Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses a print device that is provided with a pretreatment agent application portion and a print portion. The pretreatment agent application portion applies a pretreatment agent onto a recording medium placed on a platen. A movement mechanism conveys the platen from the pretreatment agent application portion to the print portion, and the print portion performs printing by applying a printing liquid onto the recording medium to which the pretreatment agent has been applied. <CIT> describes a multi-station discrete media printing system, comprising at least one digital printing station for imprinting objects, while they rest thereat, according to digital data supplied thereto. The digital printing station includes a digital printing subsystem, which cooperates with the system and includes at least one printhead that is operative to print an image or a pattern on each of the objects according to the supplied digital data. The digital printing subsystem preferably includes one or more printhead assemblies that are movable along at least one axis.

In order to increase a print processing volume in a certain period, it is conceivable to provide a print system that is provided with a plurality of printers. In the print system, it is conceivable to provide a conveyance portion that can convey the platen to a set position, at which the recording medium is set on the platen, to a pretreatment device, and to any one of the plurality of printers. In the print system, when the platen is conveyed to a specific printer only, this is not desirable from a viewpoint of increasing the print processing volume in the certain period.

Embodiments of the broad principles derived herein provide a conveyance control device, a conveyance control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that increase a print processing number in a certain period.

A conveyance control device according to a first aspect of the present invention is defined in appended claim <NUM>.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the recording medium placed on the platen, the platen is conveyed to the printer suited to the recording medium, and a print processing volume in a certain period is therefore increased.

The processor, in the determination processing, on a basis of a color of the recording medium, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the color of the recording medium, the printer suited to the printing of the recording medium of that color can be specified as a conveyance destination of the platen.

The processor, in the determination processing, on a basis of a type of the recording medium, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the type of the recording medium, the printer suited to the printing of the recording medium of that type can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen.

The processor, in the determination processing, on a basis of a size of the recording medium, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the size of the recording medium, the printer suited to the printing of the recording medium of that size can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen.

The processor, in the determination processing, on a basis of a printing color on the recording medium, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the color of the printing on the recording medium, the printer suited to the printing of that printing color can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen.

The processor, in the determination processing, on a basis of a printing size on the recording medium, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

Since the processor determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the printing size on the recording medium, the printer suited to the printing of that printing size can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen.

A conveyance control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is defined in appended claim <NUM>.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions according to a third aspect of the present invention is defined in appended claim <NUM>.

The conveyance control device, the conveyance control method, or the non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the processor or the computer may perform acquisition processing that acquires identification information of the recording medium, identification processing that identifies the printer that can perform desired printing on the recording medium identified by the acquired identification information, and the determination processing that determines that the platen is to be conveyed to the identified printer. Since the processor or the computer determines the printer to which the platen is to be conveyed on the basis of the recording medium placed on the platen, the platen is conveyed to the printer suited to the recording medium, and the print processing volume in the certain period is therefore increased.

Embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

An embodiment of the present invention will be explained. Left and right, front and rear, and up and down directions shown by arrows in the drawings are used in the following explanation. A print system <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a system that sequentially performs pretreatment and print processing on a recording medium placed on a platen <NUM> while conveying the platen <NUM>. The recording medium is a cloth, such as a T-shirt or the like. The material of the cloth is cotton, polyester, a mixture of cotton and polyester, or the like.

The configuration of the print system <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. The print system <NUM> is provided with a platen conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a pretreatment devices 2A and 2B, printers 3A to 3D, 4A to 4D, and 5A to 5D, a code reader <NUM>, and the like. The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a first lane <NUM>, a second lane <NUM>, a third lane <NUM>, and a fourth lane <NUM>. The first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> respectively extend in the front-rear direction in parallel to each other, and convey the platen <NUM>. The pretreatment device 2A is disposed to the front of the first lane <NUM> and the second lane <NUM>, and performs the pretreatment on a cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>. The pretreatment device 2B is disposed to the front of the third lane <NUM> and the fourth lane <NUM>, and performs the pretreatment on the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>.

The pretreatment device 2A, 2B, are disposed to the front of the print system <NUM>, and performs the pretreatment on a cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>. For example, the pretreatment device <NUM> is provided with an application portion and a heat treatment portion that are not shown in the drawings. The application portion sprays a pretreatment agent using a spray, and applies the pretreatment agent onto the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>. The pretreatment agent is a base coat agent that is applied before ink is applied onto the cloth P. The pretreatment agent is a liquid to form a film between fibers of the cloth so that the ink is fixed on the cloth more effectively, and contains resin components, for example. The pretreatment agent contains, for example, a divalent metal salt (such as CaCl2, Ca(NO2)<NUM>, or the like), and enhances color development of the ink. For example, the heat treatment portion is a heat press portion, which dries the pretreatment agent by pressurizing the cloth P at a high temperature. Thus, fixation of the pretreatment agent on the cloth P is improved, and image quality is improved. The heat press portion of the pretreatment device 2A, for example, performs a heat press operation at a temperature (<NUM>, for example) for synthetic fibers. The heat press portion of the pretreatment device 2B, for example, performs the heat press operation at a temperature (<NUM>, for example) for cotton. The pretreatment devices 2A and 2B may omit one of the application portion and the heat treatment portion.

In the first lane <NUM>, the printers 3A, 4A, and 5A are aligned in the front-rear direction to the rear of the pretreatment device 2A. In the second lane <NUM>, the printers 3B, 4B, and 5B are aligned in the front-rear direction to the rear of the pretreatment device 2A. In the third lane <NUM>, the printers 3C, 4C, and 5C are aligned in the front-rear direction to the rear of the pretreatment device 2B. In the fourth lane <NUM>, the printers 3D, 4D, and 5D are aligned in the front-rear direction to the rear of the pretreatment device 2B. The printers 3A to 5D are inkjet printers. The printers 3A to 5D perform printing by ejecting ink from nozzles of a print head onto the cloth P after the pretreatment that is placed on the platen <NUM>.

The printers 3A to 3D eject seven types of ink (white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), green (G), and red (R) inks). Green (G) and red (R) are described below as feature colors but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The ink of the feature color may be fluorescent ink or the like. The printers 4A to 4D eject five types of the ink (white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) inks). The printers 5A to 5D eject four types of the ink (black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M) inks). Each of the inks of the printers 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B are inks for synthetic fibers. Each of the inks of the printers 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D, 5C, and 5D are inks for cotton. The printers 3A, 4A, 5A, 3C, 4C, and 5C are printers compatible with the large sized (L) platen <NUM>. The printers 3B, 4B, 5B, 3D, 4D, and 5D are printers compatible with the regular sized platen <NUM>.

The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> disposed at a preparation position <NUM> (to be described later) from the preparation position <NUM>, which is a conveyance start position of the platen <NUM>, to one of the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM>, via the pretreatment device 2A or 2B, printing is performed by any of the printers 3A to 5D,. and once more returns the platen <NUM> to the preparation position <NUM>. The first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> respectively extend in the front-rear direction in parallel to each other, and convey the platen <NUM>.

The code reader <NUM> provided at the preparation position <NUM> reads out an identification information portion (not shown in the drawings) provided on the cloth P, and inputs identification information to a CPU <NUM> (to be described later) of the print system <NUM>. The identification information is information to identify the cloth P, and is, for example, information of a one-dimensional code, such as a bar code, a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code, or a three-dimensional code. The identification information includes information of at least a type, color and size of the cloth P, a print color, a print size, and the like.

The configuration of the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with at least a shipment line <NUM>, the first lane <NUM>, the second lane <NUM>, the third lane <NUM>, the fourth lane <NUM>, a first return line <NUM>, and a second return line <NUM>. The shipment line <NUM> is positioned at the forefront of the print system <NUM> and extends linearly in the left-right direction, and is used to convey the platen <NUM> toward the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM>. The shipment line <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, in that order from the left side. The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively extend in the left-right direction, and convey the platen <NUM> in the rightward direction. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided at a preparation position <NUM>. The preparation position <NUM> is a position at which the cloth P is set on the platen <NUM>. The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> convey the platen <NUM> to the right. The first return line <NUM> is positioned at the rearmost of the print system <NUM> and extends in the left-right direction. The first return line <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in that order from the left side. Each of the conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> extends in the left-right direction, and conveys the platen <NUM> to the left.

A front end portion of the first lane <NUM> is positioned between the conveyance mechanism <NUM> and the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. A front end portion of the second lane <NUM> is positioned between the conveyance mechanism <NUM> and the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. A front end portion of the third lane <NUM> is positioned between the conveyance mechanism <NUM> and the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. A front end portion of the fourth lane <NUM> is positioned between the conveyance mechanism <NUM> and the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. Another lane may be further connected to the right-end side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>.

The first lane <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction between the shipment line <NUM> and the first return line <NUM> to be described later. The first lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> received from the shipment line <NUM> to the pretreatment device 2A. The pretreatment device 2A performs the pretreatment on the cloth P attached to the platen <NUM>. The first lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> after the pretreatment to one of the printers 3A to 5A, and delivers the platen <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>. The second lane <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction between the shipment line <NUM> and the first return line <NUM>. The second lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> received from the shipment line <NUM> to the pretreatment device 2A. The pretreatment device 2A performs the pretreatment on the cloth P attached to the platen <NUM>. The second lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> after the pretreatment to one of the printers 3B to 5B, and delivers the platen <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>. The third lane <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction between the shipment line <NUM> and the first return line <NUM>. The third lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> received from the shipment line <NUM> to the pretreatment device 2B. The pretreatment device 2B performs the pretreatment on the cloth P attached to the platen <NUM>. The third lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> after the pretreatment to one of the printers 3C to 5C, and delivers the platen <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>. The fourth lane <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction between the shipment line <NUM> and the first return line <NUM>. The fourth lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> received from the shipment line <NUM> to the pretreatment device 2B. The pretreatment device 2B performs the pretreatment on the cloth P attached to the platen <NUM>. The fourth lane <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> after the pretreatment to one of the printers 3D to 5D, and delivers the platen <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>.

The first lane <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and print conveyance mechanisms <NUM> to <NUM>. The first lane <NUM> extends to the rear from the right end side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, passes through the interior of the pretreatment device 2A, and further extends to the rear. The first lane <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, passes through the pretreatment device 2A, and conveys the platen <NUM> to the rear. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the pretreatment device 2A, and extends to the left from the first lane <NUM> toward the printer 3A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the first lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 3A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the right after the printing is completed by the printer 3A, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the first lane <NUM>.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and extends to the left from the first lane <NUM> toward the printer 4A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the first lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 4A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the right after the printing is completed by the printer 4A, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the first lane <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and extends to the left from the first lane <NUM> toward the printer 5A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the first lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 5A. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the right after the printing is completed by the printer 5A, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the first lane <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> A is provided with the print conveyance mechanism <NUM>. The print conveyance mechanism <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> in the left-right direction. The print conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a platen support member <NUM> and a conveyance motor <NUM> (refer to <FIG>). The platen support member <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the conveyance mechanism <NUM> and supports the platen <NUM>. The conveyance motor <NUM> conveys the platen support member <NUM> in the left-right direction. The printer 4A is provided with the print conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> A is provided with the print conveyance mechanism <NUM>. The print conveyance mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> have the same configuration as the print conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and an explanation thereof is thus omitted here.

The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the shipment line <NUM> may respectively convey the platen <NUM> toward the second lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM>. The second lane <NUM> has the same configuration as and is left-right symmetrical with the first lane <NUM>. The third lane <NUM> has the same configuration as the first lane <NUM>. The fourth lane <NUM> has the same configuration as the second lane <NUM>. The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the first return line <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> respectively received from the second lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> to the left.

A belt configuration of the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. First, the belt configuration of the shipment line <NUM> will be explained. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a pair of lateral belts 11A. The lateral belts 11A are provided at both end portions of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction, and may convey the platen <NUM> to the right.

The first lane <NUM> is provided with a pair of longitudinal belts 81A and pairs of lateral lifting belts 81B to 81E. The pair of longitudinal belts 81A are provided at both end portions of the first lane <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The pair of longitudinal belts 81A convey the platen <NUM> to the rear. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 81B to 81E are disposed between the pair of longitudinal belts 81A. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81B are provided at the front end portion of the first lane <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81B convey the platen <NUM> to the right. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81C are provided on the right side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81D are provided on the right side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81E are provided on the right side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 81C to 81E convey the platen <NUM> to the left. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81F are provided at the rear end portion of the first lane <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 81F convey the platen <NUM> to the left.

The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively provided with pairs of lateral conveyance belts 15A, 17A and 19A. The pairs of lateral conveyance belts 15A, 17A and 19A are respectively provided at both end portions of the conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction such that they can be raised and lowered.

The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are respectively provided with pairs of lateral belts 24A, 25A, 26A, 27A and 28A that extend in the conveyance direction (Left direction), and convey the platen <NUM> in the conveyance direction in the conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. A conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a pair of longitudinal belts 29A and pairs of lateral lifting belts 29B and 29C. The pair of longitudinal belts 29A are provided at both end portions of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The pair of longitudinal belts 29A convey the platen <NUM> to the front. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 28B and 29C are disposed between the pair of longitudinal belts 29A, and can be raised and lowered on the left side of the conveyance mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The pair of lateral lifting belts 29B convey the platen <NUM> to the left, and the pair of lateral lifting belts 29C convey the platen <NUM> to the right.

The second lane <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are respectively provided with pairs of lateral conveyance belts 16A, 18A, and 20A. The pairs of lateral conveyance belts 16A, 18A and 20A are respectively provided at both end portions of the conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction such that they can be raised and lowered. The conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have the same structure as the conveyance mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, respectively. The second lane <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> to the rear through the pretreatment device 2A.

The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the pretreatment device 2A, and extends to the right from the second lane <NUM> toward the printer 3B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the second lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 3B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the left after the printing is completed by the printer 3B, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the second lane <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and extends to the right from the second lane <NUM> toward the printer 4B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the second lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 4B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the left after the printing is completed by the printer 4B, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the second lane <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is positioned to the rear of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and extends to the right from the second lane <NUM> toward the printer 5B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> receives the platen <NUM> from the second lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> toward the printer 5B. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the left after the printing is completed by the printer 5B, and transfers the platen <NUM> to the second lane <NUM>.

The second lane <NUM> is provided with a pair of longitudinal belts 82A and pairs of lateral lifting belts 82B to 82F. The pair of longitudinal belts 82A are provided at both end portions of the second lane <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The pair of longitudinal belts 82A convey the platen <NUM> to the rear. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 82B to 82F are disposed between the pair of longitudinal belts 82A. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82B are provided at the front end portion of the second lane <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82B convey the platen <NUM> to the right. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82C are provided on the left side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82D are provided on the left side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82E are provided on the left side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 82C to 82E convey the platen <NUM> in the left-right direction The pair of lateral lifting belts 82F are provided at the rear end portion of the second lane <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 82F convey the platen <NUM> to the left. Note that the belt configuration of the third lane <NUM> is the same structure as the belt configuration of the first lane <NUM>, and the belt configuration of the fourth lane <NUM> is the same structure as the belt configuration of the second lane <NUM>, and an explanation thereof is thus omitted here.

As shown in <FIG>, the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a longitudinal belt motor <NUM>, a lateral belt motor <NUM>, a lateral lifting belt motor <NUM>, a lateral conveyance belt motor <NUM>, a first lifting motor <NUM>, a second lifting motor <NUM>, the conveyance motor <NUM>, and the like. The longitudinal belt motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the longitudinal belts 29A, 81A, and 82A, and drives each of the belts. The lateral belt motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral belts 11A, 12A, 13A,22A,23A,24A,25A,26A, 27A and 28A, and drives each of the belts. The lateral lifting belt motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral lifting belts 81B to 81F and 82B to 82F, and drives each of the belts. The lateral conveyance belt motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral conveyance belts 15A to 20A, and drives each of the belts. The first lifting motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral lifting belts 81B to 81F and 82B to 82F, and raises and lowers each of the belts. The second lifting motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral conveyance belts 15A to 20A, and raises and lowers each of the belts. Note that the third lane <NUM> and the fourth lane <NUM> also have the same structure.

An example of the platen conveyance operation by the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. Sensors (not shown in the drawings) are respectively disposed at positions of the respective lateral lifting belts, and detect whether the platen <NUM> is present or not. Note that in a present working example, an operation will be explained when the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the shipment line <NUM>, the first lane <NUM>, the printer 3A, the first return line <NUM>, and the second return line <NUM>, in that order.

When the conveyance of the platen <NUM> from the preparation position <NUM> is instructed, the lateral belts 11A are driven and convey the platen <NUM> to the right. At this time, the lateral lifting belts 81B are disposed at the same height position as the lateral belts 11A, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral belts 11A to the lateral lifting belts 81B. After that, the driving of the lateral lifting belts 81B is stopped and the lateral lifting belts 81B are lowered. At the same time, the longitudinal belts 81A are driven. The lateral lifting belts 81B are lowered to be lower than the longitudinal belts 81A, and the platen <NUM> is placed on the longitudinal belts 81A. The longitudinal belts 81A convey the platen <NUM> to the rear, and convey the platen <NUM> to the pretreatment device 2A. The pretreatment device 2A performs the pretreatment on the cloth P. After that, the longitudinal belts 81A further convey the platen <NUM> to the rear, passing through the pretreatment device 2A, and the platen <NUM> stands by at a stand-by position <NUM>.

When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer 3A, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 81C, the driving of the longitudinal belts 81A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 81C is started. The lateral lifting belts 81C are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 81A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 15A. The lateral conveyance belts 15A and the longitudinal lifting belts 81C are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 81C to the lateral conveyance belts 15A. The lateral conveyance belts 15A are driven, and convey the platen <NUM> toward the printer 3A. The platen <NUM> is delivered from the lateral conveyance belts 15A to the platen support member <NUM> (to be described later) provided inside the printer 3A. When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer 4A, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 81D, the driving of the longitudinal belts 81A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 81D is started. The lateral lifting belts 81D are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 81A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 17A. The lateral conveyance belts 17A and the lateral lifting belts 81D are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 81D to the lateral conveyance belts 17A. When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer 5A, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 81E, the driving of the longitudinal belts 81A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 81E is started. The lateral lifting belts 81E are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 81A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 19A. The lateral conveyance belts 19A and the lateral lifting belts 81E are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 81E to the lateral conveyance belts 19A.

When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer 3A, the platen support member <NUM> supports the platen <NUM>. The platen support member <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> in the leftward direction. The platen <NUM> passes through the interior of the printer 3A, and is stopped at a left end position of the printer 3A. When the printing is complete, the platen support member <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> in the rightward direction, and delivers the platen <NUM> to the lateral conveyance belts 15A. The lateral conveyance belts 15A are driven in the rightward direction, and convey the platen <NUM> in the rightward direction. The lateral lifting belts 81C are driven in the rightward direction, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral conveyance belts 15A to the lateral lifting belts 81C. The driving of the lateral lifting belts 81C in the rightward direction is stopped, the lateral lifting belts 81C are lowered, and the platen <NUM> is placed on the longitudinal belts 81A. Next, the longitudinal belts 81A convey the platen <NUM> toward the lateral lifting belts 81F.

After that, although not explained in detail, delivery operations are performed in the same manner as described above, and the platen <NUM> is sequentially delivered from the first lane <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>, and from the first return line <NUM> to the second return line <NUM>. Then, the platen <NUM> is delivered to the conveyance mechanism <NUM> of the shipment line <NUM>, and returns to the preparation position <NUM>. In a similar manner, the platen <NUM> may be delivered to one of the second lane <NUM>, the third lane <NUM>, or the fourth lane <NUM>, and the printing may be performed by any one of the printers 3B to 3D. After that, the same operations are performed when the platen <NUM> is delivered, in order, to the first return line <NUM>, and from the first return line <NUM> to the second return line <NUM>, is delivered to the conveyance mechanism <NUM> of the shipment line <NUM>, and returns to the preparation position <NUM>.

The configuration of the platen <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. The platen <NUM> is provided with a seat <NUM>, a right side plate <NUM>, a left side plate <NUM>, a bottom plate (not shown in the drawings), a top plate (not shown in the drawings), and an attachment plate <NUM>. The seat <NUM> has a rectangular shape in a plan view. At a substantially central portion in the left-right direction of the upper surface of the seat <NUM>, a pair of support members (not shown in the drawings), which extend in the front-rear direction and which have an L-shaped cross section, are fixed to positions that are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The right side plate <NUM> has an inverted L shape in a right side view. On the upper surface of the seat <NUM>, the right side plate <NUM> is fixed to an inner surface of the right-side support member (not shown in the drawings) using screws (not shown in the drawings) via a long and thin plate-shaped spacer <NUM> that extends in the front-rear direction. Thus, the right side plate <NUM> stands on the upper surface of the seat <NUM>. An operator attaches the cloth P to the attachment plate <NUM>. For example, when the cloth P is a T-shirt, the operator attaches the T-shirt to the attachment plate <NUM> such that a neck side of the T-shirt is directed to the front side and a hem side of the T-shirt is directed to the rear side.

In the same manner as the right side plate <NUM>, on the upper surface of the seat <NUM>, the left side plate <NUM> is fixed using screws (not shown in the drawings) via a long and thin plate-shaped spacer <NUM> that extends in the front-rear direction. Thus, the left side plate <NUM> stands on the upper surface of the seat <NUM> in parallel with the right side plate <NUM>.

An electrical configuration of the print system <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG>. The print system <NUM> is provided with at least a conveyance control device 1A. The conveyance control device 1A is provided with the CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, and drive circuits <NUM> to <NUM>, which are mutually connected via a bus. A storage portion <NUM>, the pretreatment device 2A,2B, the printers 3A to 5D, an operation portion <NUM>, an input-output portion <NUM>, proximity sensors <NUM> to <NUM>, the code reader <NUM>, the longitudinal belt motor <NUM>, the lateral belt motor <NUM>, the lateral lifting belt motor <NUM>, the lateral conveyance belt motor <NUM>, the first lifting motor <NUM>, the second lifting motor <NUM>, and the conveyance motor <NUM> are connected to the conveyance control device 1A.

The CPU <NUM> controls operation of the print system <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores various programs. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores various information. The RAM <NUM> stores a printer specification 103A and the like, to be described later. The storage portion <NUM> is a non-volatile flash memory, and stores various types of information, such as a priority table 104A to be described later, and the like. The operation portion <NUM> receives various inputs by the operator. The operation portion <NUM> may be a touch panel (not shown in the drawings), and may display various types of information, in addition to receiving various inputs. The input-output portion <NUM> is provided with an SD memory card slot, a USB port, a serial port of another standard, and the like.

The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the longitudinal belt motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the lateral belt motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the lateral lifting belt motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the lateral conveyance belt motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the first lifting motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the second lifting motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> controls operation of the conveyance motor <NUM> on the basis of a control command from the CPU <NUM>.

Note that a stepping motor may be used as each of the motors included in the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM>. In this case, encoders are respectively connected to the motors, and motor position information is transmitted from each of the encoders to the CPU <NUM>. Thus, the CPU <NUM> recognizes the positions of the respective motors.

Print lane determination processing will be explained with reference to <FIG>. In the present embodiment, as an example, processing is explained that determines which of the printers 3A to 5D of the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> the platen <NUM>, to which the cloth P is attached, is to be conveyed to.

First, when a power source of the print system <NUM> is turned on, the CPU <NUM> reads out, from the ROM <NUM>, a program for the print lane determination processing shown in <FIG>, and performs the print lane determination processing. As shown in <FIG>, First, the CPU <NUM> determines whether a setting completion command, which indicates that the cloth P is placed on the platen <NUM> positioned at the preparation position <NUM>, has been received (step S1). For example, when the operator uses the code reader <NUM> and reads out the identification information of the cloth P from a barcode or an RFID tag on the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>, the code reader <NUM> transmits the identification information to the CPU <NUM>. When the CPU <NUM> receives the identification information of the cloth P from the code reader <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P has been set on the platen <NUM> (yes at step S1). Next, the CPU <NUM> performs cloth determination processing (step S2). Note that, when the CPU <NUM> does not determine YES in the determination at step S1, the determination at step S1 continues.

The CPU <NUM> performs the cloth determination processing (step S2) in accordance with a subroutine of the cloth determination processing shown in <FIG>. In the cloth determination processing, the CPU <NUM> creates the printer specification 103A on the basis of the identification information of the cloth P received from the code reader <NUM> and stored in the RAM <NUM>. The printer specification 103A is a table of printer specifications (conditions) required in order for the CPU <NUM> to perform the printing on the target cloth P. Hereinafter, the cloth determination processing will be explained with reference to <FIG>, and <FIG> to <FIG>.

The printer specification 103A to be created will be explained with reference to <FIG>. The storage portion <NUM> stores a format of the printer specification 103A. Items such as "Color," "Ink type," "Compatible platen size," and "Compatible printing size" can be input into the format. In the cloth determination processing to be described later, on the basis of the identification information of the cloth P received from the code reader <NUM> and stored in the RAM <NUM>, predetermined information is associated with these items and stored as the printer specification 103A. For example, under "Color," one of the following is stored: color, white + color, or white + color + feature color. Under "Ink type," one of the following is stored: ink for cotton, or ink for synthetic fibers. Under "Compatible platen size," one of the following is stored: size L, size M, or size S. Under "Compatible printing size," a size of a print image to be printed is stored.

In a state before the cloth determination processing is performed, each of the items in the printer specification 103A is a blank field, as shown in <FIG>. In the following working example, from "Type," "Color," "Size," "Printing color," and "Printing size" included in the identification information of the cloth P, using predetermined conversion information stored in the storage portion <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> can input each of the items of the printer specification 103A.

In the cloth determination processing shown in <FIG>, first, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM> is a light color (step S10). The CPU <NUM> determines whether the cloth P is the light color on the basis of the "Color" of the identification information of the cloth P stored at step S1. For example, when "Color" in the identification information of the cloth P is white, the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P is the light color. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P is the light color (yes at step S10), the CPU <NUM> stores color as the "Color" of the printer specification 103A and advances the processing to step S15. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the color of the cloth P is the light color (yes at step S10), base printing of a white color is not necessary. Thus, the printing can also be performed using the printers 5A to 5D that are not provided with the white ink.

When the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P is not the light color (no at step S10), the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printing color is the feature color (step S12). The CPU <NUM> determines whether the printing color includes the feature colors on the basis of the "Printing color" for the cloth P stored at step S1. For example, when the "Printing color" of the identification information of the cloth P includes red, the CPU <NUM> determines that the printing color is the feature color. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the printing color is the feature color (yes at step S12), the CPU <NUM> stores white + color + feature color as the "Color" of the printer specification 103A, and advances the processing to step S15. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the printing color is the feature color (yes at step S12), it is necessary to perform the printing using the feature color ink. Thus, the printing can only be performed using the printers 3A to 3D that are provided with the feature color ink.

When the CPU <NUM> determines that the printing color is not the feature color (no at step S12), the CPU <NUM> stores white + color as the "Color" of the printer specification 103A (step S14), and advances the processing to step S15. Since the color of the cloth P is not the light color, namely, is a dark color, it is necessary to perform the printing using the base printing using the white ink. Thus, the printing is preferably not performed using the printers 5A to 5D that are not provided with the white ink.

Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the cloth P is cotton (step S15). The CPU <NUM> determines whether the cloth P is cotton by acquiring information about a material of the cloth P, on the basis of "Type" in the identification information of the cloth P stored in the RAM <NUM>. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P is not cotton (no at step S15), the CPU <NUM> stores an ink suited to the information of the material of the cloth P, in the "Ink type" field of the printer specification 103A. In the present embodiment, in order to simplify the explanation, an example is explained in which the material of the cloth P other than cotton is the synthetic fiber. Thus, the CPU <NUM> stores ink for synthetic fibers as the "Ink type" of the printer specification 103A (step S17). When the CPU <NUM> determines that the cloth P is cotton (yes at step S15), the CPU <NUM> stores ink for cotton as the "Ink type" of the printer specification 103A (step S16).

Next, the CPU <NUM> stores, in the "Compatible platen size" field of the printer specification 103A, the size of the platen <NUM> on which the cloth P is to be set (step S18). For example, there are three types of size of the platen <NUM>, namely, S, M, and L, and the size of the cloth P that can be attached to the platen <NUM> is determined in advance. For example, the S-sized cloth P can be attached to the size S platen <NUM>, the S-sized and M-sized cloth P can be attached to the size M platen <NUM>, and the S-sized, M-sized, and L-sized cloth P can be attached to the size L platen <NUM>. For example, the CPU <NUM> stores, in the "Compatible platen size" field of the printer specification 103A, the size of the platen <NUM> to which the cloth P can be attached, on the basis of "Size" in the identification information of the cloth P stored in the RAM <NUM>. For example, when the cloth P is the L-sized cloth P, the CPU <NUM> stores size L as the "Compatible platen size" of the printer specification 103A.

Next, the CPU <NUM> stores a printing size of print data in the "Compatible printing size" field of the printer specification 103A (step S19). The CPU <NUM> acquires the print data corresponding to the identification information, from the storage portion <NUM>, on the basis of "Printing size" in the identification information of the cloth P stored in the RAM <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> acquires the printing size from the acquired print data, and stores the acquired printing size in the "Compatible printing size" field of the printer specification 103A. An example of the compatible printing size is W inches (W) × Z inches (H). Next, as shown in <FIG>, the CPU <NUM> stores the completed printer specification 103A corresponding to the cloth P in the RAM <NUM> (step S20). Thus, it is necessary for the printer that can perform the printing on the cloth P to satisfy the conditions of the printer specification 103A shown in <FIG>. In the present working example, for example, these are the conditions requiring the printer that can perform the color printing, can eject the ink for the synthetic fibers, can use the size L platen <NUM>, and can print an image of W inches (W) × Z inches (H).

Next, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S3 shown in <FIG>, and identifies a lane group on which the printers are present that can print the cloth P (step S3). The CPU <NUM> performs the processing at step S3 in accordance with a subroutine of lane group identification processing shown in <FIG>. Hereinafter, the lane group identification processing to identify the lane group that is able to print the cloth P will be explained with reference to <FIG>. First, the CPU <NUM> confirms each of printer specifications of a printer group in the first lane <NUM> (step S21). For example, the CPU <NUM> communicates with each of the printers 3A to 5A of the first lane <NUM>, acquires data about the color of the ink that can be ejected, the type of the ink (the ink for cotton, the ink for synthetic fibers), the size of the platen that the printer can handle, and the printing size that the printer can handle, and confirms the printer specification of each of the printers 3A to 5A. The CPU <NUM> associates the printer specification with each of the printers 3A to 5A, and stores the associated information in the RAM <NUM> (step S21). Note that the processing at step S21 may be performed in advance and not at this timing.

Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printer is present that satisfies the printer specification 103A (refer to <FIG>) corresponding to the cloth P created in the cloth determination processing and stored in the RAM <NUM> (step S22). For example, the CPU <NUM> determines YES when, among the printer specifications of each of the printers 3A to 5A acquired at step S21 and stored in the RAM <NUM>, the printer specification is present that satisfies the "Color," "Ink type," "Compatible platen size," and "Compatible printing size" of the printer specification 103A stored at step S20. When the CPU <NUM> determines YES in the determination at step S22, the CPU <NUM> stores the first lane <NUM> in which the printer is present that can print the cloth P, in a lane list (not shown in the drawings) stored in the RAM <NUM> (step S23). For example, when the specifications of the printers 3A, 4A, and 5A indicate that the printers 3A, 4A, and 5A can perform the color printing, can eject the ink for the synthetic fibers, can use the size L platen, and can print the image of W inches (W) and Z inches (H), the specifications satisfy the printer specification 103A shown in <FIG>. Thus, the CPU <NUM> stores the first lane <NUM>, on which the printers 3A to 5A are present, in the lane list. Note that information relating to the arrangement of the printers 3A to 5D provided on each of the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> is stored in the ROM <NUM> in advance. For example, when at least one of the printers 3A to 5A satisfies the printer specification 103A, the CPU <NUM> stores the first lane <NUM> in the lane list. When the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination at step S22, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S24.

Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the confirmation is complete for all of the lanes (step S24). In the above example, the CPU <NUM> has only confirmed the first lane <NUM>, and has not confirmed the second lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM>. Thus, the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination processing at step S24, and returns the processing to step S21. Next, in a similar manner, the CPU <NUM> performs the processing from step S21 to step S23 with respect to the second lane <NUM>. Next, the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination processing at step S24, and returns the processing to step S21. Next, in a similar manner, the CPU <NUM> performs the processing from step S21 to step S23 with respect to the third lane <NUM>. Next, the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination processing at step S24, and returns the processing to step S21. Next, in a similar manner, the CPU <NUM> performs the processing from step S21 to step S23 with respect to the fourth lane <NUM>. When the CPU <NUM> finishes the determination as to whether or not the printers in all of the lanes from the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM> satisfy the printer specification corresponding to the cloth P, the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation of all the lanes is complete (yes at step S24). When the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation of all the lanes is complete (yes at step S24), the CPU <NUM> stores the lane list in which the printers that can print the cloth P are present in a status determination lane list (not shown in the drawings) that is used to perform status determination (step S25). For example, the status determination lane list is stored in the RAM <NUM>. For example, when the printers that can print the cloth P are the printers 3A to 5A, only the first lane <NUM> is stored in the lane list on which the printers that can print the cloth P are present, and thus, the CPU <NUM> stores the first lane <NUM> in the status determination lane list (step S25).

Next, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S4 shown in <FIG>, and performs lane group status confirmation processing (step S4). The CPU <NUM> performs processing at step S4 in accordance with a subroutine of the lane group status confirmation processing shown in <FIG>. For example, when the first lane <NUM> is present in the status determination lane list, the first lane <NUM> is a target of the determination processing at step S4.

Hereinafter, the lane group status confirmation processing will be explained with reference to <FIG>. First, the CPU <NUM> determines whether, of processing devices apart from the printers 3A to 5A provided in the first lane <NUM> stored in the status determination lane list, a device is present that is unable to perform processing (step S31). For example, the pretreatment device 2A that is the processing device other than the printers 3A to 5A is provided in the first lane <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> receives, from the pretreatment device 2A, a status signal indicating a state of the device, and determines whether the device is unable to perform the processing. When a post-processing device that is not shown in the drawings is provided in the first lane <NUM>, the pretreatment device 2A and the post-processing device are an example of the processing device other than the printers 3A to 5A. In this case, the CPU <NUM> receives the status signal indicating the status of the device from the posts-processing device also, and determines whether the device is unable to perform the processing. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the processing device, other than the printers 3A to 5A, that is unable to perform the processing is present (yes at step S31), the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S35 to be described later. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the processing device, other than the printers 3A to 5A, that is unable to perform the processing is not present (no at step S31), the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printer that is in a printable state is present (step S32). For example, the CPU <NUM> communicates with each of the printers 3A to 5A, receives a status signal indicating the state of each of the printers 3A to 5A, and determines whether the printer that is in the printable state is present. Next, when the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer that is in the printable state is present (yes at step S32), the CPU <NUM> stores and saves, in the RAM <NUM>, a priority of the printer that can perform the printing (step S33).

An example of the priority of the printer will be explained with reference to a priority table 104A shown in <FIG>. The priority table 104A is created in advance and stored in the storage portion <NUM>. States of the printers, an order of priority, details of the states, and supplementary information are stored in the priority table 104A. The printers include printers that have indicated a printable state and printers that have indicated an unprintable state. For example, the printers that have indicated the printable state are ranked first to fifth in the order of priority, and the smaller the number, the higher the priority. The first priority indicates that the printing can be immediately performed by the printer and that the platen <NUM> is not present in the printer. The second priority indicates that the printing is being performed by the printer, and that it will take <NUM> seconds or less until the printing is complete. The third priority indicates that the printing is being performed by the printer, and that it will take <NUM> seconds or more and <NUM> seconds or less until the printing is complete. The fourth priority indicates that the printing is being performed by the printer, and that it will take <NUM> seconds to convey the platen <NUM> into the printer and thereafter it will take <NUM> seconds or more and <NUM> seconds or less until the printing is complete. The fifth priority indicates that an operation other than the printing operation, such as a maintenance operation, is being performed on the printer, and that <NUM> seconds are required for the operation and thereafter it will take <NUM> seconds or more and <NUM> seconds or less until the printing is complete. Examples of the maintenance operation include flushing of the ink before the printing, wiping of the head, and the like. The maintenance operation is performed each time twenty recording media are printed, for example. The printable state is prescribed in advance using, as a reference, a time period required to complete the printing, for example. The printable state includes, for example, a case in which the printing can be immediately started by the printer, and a case in which, although other printing is currently being performed and the printing cannot be immediately started, new printing can be started after a predetermined time period and the printing can be completed within a predetermined time period. The unprintable state is a case other than the printable state.

The printers that have indicated the unprintable state include printers that are ranked sixth to eighth in the order of priority, and three printers that are out of target (denoted by an × mark). The smaller the number, the higher the priority. Operations during which the printing by the printers <NUM> to <NUM> is impossible include a periodic operation that is performed periodically and an irregular operation that is performed on an irregular basis. With respect to the periodic operation, estimation of an end time is possible, and with respect to the irregular operation, the estimation of the end time is impossible. The periodic operation is, for example, a related operation of which the end time can be calculated. Examples of the related operation include a periodic replenishment operation of the ink that is supplied to the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, and the maintenance operation for the printers <NUM> to <NUM>. The maintenance operation that is completed within <NUM> seconds or less may correspond to the fifth priority. Examples of the maintenance operation include a periodic purge operation that sucks up the ink from nozzles (not shown in the drawings) of the head (not shown in the drawings), a periodic flushing operation that ejects the ink from the nozzles of the head, a periodic wipe operation that wipes a nozzle surface (not shown in the drawings) of the head using a wiper, a periodic circulation operation that circulates the ink inside an ink supply path (not shown in the drawings) and the head, and a periodic agitation operation that agitates the ink inside an ink tank (not shown in the drawings). The maintenance operation may be a periodic operation regardless of the maintenance completion time. The related operation is a carrying-in operation or a carrying-out operation of the platen <NUM> at the preparation position <NUM>.

The sixth priority indicates that periodic replacement of an ink cartridge is in progress or that the replenishment of the ink to the ink tank is in progress. The seventh priority indicates that the platen <NUM> is being discharged from the printer. The eighth priority indicates that the purging of the ink from the head (not shown in the drawings) is in progress. The periodic purge operation is performed once in six to seven hours, for example, and it takes about five to six minutes. The sixth to eighth priorities indicate the periodic operation of the printer. "Out of target" (denoted by the × mark) indicates the irregular operation, and indicates the power source OFF of the printer, a MACHINE ERROR such as ink empty, and opening of a printer cover.

Next, the CPU <NUM> stores and saves the priority of the printer in the RAM <NUM> (step S33). Next, the CPU <NUM> adds the priority of the printer saved in the RAM <NUM> in the step S33, in association with the printer that can perform the printing, to a conveyable printer list 103C shown in <FIG> (step S34). For example, when all the printers 3A to 5A indicate the printable state, when the priority is "<NUM>" for the printer 3A, "<NUM>" for the printer 4A and "<NUM>" for the printer 5A, the CPU <NUM> stores the printer 3A in a printer field of the conveyable printer list 103C, and stores <NUM> in a priority field. Further, the CPU <NUM> stores the printer 4A in the printer field and stores <NUM> in the priority field, and further stores the printer 5A in the printer field and stores <NUM> in the priority field.

Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the confirmation is complete for all the target lanes (step S35). In the present example, as described above, the CPU <NUM> has performed the processing from step S31 to step S34 for the first lane <NUM> as the target lane, and thus, when the CPU <NUM> completes the confirmation for the printers 3A to 5A of the first lane <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation of all the target lanes is complete (yes at step S35). When the CPU <NUM> determines YES in the determination at step S31, or when the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination at step S32, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S35. When the lane other than the first lane <NUM> is registered in the status determination lane list, when the CPU <NUM> completes the processing from step S31 to step S34 with respect to all of the lanes registered in the lane list, the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation is complete for all of the lanes (yes at step S35). When the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation is not complete for all of the lanes (no at step S35), the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S31.

When the CPU <NUM> determines that the confirmation is complete for all of the lanes (yes at step S35), the CPU <NUM> determines the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, using the priority from the conveyable printer list 103C stored in the RAM <NUM> (step S36). The CPU <NUM> determines the printer having a higher priority, from among the printers stored in the conveyable printer list 103C, as the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed. When the priorities of the printers are the same as each other, the CPU <NUM> determines, for example, the printer closer to the preparation position <NUM> as the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed (step S36). In the conveyable printer list 103C shown in <FIG>, the printer 4A having the priority of "<NUM>" is the printer with the highest priority, and thus, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer 4A as the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed (step S36). Next, the CPU <NUM> specifies the lane in which the determined printer is present to be a conveyance destination (step S37). The CPU <NUM> specifies the first lane <NUM> in which the printer 4A is present as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>. Next, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S5 shown in <FIG>. The CPU <NUM> identifies the printer to which the cloth P is to be conveyed (step S5). The CPU <NUM> identifies the printer 4A determined at step S36 as the printer to which the cloth P is to be conveyed. Next, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the printer identified at step S5 (step S6). The CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the first lane <NUM>, and conveys the platen <NUM> to the printer 4A. The conveyance of the platen <NUM> is performed in accordance with the principles of the platen conveyance operation described above. Next, the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S1. Note that, when the printer to which the platen <NUM> can be conveyed is not stored in the conveyable printer list 103C in the processing at step S36, the CPU <NUM> does not determine the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed. In this case, the CPU <NUM> advances the processing to step S5 without specifying, in the processing at step S37, the lane that is the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>. In the processing at step S5, the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S1 without identifying the printer to which the cloth P is to be conveyed, and without conveying the platen <NUM> in the processing at step S6.

As described above, the conveyance control device 1A of the print system <NUM> according to the present embodiment is provided with the CPU <NUM> that controls the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM>, which conveys the platen <NUM> to one of the plurality of printers 3A to 5D via the pretreatment device 2A or the pretreatment device 2B. The CPU <NUM> performs the determination steps (step S2 to step S5), in which it is determined to which of the printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> determines the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed on the basis of the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM>, and thus, the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of the cloth P. A print processing volume in a certain period is therefore increased.

In the determination steps (step S2 to step S5), the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the plurality of printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the color of the cloth P. Therefore, since the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed on the basis of the color of the cloth P, one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of the cloth P having that color can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>.

In the determination steps (step S2 to step S5), the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the plurality of printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the type of the cloth P, namely cotton, synthetic fibers, or the like. Since the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed on the basis of the type of the cloth P, one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of the cloth P of that type can be specified as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> determines the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the size of the cloth P. The CPU <NUM> can therefore designate one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of the cloth P of that size, as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>.

In the determination steps (step S2 to step S5), the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the plurality of printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the printing color on the cloth P. The CPU <NUM> can therefore designate one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of that printing color, as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>.

In the determination steps (step S2 to step S5), the CPU <NUM> determines to which of the plurality of printers 3A to 5D the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, on the basis of the printing size of the cloth P. The CPU <NUM> can therefore designate one of the printers 3A to 5D that is suited to the printing of that printing size, as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>.

In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance control device 1A is an example of a "conveyance control device" of the present invention. The CPU <NUM> is an example of a "computer" or a "processor" of the present invention. Steps S2 to S5 are an example of "determination processing" of the present invention. The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> is an example of a "conveyance portion" of the present invention. The preparation position <NUM> is an example of a "conveyance start position" of the present invention. The step at S2 is an example of "acquisition processing" of the present invention. The steps at S3 and S5 are an example of "identification processing" of the present invention.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. The print system <NUM> of the above-described embodiment may be provided with a post-treatment device. The post-treatment device is disposed to the rear of the printers 3A to 5D, and heats the printed cloth P placed on the platen <NUM> at a high temperature. Thus, the ink dries and the fixation of the ink on the cloth P is improved. The pretreatment devices 2A and 2B may be respectively provided in each of the first lane <NUM> to the fourth lane <NUM>. The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> may further be provided, to the right of the fourth lane <NUM>, with a processing line provided with three of the printers, in a similar manner to the first lane <NUM> and the second lane <NUM>. The number of the printers on each of the lanes is not limited to three, and a desired plurality of printers may be provided, such as two, four, five, or the like. When the number of the printers increases, the print processing volume in the certain period increases. Printers that can perform high speed printing may be provided. An example of the printer that can perform high speed printing is a printer having a large number of heads, for example. Using the printer that can perform the high speed printing, it is possible to print the print data of a large printing size at high speed.

The priority table 104A is not limited to that shown in <FIG>. The operator may create a priority table as appropriate in advance. In the processing at step S36, when there are a plurality of the printers having the same priority level, instead of selecting the printer closer to the conveyance start position <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> may select the printer for which a selection order is specified in advance. The determination as to whether the cloth P has been set on the platen (step S1) may be made when the operator places the cloth P on the platen <NUM> and inputs a set completion command from the operation portion <NUM> and the CPU <NUM> receives the set completion command. In the determination as to whether the cloth P is the light color (step S10), the CPU <NUM> may make the determination on the basis of a command as to whether the cloth P is the light color or not input by the operator operating the operation portion <NUM>. In the determination as to whether the cloth P is cotton or synthetic fibers (step S15), the CPU <NUM> may make the determination on the basis of a command as to whether the cloth P is cotton or synthetic fibers input by the operator operating the operation portion <NUM>. The addition of the size of the platen <NUM> to the printer specification 103A (step S18) may be performed by the CPU <NUM> receiving a command indicating the size of the platen input from the operation portion <NUM>. The addition of the printing size to the printer specification 103A (step S19) may be performed by the CPU <NUM> receiving a command indicating the printing size input from the operation portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A conveyance control device (1A) configured for use with a conveyance portion (<NUM>), a platen (<NUM>), a plurality of printers (3A to 5D) and a pretreatment device (2A, 2B), wherein the plurality of printers (3A to 5D) are inkjet printers, the conveyance portion being configured to convey the platen (<NUM>) from a conveyance start position (<NUM>) of the platen (<NUM>) to one of the plurality of printers (3A to 5D) via the pretreatment device (2A, 2B), the pretreatment device (2A, 2B) being configured to perform pretreatment on a recording medium (P) placed on the platen (<NUM>), one of the plurality of printers (3A to 5D) being configured to perform a color printing process and another of the plurality of printers (3A to 5D) being configured to perform the color printing process, the conveyance control device (1A) comprising:
a processor (<NUM>) configured to control the conveyance portion (<NUM>); and
a memory storing computer-readable instructions,
characterized in that the instructions, when executed by the processor (<NUM>), perform processes including:
performing determination processing (S2 to S5, S10, S12, S15, S18, S19, S22) of determining, on a basis of the recording medium (P) placed on the platen (<NUM>), which of the plurality of printers (3A to 5D) the platen (<NUM>) is to be conveyed to.