sheet.

8. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet in half, a process of making a perforation in the cut sheet at a position halfway, and a process of making a crease in the cut sheet at a position halfway.

9. 9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined process is a process of cutting the cut paper having an A4 size into an A5 size.

10. the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver; The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the command receiving unit receives the print execution command from the generic printer driver of the terminal device.

11. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is disposed downstream of the print unit in a transport direction of the cut paper.

12. A computer program for a printer, comprising: The printer a storage section for storing cut sheets; a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section; a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper; a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper; Memory and a computer; The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before a print execution command is received from a terminal device; a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device; a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper; It functions as When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, and the designated paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet to be printed specified in the terminal device, is smaller than the stored paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit, the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper; the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper; When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the print control unit does not cause the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper, When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet.

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