JP2016112731A - Printer, and method for controlling printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device capable of suppressing wasteful consumption of the label for a printing device for printing on a recording medium provided with labels at intervals. A printer 1 forms a dot on a recording medium while scanning in a direction intersecting the conveying unit and a conveying unit that conveys a recording medium in which a plurality of labels are provided at intervals. If the execution of a predetermined process is instructed while an image is being printed on one label by a plurality of pass printings, the serial head 10 that performs the pass printing that prints the image for one pass, and And a control unit 30 that executes a predetermined process after the printing of the image on one label is completed. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing apparatus control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique is known in which a host device sends a job start command and a job end command to a printing device and prohibits interruption from the other device to the printing device during that time (for example,
Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-223664 A

By the way, there is a printing apparatus that stores recording media in which labels are provided at intervals and prints an image on each label. In such a printing apparatus, when an image is printed on a label, a predetermined process such as a temporary stop of printing may be instructed. Conventionally, when an image is printed on a label and an execution of a predetermined process such as a temporary stop of printing is instructed, the predetermined process is executed according to the instruction. Occurrence of a printed label and generation of white stripes in an image printed on the label may cause unnecessary consumption of the label.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to suppress wasteful consumption of labels in a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium in which labels are provided at intervals.

In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus of the present invention scans in a direction intersecting the transport direction with a transport unit that transports a recording medium in which a plurality of labels are provided at intervals, in the transport direction. A serial head for performing pass printing for forming dots on a medium; and a control unit for controlling the transport unit and the serial head to execute printing of an image on the label by a plurality of the pass printings. The control unit is configured to execute the predetermined process after the printing of the image on the label is completed when an instruction to execute the predetermined process is instructed while the image is printed on the label.
According to the configuration of the present invention, wasteful consumption of labels can be suppressed.

In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit manages one pass printing as one pass print job, and is executing a plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to the label printing. In addition, when the execution of the predetermined process is instructed, the predetermined process is executed after the execution of the plurality of pass print jobs is completed.
According to the configuration of the present invention, wasteful consumption of labels can be suppressed by managing pass print jobs.

In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the control unit may add an identification job, which is an identification job, to the beginning and end of the plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to the label printing, and the identification job A plurality of the pass print jobs corresponding to the label printing are managed.
According to the configuration of the present invention, wasteful consumption of labels can be suppressed by managing a plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to a plurality of pass prints for printing an image on one label using an identification job. Can do.

In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the predetermined process may include any one of a process of stopping image printing, a process of reprinting an image, and a process of cutting the recording medium by a cutting unit. And
According to the configuration of the present invention, wasteful consumption of labels can be suppressed.

In the printing apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the serial head may include a nozzle array that ejects ink, and the control unit may cap the serial head when the predetermined process is performed.
According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to suppress ink thirst in the serial head.

The printing apparatus control method of the present invention is a printing apparatus control method in which a recording medium having a plurality of labels provided at intervals is transported in a transport direction and scanned in a direction intersecting the transport direction. , Executing pass printing to form dots on the recording medium, executing printing of the image on the label by a plurality of the pass printing, and instructing execution of predetermined processing while printing the image on the label In this case, the predetermined processing is executed after the printing of the image on the label is completed.
According to the configuration of the present invention, wasteful consumption of labels can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. The figure which shows roll paper. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing apparatus and a host computer. The figure used for description of printing of an image by a serial head. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operations of a host computer and a printing apparatus. The figure which shows the job corresponding to printing control data and printing control data. The figure which shows the functional block which a control part has.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
In the description using FIG. 1, “front” is defined as the front of the printing apparatus 1 and “rear” is defined as the rear of the printing apparatus 1 as indicated by arrows.
The printing apparatus 1 is a serial inkjet printer. The printing apparatus 1 is a roll paper R
(Recording medium) is accommodated, the roll paper R is fed out and conveyed in the conveying direction H. The printing apparatus 1
Printing is executed by ejecting ink onto the conveyed roll paper R by the serial head 10 configured as a serial inkjet head.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the roll paper R accommodated in the printing apparatus 1.
The roll paper R shown in FIG. 2 is a label paper in which a plurality of labels R2 are attached to a strip-like release paper R1 at intervals. The back surface of the label R2 is a seal, and the label R2 can be peeled off from the release paper R1 along the frame. The length of the label R2 in the longitudinal direction is constant. Further, the interval between adjacent labels R2 is constant.
In the roll paper R, an area corresponding to the label R2 is an area where an image can be printed (area where dots can be formed). The printing apparatus 1 forms dots on the label R2 and prints an image using a combination of dots.
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the roll paper R, black marks BM, which are black marks, are formed corresponding to the labels R2.
The printing apparatus 1 can continuously print images on a plurality of labels R2 under the control of the host computer 3 described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a roll paper storage unit 11 that stores the roll paper R. In the following description, the roll-shaped part accommodated in the roll paper accommodating part 11 among roll paper R is expressed as "roll body RB." In addition, a portion of the roll paper R that is fed from the roll body RB accommodated in the roll paper accommodation unit 11 and conveyed is expressed as “conveyance roll paper RH”.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 is formed with a conveyance path 13 that is a path along which the conveyance roll paper RH is conveyed. The transported roll paper RH fed from the roll body RB is transported along the transport path 13.
Along the conveyance direction H.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transport path 13 has 3 in the transport direction H from upstream to downstream.
Two transport rollers 141, 142, 143 are provided. Transport rollers 141, 142,
Driven rollers 151, 152, and 153 that rotate following the rotation of the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 are provided at positions that face the respective rollers 143. The transport roll paper RH is sandwiched between transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 and driven rollers 151, 152, and 153, and transported in the transport direction H according to the rotation of the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143. The transport rollers 141, 142, and 143 are connected to the transport motor 33 (FIG. 3) via a power transmission mechanism, and rotate according to the drive of the transport motor 33.

As shown in FIG. 1, a guide member 17 is provided between a conveyance roller 141 provided on the most upstream side in the conveyance direction H and a conveyance roller 142 provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roller 141. The guide member 17 contacts the back surface of the transport roll paper RH and bends the transport roll paper RH fed upward toward the front. The guide member 17 applies tension to the transport roll paper RH by contacting and bending the transport roll paper RH, and the transport roll paper R
Suppresses the occurrence of slack in H.

A black mark sensor 18 is provided downstream of the transport roller 142 in the transport direction H. The black mark sensor 18 is a sensor that optically detects the black mark BM formed on the back surface of the roll paper R. Based on the detection value of the black mark sensor 18, the control unit 30 (FIG. 3) detects that when the black mark BM is located at the detection position of the sensor. The control unit 30 manages the position of the roll paper R based on the detection result.

A transport roller 143 is provided downstream of the black mark sensor 18 in the transport direction H, and a printing unit 19 is provided downstream of the transport roller 143.
The printing unit 19 includes a carriage 20 and a serial head 10 mounted on the carriage 20.
The carriage 20 is supported by a carriage shaft 20a extending in a scanning direction Y (see FIG. 4) intersecting the transport direction H, and scans the serial head 10 in the scanning direction Y along the carriage shaft 20a.
The serial head 10 is an inkjet head, and has a plurality of colors (for example, CYMK 4
Color) nozzle row. The serial head 10 receives ink supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown), discharges ink from the nozzles provided in each nozzle row, forms dots on the transport roll paper RH, and prints an image.

A cutter unit 21 (cutting unit) is provided downstream of the printing unit 19 in the transport direction H. The cutter unit 21 includes a fixed blade 22 and a movable blade 23 that can move so as to cross the fixed blade 22. The cutter unit 21 moves the movable blade 23 to cut the transport roll paper RH.

A paper discharge port 24 is provided downstream of the cutter unit 21 in the transport direction H. The transported roll paper RH is discharged out of the casing of the printing apparatus 1 through the paper discharge port 24.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing system 2 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the printing system 2 includes a printing apparatus 1 and a host computer 3 (control apparatus) that is connected to the printing apparatus 1 and controls the printing apparatus 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30, a motor drive circuit 31, a carriage movement motor 32, a conveyance motor 33, a cutter drive motor 34, a head drive circuit 35, and an input unit 36. A notification unit 37, a communication unit 38, and a storage unit 39.

The control unit 30 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls the printing apparatus 1.

The motor drive circuit 31 is connected to the carriage movement motor 32. The carriage movement motor 32 is a motor that moves the carriage 20 in the scanning direction Y. The control unit 30 controls the motor drive circuit 31 to output a drive current and a drive pulse to the carriage movement motor 32 to drive the carriage movement motor 32. The serial head 10 mounted on the carriage 20 moves in the scanning direction Y according to the driving of the carriage moving motor 32.

The motor drive circuit 31 is connected to the transport motor 33. The transport motor 33 is a motor that rotates the transport rollers 141, 142, and 143. The control unit 30 controls the motor drive circuit 31 to output a drive current and a drive pulse to the carry motor 33 to drive the carry motor 33. Depending on the driving of the transport motor 33, the transport rollers 141, 142, 1
43 rotates, and the roll paper R is conveyed in the conveyance direction H according to the rotation of the conveyance rollers 141, 142, and 143.

In the present embodiment, various mechanisms related to the conveyance of the roll paper R (recording medium) such as the control unit 30, the motor drive circuit 31, the conveyance motor 33, the conveyance rollers 141, 142, and 143 function as a “conveyance unit”.

The motor drive circuit 31 is connected to the cutter drive motor 34. The cutter drive motor 34 is a motor that moves the movable blade 23. The control unit 30 includes a motor drive circuit 3
1 is controlled to output a drive current and a drive pulse to the cutter drive motor 34 to drive the cutter drive motor 34. The movable blade 23 moves according to the drive of the cutter drive motor 34, and the transport roll paper RH is cut.

The head drive circuit 35 is connected to the serial head 10. The head drive circuit 35 drives an actuator provided corresponding to the nozzle of the serial head 10 under the control of the control unit 30 to discharge ink from the nozzle. Dots are formed on the transport roll paper RH in accordance with the ejection of ink from the nozzles.

The input unit 36 is connected to an operation switch provided on the casing of the printing apparatus 1. The input unit 36 detects an operation on the operation switch and outputs a signal indicating the detected operation to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 executes processing corresponding to the operation in response to an input from the input unit 36.
The printing apparatus 1 has a temporary stop switch 361 as an operation switch. The temporary stop switch 361 is a switch for instructing a temporary stop of printing.
The printing apparatus 1 also has a cut switch 362 as an operation switch. The cut switch 362 is a switch for instructing cutting of the roll paper R.
Further, the printing apparatus 1 includes a power switch 363 as an operation switch. The power switch 363 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the printing apparatus 1.

The notification unit 37 includes an LED unit 371 and a display unit 372.
The LED unit 371 includes a plurality of LEDs. The LED unit 371 is controlled by the control unit 30.
The plurality of LEDs are turned on / off in a predetermined manner, and the operation mode and the state of the printing apparatus 1 such as whether or not an error has occurred are notified.
The display unit 372 includes a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 372 displays information on the display unit 372 under the control of the control unit 30.

The communication unit 38 communicates with the host computer 3 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard under the control of the control unit 30.

  The storage unit 39 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.

Further, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 includes the black mark sensor 18. The black mark sensor 18 outputs the detection value to the control unit 30 at a predetermined cycle. Based on the input from the black mark sensor 18, the control unit 30 detects that the black mark BM is located at the detection position of the black mark sensor 18.

The printing apparatus 1 includes a cover sensor 40. The cover sensor 40 is a sensor that detects an open / closed state of a cover (not shown) provided in the casing of the printing apparatus 1, and detects different detection values for the control unit 30 when the cover is open and when the cover is closed. Output.
The cover is provided at a position corresponding to the roll paper storage unit 11, and when the cover is opened, the roll paper storage unit 11 is exposed and the roll paper R can be replaced.

As shown in FIG. 3, the host computer 3 includes a control device control unit 50, a control device input unit 51, a control device display unit 52, a control device storage unit 53, and a control device communication unit 54.

The control device control unit 50 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, other control circuits, and the like, and controls the host computer 3.

The control device input unit 51 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, detects an input from the input device, and outputs it to the control device control unit 50. The control device control unit 50 executes processing corresponding to the input based on the input from the control device input unit 51.

The control device display unit 52 is connected to a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel, and the control device control unit 50.
With this control, various information is displayed on the display device.

  The control device storage unit 53 includes a nonvolatile memory and stores various data.

The control device communication unit 54 communicates with the printing device 1 according to a predetermined communication standard under the control of the control device control unit 50.

Next, a basic operation of the serial head 10 when an image is printed on the label R2 of the roll paper R will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram used for explaining the operation of the serial head 10 when an image is printed on the label R2 of the roll paper R.
When printing an image on the label R2, the serial head 10 scans within the range HN shown in FIG. In the following description, the leftmost position in the figure in the range HN is expressed as “position TL”,
The rightmost position in the figure is expressed as “position TR”. The direction from the position TL toward the position TR (
The direction toward the right in the figure is expressed as “positive direction YM”, and the direction from position TR to position TL (
The direction toward the left in the figure is expressed as “reverse direction YG”.
The nozzle rows of the serial head 10 are formed in a direction extending in the transport direction H.
The serial head 10 is capped at a home position (not shown) when printing is stopped.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the serial head 10 is positioned at the position TL, and the serial head 1
Assume that the positional relationship between 0 and label R2 is the relationship shown in FIG. When printing an image on the label R2, the serial head 10 scans in the positive direction YM and moves from the position TL to the position TR. During scanning in the positive direction YM, the serial head 10 ejects an appropriate amount of ink from an appropriate nozzle at an appropriate timing, and forms dots constituting an image to be printed on the label R2 on the label R2.
As a result, in the label R2, dots constituting the image are formed in the region extending in the transport direction H by the length of the nozzle row of the serial head 10 (the region indicated by diagonal lines extending diagonally to the left in FIG. 4A). The

After the serial head 10 moves to the position TR, as shown in FIG. 4B, the roll paper R becomes the length of the nozzle row of the serial head 10 in the transport direction H under the control of the control unit 30. Only the corresponding distance is transported.
Next, the serial head 10 scans in the reverse direction YG, from the position TR to the position TL.
Move to. During scanning in the reverse direction YG, the serial head 10 ejects an appropriate amount of ink from an appropriate nozzle at an appropriate timing, and creates dots that constitute an image to be printed on the label R2.
Formed on label R2.
As a result, in the label R2, dots constituting the image are formed in the region extending in the transport direction H by the length of the nozzle row of the serial head 10 (the region indicated by diagonal lines extending diagonally to the right in FIG. 4B). The

As described above, the serial head 10 performs the process of forming dots by discharging ink to the label R2 while scanning from the position TL to the position TR in the positive direction YM, and the position TR to the position TL.
The process of ejecting ink to the label R2 while forming a dot while scanning in the reverse direction YG is repeated as many times as necessary for printing the image, and the image is printed on the label R2.
In the following description, scanning in the positive direction YM from the position TL to the position TR, and
Each scanning in the reverse direction YG from the position TR to the position TL is expressed as “one pass”.
Also, “pass printing” refers to printing of an image for one pass by forming dots on the label R2 while the serial head 10 performs scanning for one pass.

Next, the host computer 3 for printing an image on the roll paper R, and the printing apparatus 1
It is a flowchart which shows this operation | movement.
As described above, the printing apparatus 1 controls the plurality of labels R2 under the control of the host computer 3.
Print images continuously. Hereinafter, operations of the host computer 3 and the printing apparatus 1 when images are continuously printed on the plurality of labels R2 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5A, when the printing apparatus 1 causes an image to be continuously printed on the plurality of labels R2, the control device control unit 50 of the host computer 3 generates print control data (
Step SA1).

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a data structure of print control data.
The print control data is control data for causing the printing apparatus 1 to print an image, and includes a plurality of control commands according to the command system of the printing apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the print control data includes one or a plurality of label image print control data according to the number of labels on which images are continuously printed. That is, when printing an image on n labels, the print control data includes n label image print control data.

The label image printing control data is control data for controlling printing of an image on one label R2.
As shown in FIG. 6A, the label image print control data has a label image start command at the beginning and a label image end command at the end, and is between the label image start command and the label image end command. It has a label image print instruction command.
The label image start command is a control command indicating the start of label image print control data.
The label image end command is a control command indicating the end of label image print control data.
The label image printing instruction command is a control command for controlling printing of an image on one label R2, and includes a dedicated instruction code and image data of an image to be printed on the label R2.

Image data of an image printed on each label R2 is registered in advance in the host computer 3 by a user by a predetermined means. In step SA1, the control device controller 5
0 generates print control data based on pre-registered image data.

After generating the print control data, the control device control unit 50 controls the control device communication unit 54 to transmit the generated print control data to the printing device 1 (step SA2).

As shown in FIG. 5B, the communication unit 38 of the printing apparatus 1 receives the print control data (step SB1). The print control data received by the communication unit 38 is sequentially stored in a reception buffer (not shown).

The control unit 30 of the printing apparatus 1 executes print processing based on the print control data stored in the reception buffer (step SB2).
Hereinafter, the printing process in step SB2 will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 illustrates functional blocks included in the control unit 30 and components associated with the functional blocks.
It is a figure typically shown in the aspect suitable for description.
Each functional block included in the control unit 30 executes processing in cooperation with hardware and software, such as a CPU reading and executing a corresponding control program.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 30 includes a job generation unit 301 and a job sequence control unit 3.
02 and a job execution unit 303. The job sequence control unit 302 includes a first job management unit 3021 and a second job management unit 3022.
The function of each functional block and the processing based on the function will be described below.

In the printing process of step B2, the job generation unit 301 generates a job in the following manner based on the print control data stored in the reception buffer.

The job generation unit 301 sequentially reads out the control commands constituting the print control data stored in the reception buffer. Accordingly, the job generation unit 301 sequentially reads the label image print control data included in the print control data, and when reading each label image print control data, the label image start command, label image print instruction command, label image end command Read control commands in the order of.

The job generation unit 301 generates a job in response to reading of the control command. A job is a unit of processing executed by the job execution unit 303 described later. The job can be interpreted by the first job management unit 3021, the second job management unit 3022, and the job generation unit 301.
Alternatively, it is composed of a plurality of command groups. The first job management unit 3021, the second job management unit 3022, and the job generation unit 301 manage processing by job, and the job generation unit 301 executes processing in units of jobs.

FIG. 6B is a diagram schematically illustrating a job generated based on the print control data illustrated in FIG. 6A in a mode suitable for explanation.
The job generation unit 301 generates a start identification job (identification job) in response to reading of the label image start command. The start identification job is an identification job for identifying the start of a pass print job described later.

In addition, the job generation unit 301 generates a job in the following manner in response to reading of the label image print instruction command.
In other words, the job generation unit 301 generates a job for each pass printing to be executed when an image is printed on a label, based on the read label image print instruction command. Less than,
One job corresponding to one pass printing is expressed as a “pass print job”. For example, it is assumed that three pass printings are required to print an image on the label R2 based on one label image print instruction command. In this case, the job generation unit 301 reads one label image print instruction command, analyzes the one label image print instruction command, recognizes that three pass printings are necessary for printing the image, and executes it. Three pass print jobs are generated for every three pass prints to be performed. Each pass print job is composed of a command group that causes the job execution unit 303 to execute one corresponding pass print.

Further, the job generation unit 301 generates an end identification job (identification job) in response to reading of the label image end command. The end identification job is an identification job for identifying the start of the above-described pass print job.

When the job generation unit 301 generates a job based on the read control command, the job generation unit 301 outputs the generated job to the first job management unit 3021. As a result, the job generation unit 301
In response to reading of one label image print control data, jobs are generated in the order of a start identification job, one or a plurality of pass print jobs, and an end identification job, and the first job management unit 302
Output to 1.

In parallel with the reading of the print control data stored in the reception buffer and the generation of the job based on the read print control data, the job generation unit 301 executes the following processing.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the job generation unit 301 is operated with respect to the temporary stop switch 361, the cut switch 362, or the power switch 363 (see FIG. 1), the input unit 3.
The corresponding signal is input from 6. When a signal is input from the input unit 36, the job generation unit 301 generates a job corresponding to the input.
Specifically, when a signal corresponding to an operation on the pause switch 361 is input, the job generation unit 301 causes the job execution unit 303 to execute processing related to the pause of printing (hereinafter, “pause job”). Is generated and output to the first job management unit 3021.
In addition, when a signal corresponding to an operation on the cut switch 362 is input, the job generation unit 301 causes the job execution unit 303 to execute processing related to cutting of the roll paper R (
Hereinafter, it is referred to as “cutting job”. ) And output to the first job management unit 3021.
In addition, when a signal corresponding to an operation on the power switch 363 is input when the power is turned on, the job generation unit 301 performs processing related to the stop of printing and the shift to power off to the job execution unit 303. A job to be executed (hereinafter referred to as “power-off job”) is generated and output to the first job management unit 3021.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the job generation unit 301 monitors input from the cover sensor 40 and detects that the cover has shifted from the closed state to the open state. When it is detected that the cover has shifted from the closed state to the open state, the job generation unit 301 causes the job execution unit 303 to execute processing related to the suspension of printing (hereinafter referred to as “cover open state job”). ) And output to the first job management unit 3021.

An operation on the temporary stop switch 361, the cut switch 362, and the power switch 363 and the transition from the closed state to the open state of the cover may occur during printing of the image on the roll paper R. When an operation on the temporary stop switch 361, the cut switch 362, and the power switch 363 or a transition from the closed state to the open state occurs during printing of the image on the label R2, the job generating unit 301 Triggered by the occurrence of an event,
A corresponding job is generated and output to the first job management unit 3021. Accordingly, the job generation unit 301 may output a temporary stop job, a disconnection job, a power-off job, and a cover open state job to the first job management unit 3021 in parallel with the pass print job.

The job input from the job generation unit 301 to the first job management unit 3021 is stored in the first buffer BF managed by the first job management unit 3021.

The first job management unit 3021 determines the output destination of the job input from the job generation unit 301.
The job is distributed to the job execution unit 303 or the second job management unit 3022 in the following manner.
More specifically, when a “power off job” or “cover open job” is input from the job generation unit 301, the first job management unit 3021 determines the job output destination as the job execution unit 30.
3 and the job is output to the job execution unit 303.
In the following description, the power-off job and the cover open state job are collectively referred to as “asynchronous jobs”.
When an asynchronous job is input, the job execution unit 303 immediately executes the asynchronous job. As a result, when a power off job is input while printing an image on the roll paper R,
The job execution unit 303 executes a power off job to stop printing and shift to power off. In addition, when a job is input when the cover is open while printing an image on the roll paper R, the job execution unit 303 executes the job when the cover is open and temporarily stops printing.

Here, the operation with respect to the power switch 363 is an operation performed by the user with the intention of stopping the operation of the printing apparatus 1 by turning off the power of the printing apparatus 1, and if the operation is performed, printing is performed. If it is medium, it is necessary to stop printing and immediately turn off the printer 1.
Also, if the cover shifts to the open state during printing, it may cause a failure if printing continues after the open state.If the cover is opened during printing, You need to pause printing.
In this embodiment, for the asynchronous job, the first job management unit 3021 sets the second job.
The data is output to the job execution unit 303 without going through the job management unit 3022, and the job execution unit 303 executes immediately. For this reason, the printing apparatus 1 can immediately execute a process based on an asynchronous job, that is, a process to be executed immediately even during printing after the corresponding job is generated.

On the other hand, when a “suspended job” or “disconnected job” is input from the job generation unit 301, the first job management unit 3021 sets the job output destination to the second job management unit 3022 and the job to the second job management. To the unit 3022.
In the following description, the suspended job and the disconnected job are collectively referred to as “synchronous job”.
The first job management unit 3021 receives a “start identification job” from the job generation unit 301,
When “pass print job” or “end identification job” is input, the output destination of the job is the second job management unit 3022 and the job is output to the second job management unit 3022.
In the following description, the start identification job, the pass print job, and the end identification job are collectively referred to as a “print processing job”.
In addition, one start identification job, one or more pass print jobs input to the second job management unit 3022 following the one start identification job, and the one or more pass print jobs. A combination with one end identification job input to the second job management unit 3022 is referred to as a “label image print job group”. As described above, one or a plurality of pass print jobs input to the second job management unit 3022 between the input of one start identification job and the input of one end identification job corresponds to 1 This is a job for causing the job execution unit 303 to execute one or a plurality of pass printings for printing an image on one label.
When the first job management unit 3021 outputs jobs to the second job management unit 3022, the first job management unit 3021 outputs the jobs in the order of input.

The second job management unit 3022 displays the second job management unit 3 when a synchronous job is input.
It is stored in the synchronous buffer BB1 managed by 022.
Further, when a print processing system job is input, the second job management unit 3022 stores the print processing system buffer BB2 managed by the second job management unit 3022.
The second job management unit 3022 executes the following processing.

That is, the second job management unit 3022 monitors whether or not a start identification job is stored in the print processing system buffer BB2. When the second job management unit 3022 detects that the start identification job is stored in the print processing system buffer BB2, the second job management unit 3022 further stores one or a plurality of pass print jobs stored following the job. After the end identification jobs are stored in the print processing buffer BB2, these jobs are output to the job execution unit 303. In other words, when the start identification job is stored in the print processing system buffer BB2, the second job management unit 3022 displays all the jobs of the label image print job group with the start identification job as the first job. After being stored in the buffer BB2, each job of the label image print job group is output to the job execution unit 303.

Then, the second job management unit 3022 synchronizes with the job execution unit 303 even when the label image print job group is being output, even if the synchronization system job is stored in the synchronization system buffer BB1. The output of the synchronous job is executed after the output of all the jobs of the label image print job group is completed without outputting the related job. That is, the second job management unit 3022 does not output the synchronous job after starting output of the job included in the label image print job group, and after the output of the label image print job group is completed, Before starting output of the image print job group, a synchronous job is output.

When a label image print job group is input, the job execution unit 303 sequentially executes the jobs included in the label image print job group, and performs one or a plurality of pass printings on one label. Thus, the printing of all the images to be printed on the one label is completed.
The job execution unit 303 executes a synchronous job when a synchronous job is input after printing of an image based on the label image print job group is completed. For example, when a pause job is input, the job execution unit 303 executes the pause job to pause printing. For example, when a cutting job is input, the job execution unit 303 executes the cutting job and cuts the roll paper R at a predetermined position by the cutter unit 21 (cutting unit).
The job execution unit 303 moves the serial head 10 to the home position by the carriage 20 and performs capping by a predetermined means when the synchronous job is executed, that is, while the serial head 10 is not driven. This prevents thirst of ink stored in the nozzles as the synchronous job is executed.

As a result of the above processing performed by the second job management unit 3022 and the job execution unit 303, after the image printing on one label R2 is started, before the image printing is completed, the synchronous job Is never executed. The synchronous job is executed after the printing of the image on one label is completed and before the printing of the image on the next label is started. Thereby, the following effects are produced.
That is, unlike the configuration according to the present embodiment, when the pause switch 361 is operated by the user, it is assumed that the configuration is such that printing is paused even when an image is being printed on one label R2. In this configuration, when the pause switch 361 is operated during the printing of an image on one label R2, an image with a part missing is printed on the one label R2. In this case, the one label R2 cannot be used and will be discarded.
There is a possibility that wasteful consumption of the label R2 occurs. Further, even when the printing of the image is resumed after the pause, there is a possibility that white streaks may occur in the image due to the pause, which may lead to the discard of the label R2. Based on the above, while printing an image on roll paper R,
Even when the user operates the pause switch 361, if printing of an image on one label is started, printing is paused after printing of the image on the one label is completed. It is desirable.
Also, unlike the configuration according to the present embodiment, when the cut switch 362 is operated by the user, even when an image is being printed on one label R2, printing is stopped and the roll paper R
Suppose that it is the structure which cut | disconnects. In this case, after the printing is stopped, the control unit 30
When the roll paper R is transported by an appropriate transport amount, the roll paper R is transferred between the label R2 and the label R2.
Cutting is performed. In the above configuration, when the cut switch 362 is operated during the printing of an image on one label R2, an image with a part missing is printed on the one label R2. In this case, the one label R2 cannot be used and will be discarded.
There is a possibility that wasteful consumption of the label R2 occurs. Based on the above, even when the user operates the cut switch 362 while printing an image on the roll paper R, if printing of an image on one label is started, It is desirable that printing is stopped and the roll paper R is cut after the printing of the image is completed.
Based on the above, in this embodiment, after the printing of an image on one label R2 is started, the synchronous job is not executed before the printing of the image is completed. For this reason, label R2
Can be prevented from occurring.

As described above, the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has the conveyance unit (conveyance motor 33) that conveys the roll paper R (recording medium) in which the plurality of labels R2 are provided at intervals in the conveyance direction H.
And the serial head 10 that performs pass printing that prints an image for one pass by forming dots on the roll paper R while scanning in a direction crossing the transport direction H. When the execution of a predetermined process is instructed while printing an image on one label R2 in a plurality of pass printings, the predetermined process is performed after the printing of the image on one label R2 by the plurality of pass printings is completed. The control part 30 which performs is provided.
According to this configuration, during printing an image on one label R2, printing is not interrupted and predetermined processing is not executed. For this reason, an image in which a part is lost is not printed on the label R2, and generation of useless consumption of the label R2 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 30 manages one pass printing as one pass print job, and prints a plurality of pass prints corresponding to the pass print for printing an image on one label R2. If execution of a predetermined process is instructed during the execution of the job, the predetermined process is executed after the execution of all of the plurality of pass print jobs is completed.
According to this configuration, a partially missing image is not printed on the label R2, and wasteful consumption of the label R2 can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the control unit 30 adds an identification job, which is an identification job, to the beginning and end of a plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to a plurality of pass prints for printing an image on one label R2. A plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to a plurality of pass prints for printing an image on one label R2 are managed by the identification job.
According to this configuration, the control unit 30 can manage a plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to a plurality of pass prints for printing an image on one label R2 by using an identification job.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 instructs execution of processing for stopping image printing or processing for cutting the roll paper R by the cutter unit 21 (cutting unit) while printing an image on the label R2. If so, these processes are executed after the printing of the image on the label R2 is completed.
According to this configuration, while printing an image on the label R2, a process of stopping printing or a process of cutting the roll paper R is performed, and a partially missing image is printed on the label R2. This can prevent the wasteful consumption of the label R2.
Note that, when an execution instruction is given during printing of an image on the label R2, the processing performed after the printing of the image is completed is not limited to that exemplified in the present embodiment. For example, processing for reprinting an image may be included.

The above-described embodiment is merely an aspect of the present invention, and can be arbitrarily modified and applied within the scope of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the invention has been described by taking the case where the printing apparatus 1 is a serial inkjet printer as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to an inkjet printer and can be applied to a serial printer.
In the above-described embodiment, the user performs an instruction to execute various processes by operating an operation switch provided in the printing apparatus 1. However, the method for instructing the execution of the process by the user is not limited to the exemplified one, and for example, the host computer 3 may perform a predetermined method and the host computer 3 may notify the printing apparatus 1. .
Each functional block described with reference to the drawings can be arbitrarily realized by hardware and software, and does not suggest a specific hardware configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Serial head, 30 ... Control part, 31 ... Motor drive circuit (conveyance part), 141, 142, 143 ... Conveyance roller (conveyance part) R ... Roll paper (recording medium),
R2 ... label.

Claims (6)

A transport unit that transports a recording medium in which a plurality of labels are provided at intervals, in the transport direction;
A serial head that scans in a direction intersecting the transport direction and that performs pass printing to form dots on the recording medium;
A control unit that controls the transport unit and the serial head, and executes printing of an image on the label by a plurality of the pass printings,
The controller is
When printing of an image is printed on the label, if the execution of a predetermined process is instructed, the printing apparatus executes the predetermined process after printing of the image on the label is completed. The controller is
One pass printing is managed as one pass printing job,
When execution of the predetermined process is instructed during execution of the plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to printing of the label, the predetermined process is executed after execution of the plurality of pass print jobs is completed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The controller is
An identification job, which is an identification job, is added to the beginning and end of the plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to the label printing, and the plurality of pass print jobs corresponding to the label printing by the identification job. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printer is managed. The predetermined process includes any one of a process for stopping printing of an image, a process for reprinting an image, and a process for cutting the recording medium by a cutting unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The serial head includes a nozzle row for discharging ink,
The controller is
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the serial head is capped when the predetermined process is executed. A method for controlling a printing apparatus,
A recording medium provided with a plurality of labels at intervals is conveyed in the conveying direction,
Scanning in a direction intersecting the transport direction, and performing pass printing to form dots on the recording medium,
Printing the image on the label by a plurality of the pass printings;
A method for controlling a printing apparatus, comprising: instructing execution of a predetermined process while printing an image on the label, to execute the predetermined process after printing of the image on the label is completed.

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