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 wireless access network, a construction method therefor, and a communication device. The wireless access network comprises two communication devices, two multiplexer/demultiplexer units, and an optical fiber. The first communication device comprises at least two first service bearer units, and the at least two first service bearer units are both connected to a first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit. The second communication device comprises at least two second service bearer units, and the at least two second service bearer units are both connected to a second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit. The first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit and the second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit are connected by the optical fiber. The first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit is configured to combine optical signals corresponding to service signals respectively borne by the at least two first service bearers into one optical signal, and to send the optical signal to the second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit through the optical fiber. The second multiplexer/demultiplexer unit is configured to receive through the optical fiber the optical signal sent by the first multiplexer/demultiplexer unit, and to send at least two optical signals obtained by demultiplexing the received optical signal to each of the corresponding second service bearer units. <CIT> discloses 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 which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to, conveyance destinations of the platens are allocated to the plurality of printers. Thus, the conveyance of the platens to a specific printer only is avoided, and a print processing volume in a certain period is increased.

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

The processor determines the conveyance destination of the platen on the basis of the states of the printers. Therefore, the conveyance destinations of the platens are allocated on the basis of the states of the printers, and the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

The processor, in the determination processing, on the basis of a time period until printing is to be started by each of the plurality of printers, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

The processor determines the conveyance destination of the platen on the basis of the time period until the printing is to be started. For example, when the conveyance portion conveys the platen to the printer for which the time period until the start of the printing is shortest, the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

The instructions may further perform processes include: calculating a completion time of print processing for the platen that has already been conveyed; and obtaining the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers based on the completion time. The processor, in the determination processing, may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to on the basis of the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers,.

Thus, the processor calculates the completion time of the print processing for the platen that has already been conveyed, obtains the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers based on the completion time, and determines the conveyance destination of the platen on the basis of the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers. When, in accordance with this determination, the conveyance portion conveys the platen to the printer with which the print processing will be complete in a shortest time, the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

The processor, in the determination processing, may determine, among the plurality of printers, which of the printers that have indicated a printable state the platen is to be conveyed to.

The processor determines, as the conveyance destination of the platen, one of the printers that have indicated the printable state. Therefore, the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period resulting from the platen being conveyed to the printer in an unprintable state is reduced.

The processor may cause the platen to be conveyed to the printer that has indicated an unprintable state due to a periodic operation, in the determination processing, when the processor determines that there is no printer that has indicated the printable state.

The printer with which the printing is impossible due to the periodic operation becomes printable when the periodic operation is complete. Therefore, when the processor determines that there is no printer that has indicated the printable state, the processor causes the platen to be conveyed to the printer that has indicated the unprintable state due to the periodic operation. This avoids a situation in which the platen is not conveyed to the printer, and thus reduces the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period.

The processor may cause the platen to be conveyed to the printer that has indicated the unprintable state due to the periodic operation, the periodic operation being a related operation of which an end time can be calculated, the related operation relating to a printing function of the printer.

Thus, the processor causes the platen to be conveyed to the printer that has indicated the unprintable state due to the periodic operation that is a related operation of which the end time can be calculated, the related operation relates to the printing function of the printer. Therefore, in comparison to a case in which the platen is conveyed to the printer indicating the unprintable state due to an irregular operation, the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period is reduced.

The processor may determine which of the plurality of printers the platen is to be conveyed to, on the basis of a position of the platen that has already been conveyed by the conveyance portion.

Thus, on the basis of the position of the platen that has already been conveyed by the conveyance portion, the processor causes the platen to be conveyed to one of the plurality of printers. For example, by avoiding mutual collision of the platens, the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period resulting from the mutual collision of the platens is reduced.

The processor, in the determination processing, may determine to cause the conveyance of the platen that does not collide with the already conveyed platen on a conveyance path on which the platen is to be conveyed.

In the determination processing, the processor determines to cause the conveyance of the platen that does not collide with the already conveyed platen on the conveyance path on which the platen is to be conveyed. Therefore, the possibility of the collision of the platen to be conveyed is reduced, and the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

The processor, in the determination processing, on the basis of the states of the plurality of printers, may change an order of the printers used to determine which of the printers the platen is to be conveyed to.

The processor, in the determination processing, on the basis of the states of the plurality of printers, changes the order of the printers used to determine which of the printers the platen is to be conveyed to. Therefore, the processor can determine whether to convey the platen, in order from the printer having a higher possibility of becoming printable.

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>.

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 pretreatment device <NUM>, printers <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a platen conveyance mechanism <NUM>, a code reader <NUM>, and the like. The pretreatment device <NUM> is 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 CaCl<NUM>, Ca(NO<NUM>)<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 pretreatment device <NUM> may omit one of the application portion and the heat treatment portion.

The printers <NUM> to <NUM> are positioned to the rear of the pretreatment device <NUM>, and are aligned in the front-rear direction. The printers <NUM> to <NUM> are inkjet printers. The printers <NUM> to <NUM> 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>. For example, the printers <NUM> to <NUM> eject five types of ink (white (W), black (K), yellow (Y), cyan (C) and magenta (M) inks). 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 printers <NUM> to <NUM> via the pretreatment device <NUM>, and once more returns the platen <NUM> to the preparation position <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>, a processing line <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. The shipment line <NUM> is used to convey the platen <NUM> toward the processing line <NUM> to be described later. The shipment line <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> in that order from the left side. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with the preparation position <NUM>. The preparation position <NUM> is a position for preparation at which the cloth P is initially attached to the platen <NUM>. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the right. A front end portion of a conveyance mechanism <NUM> to be described later is positioned between the conveyance mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM>. The right end side of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> may be connected to a processing line other than the processing line <NUM>.

The processing line <NUM> extends in the front-rear direction between the shipment line <NUM> and the first return line <NUM> to be described later. The shipment line <NUM> is used to convey the platen <NUM> received from the shipment line <NUM> to the pretreatment device <NUM> and to one of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, in that order, and to deliver the platen <NUM> to the first return line <NUM>.

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

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

The printer <NUM> 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 <NUM> is provided with the print conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and the printer <NUM> 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 mechanism <NUM> of the shipment line <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> toward another processing line (not shown in the drawings). When the other processing line is provided, the other processing line may have the same configuration as the processing line <NUM>. The first return line <NUM> is positioned at the rearmost portion of the print system <NUM>, and extends linearly in the left-right direction. The first return line <NUM> is used to convey the platen <NUM> toward the second return line <NUM>. The first return line <NUM> is provided with conveyance mechanisms <NUM> and <NUM> in that order from the left side. The conveyance mechanism <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> received from another processing line (not shown in the drawings) 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 conveyance mechanism <NUM> is provided with a pair of longitudinal belts 14A and pairs of lateral lifting belts 14B to 14E. The pair of longitudinal belts 14A are provided at both end portions of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The pair of longitudinal belts 14A convey the platen <NUM> to the rear. The pairs of lateral lifting belts 14B to 14E are disposed between the pair of longitudinal belts 14A. The pair of lateral lifting belts 14B are provided at the front end portion of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> such that they can be raised and lowered. The pair of lateral lifting belts 14B convey the platen <NUM> to the right. The pair of lateral lifting belts 14C 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 14D 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 14E 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 14C to 14E 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> and <NUM> are respectively provided with pairs of lateral belts 27A and 28A that extend in the conveyance direction, and convey the platen <NUM> in the conveyance direction in the conveyance mechanisms <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.

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 14A and 29A, 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, 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 14B to 14E, 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, 17A and 19A, and drives each of the belts. The first lifting motor <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to each of the lateral lifting belts 14B to 14E and lateral lifting belts <NUM>, 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, 17A and 19A, and raises and lowers each of the belts.

As shown in <FIG>, a standby position 14F is provided at an exit of the pretreatment device <NUM> of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. The platen <NUM> after the pretreatment may stand by at the standby position 14F until it is conveyed to one of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>. In the explanation below, a section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the standby position 14F to the lateral lifting belts 14C will be referred to as a first conveyance path <NUM>. A section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the left side of the lateral lifting belts 14C to a right-side end portion of the printer <NUM> will be referred to as a second conveyance path 15B. A section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the rear side of the lateral lifting belts 14C to the lateral lifting belts 14D will be referred to as a third conveyance path <NUM>. A section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the left side of the lateral lifting belts 14D to a right-side end portion of the printer <NUM> will be referred to as a fourth conveyance path 17B. A section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the rear side of the lateral lifting belts 14D to the lateral lifting belts 14E will be referred to as a fifth conveyance path 14I. A section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the left side of the lateral lifting belts 14E to a right-side end portion of the printer <NUM> will be referred to as a sixth conveyance path 19B. A remaining section of the conveyance mechanism <NUM> from the rear side of the lateral lifting belts 14E to the lateral lifting belts <NUM> will be referred to as a seventh conveyance path 14J.

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. On the basis of an output from each of the sensors, the CPU <NUM> controls the driving and the upward and downward movement of each of the belts. 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 14B 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 14B. After that, the driving of the lateral lifting belts 14B is stopped and the lateral lifting belts 14B are lowered. At the same time, the longitudinal belts 14A are driven. The lateral lifting belts 14B are lowered to be lower than the longitudinal belts 14A, and the platen <NUM> is placed on the longitudinal belts 14A. The longitudinal belts 14A convey the platen <NUM> to the rear, and convey the platen <NUM> to the pretreatment device <NUM>. The pretreatment device <NUM> performs the pretreatment on the cloth P. After that, the longitudinal belts 14A further convey the platen <NUM> to the rear, and the platen <NUM> stands by at the standby position 14F.

When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer <NUM>, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 14C, the driving of the longitudinal belts 14A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 14C is started. The lateral lifting belts 14C are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 14A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 15A. The lateral conveyance belts 15A and the longitudinal lifting belts 14C are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 14C to the lateral conveyance belts 15A. The lateral conveyance belts 15A are driven, and convey the platen <NUM> toward the printer <NUM>. 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 <NUM>. When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer <NUM>, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 14D, the driving of the longitudinal belts 14A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 14D is started. The lateral lifting belts 14D are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 14A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 17A. The lateral conveyance belts 17A and the lateral lifting belts 14D are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 14D to the lateral conveyance belts 17A. When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer <NUM>, when the platen <NUM> reaches a position above the lateral lifting belts 14E, the driving of the longitudinal belts 14A is stopped, and the upward movement of the lateral lifting belts 14E is started. The lateral lifting belts 14E are raised to be higher than the longitudinal belts 14A, and are stopped at the same height position as the lateral conveyance belts 19A. The lateral conveyance belts 19A and the lateral lifting belts 14E are driven, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral lifting belts 14E to the lateral conveyance belts 19A.

When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer <NUM>, 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 <NUM>, and is stopped at a left end position of the printer <NUM>. 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 14C are driven in the rightward direction, and deliver the platen <NUM> from the lateral conveyance belts 15A to the lateral lifting belts 14C. The driving of the lateral lifting belts 14C in the rightward direction is stopped, the lateral lifting belts 14C are lowered, and the platen <NUM> is placed on the longitudinal belts 14A. Next, the longitudinal belts 14A convey the platen <NUM> toward the lateral lifting belts <NUM>.

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 processing line <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>. When the platen <NUM> is delivered toward the printer <NUM> or the printer <NUM>, similar operations are performed.

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 <NUM>, the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, 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> is a working memory and temporarily stores various types of information. 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>.

The proximity sensors <NUM> to <NUM> are respectively provided at the standby position 14F, on the first conveyance path <NUM>, the second conveyance path 15B, the third conveyance path <NUM>, the fourth conveyance path 17B, the fifth conveyance path 14I, the sixth conveyance path 19B, and the seventh conveyance path 14J. The proximity sensors <NUM> to <NUM> detect the platen <NUM> and transmit a detection signal to 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.

Next, conveyance control processing and conveyance destination determination processing will be explained with reference to <FIG>. Note that, in the present embodiment, as an example, a case will be explained in which the platen <NUM>, to which the cloth P has been attached, is conveyed to the shipment line <NUM>, the processing line <NUM> (the pretreatment device <NUM> and one of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>), the first return line <NUM>, and the second return line <NUM>, in that order.

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 conveyance control processing shown in <FIG> and a program for the conveyance destination determination processing shown in <FIG>, and performs each of the conveyance control processing and the conveyance destination determination processing. The conveyance control processing will be explained with reference to <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 S9). 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 S9). When a negative determination is made at step S9, the CPU <NUM> continues the determination processing at step S9. Next, the CPU <NUM> stores, in the RAM <NUM>, the identification information of the cloth P received from the code reader <NUM> (step S10). Next, the CPU <NUM> performs first conveyance processing (step S11). The first conveyance processing is processing to convey the platen <NUM> disposed at the preparation position <NUM> to a start position of the processing line <NUM>. For example, the start position is the position of the lateral lifting belts 14B of the conveyance mechanism <NUM>. Note that the processing at step S10 may be performed before the processing at step S9.

Next, the CPU <NUM> performs the pretreatment using the pretreatment device <NUM> (step S12). The CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> using the conveyance mechanism <NUM>, and causes the platen <NUM> to pass through the pretreatment device <NUM>, thus performing the pretreatment on the cloth P attached to the platen <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> causes the platen <NUM> that has passed through the pretreatment device <NUM> to stop at the position of the standby position 14F. At this time, the CPU <NUM> performs the conveyance destination determination processing shown in <FIG>, and determines, from among the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed, as described later. Next, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the printer determined by the conveyance destination determination processing, and causes the printing to be performed on the cloth P placed on the platen <NUM> (step S13). Next, the CPU <NUM> performs second conveyance processing (step S15) that causes the platen <NUM> after the printing to return to the preparation position <NUM> via the first return line <NUM> and the second return line <NUM>. Note that the pretreatment shown at step S12 may be performed under control by a CPU (not shown in the drawings) provided in the pretreatment device <NUM>, and the print processing shown at step S13 may be performed under control by CPUs (not shown in the drawings) that are respectively provided in the printers <NUM> to <NUM>. In this case, in the pretreatment shown at step S12, the CPU <NUM> transmits a pretreatment execution command to the pretreatment device <NUM>, and the pretreatment device <NUM> transmits status information, such as "pretreatment in progress," "pretreatment completion" or the like, to the CPU <NUM> of the conveyance control device 1A. When the CPU <NUM> receives the status information indicating "pretreatment completion" from the pretreatment device <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> performs the print processing at step S13. In the print processing shown at step S13 also, the CPU <NUM> transmits a print processing execution command to the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, and the printers <NUM> to <NUM> transmit status information, such as "printing in progress," "printing completion" or the like, to the CPU <NUM> of the conveyance control device 1A. When the CPU <NUM> receives the status information indicating "printing completion" from the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> may perform the second conveyance processing at step S15.

The conveyance destination determination processing will be explained with reference to <FIG>. First, the CPU <NUM> acquires positions of each of the platens <NUM> that have already been transferred and conveyed, from each of the proximity sensors <NUM> to <NUM> and each of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> that are provided in the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> of the print system <NUM> (step S21). Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the platen <NUM> is in the standby position 14F (step S22). For example, when the detection signal of the platen <NUM> is received from the proximity sensor <NUM> disposed at the standby position 14F, the CPU <NUM> determines that the platen <NUM> is in the standby position 14F. When the CPU <NUM> determines that the platen <NUM> is not in the standby position 14F (no at step S22), the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S21.

When the CPU <NUM> determines that the platen <NUM> is in the standby position 14F (yes at step S22), the CPU <NUM> determines, from the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, the printer that is a target for first determination (step S23). At step S24 to be described later, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not to convey the platen <NUM> to the printer determined at step S23. The determination at step S24 will be referred to as the first determination. The CPU <NUM> determines the printer that is the target for the first determination, by performing selection from the printer having a higher priority in the priority table 104A shown in <FIG>. The priority table 104A is a table used by the CPU <NUM> to determine the printer to which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed by priority. An example of the priority table 104A will be explained with reference to <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.

In the determination at step S23, the CPU <NUM> communicates with the printers <NUM> to <NUM> and receives the status information from the printers <NUM> to <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> acquires the states of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, and determines which of the priorities in the priority table 104A the printers <NUM> to <NUM> each correspond to. Further, the CPU <NUM> determines, as the printer for which the first determination is to be performed, the printer having a smaller priority number (a higher priority). For example, when each of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> is performing printing with respect to the platen <NUM> that has already been conveyed, the CPU <NUM> may calculate a completion time of the print processing for the platen <NUM> that has already been conveyed, and may calculate a time period until the printing can be started by the printer. Then, the CPU <NUM> may determine which of the second to fifth priorities in the priority chart 104A the printers <NUM> to <NUM> correspond to. For example, when the printer <NUM> corresponds to the third priority, the printer <NUM> corresponds to the first priority, and the printer <NUM> corresponds to the fifth priority, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer <NUM>, which corresponds to the first priority, as the printer that is the target for the first determination (step S23). When the priorities of the printers are the same as each other, the CPU <NUM> determines, for example, the printer closer to the standby position 14F as the printer that is the target for the first determination. It is desirable that, in the priority table 104A, all the states of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> are classified and prescribed in advance. However, in the determination at step S23, if the states of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> do not correspond to any one of the states in the priority table 104A, the CPU <NUM> may treat the priorities of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> as "×" for example. In this case, the CPU <NUM> may advance the processing to step S24. Alternatively, instead of advancing the processing to step S24, the CPU <NUM> may return the processing to step S21.

Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printer <NUM> determined at step S23 satisfies conveyance conditions (step S24). The conveyance conditions under which the platen <NUM> can be conveyed to each of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> will be explained with reference to <FIG> to <FIG>. The tables shown in <FIG> are tables showing the conveyance conditions to the printers <NUM> to <NUM>. The tables shown in <FIG> to <FIG> are created in advance and stored in the storage portion <NUM>. In the tables in <FIG>, (ENTER) indicates that the conveyance path is used by the platen <NUM> that moves toward the printer. (EXIT) indicates that the conveyance path is used by the platen <NUM> discharged from the printer. "-" indicates that the platen <NUM> is not present at a particular position, such as the standby position 14F. "×" indicates that, when the platen <NUM> is present on the conveyance path or in the printer, the platen <NUM> at the standby position 14F is not to be conveyed to the printer. "Any" indicates that this item is not used as a determination factor for the conveyance of the platen <NUM> at the standby position 14F. In other words, "Any" indicates that the conveyance is possible regardless of whether another of the platens <NUM> is present on the conveyance path or in the printer. "GO" indicates that, although another of the platens <NUM> is present on the conveyance path or in the printer, the conveyance is possible when predetermined conditions are satisfied. Therefore, when the other platen <NUM> is present on the conveyance path or in the printer, when the predetermined conditions are not satisfied, "×" is assigned.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, conditions under which the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> are as follows. The platen <NUM> is not present on the first conveyance path <NUM>. The platen <NUM> moving toward the printer <NUM> is not present on the second conveyance path 15B. The platen <NUM> after the completion of printing is not present in the printer <NUM>. The platen <NUM> discharged from the printer <NUM> is not present on the second conveyance path 15B. The platen <NUM> moving toward the fourth conveyance path 17B is not present on the third conveyance path <NUM>. The platen <NUM> moving toward the printer <NUM> is not present on the fourth conveyance path 17B. The platen <NUM> is not present in the printer <NUM>. Then, with respect to whether or not the platen <NUM> is present on the fourth conveyance path 17B (EXIT), the fifth conveyance path 14I, the sixth conveyance path 19B (ENTER), the printer <NUM>, the sixth conveyance path 19B (EXIT), and the seventh conveyance path 14J, "Any" is assigned to each of these items. Each of these items does not relate to the conditions under which the platen <NUM> can be conveyed from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM>, and therefore is not used as the determination factor for the conveyance of the platen <NUM> at the standby position 14F.

Note that, when the printer <NUM> is performing printing, is under maintenance, or is out of order, "GO" is assigned. Therefore, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>. In a similar manner, even when the platen <NUM> moving toward the fifth conveyance path 14I is present on the third conveyance path <NUM>, since "GO" is assigned, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>. In the conveyance conditions shown in <FIG>, when the platen <NUM> is present in the printer <NUM>, it is indicated that the conveyance conditions are not satisfied. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. "Any" may be assigned to corresponding items of the printer <NUM> in the conveyance conditions to the printer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, corresponding items of the printer <NUM> in the conveyance conditions to the printer <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and corresponding items of the printer <NUM> in the conveyance conditions to the printer <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The corresponding items may be prescribed in association with the priority table 104A shown in <FIG>. For example, the first to third priorities shown in <FIG> may be "GO" in <FIG>, and the fourth to eighth priorities and "×" shown in <FIG> may be "×" in <FIG>.

When any of the conveyance conditions for the platen positions acquired at step S21 is "GO" or "Any," the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> determined at step S23 satisfies the conveyance conditions (yes at step S24). Thus, the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> is the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> (yes at step S24). Next, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F toward the printer <NUM> (step S25). The platen <NUM> moves from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> via the first conveyance path <NUM>, the third conveyance path <NUM>, and the fourth conveyance path 17B. When the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination at step S24, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer that is a target for second determination (step S26). At step S27, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not to convey the platen <NUM> to the printer determined at step S26. The determination at step S27 will be referred to as the second determination. The processing at step S26 is similar to that at step S23. For example, when the printer <NUM> corresponds to the third priority, the printer <NUM> corresponds to the first priority, and the printer <NUM> corresponds to the fifth priority, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer <NUM>, which is the printer following the printer <NUM> in the order of priority, as the printer that is the target for the second determination (step S26). Next, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printer <NUM> determined at step S26 satisfies the conveyance conditions (step S27).

For example, as shown in <FIG>, conditions under which the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> are as follows. The platen <NUM> is not present at the standby position 14F. The platen <NUM> is not present on the first conveyance path <NUM>. The platen <NUM> moving toward the printer <NUM> is not present on the second conveyance path 15B. The platen <NUM> is not present in the printer <NUM>. The platen <NUM> discharged from the printer <NUM> is not present on the second conveyance path 15B. Then, with respect to whether or not the platen <NUM> is present on the third conveyance path <NUM>, the fourth conveyance path 17B (ENTER), the printer <NUM>, the fourth conveyance path 17B (EXIT), the fifth conveyance path 14I, the sixth conveyance path 19B (ENTER), the printer <NUM>, the sixth conveyance path 19B (EXIT), and the seventh conveyance path 14J, "Any" is assigned to each of these items. Each of these items does not relate to the conditions under which the platen <NUM> can be conveyed from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM>, and therefore is not used as the determination factor for the conveyance of the platen <NUM> at the standby position 14F.

When any of the conveyance conditions for the platen positions acquired at step S21 is "GO" or "Any," the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> determined at step S26 satisfies the conveyance conditions (yes at step S27). Thus, the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> is the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> (yes at step S27). Next, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F toward the printer <NUM> (step S28). The platen <NUM> is conveyed from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> via the first conveyance path <NUM> and the second conveyance path 15B. When the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination at step S27, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer that is a target for third determination (step S29). At step S30, the CPU <NUM> determines whether or not to convey the platen <NUM> to the printer determined at step S29. The determination at step S30 will be referred to as the third determination. The processing at step S29 is similar to that at step S23 and step S26. When the printer <NUM> corresponds to the third priority, the printer <NUM> corresponds to the first priority, and the printer <NUM> corresponds to the fifth priority, the CPU <NUM> determines the printer <NUM>, which is the printer following the printer <NUM> in the order of priority, as the printer that is the target for the third determination (step S29). Next, on the basis of the platen positions acquired at step S21, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printer <NUM> determined at step S29 satisfies the conveyance conditions (step S30).

As shown in <FIG>, conditions under which the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> are as follows. The platen <NUM> is not present at the standby position 14F. The platen <NUM> is not present on the first conveyance path <NUM>. The platen <NUM> that is on the second conveyance path 15B to move toward the printer <NUM> is not used as the determination factor. The platen <NUM> after the completion of printing is not present in the printer <NUM>. The platen <NUM> discharged from the printer <NUM> is not present on the second conveyance path 15B. The platen <NUM> moving toward the sixth conveyance path 19B is not present on the third conveyance path <NUM>. The platen <NUM> that is on the fourth conveyance path 17B to move toward the printer <NUM> is not used as the determination factor. The platen <NUM> after the completion of printing is not present in the printer <NUM>. The fourth conveyance path 17B (EXIT) is not used as the determination factor. The platen <NUM> moving toward the sixth conveyance path 19B is not present on the fifth conveyance path 14I. The platen <NUM> is not present on the sixth conveyance path 19B (ENTER) and in the printer <NUM>. The sixth conveyance path 19B (EXIT) and the seventh conveyance path 14J are not used as the determination factor. Note that, when the printer <NUM> is performing printing, is under maintenance, or is out of order, "GO" is assigned. Therefore, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>. In a similar manner, even when the platen <NUM> moving toward the fourth conveyance path 17B or the seventh conveyance path 14J is present on the third conveyance path <NUM>, since "GO" is assigned, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>. When the printer <NUM> is performing printing, is under maintenance, or is out of order, since "GO" is assigned, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>. When the platen <NUM> moving toward the seventh conveyance path 14J is present on the fifth conveyance path 14I, since "GO" is assigned, the CPU <NUM> can convey the platen <NUM> to the printer <NUM>.

When any of the conveyance conditions for the platen positions acquired at step S21 is "GO" or "Any," the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> determined at step S29 satisfies all the conveyance conditions (yes at step S30). Thus, the CPU <NUM> determines that the printer <NUM> is the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> (yes at step S30). Next, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> from the standby position 14F toward the printer <NUM> (step S31). The platen <NUM> is conveyed from the standby position 14F to the printer <NUM> via the first conveyance path <NUM>, the third conveyance path <NUM>, the fifth conveyance path 14I and the sixth conveyance path 19B. When the CPU <NUM> determines NO in the determination at step S30, the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S21. Thus, the CPU <NUM> repeats the processing from step S21 to step S30 in the same manner as described above until the printer to which the platen <NUM> can be conveyed is determined. Also after the processing at step S25, step S28 and step S31, The CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S21, and then determines the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> that comes to the standby position 14F.

As explained above, the CPU <NUM> of the print system <NUM> of the present embodiment performs the determination steps S24, S27 and S30 to determine which of the plurality of printers <NUM> to <NUM> the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed to. Therefore, the conveyance destinations of the platens <NUM> are allocated to the plurality of printers <NUM> to <NUM>. Thus, the conveyance of the platens <NUM> to a specific printer only is avoided, and a print processing volume in a certain period is increased.

In the determination processing at step S24, step S27 and step S30, the CPU <NUM> determines the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> on the basis of the states of the plurality of printers <NUM> to <NUM>. Therefore, the conveyance destinations of the platens <NUM> can be allocated on the basis of the states of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, and the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

In the processing at step S23, step S26 and step S29, the CPU <NUM> refers to the priorities in the priority table 104A and determines the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>. The time period required to complete the printing, the conveyance time period, and the maintenance time period are prescribed in association with the first to fifth priorities in the priority table 104A, and the time period until the printing can be started using the platen <NUM> conveyed from the standby position <NUM> relates to those time periods. Therefore, the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> is determined on the basis of the time period required until the printing can be started. When the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer that can start the printing earlier, the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

In the processing at step S23, step S26, and step S29, the CPU <NUM> acquires the states of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, calculates the completion time of the print processing for the platen <NUM> that has already been conveyed, obtains the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers based on the completion time, and determines the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM> on the basis of the time period until the printing is to be started by the each of printers. Therefore, when the platen <NUM> is conveyed to the printer with which the print processing will be complete in a shortest time, the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

In the processing at step S23, step S26 and step S29, the CPU <NUM> may determine, as the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>, only one of the printers that have indicated the printable state, and may determine that the printer that has not indicated the printable state is not the conveyance destination of the platen <NUM>. In this case, the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period resulting from the platen <NUM> being conveyed to the printer in the unprintable state is reduced.

In the processing at step S21, the CPU <NUM> acquires the positions of the platens <NUM> that have already been conveyed by the platen conveyance mechanism <NUM>. In accordance with the determination at step S24, step S27 and step S30 and on the basis of the positions of the platens <NUM> acquired at step S21, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to one of the plurality of printers <NUM> to <NUM>. It is thus possible to avoid mutual collision of the platens <NUM>, and the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period resulting from the mutual collision of the platens <NUM> is reduced.

In the determination at step S24, step S27 and step S30, on the basis of the conveyance conditions shown in <FIG> to <FIG>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the conveyance of the platen <NUM> is to be performed so as to avoid a situation in which the conveyance path of the already conveyed platen <NUM> overlaps with the conveyance path of the platen <NUM> to be conveyed, and so as to avoid the collision with the already conveyed platen <NUM> on the conveyance path on which the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed. Of each of the conveyance paths, the "conveyance path" refers to a conveyance path along which the platen <NUM> passes when the platen <NUM> is conveyed from the preparation position <NUM>, which is the conveyance start position, to one of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> via the pretreatment device <NUM> and is returned again to the preparation position <NUM>. Therefore, the possibility of the collision of the already conveyed platen <NUM> with the platen <NUM> to be conveyed from the standby position 14F is reduced, and the print processing volume in the certain period is increased.

In the determination at each of the determination steps S24, S27 and S30, on the basis of the states of the plurality of printers, the CPU <NUM> refers to the priority table 104A and determines the printer that is the target for the first determination, the printer that is the target for the second determination, and the printer that is the target for the third determination. In other words, on the basis of the states of the plurality of printers, the CPU <NUM> changes an order of the printers used to determine (step S24, step S27 and step S30) which of the printers the platen <NUM> is to be conveyed to. Therefore, the CPU <NUM> can determine whether to convey the platen <NUM>, in order from the printer having a higher possibility of becoming printable.

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. Step S24, step S27 and step S30 are an example of "determination processing" of the present invention. The printer having a smaller priority number is an example of a "printer with which print processing will be complete in a shortest time" of the present invention. The printers corresponding to the sixth to eighth priorities are an example of a "printer with which printing is impossible due to a periodic operation" 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 present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and various modifications are possible. In the above-described embodiment, when the CPU <NUM> determines that even the printer that is the target for the third determination does not satisfy the conveyance conditions (no at step S30), the CPU <NUM> returns the processing to step S21. However, at the determination steps S24, S27 and S30, when the CPU <NUM> determines that there is no printer that has indicated the printable state, the CPU <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> to the printer with which the printing is impossible due to the periodic operation. This avoids a situation in which the platen <NUM> is not conveyed to the printer, and thus reduces the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period.

At the determination steps shown in <FIG>, when the CPU <NUM> determines that there is no printer that has indicated the printable state (no at step S24, step S26, no at step S27, step S29, no at step S30), without using the priority table 104A, the CPU <NUM> may determine the printers that are the targets for the first determination to the third determination in the following manner. For example, the CPU <NUM> may calculate the end time of the related operation relating to a printing function of each of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> (step S32). Next, the CPU <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> to the printer which cannot currently perform the printing due to the related operation, but for which the end time of the related operation is earliest (step S33). When the end time of the related operation is the same, the CPU <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> to the printer that is closer to the standby position 14F. When the end time of the related operation is the same, the CPU <NUM> may convey the platen <NUM> to the printer that has been specified in advance. Therefore, when there is no printer that has indicated the printable state, the CPU <NUM> conveys the platen <NUM> to the printer that has indicated the unprintable state due to the periodic operation that is the related operation of which the end time can be calculated. The related operation is relating to the printing function of the printer. Thus, a situation is avoided in which the platen <NUM> is not conveyed to the printer, and the possibility of a reduction in the print processing volume in the certain period is reduced.

In the determination at step S23, without using the priority table 104A, the CPU <NUM> may calculate the completion time of the print processing for the platen <NUM> that has already been conveyed, obtain the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers based on the completion time, and determine the printer that is the target for the first determination on the basis of the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers. For example, the time period until the printing is to be started by each of the printers may be the difference between the completion time of the print processing for the platen <NUM> and the time at the time of the determination at step S23. The print system <NUM> of the above-described embodiment may be provided with a post-treatment device on the seventh conveyance path 14J. The post-treatment device is disposed to the rear of the printers <NUM> to <NUM>, 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 device <NUM> may be provided with the application portion only. The platen conveyance mechanism <NUM> may be provided with a right-side processing line to the right of the processing line <NUM> such that it is symmetric with the processing line <NUM>. The right-side processing line is provided with three printers in the same manner as the processing line <NUM>. Another set of the processing line <NUM> and the right-side processing line may be provided.

The proximity sensors <NUM> to <NUM> may be infrared sensors. The platen position acquisition processing (step S21) of the conveyance destination determination processing shown in <FIG> may be performed by estimating the positions of the platens <NUM> on the basis of a conveyance amount of each of the platens <NUM>, without using the proximity sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. 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 S23, step S26 and step S29, when there are a plurality of the printers having the same priority level, instead of selecting the printer closer to the standby position 14F, the CPU <NUM> may select the printer for which a selection order is specified in advance. The conveyance conditions under which the platen <NUM> is conveyed to each of the printers <NUM> to <NUM> is not limited to those shown in <FIG> to <FIG>. It is sufficient that the conveyance conditions be conditions that avoid mutual collision of the platen <NUM> to be conveyed with the already conveyed platen <NUM>. In the determination at step S23, when all the printers <NUM> to <NUM> that have indicated the unprintable state, the CPU <NUM> may determine, as the printer that is the target for the first determination, the printer having the highest priority among the printers that correspond to the sixth to eighth priorities and that have indicated the unprintable state due to the periodic operation, for example. This also applies the processing at step S26 and step S29.

Claim 1:
A conveyance control device (1A) configured for use with a conveyance portion (<NUM>), a platen (<NUM>), a plurality of printers (<NUM> to <NUM>), and a pretreatment device (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of printers (<NUM> to <NUM>) 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 (<NUM> to <NUM>) via the pretreatment device (<NUM>), the pretreatment device (<NUM>) being configured to perform pretreatment on a recording medium (P) placed on the platen (<NUM>), one of the plurality of printers (<NUM> to <NUM>) being configured to perform a color printing process and another of the plurality of printers (<NUM> to <NUM>) 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 that, when executed by the processor (<NUM>), perform processes including:
performing determination processing (S23, S24, S26, S27, S29, S30) of determining which of the plurality of printers (<NUM> to <NUM>) the platen (<NUM>) is to be conveyed to.