Recording device, method for controlling a recording device, and recording system

Abstract

To provide a recording device allowing a medium to be mounted on an appropriate position by a simple configuration, a control method for the recording device, and a recording system.SOLUTION: A recording device 1 comprises: a recording head 7 to record on a T-shirt F; a tray 4 that has a mount face 4a for mounting the T-shirt F and can move in front-back direction including a position facing the recording head 7; a lighting mechanism 45 to radiate light in a lighting pattern L toward the mounting face 4a from below the mounting face 4a; an operation panel 41 to receive a lighting instruction information designating the lighting pattern L; and a control section 25. The control section 25 can change the lighting pattern L of the lighting mechanism 45 based on the lighting instruction information received by the operation panel 41.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus, a control method for the recording apparatus, and a recording system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a recording apparatus for printing a pattern or the like on a fabric such as a T-shirt has been known. Among such recording apparatuses, there is one that executes printing one by one according to the requests of customers at a store or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of setting a fabric on a printing apparatus, which is the above-described recording apparatus. In the above method, a step of attaching marks at four positions on the fabric and a step of setting the fabric on a platen such that the marks at the four positions on the fabric coincide with the light emission positions of the light emitting means are performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that it is difficult to print a pattern or the like in accordance with the position intended by the operator. Specifically, in such a recording apparatus, the pattern, position, etc. of the print may be specified from an information terminal such as a personal computer. At this time, the print position displayed on the information terminal and the position where the mark is attached, that is, the position where the pattern or the like is printed, may not always coincide. In particular, in a flexible and various-sized medium such as a T-shirt, it was difficult for the position where the mark was attached and the desired print position to coincide in the vertical direction of the medium, that is, in the front-rear direction of the recording apparatus. Therefore, while the marked position and the print position are likely to coincide, there is a possibility that a deviation may occur between the desired print position and the actual print position.

[0005] Another method involves projecting the print image displayed on an information terminal onto the actual medium using a projector. While this method makes it easy to match the desired print position with the actual print position, it has the drawback of requiring a large and expensive device. This method also makes it difficult to install the device in stores and can be disadvantageous from the perspective of widespread adoption. For these reasons, there was a need for a recording device with a simple configuration that could place a medium such as a T-shirt in the appropriate position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The recording device comprises a recording unit for recording on a medium, a mounting unit having a mounting surface on which the medium is placed and movable in the front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording unit, an illumination mechanism that irradiates light in an illumination pattern from below the mounting surface toward the mounting surface, an input unit for receiving illumination instruction information specifying the illumination pattern, and a control unit, wherein the control unit can change the illumination pattern of the illumination mechanism based on the illumination instruction information received by the input unit.

[0007] A control method for a recording device comprising: a recording unit for recording on a medium; a mounting unit having a mounting surface on which the medium is placed and movable in a front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording unit; an illumination mechanism that irradiates light from below the mounting surface toward the mounting surface in an illumination pattern; and an input unit for receiving illumination instruction information that specifies the illumination pattern, wherein the illumination pattern of the illumination mechanism can be changed based on the illumination instruction information received by the input unit.

[0008] The recording system comprises a recording device and a host device, wherein the recording device includes a recording unit for recording on a medium, a mounting surface on which the medium is placed and which is movable in the front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording unit, an illumination mechanism for irradiating light in an illumination pattern from below the mounting surface toward the mounting surface, a receiving unit for receiving illumination instruction information specifying the illumination pattern from the host device, and a recording-side control unit, wherein the host device includes a transmitting unit and a host-side control unit, the host-side control unit transmits the illumination instruction information to the recording device via the transmitting unit, and the recording-side control unit can change the illumination pattern of the illumination mechanism based on the illumination instruction information received by the receiving unit. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A perspective view showing the configuration of a recording device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing the configuration of the tray and lighting mechanism. [Figure 3] A plan view showing the configuration of the light-shielding plate. [Figure 4] A plan view showing the configuration of the light-shielding plate. [Figure 5] A plan view showing the configuration of the light-shielding plate. [Figure 6] A block diagram showing the configuration of the recording system. [Figure 7] A schematic diagram showing the print data creation screen on the host device. [Figure 8] A schematic diagram showing the print data creation screen on the host device. [Figure 9] A schematic diagram showing the print data creation screen on the host device. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram showing the settings screen for lighting instruction information in the host device. [Figure 11] A schematic plan view showing the arrangement of the lighting patterns of the recording device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] In this embodiment, a recording device 1 is provided as an example that prints images and other designs onto a medium such as a T-shirt, one print per item. The recording device 1 is an inkjet printer. The recording device 1, the control method for the recording device 1, and the recording system including the recording device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] In the following diagrams, X, Y, and Z axes are added as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes where necessary, with the direction indicated by each arrow being the + direction and the opposite direction being the - direction. The Y axis runs along the front-to-back direction of the recording device 1, with the +Y direction of the recording device 1 being forward. The X axis runs along the left-to-right direction of the recording device 1, with the +X direction of the recording device 1 being to the left. The Z axis is a virtual axis running vertically, with the +Z direction of the recording device 1 being upward and the -Z direction being downward. The direction along the X axis is the left-to-right direction, the direction along the Y axis is the front-to-back direction, and the direction along the Z axis is the up-and-down direction.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the recording device 1 comprises an outer casing 8, a recording head 7 as a recording unit, a tray 4 as a mounting unit, a lighting mechanism 45, an operation panel 41 as an input unit, a media transport unit 3, a colorimetric mechanism 9, and an illuminance meter mechanism 10. Although not shown in the figure, the recording device 1 also has a control unit 25 and a receiving unit 35a as other input units located inside the outer casing 8. Figure 1 shows a state in which a T-shirt F, which is the medium, is placed on the mounting surface 4a of the tray 4. The design D is printed on the chest of the T-shirt F by the recording device 1. Figure 1 shows the tray 4 in a position where the T-shirt F can be placed and removed.

[0013] The outer casing 8 is a roughly rectangular prism-shaped housing that houses the recording head 7, carriage 6, and various other components. An operation panel 41 is located at the front and top of the outer casing 8.

[0014] The operation panel 41 has a display function for displaying various information regarding the operation of the recording apparatus 1, and an input function for receiving various instructions corresponding to operation conditions and the like. The operation panel 41 includes, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device. The operation panel 41 is included in the control unit 25. The operation panel 41 may be provided with various buttons separately from the liquid crystal display device. In addition, various instructions regarding the operation of the recording apparatus 1 may be input to the recording apparatus 1 via an information terminal such as a personal computer.

[0015] The recording head 7 is disposed below the carriage 6. The recording head 7 performs recording, that is, printing, on the T-shirt F. Although not shown, the recording head 7 has a nozzle surface in a downward-facing position. The nozzle surface faces the platen in the vertical direction when printing is performed by the recording apparatus 1. A plurality of nozzle rows are arranged on the nozzle surface.

[0016] Each of the plurality of nozzle rows is composed of a plurality of nozzles, and ejects ink exhibiting colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black individually. These inks are supplied from an ink container (not shown) housed in the exterior 8 to the recording head 7 via a pipe. The ink ejected from the recording head 7 may be, in addition to the inks of the above-described respective colors, clear ink, a processing liquid, or the like.

[0017] In the recording head 7, a piezoelectric element is used as an actuator which is a driving means for ink ejection. The driving means is not limited to this. For the driving means, for example, an electromechanical conversion element that displaces a diaphragm as an actuator by electrostatic adsorption, or an electrothermal conversion element that ejects ink with bubbles generated by heating may be used.

[0018] Although not shown, the carriage 6 is connected to a timing belt, and the timing belt is driven by a carriage motor 32 described later. The timing belt moves the carriage 6 in the left-right direction which is the main scanning direction by driving the carriage motor 32. Thereby, the recording head 7 reciprocates in the left-right direction while facing the platen in the vertical direction.

[0019] The media conveyance unit 3 is disposed so as to protrude forward from the opening 8a of the exterior case 8 below the lower side of the side surface facing the front of the exterior case 8. Above the media conveyance unit 3, a media support unit 2 is disposed. Further, above the media support unit 2, a tray 4 is supported by the media support unit 2.

[0020] Although not shown, the media conveyance unit 3 moves the media support unit 2 and the tray 4 in the front-rear direction by driving a conveyance motor 33 described later. In other words, the tray 4 can be moved in the front-rear direction including the position facing the recording head 7 by the media conveyance unit 3.

[0021] The platen described above refers to the area facing the recording head 7 on the placement surface 4a when printing is executed by the recording apparatus 1. That is, printing is performed on the T-shirt F placed on the tray 4 on the platen. That is, printing is executed at a position where the tray 4 and the media support unit 2 are retracted from the positions shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] At this time, the tray 4 and the media support unit 2 can be retracted to a position protruding rearward from the side surface facing the rear of the exterior case 8. Therefore, printing can be executed up to the area near the +Y direction end of the tray 4 on the T-shirt F placed on the tray 4.

[0023] By interlocking the forward and backward movement of the tray 4 with the reciprocating movement of the carriage 6 in the left-right direction and discharging ink from the recording head 7 at a predetermined timing, a pattern D or the like is printed on the T-shirt F.

[0024] The tray 4 is a substantially flat plate member as shown in FIG. 2. A light shielding plate P1 is detachable from the placement surface 4a1 of the tray 4. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the light shielding plate P1 is lifted from the placement surface 4a1 for explaining the configuration.

[0025] Tray 4 has mounting surfaces 4a1 and 4a2, which are mounting surfaces 4a facing upward. Mounting surface 4a1 is placed on tray 4, and mounting surface 4a2 is placed on the light-shielding plate P1, which will be described later. Mounting surfaces 4a1 and 4a2 are aligned with the XY plane. A T-shirt F is placed on top of mounting surfaces 4a1 and 4a2.

[0026] A lighting mechanism 45 is placed on the tray 4. The lighting mechanism 45 includes a light-shielding plate P1 and a light source (not shown) built into the tray 4. The light source of the lighting mechanism 45 irradiates light from below the mounting surface 4a toward the mounting surface 4a in a lighting pattern L1 described later. The light source of the lighting mechanism 45 illuminates the entire surface of the mounting surface 4a1. The amount of light from the lighting pattern L1 by the light source of the lighting mechanism 45 is variable. Examples of the light source include light-emitting diodes, semiconductor lasers, organic EL (electroluminescence), and halogen bulbs.

[0027] The light-shielding plate P1 is a flat plate-shaped member. The main surface of the light-shielding plate P1 facing upwards becomes the mounting surface 4a2. When the light-shielding plate P1 is attached to the mounting surface 4a1, the light-shielding plate P1 becomes integrated with the tray 4. When the light-shielding plate P1 is attached to the tray 4, the T-shirt F is placed above the mounting surface 4a1 and the mounting surface 4a2.

[0028] The light-shielding plate P1 blocks a portion of the light emitted by the light source of the illumination mechanism 45, illuminating the T-shirt F placed on the mounting surface 4a2 in accordance with the illumination pattern L1. Specifically, the light-shielding plate P1 is provided with a slit S1. In the light-shielding plate P1, the area of ​​the slit S1 transmits light, while the area other than the slit S1 does not transmit light. Therefore, the light-shielding plate P1 blocks a portion of the light that the illumination mechanism 45 emits to the mounting surface 4a1, allowing the light to pass through only the area of ​​the slit S1.

[0029] As a result, when viewed from above in a plan view, the area of ​​the slit S1 emits light as an illumination pattern L1. The slit S1 is roughly frame-shaped. Therefore, the illumination pattern L1 illuminates the T-shirt F placed on the mounting surface 4a2 from below in a roughly frame-like shape.

[0030] The recording device 1 may be configured to irradiate light using an illumination pattern L1 without using a light-shielding plate P1. Specifically, the illumination mechanism 45 may not have a light-shielding plate P1 and may be configured to emit light only in a specific area such as the illumination pattern L1. Examples of such an illumination mechanism 45 include a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, and multiple light-emitting diodes arranged in a matrix. If a light-shielding plate P1 is not used, the T-shirt F is placed directly on the mounting surface 4a1. In the recording device 1, the illumination mechanism 45 is located on the tray 4, but the configuration is not limited to this.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the light-shielding plate P1 is approximately rectangular in a plan view from above. A slit S1 is provided along the outer circumference of the light-shielding plate P1. The slit S1 indicates the outer circumference of the print area of ​​the T-shirt F in the recording device 1. This print area refers to the maximum area on the T-shirt F where a design D or the like can be printed. The illumination pattern L1 described above corresponds to the shape of the slit S1 and indicates the outer circumference of the print area. Note that the shape in which the illumination mechanism 45 illuminates the T-shirt F is not limited to the approximately frame-shaped illumination pattern L1.

[0032] Instead of the light-shielding plate P1, a light-shielding plate P2 shown in Figure 4 may be used. The outer periphery shape of the light-shielding plate P2 is the same as that of the light-shielding plate P1 when viewed from above. The light-shielding plate P2 is provided with a slit S2. The slit S2 is shaped like a "+" where a line segment along the X axis and a line segment along the Y axis intersect. The position of the intersection of these two line segments corresponds to the center position of the print area. In other words, the illumination pattern produced by the slit S2 corresponds to the slit S2 and indicates the center position of the print area. The light-shielding plate P2 may also be provided with the slit S1 of the light-shielding plate P1.

[0033] Instead of the light-shielding plate P1, the light-shielding plate P3 shown in Figure 5 may be used. The outer shape of the light-shielding plate P3 is the same as that of the light-shielding plate P1 when viewed from above. The light-shielding plate P3 is provided with a slit S3. The slit S3 has a shape in which a line segment along the X axis and a line segment along the Y axis intersect at a position corresponding to one corner of the outer edge. The position of the intersection of the two line segments corresponds to one of the corner positions on the outer perimeter of the print area. That is, the illumination pattern produced by the slit S3 corresponds to the slit S3 and indicates one of the corner positions on the outer perimeter of the print area. Note that the slit S3 corresponds to the corner positions in the +X direction and -Y direction on the outer perimeter of the print area, but is not limited to the above corner positions. In addition, the light-shielding plate P3 may also be provided with the slit S2 of the light-shielding plate P2.

[0034] In the following explanation, the lighting pattern L1, the lighting pattern using slit S2, and the lighting pattern using slit S3 may all be collectively referred to simply as "lighting pattern L."

[0035] The light-shielding plates P1, P2, and P3 are formed from materials such as metal or resin. The slits S1, S2, and S3 do not need to be voids and may be made of light-transmitting materials.

[0036] In conventional recording devices, the flexibility and diverse shapes of fabrics such as T-shirts made positioning difficult. As a result, discrepancies often occurred between the desired print position and the actual print location on the fabric. In particular, while positioning in the left-right direction was relatively easy, positioning in the front-back direction tended to be more difficult.

[0037] In contrast, in the recording device 1, the illumination mechanism 45 irradiates light from the mounting surface 4a using the illumination pattern L described above. Therefore, when placing the T-shirt F on the mounting surface 4a, the illumination pattern L serves as a reference, making positioning easier.

[0038] Returning to Figure 1, the colorimeter mechanism 9 and the illuminance meter mechanism 10 are positioned facing the mounting surface 4a. More specifically, the colorimeter mechanism 9 and the illuminance meter mechanism 10 are positioned slightly behind and recessed from the opening 8a of the exterior 8, facing approximately downwards and facing the mounting surface 4a.

[0039] The colorimetric mechanism 9 measures the color tone of the T-shirt F placed on the mounting surface 4a. More specifically, the colorimetric mechanism 9 includes a colorimeter equipped with a colorimetric function. The color tone information of the T-shirt F includes, for example, L*, which is the lightness, and a* and b*, which are the chromaticity representing the hue and saturation, in the color space of the T-shirt F. In the recording device 1, the color of the illumination pattern L of the illumination mechanism 45 is changed according to the color tone information of the T-shirt F being measured. The colorimeter included in the colorimetric mechanism 9 is not particularly limited, and any known colorimeter can be used.

[0040] The illuminance meter mechanism 10 includes an illuminance meter. The illuminance meter mechanism 10 measures the illuminance of the mounting surface 4a on which the T-shirt F is placed. The illuminance is the illuminance of the lighting pattern L transmitted through the T-shirt F, and is attenuated depending on the type, thickness, and color of the T-shirt F's fabric. In the recording device 1, the amount of light from the lighting pattern L of the lighting mechanism 45 is changed according to the measured illuminance. The illuminance meter included in the illuminance meter mechanism 10 is not particularly limited, and any known illuminance meter can be used.

[0041] Furthermore, when the T-shirt F is placed on the mounting surface 4a of the tray 4, it may be fixed to the tray 4 by a frame-shaped fixing device or the like. Also, the medium on which printing is performed by the recording device 1 is not limited to the T-shirt F.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, the recording system according to this embodiment comprises a recording device 1 and a host device 36. The host device 36 is, for example, an information terminal such as a personal computer. In Figure 6, the configuration of the host device 36, such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and display monitor, is omitted from the illustration.

[0043] The control unit 25 of the recording device 1 is an example of a recording-side control unit in the recording system of this embodiment. The control unit 25 includes a receiving unit 35a, a transmitting unit 35b, a CPU 26, a system bus 27, a ROM (Read-only memory) 28, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 29, a head drive unit 30, a motor drive unit 31, and an operation panel 41.

[0044] The head drive unit 30 is electrically connected to the recording head 7. The motor drive unit 31 is electrically connected to the carriage motor 32 and the transport motor 33. The illumination mechanism 45, the colorimeter mechanism 9, and the illuminance meter mechanism 10 are electrically connected to the system bus 27.

[0045] The CPU 26 controls the entire recording device 1. The CPU 26 is electrically connected to the ROM 28, RAM 29, head drive unit 30, motor drive unit 31, receiver unit 35a, transmitter unit 35b, illumination mechanism 45, colorimeter mechanism 9, illuminance meter mechanism 10, and operation panel 41 via the system bus 27. The ROM 28 stores various control programs and maintenance sequences executed by the CPU 26. The RAM 29 temporarily stores data.

[0046] The head drive unit 30 drives the recording head 7. The motor drive unit 31 drives the carriage motor 32 and the transport motor 33. Various instructions input to the operation panel 41 are transmitted to the CPU 26.

[0047] The host device 36 includes a host-side control unit 38 and a monitor 39 (not shown). The host-side control unit 38 includes a host-side receiving unit 36a and a host-side transmitting unit 36b. The host device 36 transmits and receives various information, such as the operating conditions and print data of the recording device 1, to and from the recording device 1. The receiving unit 36a corresponds to the transmitting unit 35b, and the transmitting unit 36b corresponds to the receiving unit 35a. The transmission and reception of various information between the recording device 1 and the host device 36 may be wired or wireless. In the recording system of this embodiment, various instructions regarding the operation of the recording device 1 can also be input from the host device 36.

[0048] The host-side control unit 38 of the host device 36 transmits various instructions corresponding to operating conditions, etc., via the transmission unit 36b, which are received by the receiving unit 35a of the recording device 1. These various instructions include lighting instruction information that specifies the lighting pattern L. Specifically, the operator of the recording system selects, for example, lighting pattern L1 from among the candidates for lighting pattern L and transmits it from the transmission unit 36b, which is received by the receiving unit 35a. As a result, the control unit 25 can change the lighting pattern L of the lighting mechanism 45 based on the lighting instruction information received by the receiving unit 35a. In other words, the control method of the recording device 1 in this embodiment allows the lighting pattern L of the lighting mechanism 45 to be changed based on the lighting instruction information received by the receiving unit 35a.

[0049] The ability to change the lighting pattern L as described above includes, for example, when lighting pattern L1 is selected, the lighting mechanism 45 is equipped with an LCD panel or the like and automatically changes to lighting pattern L1, and when an operator attaches a light-shielding plate P1 corresponding to lighting pattern L1 and changes the lighting pattern L1 by the light-shielding plate P1.

[0050] The lighting instruction information includes information indicating the light intensity of the lighting pattern L emitted by the lighting mechanism 45. The operator can input instructions to increase or decrease the light intensity according to the color, type, and thickness of the T-shirt F fabric. The control unit 25 changes the light intensity of the lighting pattern L based on the information indicating the light intensity.

[0051] Specifically, for example, if T-shirt F is made of white fabric, the light intensity is set to a standard value if the fabric is thin, and to a stronger value if the fabric is thick. Also, if T-shirt F is made of dark-colored fabric, the light intensity is set to a slightly stronger value if the fabric is thin, and to a stronger value if the fabric is thick.

[0052] This allows the light intensity of the lighting pattern L to be changed according to the shape of the T-shirt F, thereby improving the visibility of the lighting pattern L. Furthermore, because the light intensity can be adjusted to an appropriate value, the power consumed to illuminate the lighting pattern L can be reduced.

[0053] Here, the control unit 25 may automatically change the light intensity of the lighting pattern L according to the illuminance measured by the illuminance meter mechanism 10. Specifically, the illuminance meter mechanism 10 measures the illuminance of the lighting pattern L emitted through the T-shirt F, for example, in response to instructions from the operator via the host device 36, or automatically after the T-shirt F is placed on the mounting surface 4a. The control unit 25 increases or decreases the light intensity of the lighting pattern L according to the measured illuminance. Therefore, the light intensity of the lighting pattern L, which is attenuated by the T-shirt F, is adjusted, further improving the visibility of the lighting pattern L. In addition, since the adjustment of the light intensity is performed automatically, the convenience for the operator is improved.

[0054] The illumination instruction information includes information indicating the color of the illumination pattern L emitted by the illumination mechanism 45. The operator can input an instruction to change the above color according to the color, type, and thickness of the T-shirt F fabric. The control unit 25 changes the color of the illumination pattern L based on the information indicating the color of the illumination pattern L.

[0055] Specifically, for example, if T-shirt F is made of white fabric, the color of lighting pattern L is set to red. If T-shirt F is made of dark-colored fabric, the color of lighting pattern L is set to white. This changes the color of lighting pattern L according to the shape of T-shirt F, improving the visibility of lighting pattern L.

[0056] The control unit 25 may automatically change the color of the lighting pattern L according to the color information measured by the colorimetric mechanism 9. Specifically, the colorimetric mechanism 9 measures the color tone of the T-shirt F, for example, in response to instructions from the operator via the host device 36, or automatically after the T-shirt F is placed on the mounting surface 4a. The control unit 25 automatically changes the color of the lighting pattern L according to the measured color information. Therefore, since the color of the lighting pattern L is changed according to the color of the T-shirt F, the visibility of the lighting pattern L is further improved. In addition, since the color change is performed automatically, the convenience of the operator is improved.

[0057] The changes in light intensity and color of the lighting pattern L described above should be, for example, as shown in Table 1. The values ​​in the light intensity column of Table 1 are approximate values ​​and do not have units. The setting conditions corresponding to the type of medium are not limited to those in Table 1.

[0058] [Table 1]

[0059] Of the two cases in which the lighting pattern L can be changed as described above, in the former case, the lighting instruction information includes light emission pattern information corresponding to the lighting pattern L, and the control unit 25 automatically changes the lighting pattern L irradiated by the lighting mechanism 45 based on the light emission pattern information. This makes it possible to save time required for selecting and attaching the light shielding plate P1 compared to the case in which the lighting pattern L1 is changed by applying the light shielding plate P1.

[0060] The print data from the recording device 1 is transmitted from the transmitting unit 36b of the host device 36 to the receiving unit 35a of the recording device 1. When the illumination pattern L corresponding to the slit S1 is selected, the light emission pattern information corresponds to the information indicating the outer perimeter of the print area included in the print data. Based on the light emission pattern information, the control unit 25 causes the illumination mechanism 45 to illuminate with the illumination pattern L1 indicating the outer perimeter of the print area. This makes it easier to grasp the outer perimeter of the print area, further facilitating positioning when placing the T-shirt F on the mounting surface 4a.

[0061] Furthermore, when the illumination pattern L corresponding to slit S2 is selected, the light emission pattern information corresponds to information indicating the center position of the print range included in the print data. Based on the light emission pattern information, the control unit 25 causes the illumination mechanism 45 to illuminate with the illumination pattern L indicating the center position of the print range.

[0062] When the illumination pattern L corresponding to slit S3 is selected, the light emission pattern information corresponds to information indicating the position of one of the corners on the outer perimeter of the print area included in the print data. Based on the light emission pattern information, the control unit 25 causes the illumination mechanism 45 to illuminate with the illumination pattern L indicating one of the corners on the outer perimeter of the print area. This makes it easier to determine the center position or one of the corners on the outer perimeter of the print area, further facilitating positioning when placing the T-shirt F on the mounting surface 4a.

[0063] Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to selecting a lighting pattern using slits; the outer shape of the image D itself included in the print data may also be used as the lighting pattern L1. Since the print data itself is illuminated, it becomes easier to determine the printing position, and positioning the T-shirt F when placing it on the mounting surface 4a becomes easier.

[0064] Of the two cases in which the lighting pattern L can be changed as described above, in the latter case, the lighting instruction information includes information specifying the light shield P1, and the control unit 25 notifies the operator of the information specifying the light shield P1 via the display function of the operation panel 41. This makes it easier for the operator to select the light shield P1, improving the operator's convenience. Although the above explanation has illustrated the case in which lighting pattern L1 is applied, lighting pattern L is not limited to this.

[0065] Lighting instruction information may also be input via the control panel 41.

[0066] The procedure for placing the T-shirt F onto the mounting surface 4a will be explained in detail. First, the host device 36 creates the print data. Specifically, the print data, such as patterns, images, text, and designs, is created using an application such as RIP (Raster Image Processor) software.

[0067] Specifically, as shown in Figure 7, the placement and size of the design model Dp are considered using the grid G ​​of the T-shirt model Fp as a guide, while referring to the display on the monitor 39 of the host device 36. The design model Dp corresponds to the design D that will be printed on the T-shirt F.

[0068] Next, select the lighting pattern L to apply. In Figure 7, the light emission pattern Lx1 corresponding to the light shield P1 described above is selected. The light emission pattern Lx1 indicates the outer perimeter of the print area on the T-shirt model Fp. The position of the design model Dp in the created print data becomes the desired print position for design D.

[0069] When using the illumination pattern L corresponding to the slit S2 described above, select the light emission pattern Lx2 as shown in Figure 8. When using the illumination pattern L corresponding to the slit S3 described above, select the light emission pattern Lx3 as shown in Figure 9.

[0070] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, lighting instruction information may be specified on the application of the host device 36. Specifically, when the fabric of the T-shirt F is selected, recommended illuminance and emission color for the lighting pattern L are presented. The operator may make minor adjustments to the presented recommended conditions, or specify the illuminance and emission color of the lighting pattern L on the application.

[0071] The lighting instruction information is included in the print data. The created print data is transmitted from the transmission unit 36b of the host device 36 to the receiving unit 35a of the control unit 25 of the recording device 1. As described above, the lighting instruction information may also be displayed and specified on the operation panel 41 of the recording device 1. In this configuration, the lighting instruction information does not have to be included in the print data.

[0072] Next, the T-shirt F is placed on the tray 4 of the recording device 1. Specifically, as shown in Figure 11, the T-shirt F is placed with the media support unit 2 and tray 4 moved to their furthest forward positions relative to the recording device 1. The tray 4 and media support unit 2 can be retracted to the positions indicated by the dashed lines when printing is performed. For illustrative purposes, the operation panel 41 is omitted from Figure 11.

[0073] When using the light-shielding plate P1, attach the light-shielding plate P1 to the tray 4 before placing the T-shirt F. Then, according to the instructions on the control panel 41, the lighting mechanism 45 is instructed to illuminate the placement surface 4a with the lighting pattern L1.

[0074] The tray 4 has a hanger portion 4d. The hanger portion 4d is provided so as to protrude forward from the placement surface 4a of the tray 4. The T-shirt F is placed by inserting the hanger portion 4d into the T-shirt F. The position in which the T-shirt F is placed is such that the part of the T-shirt F corresponding to the neck and shoulders is in contact with the hanger portion 4d.

[0075] The T-shirt F is placed on the mounting surface 4a based on the lighting pattern L1. At this time, the position may be adjusted while referring to the screen shown in Figure 7 of the host device 36's application. Alternatively, after temporarily placing the T-shirt F on the mounting surface 4a, the tray 4 may be moved backward to measure the color of the T-shirt F using the colorimeter 9 and measure the illuminance of the mounting surface 4a using the illuminance meter 10. As described above, these measurement results may be transmitted to the control unit 25 and used to adjust the lighting pattern L1.

[0076] The measurement results from the colorimeter 9 and the illuminance meter 10 may be transmitted from the transmitter 35b of the recording device 1 to the receiver 36a of the host device 36. The host device 36 may then store the information regarding the T-shirt F, including the measurement results, in the RAM of the host-side control unit 38. Alternatively, this information may be stored in the RAM 29 of the recording device 1. This improves the convenience for the operator because, when repeatedly printing on the same T-shirt F, the operator does not have to select and adjust the conditions for the lighting pattern L1 each time.

[0077] Next, when the position of the printable design Dx matches the desired print position, printing is initiated. The operator instructs the printer to print from the printer driver of the host device 36 or from the control panel 41. This prints the design D onto the T-shirt F. After printing is complete, the tray 4 moves to its furthest forward position and stops, allowing the T-shirt F to be removed from the tray 4.

[0078] This embodiment provides the following advantages: A medium such as a T-shirt F can be placed in an appropriate position with a simple configuration. Specifically, on the placement surface 4a, the medium can be placed in an appropriate position based on the illuminated lighting pattern L. Furthermore, since the appropriate position is clearly indicated without using a projection mechanism such as a projector, the configuration is less likely to become complicated. Thus, a recording device 1, a control method for the recording device 1, and a recording system can be provided that allow a medium such as a T-shirt F to be placed in an appropriate position with a simple configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1...Recording device, 4...Tray as a mounting section, 4a, 4a1, 4a2...Mounting surface, 7...Recording head as a recording section, 9...Colorimeter mechanism, 10...Illuminance meter mechanism, 25...Control unit, 35a...Receiver, 36...Host device, 36b...Transmitter, 38...Host-side control unit, 41...Operation panel as an input section, 45...Lighting mechanism, F...T-shirt as a medium, L, L1...Lighting pattern, P1, P2, P3...Light shielding plate.

Claims

1. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the medium is placed, and which is movable in the front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording section, A lighting mechanism that illuminates the aforementioned mounting surface from below toward the aforementioned mounting surface in a lighting pattern, An input unit that receives lighting instruction information specifying the aforementioned lighting pattern, It has a control unit and The lighting mechanism has a plurality of light-shielding plates corresponding to the lighting pattern, The aforementioned lighting instruction information includes information specifying the light shielding plate, The control unit, The lighting pattern of the lighting mechanism can be changed based on the lighting instruction information received by the input unit. A recording device characterized by broadcasting the information that specifies the light-shielding plate.

2. The lighting instruction information includes light emission pattern information corresponding to the lighting pattern, The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the illumination pattern irradiated by the illumination mechanism based on the light emission pattern information.

3. The aforementioned light emission pattern information corresponds to information indicating the outer perimeter of the print area included in the print data, the center position of the print area, or any of the corner positions of the outer perimeter of the print area. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the illumination mechanism to illuminate with the illumination pattern based on the light emission pattern information, the illumination pattern indicating at least one of the outer periphery of the print area, the center position of the print area, or the corner position of the outer periphery.

4. The aforementioned light emission pattern information corresponds to information indicating the outline shape of the image included in the print data, The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit causes the lighting mechanism to illuminate with the lighting pattern that shows the outer shape of the pattern based on the light emission pattern information.

5. The aforementioned lighting instruction information includes information indicating the color of the lighting pattern irradiated by the lighting mechanism, The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the color of the lighting pattern based on information indicating the color of the lighting pattern.

6. The system has a colorimetric mechanism for measuring the color tone of the aforementioned medium, The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically changes the color of the lighting pattern according to the measured color information.

7. The aforementioned lighting instruction information includes information indicating the amount of light of the lighting pattern irradiated by the lighting mechanism, The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit changes the light intensity of the illumination pattern based on the information indicating the light intensity.

8. The device has an illuminance meter mechanism for measuring the illuminance of the surface on which the medium is placed, The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit automatically changes the amount of light in the lighting pattern according to the measured illuminance.

9. A recording unit that records onto a medium, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the medium is placed, and which is movable in the front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording section, A lighting mechanism that illuminates the aforementioned mounting surface from below toward the aforementioned mounting surface in a lighting pattern, It has an input unit that receives lighting instruction information specifying the aforementioned lighting pattern, The lighting mechanism has a plurality of light-shielding plates corresponding to the lighting pattern, The aforementioned lighting instruction information includes a control method for a recording device, which includes information specifying the light-shielding plate. The lighting pattern of the lighting mechanism can be changed based on the lighting instruction information received by the input unit. A control method for a recording device, characterized by broadcasting the information that specifies the light-shielding plate.

10. It has a recording device and a host device, The recording device is A recording unit that records onto a medium, A mounting section having a mounting surface on which the medium is placed, and which is movable in the front-rear direction including a position opposite the recording section, A lighting mechanism that illuminates the aforementioned mounting surface from below toward the aforementioned mounting surface in a lighting pattern, A receiving unit that receives lighting instruction information specifying the lighting pattern from the host device, It has a recording side control unit, The lighting mechanism has a plurality of light-shielding plates corresponding to the lighting pattern, The aforementioned lighting instruction information includes information specifying the light shielding plate, The aforementioned host device, The transmitting unit, It has a host-side control unit, The host-side control unit transmits the illumination instruction information to the recording device via the transmission unit. The recording side control unit, The receiving unit can change the lighting pattern of the lighting mechanism based on the lighting instruction information it receives. A recording system characterized by broadcasting the information that specifies the light-shielding plate.

11. The recording system according to claim 10, wherein the host device stores information relating to the medium.

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