JP2024082770A - Printing method, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printing method, an information processing apparatus, and a program that can print an image at a correct position even when a contour of a printed matter is difficult to be detected.SOLUTION: A printing method for printing a print image based on print data on a printed matter, includes the steps of: creating a mount on which a mount image including an image of a placement area where the printed matter is placed is printed; photographing the mount arranged on a table (step S111); specifying a position of the placement area on the table on the basis of a picked-up image obtained by photographing the mount (step S113); executing layout processing of arranging the print image on the basis of the specified position of the placement area to generate layout image data (step S116); and printing the print image on the printed matter placed in the placement area of the mount arranged on the table on the basis of the layout image data (step S119).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing method, an information processing device, and a program.

Patent Document 1 describes a printing device that has a means for photographing the table on which the printing substrate is placed, a means for identifying the contours of the printing substrate based on the photographed image and obtaining the position and orientation of the printing substrate, and a means for creating data to be used for printing based on the obtained position and orientation of the printing substrate. By using such a printing device, an image can be printed accurately at the desired position on the printing substrate.

JP 2015-149670 A

However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the contour of the substrate is detected by image processing. For this reason, when it is difficult to detect the contour of the substrate, for example when the substrate is made of a transparent material, it may not be possible to print the image in the correct position on the substrate.

The printing method is a printing method for printing a first image based on print data on a substrate, and includes the steps of: generating a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the substrate is placed is printed; photographing the mount arranged on a table; identifying the position of the placement area on the table based on the captured image obtained by photographing the mount; performing a layout process for arranging the first image based on the identified position of the placement area to generate layout image data; and printing the first image on the substrate placed on the placement area of the mount arranged on the table based on the layout image data.

The information processing device includes a processor, controls a first printing device that prints on a substrate, and prints a first image based on print data on the substrate. The processor controls the first printing device or a second printing device different from the first printing device to generate a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the substrate is placed is printed, photographs the mount placed on a table, identifies the position of the placement area on the table based on the captured image obtained by photographing the mount, and executes a layout process to place the first image based on the identified position of the placement area, generates layout image data, controls the first printing device, and prints the first image on the substrate placed on the placement area of the mount placed on the table based on the layout image data.

The program causes a computer that controls a first printing device that prints on a substrate to print a first image based on print data onto the substrate to execute the following steps: control the first printing device or a second printing device different from the first printing device to generate a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the substrate is placed is printed; photograph the mount placed on a table; identify the position of the placement area on the table based on the captured image obtained by photographing the mount; execute a layout process that arranges the first image based on the identified position of the placement area to generate layout image data; and control the first printing device to print the first image on the substrate placed on the placement area of the mount placed on the table based on the layout image data.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first printer. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the information processing device. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main screen displayed on the display device. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a plurality of mounts placed on a table. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main screen displayed on the display device. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a mount according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a mount according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a mount according to a modified example. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a mount according to a modified example.

Hereinafter, a printing system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system 100. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 is a system for printing an image on a substrate M (see FIG. 2), and includes an information processing device 1, an input device 2, a display device 3, a first printer 4, and a second printer 5.

The information processing device 1 is configured by a computer and includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an interface unit 13. The control unit 11 includes a processor (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and controls each part of the information processing device 1 by the processor operating according to a program stored in the ROM or a program read from the storage unit 12 to the RAM. The control unit 11 may be configured as a single chip or multiple chips. The processor that configures the control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be configured as an ASIC (Application Specific IC) or the like, or may be configured as a CPU and an ASIC.

The storage unit 12 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive or solid state drive. The storage unit 12 stores an installed OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, and the like. In this embodiment, a printing program 14 for executing printing on the first printer 4 and the second printer 5 is installed as an application program in the storage unit 12. Details of the printing program 14 will be described later.

The memory unit 12 also stores at least one piece of print data (not shown) used when printing an image on the substrate M. The print data is, for example, configured as a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, and includes image data representing the image to be printed on the substrate M, i.e., the print image, as well as contour data representing the contour of the substrate M. The print image, which is the image to be printed on the substrate M, corresponds to the first image.

The interface unit 13 is equipped with various interface circuits for inputting and outputting information between various external devices. In this embodiment, the input device 2, the display device 3, the first printer 4, and the second printer 5 are connected to the interface unit 13.

The input device 2 is, for example, a keyboard, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to an input operation by the user to the control unit 11 via the interface unit 13. The input device 2 may also include a pointing device such as a mouse. The display device 3 is a device equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays an image based on the control of the control unit 11.

In this embodiment, a computer to which an input device 2 and a display device 3 are externally attached is exemplified as the information processing device 1, but the configuration of the information processing device 1 is not limited to this, and the input device 2 and the display device 3 may be integrally provided, such as in a notebook computer.

Using the information processing device 1 configured as described above, a user can select print data to be printed on the substrate M, and print a print image based on the selected print data on the substrate M. The printing of the print image on the substrate M is performed by the first printer 4.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first printer 4. Figure 2 shows an X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis that intersect with one another. Typically, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are perpendicular to one another. The X-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the first printer 4 and corresponds to the width direction of the first printer 4. The Y-axis is parallel to the installation surface of the first printer 4 and corresponds to the depth direction of the first printer 4. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the installation surface of the first printer 4 and corresponds to the height direction of the first printer 4. Note that the right direction when facing the front of the first printer 4 is the +X direction, the direction from the front toward the back is the +Y direction, and the upward direction is the +Z direction.

The first printer 4 is a printing device that prints using an inkjet method, and corresponds to the first printing device. Specifically, the first printer 4 is a flatbed type printing device equipped with a table 41 on which the printing substrate M is placed. The first printer 4 prints on the printing substrate M by ejecting liquid from a print head 45 that scans over the table 41. The printing substrate M is not limited to paper, and may be a sheet-like film, a thick board made of various materials, or a resin structure such as a protective case for a smartphone. In addition, although ultraviolet-curing ink is used as the liquid ejected from the print head 45, other inks may also be used.

The first printer 4 is equipped with a table 41 above the device main body 40, which is covered by a housing. The table 41 is a mounting platform with an upper surface parallel to the XY plane, and has a rectangular shape with two sides parallel to the X axis and two sides parallel to the Y axis when viewed from the ±Z direction. A plurality of suction ports (not shown) that penetrate in the ±Z direction are formed in a matrix pattern over the entire area of the table 41. In addition, a suction unit 42 composed of a suction pump or the like is disposed inside the device main body 40, i.e., below the table 41. The suction unit 42 sucks air from above the table 41 through the suction ports, thereby adsorbing the printing material M or the like placed on the table 41 to the table 41.

The first printer 4 has a gantry 43 and a carriage 44 attached to the gantry 43. The gantry 43 extends along the X-axis and is positioned so as to straddle the table 41. The gantry 43 is provided with a guide rail 43G that extends along the X-axis, and the carriage 44 is guided by the guide rail 43G and can move in the ±X directions on the table 41. The ±X directions correspond to the main scanning direction.

Both sides of the table 41 on the ±X side are provided with guide grooves 41G extending along the Y axis, and the gantry 43 to which the carriage 44 is attached can be guided by these guide grooves 41G to move in the ±Y direction. The ±Y direction corresponds to the sub-scanning direction. In this way, the carriage 44 can move in the ±X direction and the ±Y direction, and the entire area on the table 41 can be scanned by alternating between main scanning, in which the carriage moves from one end to the other end in the ±X direction, and sub-scanning, in which the carriage moves a predetermined amount toward one side of the ±Y direction. The carriage 44 corresponds to the scanning unit.

A print head 45 and two ultraviolet irradiation units 46 are attached to the carriage 44. The print head 45 has multiple nozzles (not shown) capable of ejecting ink, and is arranged on the carriage 44 so that these nozzles are exposed from the underside of the carriage 44. The print head 45 ejects ink toward the printing material M placed on the table 41, thereby printing on the printing material M.

The ultraviolet irradiating unit 46 is located below the carriage 44, and turns on a light source (not shown) to irradiate the substrate M with ultraviolet rays. This causes the ejected ink to harden and become fixed on the substrate M. The ultraviolet irradiating units 46 are located on both sides of the print head 45 in the main scanning direction, i.e., on the -X side and +X side of the print head 45. During the process of performing a main scan by moving the carriage 44 in the ±X directions, the first printer 4 ejects ink from the print head 45 onto the substrate M, and irradiates the substrate M onto which the ink has been ejected with ultraviolet rays by the ultraviolet irradiating unit 46.

An imaging unit 47 is attached to the carriage 44. The imaging unit 47 is a camera equipped with an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor, and is positioned so that it can capture an image of the table 41. The first printer 4 can capture an image of the entire area of the table 41 by having the imaging unit 47 capture images multiple times while the carriage 44 scans the table 41.

Returning to FIG. 1, the electrical configuration of the first printer 4 includes the print head 45, ultraviolet light irradiation unit 46, image capture unit 47, and suction unit 42 described above, as well as a control unit 61, a memory unit 62, an interface unit 63, and a carriage drive unit 64.

The control unit 61 is equipped with a processor (not shown), and controls each part of the first printer 4 by the processor operating according to a control program stored in the storage unit 62. The control unit 61 may be configured with a single chip or multiple chips. The processor that constitutes the control unit 61 is, for example, a CPU, but may also be configured with an ASIC or the like, or may be configured with a CPU and an ASIC.

The storage unit 62 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or a memory. The storage unit 62 stores the control program that controls the operation of the first printer 4, various data, and the like.

The interface unit 63 includes various interface circuits for inputting and outputting information between various external devices. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 is connected to the interface unit 63.

The carriage drive unit 64 includes a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, a transmission mechanism that transmits the drive force from the drive source, and moves the carriage 44 in the ±X direction and the ±Y direction. Specifically, under the control of the control unit 61, the carriage drive unit 64 drives the carriage 44 to move in the ±X direction along the gantry 43, and drives the gantry 43 to move in the ±Y direction.

The print head 45, ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 46, image capture unit 47, and suction unit 42 perform the above-mentioned operations under the control of the control unit 61. That is, the print head 45 ejects ink from the nozzles onto the printing substrate M under the control of the control unit 61, and the ultraviolet ray irradiation unit 46 turns on the light source under the control of the control unit 61 to irradiate the printing substrate M with ultraviolet rays. The image capture unit 47 also photographs the top of the table 41 under the control of the control unit 61, and the suction unit 42 performs suction under the control of the control unit 61 to adsorb the printing substrate M, etc. to the table 41.

Unlike the first printer 4, the second printer 5 is a general printer that prints on printing paper. For this reason, a detailed description of the second printer 5 will be omitted. There are no particular limitations on the printing method of the second printer 5, and it may be an inkjet method, a laser method, a dot impact method, or the like. The second printer 5 corresponds to a second printing device. Note that the second printer 5 is not a required component.

Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 based on the print program 14, that is, a printing method using the print program 14, will be described.
The printing program 14 is a program for executing printing on the substrate M by the first printer 4. By performing printing using the printing program 14, a print image based on print data can be printed with high accuracy on the substrate M placed on the table 41. In this embodiment, a mount 80 (see FIG. 6) is placed on the table 41, and printing is performed on the substrate M placed on this mount 80. A placement area 85 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the shape of the substrate M is clearly indicated on the mount 80, and the substrate M is placed on this placement area 85. In addition, if multiple mounts 80 are placed on the table 41 and the substrate M is placed on the placement area 85 of each mount 80, it is possible to print on multiple substrates M at once.

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are flow charts showing the operation of the information processing device 1. Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 are diagrams showing a main screen 70 displayed on the display device 3, Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the above-mentioned mount 80, and Fig. 7 is a plan view showing a plurality of mounts 80 placed on the table 41.
When a user operates the input device 2 to instruct the information processing device 1 to start the printing program 14, the control unit 11 of the information processing device 1 reads the printing program 14 from the storage unit 12. Then, thereafter, the control unit 11 executes each process from step S101 onward in accordance with the printing program 14 in the procedure shown in Figs.

First, in step S101, the control unit 11 searches for print data stored in the storage unit 12. Then, the control unit 11 registers the found print data as print candidates, and assigns identification information to each piece of print data to identify it.

Next, in step S102, the control unit 11 causes the display device 3 to display the main screen 70. As shown in FIG. 5, the main screen 70 includes a command selection unit 71, an image selection unit 72, and a preview display unit 73. The command selection unit 71 is a toolbar including a plurality of icons for issuing various instructions to the information processing device 1, and when the user specifies one of the icons using the input device 2, the information processing device 1 executes an operation corresponding to the specified icon. Note that instead of the toolbar, a configuration may be provided with a menu bar that allows instructions to the information processing device 1 to be selected in a menu format, or a configuration may be provided with both a toolbar and a menu bar.

The image selection section 72 is an area for selecting print data to be printed on the substrate M, and one or more thumbnail images 72T are displayed in the image selection section 72. The control section 11 generates thumbnail images 72T based on image data included in the registered print data, and displays them in the image selection section 72. When multiple print data are stored in the storage section 12, the control section 11 displays multiple thumbnail images 72T corresponding to each print data. The user can select the print data to be printed on the substrate M by operating the input device 2 to specify one of the thumbnail images 72T. Note that in FIG. 5, three thumbnail images 72T are displayed in the image selection section 72. These images are intended to be printed on the same substrate M, so they all have the same outline.

Preview display section 73 displays a relatively large preview image 73P corresponding to the print data selected in image selection section 72. When the user selects print data in image selection section 72, control section 11 extracts image data from the selected print data, and causes preview display section 73 to display an image based on the extracted image data as preview image 73P. Preview image 73P is a more detailed image than thumbnail image 72T, and the user can check the details of the image from preview image 73P.

In step S103, the control unit 11 accepts the user's designation of a thumbnail image 72T, i.e., selection of print data. Then, the control unit 11 displays a preview image 73P corresponding to the selected print data in the preview display unit 73.

In step S104, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a specific icon is specified in the command selection unit 71 to instruct the generation of the mount 80. If the generation of the mount 80 is instructed (step S104: YES), the process proceeds to step S105. If the generation of the mount 80 is not instructed (step S104: NO), the process returns to step S103.

When an instruction to generate the mount 80 is issued and the process proceeds to step S105, the control unit 11 generates image data of a two-dimensional code 81 (see FIG. 6) that includes identification information assigned to the selected print data. The type of the two-dimensional code 81 is not particularly limited, but for example, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used.

In step S106, the control unit 11 extracts contour data representing the contour of the printing substrate M from the selected print data. Note that the contour of the printing substrate M represented by the contour data is the contour of the printing substrate M placed on the table 41 when viewed from the ±Z direction.

In step S107, the control unit 11 generates mount image data representing an image to be printed on the mount 80 based on the selected print data. Hereinafter, the image to be printed on the mount 80 is also referred to as a mount image. The mount image corresponds to the second image.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mount 80 is generated by printing a mount image on a printing sheet made of, for example, A4-size plain paper. In the mount 80 of this embodiment, a two-dimensional code 81, a contour image 82, an identification text 83, and a direction indicator 84 are printed as mount images. The two-dimensional code 81 is an image based on the image data generated in step S105. The contour image 82 is an image representing the contour of the placement area 85 on which the printing material M is placed, and its shape is determined based on the contour data extracted in step S106. In other words, the mount image includes an image of the placement area 85. The identification text 83 is a character string that represents the identification information of the selected print data, i.e., the identification information contained in the two-dimensional code 81, so that the user can visually recognize it. The direction indicator 84 is an arrow that allows the user to visually recognize the up and down directions of the mount 80.

In the mount 80, the positional relationship between the position of the two-dimensional code 81 and the reference position of the placement area 85 is fixed, and the relationship between the orientation of the two-dimensional code 81 and the orientation of the placement area 85 is also fixed. In other words, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 in the mount 80 can be specified based on the position and orientation of the two-dimensional code 81 in the mount 80. For this reason, the two-dimensional code 81 functions as a detection mark for specifying the position and orientation of the placement area 85. Here, the reference position of the placement area 85 is a position that serves as a reference when specifying the position where the print image should be printed, and is the position of a predetermined point inside or outside the placement area 85. For example, it may be the center of the placement area 85 or the lower left position of the placement area 85. In addition, the orientation of the placement area 85 is a reference direction when specifying the direction where the print image should be printed, and is, for example, a direction corresponding to the upward direction of the print image. The control unit 11 generates mount image data so that the position and orientation of the two-dimensional code 81 and the position and orientation of the placement area 85 satisfy the above relationship.

In step S108, the control unit 11 prints the mount image, that is, an image based on the mount image data, on printing paper to generate the mount 80. Note that since the printing to generate the mount 80 is performed on general printing paper, it may be performed using the first printer 4 or the second printer 5. When the mount 80 is generated using the first printer 4, printing is performed on printing paper placed in a predetermined position on the table 41. The printer that performs the printing may be set in advance on a setting screen (not shown), or the user may specify the printer when printing is performed. Furthermore, if the mount 80 is to be used repeatedly, the mount 80 may be generated using a plastic film or the like that is more durable than printing paper. In this case, it is preferable to perform printing using the first printer 4.

When printing the same image on multiple substrates M at once, it is necessary to prepare multiple mounts 80 with the same mount image printed on them. For this reason, the number of prints when printing mounts 80 is specified by the user as appropriate. The number of prints may also be set in advance on a setting screen (not shown), or may be specified by the user when printing is performed.

After generation of the mount 80 based on one print data is completed, in step S109, the control unit 11 displays a dialog box (not shown) on the display device 3 to inquire of the user whether or not to generate a mount 80 based on other print data. If generation of a mount 80 based on other print data is instructed (step S109: YES), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S103, accepts the selection of the next print data, and repeats the subsequent operations. On the other hand, if generation of all the required mounts 80 is completed (step S109: NO), the process proceeds to step S110.

As shown in FIG. 7, when all the required mounts 80 are generated, the user places the mounts 80 on the table 41. At this time, the orientation of the mounts 80 relative to the table 41 is arbitrary. In addition, when placing multiple mounts 80, it is not necessary for all the mounts 80 to be oriented in the same direction. The orientation of some of the mounts 80 may be intentionally changed so that the multiple mounts 80 are efficiently placed on the table 41. In addition, it does not matter if the orientation of the mounts 80 is unintentionally tilted. FIG. 7 shows a state in which two mounts 80A with identification information "Data_01" and three mounts 80B with identification information "Data_02" are placed on the table 41. After placing all the mounts 80 on the table 41, the user can specify a predetermined icon in the command selection unit 71 to instruct detection of the placed mounts 80.

In step S110, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the user has instructed to detect the backing paper 80. If the user has instructed to detect the backing paper 80 (step S110: YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S111. If the user has not instructed to detect the backing paper 80 (step S110: NO), the control unit 11 repeats this step and waits until the user instructs to detect the backing paper 80.

When the process proceeds to step S111, the control unit 11 causes the imaging unit 47 to capture the mount 80 placed on the table 41. Specifically, the control unit 11 first operates the suction unit 42 to adsorb the mount 80 to the table 41. The control unit 11 then causes the imaging unit 47 to capture multiple images while scanning the carriage 44 over the entire area of the table 41. The scanning path of the carriage 44 and the timing of capturing images are determined in advance so that the entire area of the table 41 is included in the multiple captured images obtained by capturing images multiple times. In other words, the carriage 44 scans the table 41 under the control of the control unit 11, and the imaging unit 47 captures the mount 80 at a timing based on the control of the control unit 11.

In step S112, the control unit 11 detects the two-dimensional code 81 printed on the mount 80 from a plurality of captured images obtained by photographing the mount 80. Then, in step S113, the control unit 11 identifies the position and orientation of the placement area 85 included in the mount 80 based on the position and orientation of the detected two-dimensional code 81 on the table 41. The position of the two-dimensional code 81 on the table 41 can be identified, for example, by the position of the carriage 44 when the image was captured and the position of the two-dimensional code 81 in the captured image. In addition, the orientation of the two-dimensional code 81 can be identified by the orientation of the pattern that constitutes the two-dimensional code 81, etc. As described above, if the position and orientation of the two-dimensional code 81 are identified, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 can be identified.

In step S114, the control unit 11 analyzes the two-dimensional code 81 and reads the identification information contained in the two-dimensional code 81. Then, based on the read identification information, the control unit 11 identifies the print data to be printed.

In step S115, the control unit 11 determines whether there are any other two-dimensional codes 81 that have not yet been detected. The control unit 11 detects the other two-dimensional codes 81, and if a new two-dimensional code 81 is found (step S115: YES), the control unit 11 returns to step S113 and repeats the above operations. On the other hand, if a new two-dimensional code 81 is not found (step S115: NO), the process proceeds to step S116.

When all two-dimensional codes 81 have been detected and processing proceeds to step S116, the control unit 11 extracts image data and outline data from the identified print data and executes layout processing. The layout processing is a process of arranging a print image, i.e., an image based on the extracted image data, on a background corresponding to the table 41 based on the position and orientation of the placement area 85 on the table 41. At this time, the shape of the print image to be arranged is determined based on the extracted outline data. Through this layout processing, the control unit 11 generates layout image data representing a layout image 73L (see FIG. 8) in which the print image is arranged. The layout image data is image data of a raster image.

In step S117, the control unit 11 displays a layout image 73L based on the generated layout image data on the main screen 70. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the generation of the layout image data is completed, the control unit 11 displays a symbol 72S representing the generated layout image data in the image selection unit 72. Then, the symbol 72S is selected instead of the thumbnail image 72T, and a layout image 73L based on the generated layout image data is displayed in the preview display unit 73. This allows the user to confirm that the position and orientation of the mount 80 placed on the table 41, i.e., the position and orientation of the placement area 85 on the table 41, is reflected in the layout image 73L.

After checking the layout image 73L, the user places the print substrate M on the placement area 85 of the mount 80. At this time, the user adjusts the position and orientation of the print substrate M so that the outer shape of the print substrate M matches the outline image 82 that represents the outline of the placement area 85. After placing all of the print substrates M on the mount 80, the user can instruct printing of an image on the print substrate M by specifying a specific icon in the command selection unit 71.

In step S118, the control unit 11 determines whether or not a printing command has been issued by the user. If a printing command has been issued (step S118: YES), the control unit 11 proceeds to step S119. If a printing command has not been issued (step S118: NO), the control unit 11 repeats this step and waits until a command to start printing is issued.

When the process proceeds to step S119, the control unit 11 controls the first printer 4 to print on the substrate M. Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs the generated layout image data to the first printer 4, and causes the first printer 4 to print based on the layout image data. The first printer 4 then prints the print image on the substrate M placed on the placement area 85 of the backing paper 80, i.e., all substrates M placed on the table 41, by ejecting ink from the print head 45 while causing the carriage 44 to scan over the table 41. When printing on the substrate M is completed, the control unit 11 ends the flow.

As described above, the printing system 100, printing method, information processing device 1, and printing program 14 of this embodiment can provide the following effects.

(1) According to this embodiment, an image of the placement area 85 is printed on the mount 80, and the position and orientation of the placement area 85 on the table 41 are identified from the captured image obtained by photographing the mount 80 placed on the table 41. Layout image data is then generated according to the identified position and orientation of the placement area 85, and printing is performed on the print substrate M based on the generated layout image data. Therefore, if the print substrate M is placed in accordance with the placement area 85 of the mount 80 placed on the table 41, it is possible to print an image in an accurate position even on print substrate M whose contour is difficult to detect.

(2) According to this embodiment, the shape of the mounting area 85 is determined based on the outline data included in the print data, so that mount image data for generating the mount 80 can be easily generated.

(3) According to this embodiment, a two-dimensional code 81 containing identification information for identifying the print data is printed on the backing paper 80, making it easy to identify the print image to be printed on the substrate M.

(4) According to this embodiment, the two-dimensional code 81 is used as a detection mark for identifying the position and orientation of the placement area 85. Therefore, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 can be easily identified without printing other detection marks on the mount 80.

(5) According to this embodiment, in the layout process, the print image is positioned based on the position and orientation of the placement area 85, making it possible to print the print image at an appropriate position and in an appropriate orientation on the printing substrate M.

(6) According to this embodiment, the mount 80 is photographed by the imaging unit 47 attached to the carriage 44. In other words, since the mount 80 is photographed from a relatively close distance, the image quality of the captured image is less susceptible to the effects of the brightness of the surrounding environment, and the like, and the image quality can be stabilized. In addition, the size of the device can be reduced compared to a configuration in which images are captured from a long distance.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows:

In the above embodiment, the mount 80 is adsorbed to the table 41 by the suction unit 42, but the printing material M placed on the mount 80 is not adsorbed to the table 41. For this reason, if there is a risk that the printing material M may move due to vibrations or air currents accompanying the movement of the carriage 44, it is desirable to form a through hole inside the mounting area 85 of the mount 80 so that the printing material M is adsorbed to the table 41. In this case, an image encouraging the formation of a through hole may be printed on the mount 80. In other words, the mount image may include an image encouraging the formation of a through hole inside the mounting area 85 of the mount 80.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a predetermined mark 86 may be printed at a desired position where a through hole is to be formed, and a message 87 urging the user to form a through hole at the position of the mark 86 may be printed on the mount 80. In this case, the mark 86 and the message 87 correspond to an image urging the user to form a through hole. Note that only one of the mark 86 and the message 87 may be printed. Also, a message urging the user to form a through hole may be displayed on the display device 3. The through hole may be formed by the user using a tool such as a cutter knife before the mount 80 is placed on the table 41. If a through hole is formed in the mount 80, the printing material M is attracted to the table 41 by air suction, so that the printing material M is prevented from moving on the mount 80.

In the above embodiment, a configuration in which one substrate M can be placed on one mount 80 has been shown, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, if the size of the substrate M is sufficiently small compared to the mount 80, as shown in FIG. 10, multiple placement areas 85 may be arranged on one mount 80, allowing multiple substrates M to be placed on it. Also, by arranging multiple placement areas 85 on one mount 80 and arranging an individual two-dimensional code 81 for each placement area 85, multiple substrates M with different images to be printed can be placed on one mount 80.

In the above embodiment, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 are determined based on the position and orientation of one two-dimensional code 81. However, as shown in FIG. 11, multiple two-dimensional codes 81 may be arranged at separate locations, and the position and orientation of the placement area 85 may be determined based on the positions and orientations of the multiple two-dimensional codes 81. In this case, it is possible to accurately determine the position and orientation of the placement area 85.

In the above embodiment, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 are determined based on the position and orientation of the two-dimensional code 81, but this is not a limitation. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 may be determined based on the position and orientation of a detection mark 88 that is separate from the two-dimensional code 81. In this case, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 can be determined with high accuracy by determining the position and orientation of the placement area 85 using a plurality of detection marks 88 that are spaced apart. In this configuration, if the image to be printed is fixed to one, identification information for identifying the print data is not required, and therefore the configuration may not include the two-dimensional code 81. The position and orientation of the placement area 85 may be determined based on the contour image 82 without using the two-dimensional code 81 or the detection mark 88.

In the above embodiment, a PDF file is used as the print data, but the print data is not limited to a PDF file as long as it can represent a print image. For example, the print data may be image data in a raster format, such as JPEG or PNG. In other words, the print data may be configured not to include contour data in addition to the image data representing the print image. In this case, image data that allows the contour of the print substrate M to be identified based on the background color may be prepared as the print data, and the control unit 11 may detect the contour and generate the contour data. In other words, in this case, the shape of the placement area 85 is determined based on the image represented by the image data, i.e., the print image. With this configuration, mount image data can be easily generated even if the print data does not include contour data.

In addition, the outline data may be prepared in advance separately from the image data, and the user may select the image data and the outline data. In this case, it is desirable that the two-dimensional code 81 printed on the mount 80 includes identification information for identifying the selected image data and identification information for identifying the selected outline data. With this configuration, the selected image data and outline data can be identified in the subsequent layout process, so that the layout process can be executed appropriately. Note that in this configuration, if the image to be printed is fixed to one, for example, it is not necessary to include the identification information of the image data in the two-dimensional code 81.

In the above embodiment, thumbnail images 72T are displayed in the image selection section 72 of the main screen 70, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, instead of thumbnail images 72T, identification information of the print data, the file name of the print data, etc. may be displayed.

In the above embodiment, the print data is stored in the storage unit 12 of the information processing device 1, but this is not limited to the configuration. For example, the print data may be stored in a storage device (not shown) that is external to the information processing device 1.

In the above embodiment, the position and orientation of the placement area 85 are identified based on the two-dimensional code 81, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, if the premise is that the mount 80 is placed on the table 41 in a predetermined orientation, the orientation of the placement area 85 may not be identified.

In the above embodiment, the imaging unit 47 is not limited to being attached to the carriage 44. For example, it may be disposed in a position where it is possible to capture an image of the entire table 41 in a single shot. Furthermore, the first printer 4 is not limited to being equipped with an imaging unit 47. For example, it may be configured such that the information processing device 1 acquires an image captured by an external imaging device via the interface unit 13.

In the above embodiment, the contour image 82 printed on the mount 80 may be printed with a contour based on the contour data, i.e., a size slightly larger than the contour of the actual substrate M. In this case, when the substrate M is placed on the placement area 85, the contour image 82 is prevented from being obscured by the substrate M.

1...information processing device, 2...input device, 3...display device, 4...first printer, 5...second printer, 11...control unit, 12...storage unit, 13...interface unit, 14...printing program, 40...device body, 41...table, 41G...guide groove, 42...suction unit, 43...gantry, 43G...guide rail, 44...carriage, 45...print head, 46...ultraviolet ray irradiation unit, 47...imaging unit, 61...control unit, 62...storage unit, 63...interface unit, 64... Carriage drive unit, 70...main screen, 71...command selection unit, 72...image selection unit, 72T...thumbnail image, 72S...symbol, 73...preview display unit, 73P...preview image, 73L...layout image, 80, 80A, 80B...backing paper, 81...two-dimensional code, 82...outline image, 83...identification text, 84...direction indicator, 85...placement area, 86...mark, 87...message, 88...detection mark, 100...printing system, M...printed material.

Claims (11)

A printing method for printing a first image based on print data on a substrate, comprising:
A step of generating a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the printing substrate is placed is printed;
taking an image of the mount placed on a table;
identifying a position of the placement area on the table based on a captured image obtained by photographing the mount;
performing a layout process for arranging the first image based on the identified position of the placement area to generate layout image data;
and printing the first image on the printing substrate placed in the placement area of the mount arranged on the table based on the layout image data. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
The method further includes, before the step of generating the mount, generating mount image data representing the second image based on the print data;
The print data includes contour data representing a contour of the printing medium,
A printing method, wherein in the generating of the mount image data, a shape of the placement area is determined based on the contour data. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
The method further includes, before the step of generating the mount, generating mount image data representing the second image based on the print data;
A printing method, wherein in the generating of the mount image data, a shape of the placement area is determined based on the first image. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
the second image includes a detection mark for identifying the position of the placement area;
In the step of specifying the position of the placement area, the position of the placement area is specified based on the position of the detection mark photographed in the step of photographing the mount. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
The method further includes a step of identifying the print data based on the captured image,
the second image includes a two-dimensional code including identification information for identifying the print data;
A printing method, wherein in the step of specifying the print data, the print data is specified based on the identification information included in the two-dimensional code photographed in the step of photographing the mount. 6. The printing method according to claim 5,
A printing method, wherein in the step of specifying the position of the placement area, the position of the placement area is specified based on the position of the two-dimensional code photographed in the step of photographing the mount. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
In the step of identifying the position of the placement area, an orientation of the placement area is also identified,
In the step of generating layout image data, the first image is placed based on the position and orientation of the identified placement area. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
In the step of printing the first image, the first image is printed by a print head attached to a scanning unit that scans over the table,
In the step of photographing the mount, an image of the mount is captured by an imaging unit attached to the scanning unit. 2. The printing method according to claim 1,
The table is formed with a plurality of suction ports for sucking air,
A printing method, wherein the second image includes an image that prompts the user to form a through hole inside the placement area. An information processing device including a processor, the information processing device controlling a first printing device that prints on a printing substrate to print a first image based on print data on the printing substrate,
The processor,
Controlling the first printing device or a second printing device different from the first printing device to generate a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the printing substrate is placed is printed;
The mount placed on the table is photographed;
Identifying a position of the placement area on the table based on a captured image obtained by photographing the mount;
Executing a layout process to arrange the first image based on the identified position of the placement area to generate layout image data;
An information processing device that controls the first printing device to print the first image on the printing substrate placed in the placement area of the mount arranged on the table based on the layout image data. A computer controls a first printing device that prints on a substrate to print a first image based on print data on the substrate,
A step of controlling the first printing device or a second printing device different from the first printing device to generate a mount on which a second image including an image of a placement area on which the printing substrate is placed is printed;
A step of photographing the mount placed on a table;
A step of identifying a position of the placement area on the table based on a captured image obtained by photographing the mount;
A step of executing a layout process for arranging the first image based on the identified position of the placement area to generate layout image data;
A program that controls the first printing device and executes a procedure for printing the first image on the substrate placed in the placement area of the backing paper arranged on the table based on the layout image data.

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