JP2019098703A - External operation device and printing system comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to suppress troublesome operation by a user when executing processing relating to a printing apparatus. An external operation device (60) is capable of operating a printing device (10) having an operation panel (40) having an operation unit (42), and is separate from the printing device (10). The external operation device 60 includes an external operation unit 80 operated by a user, and a control device 90 that causes the printing apparatus 10 to execute a process based on an operation mode of the external operation unit 80. The control device 90 detects a storage unit 91 in which a predetermined first process to be executed by the printing apparatus 10 when the operation unit 42 is operated a plurality of times, and an operation mode of the external operation unit 80 by the user. An operation mode detection unit 91a and a process execution unit 92 that causes the printing apparatus 10 to execute the first process when the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 91a is a predetermined first operation mode. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to an external operating device and a printing system provided with the same.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, an ink jet printing apparatus is known. For example, the printing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a platen on which a recording medium is placed, and an ink head from which ink is ejected toward the platen. Such a printing apparatus is configured to eject ink from the ink head while the ink head is moving in the main scanning direction. In addition, such a printing apparatus is configured to move a recording medium placed on a platen in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction.

JP, 2004-196537, A

  By the way, in the printing apparatus as described above, when executing processing related to the printing apparatus such as setting of printing, the process is executed when the user operates the operation panel provided on the main body of the printing apparatus. Such an operation panel is provided with an operation unit having a plurality of buttons. When executing a process, the user operates the operation unit a plurality of times to select a desired process and set necessary parameters for the process to appropriate values. Therefore, when performing a process, in order to operate an operation part in multiple times, operation for the user might be troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an external operation device capable of suppressing the troublesomeness of the user's operation when performing processing related to a printing device, and a printing system provided with the same. It is to be.

  The external operating device according to the present invention is an external operating device capable of operating a printing device provided with an operating panel having an operating unit and being separate from the printing device. The external operation device includes an external operation unit operated by a user, and a control device that causes the printing device to execute processing based on an operation mode of the external operation unit. The control device includes a storage unit, an operation mode detection unit, and a process execution unit. The storage unit stores a first predetermined process to be executed by the printing device when the operation unit of the printing device is operated a plurality of times. The operation mode detection unit detects the operation mode of the external operation unit by the user. The process execution unit causes the printing apparatus to execute the first process when the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit is a predetermined first operation mode.

  In the external operation device, the “operation mode” refers to the operation content when the user operates the external operation unit. According to the external operation device, the user can execute the first process by operating the external operation unit. Here, the first processing is processing to be executed by the printing apparatus by operating the operation unit of the printing apparatus a plurality of times. Therefore, the user executes the first process by reducing the number of operations by operating the external operation unit as compared to the case where the first process is performed by operating the operation unit of the printing apparatus. be able to. Therefore, the troublesomeness of the operation by the user can be suppressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the troublesomeness of the user's operation when executing the processing related to the printing apparatus.

1 is a front view of a printing apparatus of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the printing apparatus in alignment with the II-II cross section of FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the surface of the carriage facing the recording medium. It is a schematic diagram which shows an operation panel. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printing system. It is a schematic diagram which shows an external operating device. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure which executes 1st processing making use of the external control device. It is a schematic diagram of the printing display screen of an operating panel, and is a figure which shows the state as which the information regarding printing is displayed in a 1st language. It is a schematic diagram of the display screen of an external control device, and is a figure which shows the state as which the information regarding printing is displayed in a 2nd language.

  Hereinafter, a printing system provided with an external operation device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a printing device will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described herein are, of course, not intended to specifically limit the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to members and portions that exhibit the same action, and the overlapping description is appropriately omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a printing apparatus 10 of a printing system 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 10 taken along the II-II cross section of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a printing device 10 and an external operating device 60.

  First, the printing apparatus 10 will be described. In the following description, when the printing apparatus 10 of the printing system 100 is viewed from the front, the one moving away from the printing apparatus 10 is referred to as the front, and the one approaching the printing apparatus 10 is as the rear. Left, right, upper and lower mean left, right, upper and lower, respectively, when the printing apparatus 10 is viewed from the front. Further, reference symbols F, Rr, L, R, U and D in the drawings mean front, rear, left, right, top and bottom, respectively. Further, the symbol Y in the drawing indicates the main scanning direction. Here, the main scanning direction Y is the left-right direction. The code | symbol X in the drawing has shown the subscanning direction. Here, the sub scanning direction X is the front-rear direction, and is orthogonal to the main scanning direction Y in plan view. The symbol Z in the drawings indicates the height direction, that is, the vertical direction. However, these directions are merely directions defined for the convenience of description, and do not limit the installation mode of the printing apparatus 10 at all, and do not limit the present invention at all.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that performs printing on the recording medium 5 by discharging ink onto the recording medium 5. Here, the printing apparatus 10 is an inkjet printer. For example, the printing apparatus 10 is a so-called large-sized printer which is longer in the main scanning direction Y as compared to a home-use printer. For example, the printing apparatus 10 is a business printer. However, the printing apparatus 10 may be a home printer. The printing apparatus 10 prints an image on the recording medium 5 by sequentially moving the roll-shaped recording medium 5 forward and discharging ink from the ink head 35 (see FIG. 1) moving in the main scanning direction Y. .

  The recording medium 5 is an object on which an image is to be printed. The type of the recording medium 5 is not particularly limited. The recording medium 5 may be, for example, paper such as plain paper or inkjet printing paper. In addition, the recording medium 5 may be a transparent sheet made of resin such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyester, or made of glass, or a sheet made of metal or rubber. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes a printing body 10 a and legs 11. The printing body 10 a has a casing extending in the main scanning direction Y. The legs 11 support the printing main body 10 a and are provided on the lower surface of the printing main body 10 a.

  The printing apparatus 10 includes a platen 16. The platen 16 supports the recording medium 5 when printing on the recording medium 5. The recording medium 5 is placed on the platen 16. Printing on the recording medium 5 is performed on the platen 16. Here, the platen 16 extends in the main scanning direction Y.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the platen 16 has a main platen 17a, an upstream platen 17b, and a downstream platen 17c. Printing of an image is performed on the main platen 17a. The main platen 17a is disposed below the ink head 35 (see FIG. 1). The upper surface of the main platen 17a is a flat surface. The upstream side platen 17b is disposed on the upstream side of the main platen 17a, and is positioned behind the main platen 17a. The upstream platen 17 b guides the recording medium 5 to the main platen 17 a. The upstream side platen 17b is formed, for example, in a circular arc shape in cross section. The upstream platen 17b is curved downward as it gets farther from the main platen 17a. The downstream side platen 17c is disposed downstream of the main platen 17a, and is located in front of the main platen 17a. The downstream side platen 17 c guides the recording medium 5 to a winding device (not shown) which winds up the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16, for example. The downstream side platen 17c is formed in an arc shape in cross section. The downstream side platen 17c is curved downward as it gets away from the main platen 17a.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes a head moving mechanism 31 and a medium transport mechanism 32. The head moving mechanism 31 is a mechanism that moves the ink head 35 relative to the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the main scanning direction Y. In the present embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y. The configuration of the head moving mechanism 31 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 has a guide rail 20, a pulley 21, a pulley 22, an endless belt 23, a first drive motor 24, and a carriage 30. The guide rails 20 guide the movement of the carriage 30 in the main scanning direction Y. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide rail 20 is disposed above the platen 16 (specifically, the main platen 17 a). As shown in FIG. 1, the guide rail 20 extends in the main scanning direction Y. The pulley 21 is provided at the left end portion of the guide rail 20. The pulley 22 is provided at the right end portion of the guide rail 20. The belt 23 is wound around the pulley 21 and the pulley 22. In the present embodiment, the first drive motor 24 is connected to the pulley 22 on the right side. In this case, the right pulley 22 is a drive pulley, and the left pulley 21 is a driven pulley. However, the first drive motor 24 may be connected to the pulley 21 on the left side. In the present embodiment, the first drive motor 24 is driven to rotate the pulley 21, whereby the belt 23 travels between the pulley 21 and the pulley 22.

  The carriage 30 is attached to the belt 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 30 is engaged with the guide rail 20 and slidably provided on the guide rail 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink head 35 is mounted on the carriage 30. In the present embodiment, the head moving mechanism 31 causes the ink head 35 mounted on the carriage 30 to move as the belt 23 travels by the drive of the first drive motor 24 and the carriage 30 moves in the main scanning direction Y. It is moved in the main scanning direction Y.

  The medium transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 relative to the ink head 35 in the sub scanning direction X. Here, the medium transport mechanism 32 moves the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the sub scanning direction X. The configuration of the medium transport mechanism 32 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the medium transport mechanism 32 has a grit roller 25, a pinch roller 26, and a second drive motor 27 (see FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 2, the grit roller 25 is provided on the main platen 17 a of the platen 16. Here, at least a part of the grit roller 25 is embedded in the main platen 17a. The pinch roller 26 presses the recording medium 5 from above. The pinch roller 26 is disposed above the main platen 17 a of the platen 16 and above the grit roller 25. The pinch roller 26 is provided at a position facing the grit roller 25 in the vertical direction Z. The pinch roller 26 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction Z. The installation positions and the number of each of the grit roller 25 and the pinch roller 26 are not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the grit roller 25 and the pinch roller 26 are respectively disposed at the left end and the right end of the platen 16.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the second drive motor 27 is connected to the grit roller 25. With the recording medium 5 sandwiched between the grit roller 25 and the pinch roller 26, when the second drive motor 27 is driven to rotate the grit roller 25, the recording medium 5 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction X.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the surface (the lower surface in the present embodiment) of the carriage 30 on the side facing the recording medium 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 10 includes a plurality of ink heads 35. The ink head 35 discharges ink. The ink head 35 is mounted on the carriage 30 and held by the lower surface of the carriage 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink head 35 is disposed above the platen 16 and slidably provided on the guide rail 20 via the carriage 30. The ink head 35 is moved in the main scanning direction Y along the guide rail 20 by the head moving mechanism 31. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of nozzles 36 aligned in the sub scanning direction X is formed on the bottom surface of the ink head 35. Ink is ejected from the plurality of nozzles 36. In the present embodiment, the number of ink heads 35 is four. However, the number of ink heads 35 is not particularly limited. The four ink heads 35 are arranged side by side in the main scanning direction Y. For example, inks of different color tones are ejected from the four ink heads 35, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of ink heads 35 are connected to the ink cartridge 37 (see FIG. 1) by ink supply paths (not shown). The ink cartridge 37 is detachably disposed, for example, at the left end of the printing body 10 a. The material of the ink is not particularly limited, and various materials conventionally used as the ink material of the printing apparatus can be used. The ink may be, for example, a solvent-based (solvent-based) pigment ink, an aqueous pigment ink, an aqueous dye ink, or an ultraviolet-curable pigment ink which is cured by receiving ultraviolet light.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 10 includes an operation panel 40. The operation panel 40 is used by the user to make settings for printing. The position of the operation panel 40 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 40 is provided on the front surface on the right side of the printing main body 10 a. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the operation panel 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 40 includes a print display screen 41 and a print operation unit 42.

  The print display screen 41 displays information on the printing process. Here, "processing" refers to processing relating to printing. For example, processing includes printing, cleaning, flushing and the like. The configuration of the print display screen 41 is not particularly limited. For example, the print display screen 41 may display only characters, or may display an image or the like in addition to the characters. The print display screen 41 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). In the present embodiment, the print display screen 41 displays two lines capable of displaying 16 characters. That is, a total of 32 characters can be displayed on the print display screen 41.

  The print operation unit 42 is used by the user to input a process desired to be executed and parameters necessary for the process when setting for printing. In the present embodiment, the print operation unit 42 corresponds to the “operation unit” in the present invention. The configuration of the print operation unit 42 is not particularly limited. Here, the print operation unit 42 includes a plurality of keys. Here, the key is a button. In the present embodiment, the print operation unit 42 has a sub power key 43, a function key 44, a menu key 45, an enter key 46, a pause key 47, a setup key 48, and a cursor key 49. .

  The sub power key 43 is a button for setting the standby state of the printing apparatus 10 ON or OFF. The function key 44 is a button for displaying the function menu screen on the print display screen 41. Here, the function menu screen is a screen on which, for example, execution of test printing, execution of cleaning, setting of a printing range, and the like are displayed. The menu key 45 is a button for displaying the main menu screen on the print display screen 41. Here, the main menu screen is a screen on which, for example, the model number of the printing apparatus 40, the version of the firmware, information on the network, setting of various parameters, and the like are displayed. The enter key 46 is a button for determining, among a plurality of processes displayed on the print display screen 41, a process to be executed and a parameter of the process to be executed. In the present embodiment, the enter key 46 is an example of the “decision button” in the present invention. The pause key 47 is a button for temporarily stopping printing during printing. The setup key 48 is a key for inputting a decision, for example, when setting the print range.

  The cursor key 49 is a button for selecting a process to be executed from a plurality of processes displayed on the print display screen 41, and is a button for selecting or changing the value of the parameter of each process. The configuration of the cursor key 49 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the cursor key 49 has an upper button 49U, a lower button 49D, a left button 49L, and a right button 49R. The user operates the upper button 49U, the lower button 49D, the left button 49L, and the right button 49R as appropriate to select the process to be executed or select or change the necessary parameter value of each process. Can.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the printing system 100. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the printing apparatus 10 includes a print control device 50. The print control device 50 controls printing on the recording medium 5. The configuration of the print control device 50 is not particularly limited. The print control device 50 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer. The print control device 50 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM storing a program executed by the CPU, a RAM, and the like. Here, the print control device 50 performs control regarding printing using a program stored in the microcomputer. In the present embodiment, the print control device 50 is provided inside the print main body 10 a. However, the print control device 50 may not be provided inside the print main body 10a, and may be, for example, a computer installed outside the print main body 10a. In this case, the print control device 50 is communicably connected to the print main body 10a via a wired or wireless connection.

  In the present embodiment, the print control device 50 includes the first drive motor 24 of the head moving mechanism 31, the second drive motor 27 of the medium transport mechanism 32, the ink head 35, and the operation panel 40 (more specifically, the print display screen 41 and the print operation unit 42) are communicably connected. The print control device 50 controls the first drive motor 24, the second drive motor 27, the ink head 35, and the operation panel 40. The print control device 50 controls the rotation of the pulley 22 and the traveling of the belt 23 (see FIG. 1) by controlling the driving of the first drive motor 24 of the head moving mechanism 31. Thus, the print control device 50 controls the movement of the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y. The print control device 50 controls the rotation of the grit roller 25 by controlling the driving of the second drive motor 27 of the medium transport mechanism 32 to control the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 in the sub scanning direction X. Control the movement. The print control device 50 controls, for example, the timing at which the ink head 35 discharges ink.

  In the present embodiment, the print control device 50 includes a print storage unit 51, a display control unit 52, a print processing execution unit 53, and a print control unit 54. Each part of the print control device 50 described above may be configured by software or may be configured by hardware. For example, each unit described above may be performed by a processor or may be incorporated in a circuit.

  The display control unit 52 displays information on printing on the print display screen 41. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 52 displays information related to printing on the print display screen 41 based on an operation of the print operation unit 42 by the user.

  The print process execution unit 53 executes the process selected by the user. Here, the print process execution unit 53 executes the process set by the operation panel 40. For example, when the enter key 46 of the operation panel 40 is pressed, the print process execution unit 53 executes the process set before the enter key 46 is pressed.

  The print control unit 54 controls when printing is performed on the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16. Specifically, the print control unit 54 sequentially moves the recording medium 5 placed on the platen 16 forward and moves the ink head 35 in the main scanning direction Y while the nozzle 36 of the ink head 35 (see FIG. 3) eject the ink.

  The configuration of the printing apparatus 10 has been described above. By the way, in the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the user operates a plurality of keys of the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40 and executes the process when executing the process related to printing. Is selected, and the value of the parameter necessary for the process to be executed is set, whereby the process is executed. For example, there may be a plurality of processes that can be executed by operating the print operation unit 42. Here, five processes of the plurality of processes are appropriately referred to as, for example, predetermined first process, second process, third process, fourth process, and fifth process. The first to fifth processes are processes that the print control device 50 executes when the print operation unit 42 of the printing apparatus 10 is operated a plurality of times. For example, the first to fifth processes are processes that can be selected on the main menu screen displayed on the print display screen 41 when the menu key 45 is pressed. Then, one of the first to fifth processes displayed on the main menu screen is selected by operating the cursor key 49.

  For example, when the first process is selected, the user operates the cursor key 49 to select the first process on the print display screen 41. Then, in the state where the first process is selected, the enter key 46 is pressed to determine the selection of the first process. Next, when executing the first process, if there is a parameter that needs to be set, a screen for selecting the parameter is displayed on the print display screen 41. The user operates the cursor key 49 to select the value of the parameter, and presses the enter key 46 to determine the value of the parameter. In the present embodiment, the operation of the cursor key 49 and the operation of the enter key 46 are performed by the number of parameters that need to be set. For example, when the first process is selected, the first process is performed after the setting of the parameter that needs to be set is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the print processing execution unit 53 creates a command each time the enter key 46 is pressed. For example, regarding the first process, when the first process is selected and the enter key 46 is pressed on the main menu screen displayed on the print display screen 41, the print process execution unit 53 creates a first command. Do. Next, when the value of the parameter is determined, the cursor key 49 is operated and the enter key 46 is pressed, whereby the print processing execution unit 53 creates a second command. Thus, the first process is configured by a plurality of commands. In the present embodiment, the second to fifth processes are also configured by a plurality of commands. However, in the first to fifth processes, the number of respective commands configured is not particularly limited as long as it is plural. The number of commands in each of the first to fifth processes may be the same or different.

  In the present embodiment, the first command and the second command may be configured to be executed by transmitting a plurality of signals. Here, the plurality of signals used to execute the first command and the second command are referred to as "operation signals". The operation signal is a signal transmitted when the user operates one of a plurality of keys of the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40. For example, when the user presses the lower button 49D of the cursor key 49 of the print operation unit 42, an operation signal indicating that the lower button 49D has been pressed is transmitted. In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the first command is executed by sequentially pressing the function key 44, the lower button 49D of the cursor key 49, the right button 49R of the cursor key 49, and the enter key 46. In this case, an operation signal indicating that the function key 44 has been pressed, an operation signal indicating that the lower button 49D has been pressed, an operation signal indicating that the right button 49R has been pressed, and the enter key 46 have been pressed. By transmitting an operation signal notifying that an event has been made, processing similar to the execution of the first command is performed. In the present embodiment, the operation signal itself only shows the result of the operation. However, by transmitting a plurality of operation signals in order, the same processing as the command is performed. That is, here, the same processing as a specific command is executed by forming a plurality of operation signals in order.

  As described above, when using the operation panel 40 to execute any of the first process to the fifth process having a plurality of commands, the user can execute a plurality of print operation units 42 of the operation panel 40. I had to operate once. In addition, even when the same process is performed a plurality of times, the print operation unit 42 has to be operated a plurality of times each time. As a result, the user may find the operation of the print operation unit 42 cumbersome.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the external operation device 60 performs the first to fifth processes without operating the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40. Next, the external controller 60 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the external operating device 60 is communicably connected to the printing apparatus 10 and is for determining a process to be performed in the printing apparatus 10. The external operating device 60 is separate from the printing device 10. In the present embodiment, the external operation device 60 can set processing that can be set using the operation panel 40. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the external operating device 60. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the external operation device 60 includes a main body 61, a display screen 70, an external operation unit 80, and a control device 90 (see FIG. 5).

  In the present embodiment, the shape of the main body 61 is rectangular. However, the shape of the main body 61 is not particularly limited. Here, the surface area of the main body 61 is smaller than the surface area of the operation panel 40 in plan view. However, in plan view, the surface area of the main body 61 may be the same as the surface area of the operation panel 40, or may be larger than the surface area of the operation panel 40.

  The display screen 70 displays information on the printing process. For example, on the display screen 70, information displayed on the print display screen 41 (see FIG. 4) of the operation panel 40 is displayed. In the present embodiment, the display screen 70 is provided on the main body 61. However, the display screen 70 may be separate from the main body 61. The configuration of the display screen 70 is not particularly limited. For example, the display screen 70 may display only characters, or may display an image or the like in addition to characters. For example, the display screen 70 is an LCD, similarly to the print display screen 41. Here, on the display screen 70, two lines capable of displaying 16 characters are displayed.

  The external operation unit 80 is operated by the user, and determines the process that the user wants to execute when setting the process related to printing. In the present embodiment, unlike the operation panel 40, parameters of each process are not set using the external operation unit 80. The parameters of each process are stored in a storage unit 91 (see FIG. 5) of the control device 90 described later. The external operation unit 80 is provided on the main body 61. However, the external operation unit 80 may be separate from the main body 61. The configuration of the external operation unit 80 is not particularly limited. Here, the external operation unit 80 includes a plurality of buttons. In the present embodiment, the external operation unit 80 includes a first process execution button 81, a second process execution button 82, a third process execution button 83, a fourth process execution button 84, and a fifth process execution button 84. And a process execution button 85. The first process execution button 81 is a button for executing the above-described first process. The second process execution button 82 is a button for executing the second process described above, and the third process execution button 83 is a button for executing the third process described above. The fourth process execution button 84 is a button for executing the fourth process described above, and the fifth process execution button 85 is a button for executing the fifth process described above. Here, the first to fifth processes are different from each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, five types of processing can be performed by operating the external operation unit 80. Here, the external operation unit 80 includes five execution buttons, but the number of execution buttons provided in the external operation unit 80 is not particularly limited.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device 90 designates a process related to printing of the printing device 10. Here, the control device 90 causes the printing device 10 to execute processing based on the operation mode of the external operation unit 80. Here, the “operation mode” refers to the operation content when the user operates the external operation unit 80. In the present embodiment, the “operation mode” is an operation content when the user presses any one of the first to fifth process execution buttons 81 to 85 of the external operation unit 80. The control device 90 causes the printing device 10 to execute processing based on the processing execution buttons 81 to 85 pressed by the user.

  The configuration of the control device 90 is not particularly limited. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is configured by a microcomputer board. Here, the main body 61 and the control device 90 are configured by a microcomputer board. The control device 90 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is provided in the main body 61. However, the control device 90 may not be provided in the main body 61. For example, the control device 90 may be separate from the main body 61, and may be communicably connected to the main body 61 via wireless or wire.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is communicably connected to the print control device 50 of the printing device 10. The control device 90 may be connected to the print control device 50 by wire or may be connected wirelessly. In the present embodiment, the control device 90 is communicably connected to the display screen 70 and the external operation unit 80. Control device 90 controls display screen 70 and external operation unit 80.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 90 includes a storage unit 91, an operation mode detection unit 91a, a process execution unit 92, and a display conversion unit 93. Each part of control device 90 mentioned above may be constituted by software, and may be constituted by hardware. For example, each unit described above may be performed by a processor or may be incorporated in a circuit. The storage unit 91 stores a plurality of commands and the like for executing the above-described first to fifth processes. The storage unit 91 also stores parameters designated in each of the first to fifth processes. Storage of commands and parameters in the storage unit 91 may be performed by, for example, a personal computer communicably connected to the external operating device 60.

  The operation mode detection unit 91a detects the operation mode of the external operation unit 80 by the user. In other words, the operation mode detection unit 91a detects which of the first to fifth processes the operation mode of the external operation unit 80 relates to. Here, the operation mode corresponding to the first process is referred to as the first operation mode, and the first operation mode is the mode when the first process execution button 81 is operated. Similarly, the operation modes corresponding to the second to fifth processes are referred to as second to fifth operation modes, respectively. The second to fifth operation modes are modes when the second to fifth process execution buttons 82 to 85 are operated. For example, the operation mode detection unit 91a detects that the operation mode of the external operation unit 80 is the first operation mode when the first process execution button 81 is operated.

  In the present embodiment, the process execution unit 92 executes one of the first to fifth processes. The process execution unit 92 executes any one of the first process to the fifth process based on the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 91a. Here, when the user operates the external operation unit 80, the process execution unit 92 transmits, to the print control apparatus 50, information related to any one of the first to fifth processes. In the present embodiment, the processing execution unit 92 includes a first processing execution unit 95, a second processing execution unit 96, a third processing execution unit 97, a fourth processing execution unit 98, and a fifth And a process execution unit 99. The first process execution unit 95 causes the printing apparatus 10 to execute the first process when the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit 91a is the first operation mode. In other words, the first process execution unit 95 executes the first process by the user operating the first process execution button 81. Similarly, when the operation modes detected by the operation mode detection unit 91a are the second to fifth operation modes, the second to fifth process execution units 96 to 99 print the second to fifth processes. It makes the device 10 execute. In other words, the second process execution unit 96 executes the second process by the user operating the second process execution button 82. The third process execution unit 97 executes the third process by the user operating the third process execution button 83. The fourth process execution unit 98 executes the fourth process by the user operating the fourth process execution button 84. The fifth process execution unit 99 executes the fifth process by the user operating the fifth process execution button 85. Note that there are the same number of process execution units as the number of buttons of the external operation unit 80. In the present embodiment, since there are five process execution buttons 81 to 85, five process execution units 95 to 99 exist. For example, when the number of process execution buttons is eight, eight first to eighth process execution units exist.

  FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a procedure for executing the first process using the external operation device 60. Next, the procedure of executing the first process using the external operation device 60 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. 7. Here, the execution of the first process by the first process execution unit 95 will be described. Note that execution of the second process by the second process execution unit 96, execution of the third process by the third process execution unit 97, execution of the fourth process by the fourth process execution unit 98, and The respective procedures of execution of the fifth process by the process execution unit 99 of 5 are the same as the procedures of execution of the first process by the first process execution unit 95, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  First, in step S101 of FIG. 7, the user presses the first process execution button 81 (see FIG. 6) of the external operation unit 80. When the first process execution button 81 is pressed, the operation mode detection unit 91a detects the operation mode of the external operation unit 80. Here, since the first process execution button 81 is pressed, the operation mode detection unit 91a detects that the operation mode of the external operation unit 80 is the first operation mode. Then, the first process execution unit 95 executes the first process corresponding to the first operation mode. Next, in step S103 in FIG. 7, the first process execution unit 95 executes the first command of the first process stored in the storage unit 91. This first command is the same as the command generated when the enter key 46 (see FIG. 4) is pressed in the state where the first process is selected on the operation panel 40. In the present embodiment, the first process execution unit 95 transmits a first command to the print control apparatus 50.

  In the present embodiment, the execution of the process by the first command may be configured to be executed by transmitting a plurality of operation signals. For example, when the execution of the process by the first command is performed by sequentially pressing the function key 44, the lower button 49D, the right button 49R, and the enter key 46 of the operation panel 40, the first process is executed in step S103. The part 95 has an operation signal indicating that the function key 44 has been pressed, an operation signal indicating that the lower button 49D has been pressed, an operation signal indicating that the right button 49R has been pressed, and the enter key 46 has been pressed. An operation signal notifying that it has been sent is sent to the print control device 50 in order. A plurality of operation signals used when executing the first command are stored in the storage unit 91. Here, the first process execution unit 95 sequentially transmits the plurality of operation signals of the first command stored in the storage unit 91 to execute the same process as when the first command is executed.

  Next, in step S105 in FIG. 7, the first process execution unit 95 executes the second command of the first process stored in the storage unit 91. This second command is the same as the command generated when the enter key 46 is pressed in the state where the necessary parameters for the first process are set on the operation panel 40. In the present embodiment, the first process execution unit 95 transmits a second command to the print control device 50.

  In the present embodiment, the execution of the process by the second command may be configured to be executed by transmitting a plurality of operation signals, similarly to the execution of the process by the first command. When execution of the process by the second command is performed by pressing any of a plurality of keys or buttons of the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40 a plurality of times, in step S105, the first process execution unit 95 An operation signal notifying that any of the plurality of keys or buttons described above has been pressed is sequentially transmitted to the print control device 50. A plurality of operation signals used when executing the second command are stored in the storage unit 91. Here, the first process execution unit 95 sequentially transmits the plurality of operation signals of the second command stored in the storage unit 91 to execute the same process as when the second command is executed.

  As described above, the first processing can be performed using the external controller 60. Note that, after the print control apparatus 50 receives the first command and the second command, the print processing execution unit 53 executes the first command, and executes the second command after the first command is executed. In the present embodiment, after the print control device 50 receives the plurality of operation signals of the first command and the plurality of operation signals of the second command, the print processing execution unit 53 performs the plurality of operation signals of the first command. The same processing is sequentially performed, and thereafter, the same processing as the plurality of operation signals of the second command is sequentially performed. By this, in the printing apparatus 10, the first process is executed.

  The display conversion unit 93 of FIG. 4 displays information on printing on the display screen 70 (see FIG. 6) in a language different from the language displayed on the print display screen 41 (see FIG. 4) of the operation panel 40. For example, the language displayed on the print display screen 41 is taken as a first language. The language displayed on the display screen 70 is a second language. The first language is, for example, Japanese. The second language is a language different from the first language, for example, any of languages such as English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish and the like. The information on the second language is stored in the storage unit 91. Here, the display conversion unit 93 displays the content displayed on the print display screen 41 on the display screen 70 in the second language.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the print display screen 41, showing a state in which information on printing is displayed in the first language. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the display screen 70, showing a state in which information on printing is displayed in the second language. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, on the print display screen 41, information 101 related to printing in a first language (in the present embodiment, Japanese) is displayed. At this time, information related to printing displayed on the print display screen 41 is transmitted to the control device 90. At this time, the display conversion unit 93 receives the information related to the printing, and converts the received information related to the printing so as to become the second language (in the present embodiment, English). In the present embodiment, the storage unit 91 stores a dictionary for converting to the second language. Therefore, the display conversion unit 93 converts the received information on printing into the information 102 on printing in the second language (see FIG. 9) using the dictionary stored in the storage unit 91. Then, the display conversion unit 93 displays, on the display screen 70, the information 102 related to printing converted into the second language.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the operation panel 40 of the printing apparatus 10 does not support the language, the information related to printing is displayed on the display screen 70 of the external operation device 60 in the language that does not correspond. be able to. Thus, the printing system 100 that can support any language can be realized. For example, in order to correspond to a language that does not correspond to the operation panel 40 of the printing apparatus 10, it is conceivable to improve the print control device 50 and the like. However, in the present embodiment, by connecting the external operation device 60 to the printing apparatus 10, the above-mentioned incompatible language can be handled, so that the improvement cost can be reduced.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can execute, for example, the first process by operating the external operation unit 80. Here, the first process is a process executed by operating the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40 a plurality of times. Therefore, the user operates the external operation unit 80 to reduce the number of operations compared with the case where the first operation is performed by operating the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40, thereby reducing the number of operations. Processing can be performed. Therefore, the troublesomeness of the operation by the user can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the external operation unit 80 has a first process execution button 81 for executing the setting of the first process. The first process execution unit 95 executes the first process when the first process execution button 81 is pressed by the user. When the first processing is performed by operating the print operation unit 42 of the operation panel 40, the number of operations is a plurality of times. However, in the present embodiment, when the user presses the first process execution button 81 once, the first process having a plurality of commands can be executed. Therefore, the troublesomeness of the operation by the user can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, for example, execution of the first process is performed by at least sequentially executing the first command and the second command executed by operating the print operation unit 42 (see FIG. 4) of the operation panel 40. It is executed by being done. The first process execution unit 95 executes at least the second command after executing the first command. As described above, the contents of the first process performed by the external operation device 60 are the same as the contents of the first process performed by the operation panel 40, and the first process includes the first command and the second command. And a command. That is, in the present embodiment, the execution of the first process by the first process execution unit 95 is performed in the same procedure as the operation procedure of the user by the operation panel 40.

  For example, in order to execute the first process, the first process may be performed by executing a program in which the parameters of the first process are set without executing the first command and the second command described above. It is possible to carry out. However, printing devices with older models may not be compatible with the above program. However, in the present embodiment, by using the external operation device 60, the same commands as those executed on the operation panel 40 are sequentially executed, so that the same control as when the operation panel 40 is operated is performed. become. In the present embodiment, by operating the external operating device 60, it is possible to perform control such as remotely operating the operation panel 40. Therefore, even if the mold is an old printing device, the external operating device 60 can be used by connecting the external operating device 60. Therefore, even if the type is an old printing device, it is possible to suppress the troublesomeness of the operation by the user.

  In the present embodiment, by operating the external operation unit 80 of the external operation device 60, it is possible to execute any one of the first to fifth processes, for example. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of processes that are bothersome for the user, the plurality of processes can be easily executed by operating the external operation unit 80.

  In the present embodiment, for example, the first processing execution unit 95 displays information on the first processing on the display screen 70 (see FIG. 6). Similarly, the second process execution unit 96 displays information on the second process on the display screen 70, and the third process execution unit 97 displays information on the third process on the display screen 70. In addition, the fourth process execution unit 98 displays information on the fourth process on the display screen 70, and the fifth process execution unit 99 displays information on the fifth process on the display screen 70. Here, for example, when the first process execution button 81 is pressed, the information on the first process is displayed on the display screen 70. Therefore, the user views the display screen 70 as to which process is being executed. It is easy to recognize by doing.

  In the present embodiment, the execution of the processing by the first command and the second command is executed by transmitting a plurality of operation signals in order. The operation signal is a signal that indicates an operated key or button when any of the plurality of keys and buttons of the print operation unit 42 is operated. For example, when the printing device 10 connected to the external operation device 60 is changed to a printing device of a different model, the formats of the first command and the second command may be changed. In this case, the formats of the first command and the second command stored in the storage unit 91 are changed. However, in the present embodiment, processing similar to the first command and the second command is executed by transmitting a plurality of operation signals in order. Even when the printing apparatus 10 connected to the external operation apparatus 60 is changed to a printing apparatus of a different model, the operation signal may be changed. Changing the operation signal is easier than changing the format of the first command and the second command. Therefore, the external operating device 60 according to the present embodiment has high expandability.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the main body 61 is provided with a display screen 70, an external operation unit 80 and a control device 90. As described above, since the display screen 70, the external operation unit 80, and the control device 90 are integrally provided, the external operation device 60 can be easily moved. Therefore, it is easy to move the external operating device 60 to a place desired by the user, and the external operating unit 80 of the external operating device 60 can be operated at a place desired by the user.

  In the present embodiment, the main body 61 and the control device 90 are configured by a microcomputer board. The microcomputer board is smaller than, for example, a personal computer. Therefore, since the external operation device 60 can be installed in a relatively narrow place, space saving can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, for example, the first process execution unit 95 executes one first process by the user operating the first process execution button 81 (see FIG. 6). However, the number of processes that can be executed by each of the process execution units 95 to 99 is not limited to one. For example, the first process execution unit 95 causes the printing apparatus 10 to execute the second process after executing the first process by the user operating the first process execution button 81. It may be configured to indicate. For example, even if the first process execution unit 95 is configured to instruct the printing apparatus 10 to stand by for a predetermined time between the execution of the first process and the execution of the second process. Good. Furthermore, the first process execution unit 95 may be configured to execute the first process again after a predetermined time has elapsed after the first process is executed. By this, since a plurality of processes can be executed automatically and continuously, it is possible to further suppress the troublesomeness of the operation by the user.

  For example, the external operation device 60 may be configured to be able to receive information related to the printing device 10, and may cause the printing device 10 to automatically execute predetermined other processing based on the received information. For example, when a predetermined process (for example, the first process) in the printing apparatus 10 is completed, the print control device 50 transmits an end signal indicating that the predetermined process is completed to the control device 90 of the external operation device 60. Here, the “end of the predetermined process” includes the case where a warning or an error with respect to the predetermined process occurs and ends in addition to the normal process of the predetermined process. The external control device 60 causes the printing device 10 to automatically execute predetermined other processing based on the received end signal. For example, the storage unit 91 stores end processing corresponding to the end signal. The end process includes, for example, a command related to power off. When the external operation device 60 receives the end signal, the external operation device 60 automatically transmits the command included in the end processing to the print control device 50. Then, the print control device 50 executes the received command. Here, when the print control device 50 receives a command related to power off, the print control device 50 executes processing related to power off. As described above, since termination processing such as power-off is automatically performed after predetermined processing is performed, it is possible to further suppress the troublesomeness of the user's operation.

  In the above embodiment, the external operating device 60 includes the display screen 70, and the display screen 70 is provided on the main body 61. However, the display screen 70 may be omitted.

10 Printing Device 40 Operation Panel 41 Print Display Screen 42 Print Operation Unit (Operation Unit)
46 Enter key (Enter button)
60 external operation device 61 main body 70 display screen 80 external operation unit 81 first process execution button (execution button)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 90 Control apparatus 91 Storage part 91a Operation mode detection part 92 Process execution part 93 Display conversion part 95 1st process execution part 96 2nd process execution part 100 Printing system

Claims (11)

An external operation device capable of operating a printing device provided with an operation panel having an operating unit and being separate from the printing device,
An external operation unit operated by the user,
A control device that causes the printing apparatus to execute processing based on an operation mode of the external operation unit;
Equipped with
The controller is
A storage unit in which a first predetermined process to be executed by the printing device is stored when the operation unit of the printing device is operated a plurality of times;
An operation mode detection unit for detecting the operation mode of the external operation unit by a user;
A process execution unit that causes the printing apparatus to execute the first process if the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit is a predetermined first operation mode;
, An external operating device. Equipped with a display screen,
The external operation device according to claim 1, wherein the process execution unit displays information on the first process on the display screen.   The external operating device according to claim 2, comprising: the external operating unit, the control device, and a main body provided with the display screen.   The external control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control device comprises a microcomputer board. The external operation unit has an execution button for executing the setting of the first process,
The external operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the process execution unit executes the first process when a user presses the execution button. The storage unit stores a predetermined second process to be executed by the printing device when the operation unit of the printing device is operated a plurality of times.
The process execution unit causes the printing apparatus to execute the second process when the operation mode detected by the operation mode detection unit is a predetermined second operation mode. External operating device described in or one. The execution of the first process is performed by at least sequentially executing a first command and a second command which are executed by operating the operation unit,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, when causing the printing apparatus to execute the first process, the process execution unit executes at least the second command after executing the first command. External operating device described in An external operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7;
The printing device;
Equipped with a printing system. The operation panel includes a print display screen.
The printing apparatus includes a display control unit that displays information on printing in a predetermined first language on the print display screen.
The external operating device comprises a display screen,
The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the control device includes a display conversion unit that displays information on printing in a second language different from the first language on the display screen. The setting of the first process is set by at least sequentially executing a first command and a second command which are executed by operating the operation unit,
The operation unit has a determination button,
The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the first command and the second command are determined by pressing the determination button. The operation unit has a cursor key,
Execution of processing by the first command and the second command is performed by transmitting an operation signal, which is a signal determined by pressing any of the cursor key and the decision button, a plurality of times,
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing execution unit transmits the plurality of operation signals to the printing device by operating the external operation unit when causing the printing device to execute the first processing. Printing system.

Images