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, when a first cut sheet having a first size is stored and a second cut sheet shaving a second size is not stored, transmits, to a terminal device, capability information which includes first size information showing that the first size is stored and second size information showing that the second size is stored. The printer receives, from the terminal device, selection information showing that a target size is selected and image data, executes predetermined processing to the first cut sheet when the selection information shows that the second size is selected as the target size, and does not execute the predetermined processing to the first cut sheet when the selection information shows that the first size is selected as the target size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

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 in this specification may include a storage unit that stores cut sheets, a transport unit that transports the cut sheets from the storage unit, a print execution unit that prints on the cut sheets, a process execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut sheets, and a control unit, wherein the control unit may include a capability information sending unit that, when a first cut sheet of a first size is stored in the storage unit and a second cut sheet of a second size smaller than the first size is not stored in the storage unit, sends capability information to a terminal device, the capability information including first size information indicating that the first size is stored and second size information indicating that the second size is stored, and a capability information sending unit that, after the capability information has been sent to the terminal device, selects a target size, which is the size of the cut sheets to be printed, from a plurality of sizes including the first size indicated by the first size information and the second size indicated by the second size information, in response to the user's selection of the target size. and image data representing an image to be printed; a print control unit that, when the selection information and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the first cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the first cut sheet, regardless of whether the target size is the first size or the second size; and a processing control unit that, when the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the first cut sheet, and does not cause the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the first cut sheet, when the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size.

[0006] With this configuration, the printer performs a predetermined process on the first cut sheet when the target size is the second size, and does not perform the predetermined process on the first cut sheet when the target size is the first size. This allows the printer to switch whether or not to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet.

[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] 10 shows a flowchart of a capability information transmission process. [Figure 4] A specific example sequence is shown below. [Figure 5] 10 shows an example of a print setting screen. [Figure 6] A table summarizing each case is shown below. 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, or postcard size. In this embodiment, the storage unit 18 stores cut sheets of any one of A4 size, A5 size, and postcard size.

[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] (Capability information transmission process; Figure 3) The capability information transmission process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The capability information transmission process is triggered by receiving a Get-Printer-Attributes request in accordance with the IPP method from the PC 100. Hereinafter, Get-Printer-Attributes will be referred to as "GPA" and the request as "req." The GPA req is a command that requests the printer to transmit capability information indicating the printing conditions that the printer can perform.

[0021] In S10, the CPU 32 determines whether the stored paper size stored in the memory 34 (i.e., the size of the cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18) is A4. If the CPU 32 determines that the stored paper size is A4 (YES in S10), the process proceeds to S12, and if the CPU 32 determines that the stored paper size is A5 or postcard (NO in S10), the process proceeds to S30.

[0022] In S12, 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 S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S14, and if the cutoff setting value indicates OFF (NO in S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

[0023] In S14, the CPU 32 sends a GPA response to the PC 100. Hereinafter, the response will be referred to as "res." The GPA response includes information related to media-ready (hereinafter referred to as "mr"), where mr is information indicating the size of the cut sheets stored in the storage unit 18. That is, "mr=A4, A5" included in the GPA response in S14 indicates that the storage unit 18 stores A4-sized cut sheets and A5-sized cut sheets. However, the storage unit 18 actually stores A4-sized cut sheets, but not A5-sized cut sheets (YES in S10). That is, the CPU 32 notifies the PC 100 of not only the information about the A4-sized cut sheets that are actually stored, but also the information about the A5-sized cut sheets that are not actually stored. In a modified example, the information indicating the size of the cut sheets stored in the storage unit 18 may be sent as media-col-ready.

[0024] The GPA res in S14 further includes information related to media-col-ready (hereinafter referred to as "mcr"). The mcr includes associated information that associates the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 (i.e., "media-size") with name information that is the name of the storage unit 18 (i.e., "media-source"). In particular, the mcr included in the GPA res in S14 includes two pieces of associated information. One piece of associated information associates the cut paper size "media-size=A4" with name information "media-source=tray-1." "tray-1" is the actual name of the storage unit 18. The other piece of associated information associates the cut paper size "media-size=A5" with name information "media-source=alternate." "Alternate" is the name of a virtual storage unit that does not exist in the printer 10. "Tray-1" and "alternate" are names defined by PWG MSN 2.0 (The Printer Working Group Media Standardized Names 2.0). Specifically, PWG MSN 2.0 defines "tray-1" through "tray-20," and printers with only one storage compartment typically use "tray-1." Also, "alternate" is typically used as the name of the manual feed tray. Because GPA res includes mcr, the user can know the name of the actual storage compartment 18 and the name of the virtual storage compartment on the print settings screen, which will be described later.

[0025] In a modified example, the name of the virtual storage unit may be another name defined by PWG MSN 2.0. For example, the name of the virtual storage unit may be "tray-20," which is not used in normal printers. Furthermore, for example, the name of the virtual storage unit may be a name not defined by PWG MSN 2.0. The name of the virtual storage unit may be, for example, an arbitrary name determined by the vendor of the printer 10, specifically, "virtual." In this case, the user can easily understand that the name is virtual on the print setting screen. When S14 ends, the processing of FIG. 3 ends.

[0026] In S20, the CPU 32 sends a GPA res including "mr=A4" and "mcr={media-size=A4,media-source=tray-1}" to the PC 100. In other words, the GPA res does not include information regarding the cut paper size "A5." When S20 ends, the processing in FIG. 3 ends.

[0027] In S30, if the stored paper size is A5, the CPU 32 sends a GPA res including "mr=A5" and "mcr={media-size=A5,media-source=tray-1}" to the PC 100. That is, in this case, the GPA res does not include information about the cut paper size "A4." Therefore, the user can appropriately select the cut paper size "A5" actually stored and / or the name of the storage unit 18 that actually exists, "tray-1," on the print setting screen described below. If the stored paper size is Hagaki, the CPU 32 sends a GPA res including "mr=Hagaki" and "mcr={media-size=Hagaki,media-source=tray-1}" to the PC 100. That is, in this case, the GPA res does not include information about the cut paper size "A4" or the cut paper size "A5." Therefore, on the print setting screen described below, the user can appropriately select the size of the cut paper actually stored, "Hagaki," and / or the name of the actually existing storage section 18, "tray-1." When S30 ends, the processing of FIG. 3 ends.

[0028] (Specific cases: Figures 4 and 5) 4 and 5, a specific case realized by the process in Fig. 3 will be described. In this case, at T10, the user sets A4 size cut paper 56 in the storage section 18 (i.e., tray-1) of the printer 10.

[0029] 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., tray-1), an area for selecting the accommodated paper size, and an OK button. In T14, the printer 10 accepts the selection of the accommodated paper size "A4" from the user and the selection of the OK button, and in T16, stores the accommodated paper size "A4" in the memory 34. In a modified example, the printer 10 may be provided 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.

[0030] Next, if the stored paper size is "A4," the printer 10 displays a selection screen in T18 to allow the user to select whether or not to cut the cut paper. The user selects "Cut" "On" on the selection screen in T20. In this case, the printer 10 stores the cut setting value "On" in the memory 34 in T22. In this way, the user can select whether or not to cut the cut paper. Note that if the stored paper size is "A5" or "Hagaki," the printer 10 does not display the selection screen in T18. This is because the printer 10 is configured not to cut cut paper of these sizes.

[0031] In T30, 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 T30, it sends a GPA req to the printer 10 in T32.

[0032] When printer 10 receives a GPA req from PC 100 in T32 (triggering the process in FIG. 3), it determines that the accommodated paper size stored in memory 34 is "A4" (YES in S10) and determines that the cut setting value stored in memory 34 is "on" (YES in S12). Then, in T34, printer 10 sends a GPA res to PC 100 (S14). The GPA res includes information about the "A4" size of cut paper that is actually accommodated and information about the "A5" size of cut paper that is not actually accommodated.

[0033] When the PC 100 receives the GPA res from the printer 10 in T34, it displays the print setting screen D1 in T36. As shown in Fig. 5, the print setting screen D1 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, a tray selection area for selecting the tray (i.e., storage unit) to be printed on, and a print button.

[0034] When PC 100 receives a pull-down selection in the size selection area, it displays the two options "A4" and "A5" indicated by "mr=A4, A5" included in GPA res of T34 (see screen D2 in FIG. 5). Then, when PC 100 receives a selection of size "A5" in T38, it displays "A5" in the size selection area, as shown in screen D3.

[0035] Next, when PC 100 accepts a pull-down selection in the tray selection area, it displays the two options "tray-1" and "alternate" indicated by "mcr={media-size=A4,media-source=tray-1},{media-size=A5,media-source=alternate}" included in the GPA res of T34 (see screen D4). Then, when PC 100 accepts the selection of the tray "alternate" in T38, it displays "alternate" in the tray selection area, as shown in screen D5.

[0036] Thereafter, when the PC 100 accepts the selection of the print button on screen D5 in T40, it sends a Validate-Job req including the selected "media-size=A5" and the selected "media-source=alternate" to the printer 10 in T42.

[0037] When the printer 10 receives a Validate-Job req in accordance with the IPP method at T42, it sends a Validate-Job res to the PC 10 at T44. As a result, the printer 10 receives a Create-Job req in accordance with the IPP method from the PC 10 at T46, and sends a Create-Job res to the PC 10 at T48.

[0038] When PC 100 receives a Create-Job res from printer 10 at T48, it converts the image data to be printed and generates 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 "media-size=A5" included in the Validate-Job req. Then, PC 100 sends a Send-Document req in accordance with the IPP method to printer 10 at T50, and sends the print data to printer 10 at T52.

[0039] The printer 10 receives a Send-Document req from the PC 100 at T50, and receives print data from the PC 100 at T52. In this case, the printer 10 sends a Send-Document res at T54, and executes print processing at T56.

[0040] In the printing process of T56, the printer 10 first drives the rollers 58, 60 of the transport unit 20 to transport the A4-sized cut sheet 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. Here, the A4-sized cut sheet 56 is transported along the direction of its long side. The printer 10 then rotates the image represented by the print data by 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 A4-sized cut sheet 56 (i.e., the downstream half in the transport direction). In other words, nothing is printed on the upstream half of the A4-sized cut sheet 56 (i.e., the upstream half in the transport direction).

[0041] Next, the printer 10 drives the rollers 60, 62, and 64 of the transport unit 20 to transport the printed A4-sized cut sheet 56 to the cutting unit 24. The printer 10 then instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed A4-sized cut sheet 56. As a result, the cutting unit 24 cuts the boundary between the downstream half and the upstream half of the A4-sized 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 (i.e., A5 size).

[0042] Next, the printer 10 drives the rollers 64, 66 of the transport section 20 to transport the two cut sheets of paper to the paper output tray 50. As a result, the two cut sheets of paper are provided to the user.

[0043] When the printer 10 receives a Get-Attributes req from the PC 100 in T58, it sends a Get-Attributes res including a Job-state "completed" indicating that the printing process has ended to the PC 100 in T60.

[0044] 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 instructing it to cut the cut sheets from the PC 100 equipped with the generic driver 102.

[0045] Printer 10 can switch whether or not to have cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100. Specifically, when printer 10 receives GPA req from PC 100, it sends GPA res to PC 100, which includes, as capability information, information about A4-sized cut sheets that are actually stored and information about A5-sized cut sheets that are not actually stored (S14 in FIG. 3, T34 in FIG. 4). PC 100 then displays print setting screen D1, which includes options that match the capability information (T34 in FIG. 4).

[0046] If the user does not want to cut the cut sheet, he or she can select the paper size "A4" and the tray "tray-1." In this case, in response to receiving a Validate-Job req including "media-size=A4" and "media-source=tray-1" in T40, the printer 10 determines that cutting the cut sheet should not be performed and does not cut the cut sheet. On the other hand, if the user wants to cut the cut sheet, he or she can select the paper size "A5" and the tray "alternate." In this case, in response to receiving a Validate-Job req including "media-size=A5" and "media-source=alternate" in T40, the printer 10 determines that cutting the cut sheet should be performed and cuts the cut sheet. In this way, the printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut sheet without receiving a command requesting cutting of the cut sheet from the PC 100.

[0047] Here, a case will be described where the size of cut paper 56 stored in storage unit 18 of printer 10 is not A4 size, but A5 size or Postcard size (ie, NO in S10 of FIG. 3).

[0048] If the accommodated paper size is A5, the printer 10 sends a GPA res including information about the A5 size (S30 in FIG. 3) to the PC 100 in T34. When the PC 100 receives the GPA res from the printer 10 in T34, it displays a print setting screen in T36. In the size selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "A5," is displayed, as indicated by "mr=A5" included in the GPA res. Therefore, the user can only select the size "A5." Furthermore, in the tray selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "tray-1," is displayed, as indicated by "mcr={media-size=A5,media-source=tray-1}" included in the GPA res. Therefore, the user can only select the tray "tray-1." Therefore, in T42, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req including "media-size=A5" and "media-source=tray-1" to the printer 10. As a result, the printer 10 prints an A5 size image on the A5 size cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 at T56, and does not cut the cut paper.

[0049] If the accommodated paper size is Postcard size, the printer 10 transmits a GPA res including information about the Postcard size in S30 of FIG. 3 to the PC 100 in T34. When the PC 100 receives the GPA res from the printer 10 in T34, it displays a print setting screen in T36. In the size selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "Postcard," is displayed, indicated by "mr=Postcard" included in the GPA res. Therefore, the user can only select the size "Postcard." Furthermore, in the tray selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "tray-1," is displayed, indicated by "mcr={media-size=Postcard,media-source=tray-1}" included in the GPA res. Therefore, the user can only select the tray "tray-1." Therefore, in T42, PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req including "media-size=Hagaki" and "media-source=tray-1" to printer 10. As a result, in T56, printer 10 prints a postcard-sized image on a postcard-sized cut sheet stored in storage unit 18, and does not cut the cut sheet.

[0050] As described above, printer 10 is configured not to cut cut sheets when A5 or Hagaki size sheets are loaded. This is because it is unlikely that a user would want to cut A5 or Hagaki size sheets. Therefore, when A5 or Hagaki size sheets are loaded, printer 10 sends a GPA res to PC 100 that includes only information about A5 size or Hagaki size as capability information. This reduces the number of options displayed on the print setting screen, allowing the user to easily select appropriate print settings based on the size of the cut sheets actually loaded, "A5" or "Hagaki."

[0051] Next, a case will be described in which the size of the cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10 is A4 size and the cutting setting value "OFF" is stored in the memory 34.

[0052] In T34, the printer 10 sends a GPA res including the information of S20 in FIG. 3 to the PC 100. When the PC 100 receives the GPA res in T34, it displays a print setting screen in T36. In the size selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "A4," is displayed, as indicated by "mr=A4" included in the GPA res of T34. Therefore, the user can only select the size "A4." In the tray selection area of ​​the print setting screen, only one option, "tray-1," is displayed, as indicated by "mcr={media-size=A4,media-source=tray-1}" included in the GPA res of T34. Therefore, the user can only select the tray "tray-1." Therefore, in T42, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req including "media-size=A4" and "media-source=tray-1" to the printer 10. As a result, the printer 10 prints an A4 size image on the A4 size cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 at T56, and does not cut the cut paper.

[0053] As described above, the printer 10 is configured not to cut the cut paper when the cut setting selected by the user is off. This allows the user to switch between cutting and not cutting the cut paper according to their intention, improving user convenience. In particular, when the cut setting is off, the printer 10 sends a GPA res to the PC 100 that does not include information about the A5 size, which is not actually stored, as capability information. This reduces the number of options displayed on the print setting screen, allowing the user to easily select appropriate print settings for the "A4" size of the cut paper actually stored.

[0054] (Correspondence) The cutting unit 24 is an example of a "processing execution unit." The A4 size, A5 size, and Hagaki size are examples of a "first size," a "second size," and a "third size," respectively. "media-ready=A4," "media-ready=A5," "media-ready=Hagaki," and "GPA res" are examples of "first size information," "second size information," "third size information," and "capability information," respectively. The PC 100 is an example of a "terminal device." Validate-job req and print data are examples of "selection information" and "image data," respectively. {media-size=A4,media-source=tray-1} in mcr and {media-size=A5,media-source=alternate} in mcr are examples of "first related information" and "second related information," respectively. "media-source=tray-1" and "media-source=alternate" are examples of "first name information" and "second name information," respectively.

[0055] S14, S20, and S30 in Fig. 3 and T34 in Fig. 4 are examples of processing realized by the "capability information sending unit." T42 and T52 in Fig. 4 are examples of processing realized by the "printing data receiving unit." T56 in Fig. 4 is an example of processing realized by the "printing control unit" and "processing control unit." T18 in Fig. 4 is an example of processing realized by the "display control unit."

[0056] (Various cases; Figure 6) FIG. 6 shows various print results achieved by combining the format of the print setting screen displayed on the PC 100 and the media-size and media-source combinations included in the Validate-Job req command when the printer 10 contains A4-sized sheets. The format of the print setting screen displayed on the PC 100 depends on the generic driver 102 of the PC 100. For example, the generic driver 102 of this embodiment can display a print setting screen D1 that includes both a size selection area and a tray selection area. This allows the user to individually select the size of the cut paper to be printed and the tray (i.e., the storage unit) that contains the cut paper on the print setting screen D1. However, a generic driver different from the generic driver 102 of this embodiment may be installed in the PC 100. This different generic driver may be able to display a print setting screen that includes only a size selection area, or may be able to display a print setting screen that includes only a tray selection area. That is, among the generic drivers, there is a first generic driver that can display a print setting screen D1 that includes both a size selection area and a tray selection area, as in this embodiment, a second generic driver that can display a print setting screen that includes only a size selection area, and a third generic driver that can display a print setting screen that includes only a tray selection area.

[0057] The first generic driver sends a Validate-Job req containing information on the selected size (i.e., "media-size") and information on the selected tray (i.e., "media-source") to the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 performs printing in accordance with any one of numbers 1 to 4 in FIG.

[0058] The second generic driver may send a Validate-Job req to the printer 10 that includes information about the selected size and information about the tray associated with that size in the mcr. In this case, the printer 10 realizes printing in accordance with either number 5 or number 6 in FIG. 6. The second generic driver may also send a Validate-Job req to the printer 10 that includes only information about the selected size (i.e., does not include tray information). In this case, the printer 10 realizes printing in accordance with either number 7 or number 8 in FIG. 6.

[0059] The third generic driver may send a Validate-Job req to the printer 10 that includes information about the selected tray and information about the size associated with that tray in the mcr. In this case, the printer 10 realizes printing in accordance with either number 5 or number 6 in FIG. 6. The third generic driver may also send a Validate-Job req to the printer 10 that includes only information about the selected tray (i.e., does not include size information). In this case, the printer 10 realizes printing in accordance with either number 9 or number 10 in FIG. 6.

[0060] The cases numbered 1 to 10 will be described in detail. In the case of number 1, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A4" and "media-source=tray-1". In this case, the print data has a size corresponding to the A4 size. The printer 10 prints the A4-sized image represented by the print data on A4-sized cut paper, and does not cut the cut paper.

[0061] In case number 2, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A4" and "media-source=alternate." This case is one in which the user selects "A4," the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18, on the print setting screen, but selects a name different from the name of the storage unit 18, "tray-1." In this case, the user knows that A4 size paper is stored in the printer 10 and has selected that A4 size, so it is highly likely that the user does not want the A4 size cut paper to be cut. Therefore, the printer 10 does not take into account that a virtual storage unit has been selected, and, as in case number 1, prints the A4 size image represented by the print data onto the A4 size cut paper, and does not cut the cut paper.

[0062] In case number 3, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A5" and "media-source=tray-1." In this case, the user selects the name of an actual container 18, "tray-1," on the print setting screen, but also selects "A5," a size of cut paper that is not stored in that container 18. In this case, the user selects the A5 size even though he or she knows that A4 size paper is stored in the printer 10, so it is highly likely that the user wants to cut an A4-size cut paper. Therefore, the printer 10 prints the A5-size image represented by the print data on an A4-size cut paper and then cuts the cut paper.

[0063] In case number 4, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A5" and "media-source=alternate." This corresponds to the case in Figure 4. In this case, as in case number 3, the user selected the A5 size even though he or she knew that the A4 size was installed in the printer 10, so it is highly likely that the user wants to cut an A4-sized sheet of paper. Therefore, as in case number 3, the printer 10 prints the A5-sized image represented by the print data on an A4-sized sheet of paper and then cuts the sheet of paper.

[0064] In case number 5, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A4" and "media-source=tray-1". This is the same as case number 1. In this case, like case number 1, the printer 10 prints the A4-sized image represented by the print data on A4-sized cut paper, and does not cut the cut paper.

[0065] In case number 6, the Validate-Job req includes "media-size=A5" and "media-source=alternate." This is the same as case number 4. In this case, the printer 10 prints the A5-sized image represented by the print data on A4-sized cut paper, as in case number 4, and then cuts the cut paper.

[0066] In case number 7, the Validate-Job req contains only "media-size=A4". In this case, it is highly likely that the user does not want to cut the A4-sized cut sheet. Therefore, as in case number 1, the printer 10 prints the A4-sized image represented by the print data on the A4-sized cut sheet and does not cut the cut sheet.

[0067] In case number 8, the Validate-Job req contains only "media-size=A5". In this case, it is highly likely that the user wants to cut an A4-sized sheet of paper. Therefore, as in case number 4, the printer 10 prints the A5-sized image represented by the print data on an A4-sized sheet of paper and then cuts the sheet of paper.

[0068] In case number 9, the Validate-Job req includes only "media-source=tray-1". In this case, the user selected "tray-1", the name of the storage unit 18 that contains A4 size paper, so it is highly likely that the user does not want the A4 size paper cut to be cut. Therefore, as in case number 1, the printer 10 prints the A4 size image represented by the print data on the A4 size paper and does not cut the paper.

[0069] In case number 10, the Validate-Job req includes only "media-source=alternate." In this case, the user selected the name of a virtual storage unit "alternate" that is different from the storage unit 18 that stores A4-sized paper, so it is highly likely that the user wants to cut an A4-sized sheet of paper. Therefore, as in case number 4, the printer 10 prints the A5-sized image represented by the print data on an A4-sized sheet of paper and does not cut the sheet of paper.

[0070] In this way, printer 10 can execute printing according to the user's intention and appropriately switch whether to cut the cut paper or not, even when Validate-Job req includes both "media-size" and "media-source" (numbers 1 to 6 above), or when Validate-Job req includes only one of "media-size" and "media-source" (numbers 7 to 10 above). In a modified example, in cases 2 and 3, the tray does not match the size selected by the user, so printer 10 may display an error without executing printing.

[0071] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims can be realized by variously modifying the specific examples exemplified above. The following are variations of the above embodiment:

[0072] (Variant 1) In the above embodiment, printing on the cut paper is performed after the cut paper is cut, but in a variant, printing on the cut paper may be performed after the cut paper is cut.

[0073] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the GPA includes "mr" and "mcr." Alternatively, the GPA may include only "mr." In this case, at T36 in FIG. 4, a print setting screen that does not include a tray selection area is displayed, and at T42, a Validate-job-req that does not include "media-source" and only includes "media-size" is received. The printer 10 then prints, or prints and cuts, according to the "media-size." Generally speaking, the "capability information" only needs to include "first size information" and "second size information," and does not necessarily need to include "first related information" and "second related information."

[0074] (Variation 3) Printer 10 does not need to display a selection screen. For example, the user may select whether to cut the cut sheet by operating a physical switch provided on printer 10. In another variation, the user may select whether to cut the cut sheet by attaching or detaching a cutting mechanism to printer 10. In another variation, printer 10 may have a web server function, and the user may operate PC 100 to access the web server within printer 10 and select whether to cut the cut sheet on a selection screen displayed on PC 100. In this variation, the "display unit" and "display control unit" can be omitted. In another variation, printer 10 does not need to require the user to select whether to cut the cut sheet. In other words, printer 10 may be configured to always transmit capability information indicating A4 size and A5 size when A4-sized cut sheets are loaded.

[0075] (Variation 4) The first size may be A3 and the second size may be A5. In this case, printer 10 receives print data representing an A5-sized image. Printer 10 prints the image on a quarter of an A3-sized sheet of paper without rotating the image, and then cuts the A3-sized sheet of paper into quarters. Generally speaking, the "second size" does not have to be half the size of the "first size," and the "print control unit" does not have to generate a "rotated image," nor does it have to cause the "print execution unit" to print the "rotated image."

[0076] (Variation 5) 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 cut sheet has been creased, 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.

[0077] (Variation 6) The PC 100 does not need to be equipped with the generic driver 102. In this case, the PC 100 is equipped with a dedicated driver instead of the generic driver 102. The dedicated driver is a printer driver dedicated to a certain printer.

[0078] (Variation 7) In the above embodiment, the processes in FIGS. 3 to 6 are implemented by software, but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0079] 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 capability information sending unit that, when a first cut sheet having a first size is stored in the storage unit and a second cut sheet having a second size smaller than the first size is not stored in the storage unit, sends capability information to the terminal device, the capability information including first size information indicating that the first size is stored and second size information indicating that the second size is stored; a print data receiving unit that receives, after the capability information is transmitted to the terminal device, selection information indicating that a target size, which is the size of a cut sheet to be printed, has been selected by a user from a plurality of sizes including the first size indicated by the first size information and the second size indicated by the second size information at the terminal device, and receives image data representing an image to be printed; a print control unit that, when the selection information and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the first cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the first cut sheet, regardless of whether the target size is the first size or the second size; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size; A printer comprising: (Item 2) The printer described in item 1, wherein the capability information sending unit sends the capability information including the second size information and not the first size information to the terminal device when the second cut sheet is stored in the storage unit and the first cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit. (Item 3) The printer described in item 1 or 2, wherein when a third cut sheet having a third size different from the first size and the second size is stored in the storage unit and the first cut sheet and the second cut sheet are not stored in the storage unit, the capability information sending unit sends the capability information to the terminal device, which includes third size information indicating that the third size is stored, and does not include the first size information and the second size information. (Item 4) when the first cut sheet is stored in the storage unit and the second cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit, the capacity information includes first related information and second related information; the first association information is information in which the first size information and first name information, which is a name of the storage section, are associated with each other; A printer described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the second associated information is information that associates the second size information with second name information, which is the name of a virtual storage section that does not exist in the printer. (Item 5) 5. The printer according to item 4, wherein the second name information indicates an arbitrary name determined by the vendor of the printer. (Item 6) Item 5. The printer according to item 4, wherein the second name information indicates a name defined by PWG MSN 2.0 (short for The Printer Working Group Media Standardized Names 2.0). (Item 7) The capability information transmission unit when the first cut sheet is stored in the storage unit, the second cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit, and a user has selected to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet, transmitting the capability information including the first size information and the second size information to the terminal device; A printer described in any one of items 1 to 6, wherein when the first cut sheet is stored in the storage unit and the second cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit and the user has selected not to perform the specified processing on the cut sheet, the printer sends the capability information including the first size information and not the second size information to the terminal device. (Item 8) The printer further includes a display unit, The control unit further Item 7: The printer according to item 7, further comprising a display control unit that, when the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is input into the printer by the user, displays a selection screen on the display unit to allow the user to select whether or not to perform the specified processing on the cut paper. (Item 9) the image data represents the image having a size corresponding to the object size; The printer described in any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the print control unit, when receiving the selection information and the image data from the terminal device and the target size is the second size that is half the first size, generates a rotated image obtained by rotating the image by 90 degrees and causes the print execution unit to print the rotated image on the first cut paper. (Item 10) The printer according to any one of items 1 to 9, 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 11) the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver; 11. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the print data receiving unit receives the selection information and the image data from the general-purpose printer driver of the terminal device. (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 capability information sending unit that, when a first cut sheet having a first size is stored in the storage unit and a second cut sheet having a second size smaller than the first size is not stored in the storage unit, sends capability information to the terminal device, the capability information including first size information indicating that the first size is stored and second size information indicating that the second size is stored; a print data receiving unit that receives, after the capability information is transmitted to the terminal device, selection information indicating that a target size, which is the size of a cut sheet to be printed, has been selected by a user from a plurality of sizes including the first size indicated by the first size information and the second size indicated by the second size information at the terminal device, and receives image data representing an image to be printed; a print control unit that, when the selection information and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the first cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the first cut sheet, regardless of whether the target size is the first size or the second size; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size; A computer program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 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, 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 a capability information sending unit that sends capability information including first related information and second related information to a terminal device when a first cut sheet of a first size is stored in the storage unit and a second cut sheet of a second size smaller than the first size is not stored in the storage unit, the first related information being information in which first size information indicating that the first size is stored is associated with first name information which is the name of the storage unit, and the second related information being information in which second size information indicating that the second size is stored is associated with second name information which is the name of a virtual storage unit that does not exist in the printer; a print data receiving unit that receives, after the capability information is transmitted to the terminal device, selection information indicating that a target size, which is the size of cut paper to be printed, has been selected by a user from a plurality of sizes including the first size indicated by the first size information and the second size indicated by the second size information at the terminal device, and receives image data representing an image to be printed; a print control unit that, when the selection information and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the first cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the first cut sheet, regardless of whether the target size is the first size or the second size; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size; A printer comprising:

2. The printer described in claim 1, wherein the printer is provided with one storage section that stores one size of cut paper.

3. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the capability information sending unit sends the capability information including the second size information and not including the first size information to the terminal device when the second cut sheet is stored in the storage unit and the first cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit.

4. 4. A printer according to claim 1, wherein when a third cut sheet having a third size different from the first size and the second size is stored in the storage unit and the first cut sheet and the second cut sheet are not stored in the storage unit, the capability information sending unit sends the capability information to the terminal device, which includes third size information indicating that the third size is stored, but does not include the first size information and the second size information.

5. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the second name information indicates an arbitrary name determined by a vendor of the printer.

6. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the second name information indicates a name defined by PWG MSN 2.0 (abbreviation of The Printer Working Group Media Standardized Names 2.0).

7. The capability information transmission unit when the first cut sheet is stored in the storage unit, the second cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit, and a user has selected to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet, transmitting the capability information including the first size information and the second size information to the terminal device; A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the first cut sheet is stored in the storage unit, the second cut sheet is not stored in the storage unit, and the user has selected not to perform the specified processing on the cut sheet, the printer sends the capability information, which includes the first size information but does not include the second size information, to the terminal device.

8. The printer further includes a display unit, The control unit further 8. The printer according to claim 7, further comprising a display control unit that, when a user inputs the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit into the printer, displays a selection screen on the display unit to allow the user to select whether or not to perform the specified processing on the cut paper.

9. the image data represents the image having a size corresponding to the object size; A printer described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the print control unit, when receiving the selection information and the image data from the terminal device and the target size is the second size which is half the first size, generates a rotated image obtained by rotating the image by 90 degrees, and causes the print execution unit to print the rotated image on the first cut paper.

10. 10. 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.

11. the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver; The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the print data receiving unit receives the selection information and the image data from the general-purpose printer driver of the terminal device.

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 capability information sending unit that sends capability information including first related information and second related information to a terminal device when a first cut sheet of a first size is stored in the storage unit and a second cut sheet of a second size smaller than the first size is not stored in the storage unit, the first related information being information in which first size information indicating that the first size is stored is associated with first name information which is the name of the storage unit, and the second related information being information in which second size information indicating that the second size is stored is associated with second name information which is the name of a virtual storage unit that does not exist in the printer; a print data receiving unit that receives, after the capability information is transmitted to the terminal device, selection information indicating that a target size, which is the size of cut paper to be printed, has been selected by a user from a plurality of sizes including the first size indicated by the first size information and the second size indicated by the second size information at the terminal device, and receives image data representing an image to be printed; a print control unit that, when the selection information and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the first cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the first cut sheet, regardless of whether the target size is the first size or the second size; a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the second size has been selected as the target size, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the first cut sheet when the selection information indicates that the first size has been selected as the target size; A computer program that functions as a

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