Machining control device and machining control method

Abstract

A machining control device according to the present disclosure controls a machining device capable of executing first machining and second machining different from the first machining. The machining control device comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires a job group composed of a plurality of jobs including a job including first machining data for executing the first machining and second machining data for executing the second machining, and a job including at least one of the first machining data and the second machining data; a first directive unit that causes the machining device to collectively execute the first machining corresponding to the first machining data included in the job group; and a second directive unit that causes the machining device to collectively execute the second machining corresponding to the second machining data included in the job group.

Description

Machining control device and machining control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a machining control device and a machining control method.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a processing device that prints an image on a medium and cuts the medium. Patent Literature 1 also describes a method for aggregating multiple job data and having the processing device process the multiple jobs collectively, in which job data including cut data is extracted from the multiple job data to create a cut job group, and job data not including cut data is extracted from the multiple job data to create a non-cut job group, and a cut area based on the cut data included in the cut job group is positioned downstream in the transport direction relative to a print area based on image data included in the non-cut job group.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-217811

[0004] When multiple jobs, including a job that performs a first processing (e.g., printing) and a second processing (e.g., cutting) that is different from the first processing, are processed collectively by a processing device, frequent switching between the first processing and the second processing may result in a decrease in processing accuracy and efficiency.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of times that different processes are switched when a processing device processes a plurality of jobs collectively.

[0006] The main invention for achieving the above-mentioned object is a processing control device that controls a processing device capable of performing a first processing and a second processing different from the first processing, and is equipped with an acquisition unit that acquires a job group consisting of a plurality of jobs including a job including first processing data for performing the first processing and second processing data for performing the second processing, and a job including at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data, a first command unit that causes the processing device to collectively perform the first processing according to the first processing data included in the job group, and a second command unit that causes the processing device to collectively perform the second processing according to the second processing data included in the job group.

[0007] Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of this specification.

[0008] According to the present invention, when a processing device is caused to process a plurality of jobs collectively, the number of times that different processing modes need to be switched can be reduced.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the processing system 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the processing system 100. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of processing of job A by the processing control unit 71. FIGS. 4A to 4C are reference explanatory diagrams of processing of job A by the processing device 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reference example of processing for a group job. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a reference example of processing according to a group job. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of processing of a group job according to this embodiment. FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of how the processing device 1 prints in accordance with print command code ABC. FIGS. 8B and 8C are explanatory diagrams of how the processing device 1 cuts the medium M in accordance with cut command code ABC. FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams of a first modified example. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a second modified example.

[0010] ===Embodiment=== <Overall Configuration> Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of a processing system 100. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the processing system 100.

[0011] In the following description, the movement direction of the carriage 21 is referred to as the "scanning direction." The scanning direction may also be referred to as the "main scanning direction" or "movement direction." The direction in which the medium M moves during printing is referred to as the "transport direction," with the side that supplies the medium M being referred to as the "upstream (upstream side)" and the opposite side (the side that discharges the medium M) being referred to as the "downstream (downstream side)." The transport direction may also be referred to as the "sub-scanning direction." The direction from the downstream side to the upstream side is also referred to as the "reverse transport direction," and moving the medium M in the reverse transport direction is also referred to as "reverse transport."

[0012] The processing system 100 is a system that performs processing on a medium M. The medium M is a long, strip-shaped sheet material and is the material to be processed. For example, the medium M is roll paper, film, cloth, etc. The processing system 100 has a processing device 1 and a processing control device 70. However, the processing device 1 may perform the functions of the processing control device 70, so that the processing system 100 is configured by the processing device 1 alone. Furthermore, some of the functions of the processing control device 70, which will be described later, may be realized by the processing device 1.

[0013] The processing device 1 is a device for performing processing on a medium M. The processing device 1 of this embodiment performs a first processing on the medium M, and also performs a second processing different from the first processing. Here, the first processing is described as "printing" and the second processing is described as "cutting." However, the processing performed on the medium M is not limited to printing and cutting; for example, the processing device 1 may spray the medium M. The processing device 1 includes a controller 10, a carriage unit 20, a transport unit 30, a printing unit 40, a cutter unit 50, and a heating unit 60.

[0014] The controller 10 is a control unit that controls the processing device 1. Based on command codes from the processing control device 70, the controller 10 controls each unit of the processing device 1 (the carriage unit 20, the conveying unit 30, the printing unit 40, the cutter unit 50, the heating unit 60, etc.).

[0015] The carriage unit 20 moves the carriage 21 back and forth in the scanning direction. The carriage unit 20 has a carriage 21 and a carriage motor 22. The carriage 21 is a member that moves back and forth in the scanning direction. A head 41 and a cutter 51 are mounted on the carriage 21. The carriage 21 may be configured to include a head carriage and a cutter carriage, and the head carriage and the cutter carriage may be configured to be connectable and detachable. The controller 10 controls the carriage motor 22 to control the movement of the carriage 21.

[0016] The transport unit 30 transports the medium M. The transport unit 30 has a transport member 31 and a transport motor 32. The transport member 31 is a member that transports the medium M by rotating, such as a transport roller. The transport motor 32 is a drive source that rotates the transport member 31. The controller 10 controls the transport (or reverse transport) of the medium M by controlling the transport motor 32.

[0017] The printing unit 40 prints an image on the medium M. The printing unit 40 has a head 41. The head 41 has nozzles for ejecting ink. The head 41 is mounted on the carriage 21 and is movable in the scanning direction. The controller 10 controls the ejection of ink from the head 41.

[0018] The cutter unit 50 cuts the medium M. The cutter unit 50 has a cutter 51 and a solenoid 52. The cutter 51 is a tool equipped with a cutting edge for cutting the medium M. The cutter 51 is mounted on the carriage 21 and is movable in the scanning direction. The solenoid 52 is a drive unit that drives the cutter 51 in the up and down directions. The controller 10 controls the solenoid 52 to control whether the cutting edge of the cutter 51 comes into contact with the medium M or not.

[0019] The heating unit 60 heats the medium M. By heating the medium M after printing, the image printed on the medium M can be dried. As will be described later, the heating region where the heating unit 60 heats the medium M is located downstream in the transport direction from the processing region where the printing unit 40 and the cutter unit 50 process the medium M (the region where the medium M faces the head 41 and the cutter 51) (see FIG. 4A ). However, the location of the heating unit 60 is not limited thereto, and the heating unit 60 may be located in the processing region. The heating unit 60 includes a heater 61. The heating unit 60 may include a heating fan that blows hot air onto the medium M instead of the heater 61. The controller 10 controls the heating of the medium M by controlling the heater 61. Note that the heating device does not necessarily have to include the heating unit 60.

[0020] The machining control device 70 controls the machining device 1. The machining control device 70 generates command codes for controlling the machining device 1 and transmits the command codes to the machining device 1. The machining control device 70 causes the machining device 1 to perform machining via the command codes. Here, the machining control device 70 is configured as a general-purpose personal computer. The machining control device 70 has, as hardware, an arithmetic processing device, a storage device, and a communication device (not shown). The arithmetic processing device is configured, for example, by a CPU. The storage device is configured, for example, by a main storage device such as RAM and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or SSD. The arithmetic processing device executes programs stored in the storage device to realize various functions described below. The communication device is configured, for example, by a communication module, and communicates with the machining device 1. The communication device, for example, transmits command codes to the machining device 1 and receives signals from the machining device 1. A display device 81 and an input device 82 are connected to the machining control device 70. The machining control device 70 can display various screens on the display device 81. In addition, the processing control device 70 can acquire information input by the input device 82 .

[0021] The machining control device 70 has a machining control unit 71. The machining control unit 71 has a function of generating a command code for controlling the machining device 1. The machining control unit 71 is realized by the machining control device 70 (computer) executing a control program that controls the machining device 1. The machining control unit 71 has an acquisition unit 72 and a command unit 73.

[0022] 3 is an explanatory diagram of processing of job A by the processing control unit 71. Here, a case will be described in which the processing control unit 71 causes the processing device 1 to print image A and cut the outer periphery of image A based on job A. Note that job A in the figure is made up of data (print data A) for causing the processing device 1 to print image A and data (cut data A) for causing the processing device 1 to cut the outer periphery of image A.

[0023] The acquisition unit 72 acquires jobs. A job is data indicating a task to be executed by the processing device 1, and includes at least one of first processing data for executing a first processing and second processing data for executing a second processing. In this example, the first processing is "printing" and the second processing is "cutting." Therefore, the first processing data is "print data" and the second processing data is "cut data." Job A in the figure includes print data A corresponding to the first processing data and cut data A corresponding to the second processing data. Note that the print data includes data (image data) indicating an image to be printed and data related to print settings (print setting data; for example, data indicating resolution, layout, etc.). Furthermore, the cut data includes data indicating a cut line (for example, data indicating the coordinates of the start and end points of the cut line). Note that, as described below, the acquisition unit 72 of this embodiment can acquire a job group consisting of multiple jobs, which will be described later.

[0024] The command unit 73 causes the processing device 1 to perform processing according to the job. Here, the command unit 73 transmits a command code to the processing device 1, thereby causing the processing device 1 to perform processing through the command code. The command unit 73 has a function of generating a command code based on the job. The command unit 73 has a first command unit 73A and a second command unit 73B.

[0025] The first command unit 73A causes the processing device 1 to execute first processing in accordance with the first processing data included in the job. Here, the first command unit 73A generates a print command code A, which is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to execute printing, based on print data A (image data A and print setting data A) included in job A. The print command code includes a code for controlling the movement of the carriage 21 during printing, a code for controlling the ejection of ink from the head 41 during printing, a code for controlling the transport of the medium M during printing, and the like. The print command code also includes a code for controlling heating by the heating unit 60 during printing.

[0026] The second command unit 73B causes the processing device 1 to execute the second processing in accordance with the second processing data included in the job. Here, the second command unit 73B generates a cut command code A, which is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to execute cutting, based on the cut data A included in job A. The cut command code includes a code for controlling the movement of the carriage 21 during cutting, a code for controlling the up and down movement of the cutter 51 during cutting (contact / non-contact between the blade edge of the cutter 51 and the medium M), a code for controlling the transport of the medium M during cutting, and the like. The cut command code also includes a code for controlling heating by the heating unit 60 during cutting.

[0027] The processing control unit 71 transmits a command code to the processing device 1, causing the processing device 1 to perform the first processing and also the second processing. Here, the command unit 73 transmits a command code A composed of a print command code A and a cut command code A to the processing device 1. Note that the print command code A generated by the first command unit 73A is transmitted to the processing device 1, and then the cut command code A generated by the second command unit 73B is transmitted to the processing device 1. However, the print command code A and the cut command code A may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0028] 4A to 4C are reference explanatory diagrams of processing of job A by the processing device 1. FIG.

[0029] The controller 10 of the processing device 1 controls each unit of the processing device 1 in accordance with the command code received from the processing control unit 71 to perform the first and second processing. Here, as shown in FIG. 4A , the controller 10 prints image A on the medium M by alternately ejecting ink from the head 41 while moving the carriage 21 in the scanning direction and transporting the medium M in the transport direction in accordance with the print command code A. After printing image A, as shown in FIG. 4B , the controller 10 forms a cut line around the periphery of image A printed on the medium M by bringing the cutter 51 into contact with and separating it from the medium M and moving the cutter 51 relative to the medium M in accordance with the cut command code A. The controller 10 moves the carriage 21 in the scanning direction and transports and reverses the medium M in accordance with the cut command code A, thereby moving the cutter 51 relative to the medium M. Job A is executed when the processing device 1 prints and cuts in accordance with the print command code A and the cut command code A.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4A to 4C (and Figure 1), the heating unit 60 is located downstream in the transport direction from the processing area where the medium M faces the head 41 and the cutter 51. The controller 10 heats the medium M using the heating unit 60 in accordance with a command code. In Figures 4A to 4C, the area heated by the heating unit 60 (heating area) is indicated by a hatched pattern. As shown in Figure 4C, the controller 10 heats (dries) the image A printed on the medium M using the heating unit 60 in accordance with command code A. In the figure, the image is heated after cutting, but it is also possible to heat the image before cutting and cut the medium M after heating the image. Furthermore, the image printed on the medium M may be heated by the heating unit 60 while processing such as printing and cutting is taking place. If the image printed on the medium M is large, the image printed on the medium M will be heated by the heating unit 60 while processing such as printing and cutting is taking place.

[0031] <Reference Example> FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a reference example of processing for a group job.

[0032] A group job is made up of multiple jobs. When multiple jobs are to be processed collectively by the processing device 1, the multiple jobs may be grouped to create a group job, and the processing device 1 may perform processing based on the group job. Here, group job ABC is made up of jobs A, B, and C. Like job A, jobs B and C are made up of print data and cut data. The print data for jobs B and C may be referred to as "print data B" and "print data C," respectively, and the cut data for jobs B and C may be referred to as "cut data B" and "cut data C," respectively.

[0033] In the reference example, the acquisition unit 72 acquires a group job ABC composed of jobs A, B, and C. Then, in the reference example, the machining control unit 71 generates a command code ABC composed of command codes A, B, and C. Note that, like the command code A shown in FIG. 3 , the command code A shown in FIG. 5 is a command code generated based on job A, and is composed of a print command code A generated based on print data A of job A and a cut command code A generated based on cut data A of job A. Furthermore, the command code B is a command code generated based on job B, and is composed of a print command code B generated based on print data B of job B and a cut command code B generated based on cut data B of job B. Furthermore, the command code C is a command code generated based on job C, and is composed of a print command code C generated based on print data C of job C and a cut command code C generated based on cut data C of job C.

[0034] In the reference example, the machining control unit 71 transmits a command code ABC to the machining device 1. Upon receiving the command code ABC, the machining device 1 sequentially performs machining in accordance with the command codes A, B, and C included in the command code ABC, thereby executing jobs A, B, and C simultaneously. In the reference example, the machining device 1 sequentially performs printing according to the print command code A, cutting according to the cut command code A, printing according to the print command code B, cutting according to the cut command code B, printing according to the print command code C, and cutting according to the cut command code C. In the reference example, the first machining (printing) and the second machining (cutting) are performed alternately. Therefore, in the reference example, when a group job consisting of multiple jobs is executed, the first machining and the second machining are switched frequently. However, the more frequently the first machining and the second machining are switched, the worse the machining efficiency becomes. For example, if cutting is performed before printing, a head cleaning process is required to prevent nozzle clogging when printing resumes. Therefore, if the number of times switching between printing and cutting increases, the head cleaning process will need to be performed more frequently, which will reduce processing efficiency.

[0035] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a reference example of processing according to a group job.

[0036] In the reference example, image A printed on medium M is heated by heating unit 60 while job B is being executed. In the reference example, the area of ​​image A is located in the heating area (the area indicated by the shaded area in the figure) not only during the printing time of image B but also during the cutting time of cut line B. Thus, in the reference example, the time that medium M passes through the heating area increases, and there is a risk that medium M will be overheated. In addition, if medium M on which a cut line has been formed is overheated, there is a risk that medium M will curl up at the cut line due to shrinkage caused by heating. Thus, in the reference example, not only is processing efficiency reduced, but processing accuracy may also be reduced. Note that in the reference example, the time that medium M passes through the heating area varies depending on the processing content upstream in the transport direction, making it difficult to control the heating time.

[0037] <Processing of this embodiment> FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of processing of this embodiment for a group job.

[0038] The acquisition unit 72 acquires a group job made up of a plurality of jobs. In this example, the acquisition unit 72 acquires a group job ABC made up of jobs A, B, and C. As already described, each job making up the group job is made up of first processed data (print data) and second processed data (cut data).

[0039] The first command unit 73A extracts the first processing data included in the group job and generates a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute the first processing. Here, the first command unit 73A extracts print data A included in job A of group job ABC, print data B included in job B, and print data C included in job C, and generates a print command code ABC. The print command code ABC is composed of a print command code A generated based on the print data A of job A, a print command code B generated based on the print data B of job B, and a print command code C generated based on the print data C of job C. The print command code ABC is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute printing according to the print data (first processing data) included in group job ABC. The first command unit 73A causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute printing according to the print data (first processing data) included in group job ABC via the print command code ABC.

[0040] Similarly, the second command unit 73B extracts the second processing data included in the group job and generates a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute the second processing. Here, the second command unit 73B extracts cut data A included in job A of group job ABC, cut data B included in job B, and cut data C included in job C, and generates cut command code ABC. Note that the cut command code ABC is composed of cut command code A generated based on the cut data A of job A, cut command code B generated based on the cut data B of job B, and cut command code C generated based on the cut data C of job C. The cut command code ABC is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute cutting according to the cut data (second processing data) included in group job ABC. The second command unit 73B causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute cutting according to the cut data included in group job ABC via the cut command code ABC.

[0041] The processing control unit 71 transmits a command code to the processing device 1, causing the processing device 1 to perform the first processing and also causing the processing device 1 to perform the second processing. Here, the processing control unit 71 transmits a command code ABC composed of a print command code ABC and a cut command code ABC to the processing device 1. Here, the print command code ABC is transmitted to the processing device 1, and then the cut command code ABC is transmitted to the processing device 1. However, the print command code ABC and the cut command code ABC may be transmitted simultaneously.

[0042] Upon receiving the command code, the processing device 1 performs processing in accordance with the command code. In this embodiment, upon receiving the command code ABC, the processing device 1 performs printing according to the print command code ABC included in the command code ABC, and then performs cutting according to the cut command code ABC. That is, in this embodiment, the processing device 1 sequentially performs printing according to the print command code A, printing according to the print command code B, and printing according to the print command code C, and then sequentially performs cutting according to the cut command code A, cutting according to the cut command code B, and cutting according to the cut command code C. In this embodiment, after multiple first processes (printing) included in the group job are performed together, multiple second processes (cutting) are performed together. Therefore, in this embodiment, when executing a group job consisting of multiple jobs, the number of times switching between the first and second processes can be reduced compared to the reference example.

[0043] FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of how the processing device 1 prints in accordance with the print command code ABC.

[0044] The processing device 1 prints images A, B, and C in order according to print command code A, B, and C included in print command code ABC. This results in printing being performed collectively according to the print data (print data A to C) included in group job ABC. Note that because images A, B, and C are printed collectively, the number of head cleaning processes can be reduced compared to the reference example, and the overall time required for printing, including head cleaning processes during printing, can be shortened.

[0045] The image printed on the medium M is heated by the heating unit 60. FIG. 8A shows image B being heated by the heating unit 60 while image C is being printed. Because the medium M is not cut at this stage, the time it takes for the printed image to pass through the heating area (the area indicated by the hatched area in the figure) can be shortened compared to the reference example shown in FIG. 6 , preventing the medium M from being overheated. When printing an image, the processing device 1 repeats a transport operation of transporting the medium M by a predetermined transport amount in the transport direction at predetermined intervals, so the time the medium M passes through the heating area during printing is approximately constant. For these reasons, the present embodiment also prevents the medium M from being overheated during printing.

[0046] 8B and 8C are explanatory diagrams showing how the processing device 1 cuts the medium M in accordance with the cutting command code ABC.

[0047] After printing the images, the processing device 1 reversely transports the medium M. When the medium M is reversely transported, the images (image A, image B, and image C) printed on the medium M are positioned upstream of the heating unit 60 in the transport direction. After the reverse transport, the processing device 1 cuts in order according to the cut command code A, cut command code B, and cut command code C included in the cut command code ABC. As a result, cutting according to the cut data (cut data A to C) included in the group job ABC is performed all at once.

[0048] The image with its periphery cut is heated by the heating unit 60. Figure 8C shows image B passing through the heating area (the shaded area in the figure) while the periphery of image C is being cut. Because the image has already been printed, the time it takes for the cut image to pass through the heating area can be shortened compared to the reference example shown in Figure 6. In other words, if processing were performed in the same manner as in the reference example (see Figure 6), the time it takes for the cut image to pass through the heating area would be the sum of the printing time for the subsequently printed image (image C) and the cutting time for the subsequently cut cut line (cut line C). However, if processing shown in Figure 8C is performed, the time it takes for the cut image to pass through the heating area would be the same as the cutting time for the subsequently cut cut line (cut line C), thereby shortening the time required for printing compared to the reference example. Therefore, even if the medium M is heated in the overheating area during cutting, excessive heating of the medium M can be suppressed compared to the reference example.

[0049] <First Modification> Figures 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams of a first modification. Figure 9A is an explanatory diagram of how the processing device 1 prints in accordance with the print command code ABC. Figure 9A is a diagram similar to Figure 8A. Figures 9B and 9C show how the processing device 1 turns off the heating unit 60.

[0050] In the first modified example, the processing device 1 reduces the heating by the heating unit 60 while cutting the medium M. This prevents the medium M from curling up at the cut line due to shrinkage of the medium M caused by heating. Note that the method of reducing the heating by the heating unit 60 is not limited to turning off the heating unit 60. For example, the temperature of the heated area may be lowered without turning off the heating unit 60. In other words, if the heating by the heating unit 60 during cutting is weaker than the heating by the heating unit 60 during printing, it is possible to prevent the medium M from curling up at the cut line. In the first modified example, the second command unit 73B generates a cutting command code ABC that includes a code that causes the heating by the heating unit 60 during cutting to be weaker than the heating by the heating unit 60 during printing.

[0051] <Second Modification> The first command unit 73A described above has a function of generating a print command code based on print data, and the second command unit 73B has a function of generating a cut command code based on cut data. However, the first command unit 73A and the second command unit 73B do not have to have the function of generating a print command code based on print data or the function of generating a cut command code based on cut data. For example, the acquisition unit 72 may have the function of generating a print command code based on print data or the function of generating a cut command code based on cut data.

[0052] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the second modified example.

[0053] In the second modified example, the acquisition unit 72 acquires a group job ABC composed of jobs A, B, and C. The acquisition unit 72 in the second modified example generates a command code ABC' composed of command code A, command code B, and command code C. In this way, in the second modified example, the acquisition unit 72 has a function to generate a print command code based on print data included in the job, and a function to generate a cut command code based on cut data included in the job.

[0054] The first command unit 73A of the second modified example extracts the print command code (print command codes A to C) included in the command code ABC' generated by the acquisition unit 72, and generates the print command code ABC. Note that the print command code ABC of the second modified example is composed of a print command code A generated based on the print data A of job A, a print command code B generated based on the print data B of job B, and a print command code C generated based on the print data C of job C. The print command code ABC is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute printing according to the print data (first processed data) included in the group job ABC. The first command unit 73A causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute printing according to the print data (first processed data) included in the group job ABC through the print command code ABC.

[0055] Similarly, the second command unit 73B of the second modified example extracts the cut command code (cut command codes A to C) included in the command code ABC' generated by the acquisition unit 72, and generates the cut command code ABC. The cut command code ABC is a command code for causing the processing device 1 to collectively execute cuts according to the cut data (second processing data) included in the group job ABC. The second command unit 73B causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute cuts according to the cut data (second processing data) included in the group job ABC through the cut command code ABC.

[0056] In the second modified example as well, the processing control unit 71 transmits a command code ABC composed of a print command code ABC and a cut command code ABC to the processing device 1. In the second modified example as well, the processing device 1 performs printing according to the print command code ABC included in the command code ABC, and then performs cutting according to the cut command code ABC. The processing by the processing device 1 in the second modified example is the same as that already explained, and therefore will not be explained here.

[0057] Summary: The processing control device 70 of this embodiment controls the processing device 1, which can perform a first processing (e.g., printing) and a second processing (e.g., cutting). The processing control device 70 includes an acquisition unit 72 that acquires a group job consisting of multiple jobs, a first command unit 73A that causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute the first processing according to the first processing data (e.g., print data) included in the job group, and a second command unit 73B that causes the processing device 1 to collectively execute the second processing according to the second processing data (e.g., cut data) included in the job group (see FIGS. 7 and 10 ). This reduces the number of times the processing device 1 switches between the first and second processing when multiple jobs are collectively processed by the processing device 1.

[0058] In the above description, the processing control device 70 is configured by a computer, and the acquisition unit 72, the first command unit 73A, and the second command unit 73B are provided external to the processing device 1. However, the processing control device 70 is not limited to being configured by a computer provided external to the processing device 1. For example, the controller 10 of the processing device 1 may include the acquisition unit 72, the first command unit 73A, and the second command unit 73B, and the controller 10 of the processing device 1 may function as the processing control device 70. Alternatively, some of the functions of the acquisition unit 72, the first command unit 73A, and the second command unit 73B may be provided in the controller 10 of the processing device 1, so that the processing control device 70 is configured by a computer external to the processing device 1 and the controller 10 of the processing device 1. In the above description, all jobs constituting a group job include both first processing data (e.g., print data) and second processing data (e.g., cut data). However, the jobs constituting a group job are not limited to those including both the first processing data and the second processing data, but may include at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that at least one of the jobs constituting the group job includes both the first processing data (e.g., print data) and the second processing data (e.g., cut data), and the other jobs include at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data. In this way, this embodiment is effective when a job group is composed of multiple jobs, including jobs that include first processing data for performing the first processing and second processing data for performing the second processing, and jobs that include at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data.

[0059] In this embodiment, the first command unit 73A causes the processing device 1 to sequentially execute the first processing in accordance with the order of the jobs included in the group job. Specifically, group job ABC is composed of job A, job B, and job C in this order. The first command unit 73A causes the processing device 1 to sequentially execute printing of image A according to job A, printing of image B according to job B, and printing of image C according to job C. The second command unit 73B causes the processing device 1 to sequentially execute cutting according to job A, cutting according to job B, and cutting according to job C. This allows image A to be cut according to job A, image B to be cut according to job B, and image C to be cut according to job C. In other words, the first processing and the second processing can be executed together without disrupting the correspondence between the first processing data and the second processing data included in each job included in the group job acquired by the acquisition unit 72.

[0060] In the above description, the first processing is printing and the second processing is cutting. However, the first processing and the second processing are not limited to this. For example, the first processing may be cutting and the second processing may be printing. That is, cutting may be performed together as the first processing and then printing may be performed together as the second processing. In this way, if the first processing is one of printing and cutting and the second processing is the other of printing and cutting, printing and cutting can be performed on the medium M. Note that the processing on the medium M is not limited to printing and cutting. For example, the first processing may be printing or cutting and the second processing may be spray spraying, or the first processing may be spray spraying and the second processing may be printing or cutting.

[0061] In the above-described processing control device 70, the first command unit 73A executes a first processing on the medium M while heating the medium M, and the second command unit 73B executes a second processing on the medium M by heating the medium M less than when the first processing was executed. This prevents the medium M from shrinking due to heating. In particular, in the above-described processing control device 70, the first command unit 73A executes printing on the medium M as the first processing while heating the medium M, and the second command unit 73B executes cutting on the medium M as the second processing while heating the medium M less than when the first processing (here, printing) was executed. This prevents the medium M from curling up at the cut line due to shrinkage of the medium M due to heating. Note that when printing is executed as the second processing after cutting as the first processing, it is also preferable to execute cutting on the medium M while heating the medium M less than when printing was executed.

[0062] 8A to 8C, during the second processing, the medium M may be heated by the heating unit 60 in the same manner as during the first processing. Alternatively, the processing device 1 may not be equipped with the heating unit 60, and the medium M may not be heated during the first processing or the second processing. Even in these cases, by simultaneously executing multiple first processing operations (e.g., printing) included in the group job and simultaneously executing multiple second processing operations, the number of times switching between the first processing and the second processing operations can be reduced when executing the group job.

[0063] ===Other Embodiments===The above embodiments are presented as examples and do not limit the scope of the invention. The above configurations can be implemented in appropriate combinations, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0064] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Processing device, 10 Controller, 20 Carriage unit, 21 Carriage, 22 Carriage motor, 30 Conveying unit, 31 Conveying member, 32 Conveying motor, 40 Printing unit, 41 Head, 50 Cutter unit, 51 Cutter, 52 Solenoid, 60 Heating unit, 61 Heater, 70 Processing control device, 71 Processing control unit, 72 Acquisition unit, 73 Command unit, 73A First command unit, 73B Second command unit, 81 Display device, 82 Input device, 100 Processing system, M Medium

Claims

1. A processing control device that controls a processing device capable of performing a first processing and a second processing different from the first processing, the processing control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires a job group composed of a plurality of jobs including a first processing data for performing the first processing and a job including at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data for performing the second processing; a first command unit that causes the processing device to collectively execute the first processing according to the first processing data included in the job group; and a second command unit that causes the processing device to collectively execute the second processing according to the second processing data included in the job group.

2. The processing control device according to claim 1, wherein the first command unit causes the processing device to sequentially execute the first processing according to the order of the plurality of jobs included in the job group, and the second command unit causes the processing device to sequentially execute the second processing according to the order.

3. The processing control device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first processing is one of printing and cutting, and the second processing is the other of printing and cutting.

4. The processing control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first command unit causes the first processing to be performed on the medium while heating the medium, and the second command unit performs the second processing on the medium while reducing the heating of the medium compared to the time of performing the first processing.

5. The processing control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first command unit causes printing to be performed on the medium as the first processing while heating the medium, and the second command unit performs cutting on the medium as the second processing while reducing the heating of the medium compared to the time of performing the first processing.

6. A processing control method for causing a processing apparatus to execute a first processing and a second processing different from the first processing, the method comprising: a step of obtaining a job group composed of a plurality of jobs including a job including first processing data for executing the first processing and a job including at least one of the first processing data and the second processing data; a step of causing the processing apparatus to collectively execute the first processing according to the first processing data included in the job group; and a step of causing the processing apparatus to collectively execute the second processing according to the second processing data included in the job group.

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