Printing system to print continuous sheet without any margin, and to automatically cut the sheet

A pattern of continuously printing a sheet without any margin between images and cutting a boundary between the images, a pattern of continuously printing the sheet with a margin between the images and performing two upper and lower cuttings at the places slightly inside the image around boundaries between the image and each of the margins, and a pattern of continuously printing the image obtained by cutting upper and lower ends of the original image without any margin between the images and cutting the boundary between the images are prepared beforehand. To execute the printing, an instruction as to the method for performing the printing is received from a user. This provides a printing system of printing the continuous sheet, subsequently automatically cutting the sheet, and outputting a standard-size printed matter without any margin, wherein the plurality of patterns can be switched regarding a printing mode and cut position of the image to complete the printing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a printing system, particularly to a printing system which prints a continuous sheet without any margin, and automatically cuts the sheet.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a technical development for realizing a printing without any margin in four sides with an ink jet printer has been advanced, and commercialized. The no-margin printing has been performed mainly on standard-size cut sheets such as A4, B5 (Japanese Industrial Standard, A4: 210×297 mm, B5: 182×257 mm) as objects, but the technical development of the no-margin printing has also been advanced with respect to continuous sheets such as a rolled sheet as the objects.

On the other hand, some types of printers, which print the rolled sheet, include a cutter for cutting the rolled sheet in a designated size after the printing, and automatically cut the rolled sheet after the printing.

In the meantime, there is no assumption of printing a rolled sheet, followed by automatically cutting, and outputting the printed matter with a predetermined size and without any margin, and such operation has not heretofore been performed. Therefore, there has been a demand for the operation of printing the rolled sheet, and automatically cutting the sheet, so that a standard-size printed matter having no margin is to be obtained. In this case, for the printing of the rolled sheet as the object, after different images are continuously printed on the same sheet, the sheet is cut, and separate printed matters are obtained. For this, various patterns have been considered with respect to printing modes of the continuous images and positions to be cut. Moreover, since printing results differ with the respective patterns, it is desirable to change the pattern in accordance with a purpose of printing.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system for printing a continuous sheet, subsequently automatically cutting the sheet, and outputting a standard-size printed matter without any margin, in which a plurality of patterns with respect to printing modes of an image and positions to be cut are switched to print the image.

To solve the above-described problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising: printing means for printing a continuous sheet based on printing data generated from image data; and cutting means for cutting the continuous sheet, the system further comprising:printing mode control means for executing the printing according to a printing mode, which is selected based on an instruction from a user, out of the printing modes of:a first printing mode in which a plurality of images are printed on the continuous sheet in a sheet feed direction without any margin and the continuous sheet is cut at a boundary between the images;a second printing mode in which the plurality of images are printed on the continuous sheet in the sheet feed direction with margins and the continuous sheet is cut at two places inside the image in the vicinity of boundaries between the image and each of the margins with respect to one image; anda third printing mode in which the plurality of images obtained by cutting off upper and lower ends of an image area represented by the image data are printed on the continuous sheet in the sheet feed direction without any margin and the continuous sheet is cut at the boundary between the images.

Moreover, to solve the above-described problem, according to the present invention, there is provided a printer host which generates, based on image data, printing data for controlling a printer having printing means for printing a continuous sheet and cutting means for cutting the continuous sheet, the host further comprising:mode control means for executing the printing data generation step according to a printing mode, which is selected based on an instruction from a user, out of the printing modes of:a first mode for generating the printing data, which is used for printing a plurality of images on the continuous sheet in a sheet feed direction without any margin and for cutting the continuous sheet at a boundary between the images;a second mode for generating the printing data, which is used for printing the plurality of images on the continuous sheet in the sheet feed direction with margins and cutting the continuous sheet in two places inside the image in the vicinity of boundaries between the image and each of the margins with respect to one image; anda third mode for generating the printing data, which is used for printing the plurality of images obtained by cutting off upper and lower ends of an image area represented by the image data on the continuous sheet in the sheet feed direction without any margin and cutting the continuous sheet at the boundary between the images is generated.

Additionally, the printing data generation step according to one mode, selected from any two modes out of the above-described three modes, may be executed based on the instruction from the user.

Here, in the aforementioned second mode, assuming that distances from the two places inside the image in the vicinity of each of the boundaries to the boundaries in the second mode are respectively referred to as a and b, andwidths of the upper and lower ends cut in the third mode are respectively referred to as c and d,it is preferable to establish a=c and b=d.

Moreover, assuming that an allowable error at the cut position of the printer including the cutting means for cutting the continuous sheet is referred to as e,it is preferable to establish e<a and e<b.

Furthermore, assuming that the width of the margin added in the second mode is referred to as f, anda minimum cut width required for avoiding paper jam in the printer is referred to as g,it is preferable to establish g≦a+b+f.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, the printing system comprises: a computer50for executing various types of processing by application programs, printing processing by a printer driver, and the like; and a printer10for a rolled sheet, connected to the computer50(hereinafter referred to simply as the “printer 10”). In the present embodiment, the computer50functions as a printer host which generates printing data and transmits the data to the printer10. The printer10performs a printing based on the printing data received from the computer50. The printer10has a function of printing continuous sheets such as a rolled sheet without any margin and cutting the sheet in a designated size. Additionally, the configuration of the printing system is not limited to this. For example, a network printing system may be configured by connecting a plurality of computers50.

The computer50comprises: a central processing unit (CPU)51which performs the processing based on various programs; a random access memory (RAM)52which temporarily stores data, a program, and the like; a read only memory (ROM)53which prestores in a nonvolatile manner various types of data for controlling the computer50, start-up programs, and the like; and an interface54which manages transmission/reception of the data with peripherals such as the connected printer10.

Moreover, the computer50is connected to: a display61such as a color display; an input apparatus62such as a mouse and a keyboard; a media read apparatus63which reads the data from a recording medium such as CD-ROM; and an internal or external auxiliary storage apparatus64. Additionally, the configuration of the computer50is not limited to this.

For example, the printer10is an ink-jet color printer. The ink-jet color printer includes a plurality of ink cartridges in which a housing is filled with ink, and the ink is sprayed to printing media such as recording paper via a printing head to perform printing.

The printer10comprises: an interface11which manages a communication with the computer50, such as reception of the data; a CPU12which performs the processing based on printing data, various programs, and the like; a RAM13which temporarily stores the printing data, and the like; a ROM14which prestores in a nonvolatile manner various types of data for controlling the printer10, various programs, and the like; a printing mechanism15including a printing head which discharges the ink, a carriage driving mechanism which drives a carriage with the printing head mounted thereon, and the like; a rolled sheet feed mechanism16which supplies/delivers the rolled sheet; and a cutting mechanism17which cuts the rolled sheet. Additionally, the configuration of the printer10is not limited to this.

Here will be described an outline of the printing mechanism15, rolled sheet feed mechanism16, and cutting mechanism17of the printer10for the rolled sheet in the present embodiment.

FIG. 2is a side sectional schematic view of the printer10showing the printing mechanism15, rolled sheet feed mechanism16, and cutting mechanism17. The printer10for the rolled sheet comprises: an apparatus main body23including the printing mechanism15which prints a rolled sheet22as a recording sheet, rolled sheet feed mechanism16which feeds the rolled sheet, and cutting mechanism17which cuts the rolled sheet; and a rolled sheet cassette24in which the rolled sheet22is set.

The rolled sheet22is set in such a manner that it is attached by passing an axial portion28thereof through a tube27having a flange portion31, and the flange portion31of the paper tube27contacts a pair of forward/backward rollers29,30disposed in a bottom part of the rolled sheet cassette24. A rolled sheet motor32which drives the driving roller30is disposed on a bottom rear side of the rolled sheet cassette24. When the rolled sheet motor32is driven forwards, a turning force is transmitted to the flange portion31from the driving roller30, and the rolled sheet22is rotated in a sheet feed direction. On the other hand, when the rolled sheet motor32is driven backwards, the turning force is transmitted to the flange portion31from the driving roller30, and the rolled sheet22is rotated in a sheet windup direction.

In a front end of the rolled sheet cassette24, a sheet feed apparatus33is disposed in a position corresponding to a conveyance path of the rolled sheet22. The sheet feed apparatus33comprises a sheet feed driven roller35and sheet feed driving roller36, and sends the rolled sheet22toward an apparatus main body23side. In the apparatus main body23, a conveyance roller37and sheet delivering roller38are arranged from an upstream side. Mainly these portions configure the rolled sheet feed mechanism16.

The apparatus main body23includes a carriage shaft40, and the carriage shaft40slidably supports a carriage41. A printing head43is attached to the lower surface of the carriage41, and ink drops are discharged via nozzle holes (not shown) of the printing head43to print the rolled sheet22. The printing head43is connected to ink cartridges (not shown) separate from the apparatus main body23, and receives an ink supply from the ink cartridges. Moreover, a platen39is disposed between the conveyance roller37and sheet delivering roller38in a sheet feed direction. Mainly these portions configure the printing mechanism15.

In the apparatus main body23, a cutter apparatus45for cutting the printed rolled sheet22is disposed. The cutter apparatus45comprises a cutter46including a movable blade46aand a fixed blade46b.Engages with the fixed blade46b,the movable blade46amoves in a width direction of the rolled sheet22(direction crossing at right angles to the sheet feed direction) to cut the rolled sheet22. The rolled sheet22cut by the cutter46is delivered to the outside of the apparatus main body23by auxiliary driving rollers48of the cutter apparatus45. Mainly these portions configure the cutting mechanism17. Additionally, the cutter apparatus45may be attached to the outside of the apparatus main body23.

The printing mechanism15is controlled by the CPU12, which executes a drawing command included in the printing data sent from the computer50. That is, when the computer50transmits the printing data including the drawing command to the printer10, an optional image can be printed in an optional area of the recording sheet.

Moreover, the rolled sheet feed mechanism16and cutting mechanism17are controlled by the CPU12, which executes a rolled sheet feed command and cutting command included in the printing data sent from the computer50. That is, when the computer50transmits the printing data including the rolled sheet feed command and the cutting command to the printer10, the printer10is allowed to feed an optional amount of the rolled sheet and to cut the sheet in the optional position of the rolled sheet.

A functional configuration implemented by the computer50and the printer10in the above-described printing system will next be described next with reference to a block diagram of FIG.3.

As shown in the drawing, an application portion510and printer drive portion520are constructed on the computer50.

The application portion510has a function of allowing the computer50to perform a processing such as a word processor and graphics, and is constructed on the computer50, when an application program read by the RAM52is executed by the CPU51.

The printer drive portion520has a function of reading image data generated by the application portion510, converting the data to the printing data having a format which can be interpreted by the printer10, and transmitting the data to the printer10via the interface54.

For this purpose, the printer drive portion520includes: a rasterizer processing section which draws the image data generated by the application portion510into the image data as an aggregate of dots; a halftone processing section which performs a color conversion processing and halftone processing of the image data; a command conversion section for converting the image data to the printing data to control the printer10so that the processed image data is printed; and a user interface section which receives a printing setting from a user (not shown).

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the printer drive portion520includes functions of a printing area setting section521, margin setting section522, and cutting command setting section523.

The printing area setting section521performs a processing for setting a size (printing area) of the image represented by the printing data with respect to a designated sheet size.

The margin setting section522performs a processing for setting presence/absence of a margin between continuous images, and a size of the margin.

The cutting command setting section523performs a processing for setting a position to cut between the continuous images.

The printer drive portion520is constructed on the computer50, when the CPU51executes a printer driver program read by the RAM52. The printer driver program for this purpose is recorded, for example, in a portable recording media such as CD-ROM and can thereby be distributed. Moreover, when the media read apparatus63reads the program on the recording medium, the printer driver can be installed in the computer50. Furthermore, for example, the printer driver can also be installed via computer networks such as the Internet.

InFIG. 3, on the printer10, a printing control section110and printing execution section120are constructed.

The printing control section110is implemented by the CPU12, interprets the printing data transmitted from the computer50, and performs a control such that the printer10executes the printing based on the printing data.

The printing execution section120is implemented by the printing mechanism15, rolled sheet feed mechanism16, and cutting mechanism17, and prints the rolled sheet22according to an instruction of the printing control section110.

A printing pattern performed in the present embodiment will be described next. In the present embodiment, the image is continuously printed on the rolled sheet22, and the sheet is cut, so that the printing without any margin is executed. In this case, as a printing pattern, it is possible to select one from three patterns (pattern A, pattern B, pattern C) based on a continuous printing manner and a cutting manner. In the following description, a portrait printing of an A4 size will be described as an example. That is, the A4 portrait image is continuously printed on the rolled sheet22, and the sheet is cut between the images, so that a printed matter with an A4 size is obtained. This case will be described below. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this size and the printing orientation.

First, the pattern A will be described with reference to FIG.4. The pattern A is a procedure in which the A4-size image is continuously printed on the rolled sheet22without any margin between the images, and a boundary between the images is cut. According to the pattern A, an A4-size printed matter22A having no margin is obtained.

In general, since the cutting mechanism17has a precision error, for example, of about 0.3 mm, a part of a previous/subsequent image sometimes may enter the upper/lower end of the printed matter22A, according to the pattern A.

Moreover, in order to remove a transverse margin portion, the image is printed in such a manner that a width of the image protrudes slightly from the rolled sheet22. Therefore, the rasterizer processing section of the printer drive portion520generates the printing data for printing the image which has a width slightly longer than the width of the rolled sheet22. This also applies to the following pattern B and pattern C.

The pattern B for preventing the previous/subsequent image from protruding will be described next with reference to FIG.5. The pattern B is a procedure in which the A4-size image is continuously printed on the rolled sheet22with a margin disposed between the images, and upper and lower places, i.e., two places are cut, slightly inside the image around each boundary between the image and each margin. The distance from the place slightly inside the image to the boundary between the image and margin is set to be larger than the error of the cutting mechanism17, so that the margin can be prevented from being entered in the image (therefore, the upper/lower end of the image is cut off). Here, a width of the margin is assumed to be a, a distance from the boundary between the image and margin to a position at which the upper end of the image is cut is assumed to be b, and a distance from the boundary to a position at which the lower end of the image is cut is assumed to be c. To prevent the margin from being entered in the image, for example, b can be set to 3 mm, and c can be 5 mm. According to the pattern B, a no-margin printed matter22B having a size with a length slightly (e.g., b+c=8 mm) shorter than the A4 size is obtained.

Additionally, in the pattern B, since two cuttings are performed with respect to one image, a paper chip having a width of a+b+c is generated between the images. In general, in the cutting mechanism17, with a short paper chip with a width, for example, less than 18 mm, there is a possibility that paper jam occurs in the mechanism. Therefore, it is preferable to set a+b+c, for example, to 18 mm or more. That is, when b is 3 mm, and c is 5 mm, a width a of the margin is preferably 10 mm or more.

The printed matter according to the pattern A is different from the printed matter according to the pattern B in size and how the upper/lower chip of the image is cut off. Then, the pattern C will be described with reference to FIG.6. The pattern C is a manner in which one cutting is performed with respect to one image like the pattern A, and the size of the printed matter and a manner of cutting off the upper/lower chip of the image are achieved similarly as the pattern B. The pattern C is a system in which the image obtained by cutting the upper and lower ends of the A4-size original image is continuously printed on the rolled sheet22without any margin between the images, and the boundary between the images is cut. That is, in a stage in which the computer50prepares the printing data, the printing data for printing the image whose upper and lower ends are cut off and whose length is made smaller than the A4 size is prepared.

Here, assuming that a cut-off width of the upper end is d, and a cut-off width of the lower end is e, d is set to the same value as that of b in the pattern B (e.g., 3 mm), and e is set to the same value as that of c in the pattern B (e.g., 5 mm). According to the pattern C, the printed matter having the same size and printing area as those of the pattern B, that is, a no-margin printed matter22C with a size having a length slightly (e.g., d+e=8 mm) smaller than the A4 size is obtained.

Here, even with the pattern C, similarly as the pattern A, a part of the previous/subsequent image sometimes appears in the upper/lower end of the printed matter22C.

Basically, when the user selects the pattern B or C, the printed matter having the same size and printing area can be obtained in either case. That is, when the user does not desire a part of the adjacent image appearing in the upper/lower end of the image, the user selects the pattern B. When the user does not desire a generation of the paper chip, the user can select the pattern C.

Moreover, if the user accepts a size and printing area different from those of the printed matter of the pattern B or C, the user can select the pattern A. Particularly, for the patterns B and C, an upper/lower part of the image is cut off. Therefore, to perform a long-length printing22A′ as shown inFIG. 7, the pattern A is preferably selected in which the continuous image is printed without being interrupted.

Additionally, the printer drive portion520does not have to provide all the patterns A, B and C to the user. For example, the patterns A and B, patterns B and C, or patterns A and C may also be provided to the user.

A characteristic operation of the printer drive portion520in the present embodiment to perform a printing step will be described next with reference to a flowchart of FIG.8.

For example, when the printer drive portion520receives a demand for a printing setting from the user via a menu command of the application portion510, the user interface section of the printer drive portion520displays a printing setting screen500in the display61as shown in one example ofFIG. 9, and receives the printing setting from the user (S101).

As shown inFIG. 9, the printing setting screen500is a screen for setting basic contents regarding the printing setting. For example, a sheet type500b,ink mode500c,printing mode500d,and the like can be set. Here, as to the sheet type500b,for example, when any one of the rolled sheet, plain paper, postcard, quality paper, and the like is selected from the menu, the type can be set. In the present embodiment, the rolled sheet is selected. In the ink mode500c,it is set either a color printing or a monochromatic printing. In the printing mode setting500d,it is possible to simply set a high-resolution printing or a high-speed printing. Moreover, when a detailed setting column is selected, a further detailed setting can be performed regarding a printing quality.

In the present embodiment, when the rolled sheet is selected in the sheet type500b,it is possible to set a cut designation column500f.In the cut designation column500f,the size of one image and one of the printing patterns A to C can be selected. The size of one image can be set, for example, to the A4 size. Moreover, a long-length printing, or the optional size can also be designated.

Furthermore, the present screen500includes: a tab portion500afor displaying screens for setting other items regarding the printing; a column500efor displaying an ink residual amount of the printer10; an “OK” button500gfor storing the set contents; and a “cancel” button500hfor canceling the set contents.

When the printer drive portion520receives a command for printing execution from the user, for example, via the menu command of the application portion510(S102), the printer driver520generates printing data for printing document being processed in the application portion510(S103).

In the printing data generation step, in addition to a usually performed rasterization step by the rasterizer processing section, and color conversion processing step by the halftone processing section, a printing area setting step (S1031), margin setting step (S1032), and cutting command setting step (S1033) are performed in the present embodiment. Additionally, these thee steps are added, only when the rolled sheet is selected in the sheet type500b.

Contents of the printing area setting step (S1031), margin setting step (S1032), and cutting command setting step (S1033), are determined based on the setting in the cut designation column500fof the printing setting screen500.

FIG. 10is an explanatory table showing the contents of each step. Here, an example in which the A4 size is selected as the size of one image in the cut designation column500fwill be described. Moreover, a to e in the table indicate predetermined lengths, and specific numeric values such as a=15 mm are used as described above.

When the printing pattern A is selected in the cut designation column500f,the printing area setting section521sets an A4 whole surface as a printing area in the printing area setting step (S1031). Moreover, in the margin setting step (S1032), the margin setting section522sets the margin to 0. That is, the margin portion is not added. Furthermore, in the cutting command setting step (S1033), the cutting command setting section523sets a cutting command for executing the cutting in the position of the length of A4 for one image. That is, the cutting command is set so as to perform the cutting every length of A4 (boundary between the images). Here, in the cutting command, it is possible, for example, to use the lower end of the image to be printed as a reference, and the command can be set based on an offset value of the cutting position. Of course, this is not limited to this. In short, as long as the cutting is performed on the proper position as described above, by the cutting mechanism17of the printer10, any other cutting command is possible.

When the printing pattern B is selected in the cut designation column500f,the printing area setting section521sets the A4 whole surface as the printing area in the printing area setting step (S1031). Moreover, in the margin setting step (S1032), the margin setting section522sets the margin to the width a. That is, the printing data for printing the margin with the width a between the images is added. Furthermore, in the cutting command setting step (S1033), the cutting command setting section523sets the cutting command such that two cutting positions of A4 length−c, and A4 length+a+b (two upper/lower places slightly inside the image from the boundaries between the image and each margin) are executed with respect to one image.

When the printing pattern C is selected in the cut designation column500f,the printing area setting section521sets an area obtained by cutting off the upper end of the A4 whole surface by a length of d and the lower end thereof by a length of e as the printing area in the printing area setting step (S1031). The rasterizer processing section generates the printing data for printing the image within the range out of the original image. Subsequently, in the margin setting step (S1032), the margin setting section522sets the margin to 0. That is, the margin portion is not added. Moreover, in the cutting command setting step (S1033), the cutting command setting section523sets the cutting command such that the position of A4 length−(d+e) (boundary between the images) is cut with respect to one image.

In this manner, the printing data generated in the printing data generation step (S103) is outputted to the printer10(S104). Subsequently, since the printing and cutting steps are performed based on the printing data received by the printer10, the printed matter can be obtained in accordance with each printing pattern.

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a printing system for printing the continuous sheet, subsequently automatically cutting the sheet, and outputting the standard-size printed matter without any margin, wherein a plurality of patterns are switched with respect to the printing mode and cut position of the image to complete printing.