JP7767950B2 - Computer program for a control device, a control device, and a method performed by the control device - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses technology related to a printer that can perform specified processes related to cutting cut paper.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus equipped with a cutting unit that cuts cut paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-001358

This specification provides technology that improves user convenience for printers that can perform specified processes related to cutting cut paper.

This specification discloses a computer program for a control device that causes a printer to execute printing. The computer program may cause the control device to function as: a first display control unit that causes a display unit to display a first preview image corresponding to an image to be printed, the first preview image including an animation indicating that a predetermined process related to cutting a cut sheet will be executed; and a print control unit that, when a print execution operation is accepted after the first preview image is displayed on the display unit, executes print control processing to cause the printer to print the image to be printed on the cut sheet and execute the predetermined process on the cut sheet.

With the above configuration, the control device displays a first preview image that includes an animation indicating that a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper will be performed. Therefore, by viewing the first preview image that includes the animation, the user can easily understand that the predetermined process will be performed by the printer. This improves user convenience.

The computer-readable recording medium storing the above-mentioned computer program, the control device implemented by the above-mentioned computer program, and the method executed by the control device are also novel and useful.

This shows the hardware configuration of the printer. 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. 1 shows a flowchart of a printing process. A screen transition diagram for Case A is shown. The screen transition diagram continues from FIG. A screen transition diagram for Case B is shown. A screen transition diagram for Case C is shown. A screen transition diagram for Case D is shown. The screen transition diagram continues from FIG. 8 . A screen transition diagram for Case E is shown.

(Hardware configuration of printer 10; Figure 1)
1, the printer 10 includes a storage unit 18, a transport unit 20, a print execution unit 22, a cutting unit 24, and a paper output tray 50. The storage unit 18, the transport unit 20, the print execution unit 22, and the cutting unit 24 are provided inside a housing (not shown) of the printer 10. The paper output tray 50 is exposed to the outside of the housing.

The storage section 18 stores cut sheets 56. "Cut sheets" are sheets of paper that have been cut to a predetermined size, such as A4 size, A5 size, letter size, or postcard size. In this embodiment, cut sheets of either A4 size or A5 size are stored in the storage section 18.

The conveying unit 20 includes a conveying path 52 and multiple rollers 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66. The cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18 is conveyed along the conveying path 52 by the rollers 58, etc.

In this embodiment, the print execution unit 22 is equipped with an inkjet head 68. The inkjet head 68 prints an image on the cut paper 56 by ejecting ink onto the cut paper 56 transported by rollers 58 and 60. The printed cut paper 56 is then transported further downstream in the transport direction by rollers 62 and 64. In a modified example, the print execution unit 22 may be equipped with a laser-type printing mechanism.

The cutting unit 24 is equipped with a cutting blade (not shown). The cutting unit 24 cuts the printed cut sheet 56 by moving the cutting blade in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 1. This separates the cut sheet 56 into an upstream portion and a downstream portion in the transport direction. In particular, the cutting unit 24 cuts the cut sheet 56 in half by cutting a straight line connecting the midpoints of each of the pair of long sides of the cut sheet 56. That is, the cutting unit 24 can cut, for example, an A4-sized cut sheet in half to form two cut A5-sized sheets. Each cut sheet 56 is further transported downstream in the transport direction by rollers 66. As a result, each cut sheet 56 reaches the paper output tray 50.

In this way, the printer 10 of this embodiment can cut the cut paper 56. Therefore, if the user of the printer 10 prepares, for example, A4-sized cut paper, they can obtain printed paper of a size smaller than A4 (for example, A5 size). For example, even if a user wants to print on A5-sized cut paper but does not have A5-sized cut paper, the printer 10 can provide the user with A5-sized cut paper by printing on and cutting the A4-sized cut paper.

(Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 2)
Next, the configuration of the communication system 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The communication system 2 includes a printer 10 and a terminal 100. The devices 10 and 100 are connected to a LAN (short for Local Area Network) 4 and can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

(Configuration of printer 10)
The printer 10 is a peripheral device (for example, a peripheral device of the terminal 100) that can execute a printing function. The printer 10 is assigned a printer ID "P1" that identifies the printer 10. The printer 10 includes a display unit 12, an operation unit 14, a communication interface 16, a transport unit 20, a print execution unit 22, a cutting unit 24, and a control unit 30. Each of the units 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 12 is a so-called touch panel, and also functions as an operation unit operated by the user. The operation unit 14 has multiple keys. By operating the operation unit 14, the user can input various instructions to the printer 10. The communication interface 16 is connected to the LAN 4. The rollers 58 of the transport unit 20, the print execution unit 22, and the cutting unit 24 transport the cut paper 56, print on the cut paper 56, and cut the cut paper 56 according to instructions from the control unit 30 (i.e., the CPU 32 described below).

The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes in accordance with a program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc.

(Configuration of terminal 100)
The terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a smartphone, tablet PC, or PDA. In a modified example, the terminal 100 may be a stationary terminal device. The terminal 100 includes a display unit 112, an operation unit 114, a communication interface 116, and a control unit 130. Each unit 112 to 130 is connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

The display unit 112 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 112 is a so-called touch panel, and also functions as an operation unit operated by the user. The operation unit 114 is an interface for accepting various instructions input from the user. The user can input various instructions to the terminal 100 via the operation unit 114. The communication interface 116 is connected to the LAN 4.

The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and memory 134. The CPU 132 executes various processes in accordance with programs 136, 138, etc. stored in memory 134. The memory 134 is composed of volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc. The memory 134 stores an OS (short for Operating System) program 136 and an application 138. Hereinafter, the OS program 136 and the application 138 will be referred to as "OS 136" and "app 138," respectively. The OS 136 is a program for controlling the basic operations of the terminal 100. The app 138 is a program for causing a printer (e.g., 100) to execute printing. The app 138 is installed on the terminal 100, for example, from a server (not shown) installed on the Internet by the OS 136 vendor.

(Printing process; Figure 3)
Next, referring to FIG. 3 , a printing process implemented by the CPU 132 executing the application 138 will be described. The process of FIG. 3 is triggered by an operation to display a print preview screen (e.g., an operation to select an image to be printed, an operation to select the OK button on the print setting screen, etc.). Therefore, when the process of FIG. 3 is started, a printer (e.g., printer 10), an image to be printed, and printing conditions (e.g., paper size, whether a cut-to-print setting is on or off, etc.) have already been selected by the user. Hereinafter, the selected printer, selected image, and selected printing conditions will be referred to as the "target printer,""targetimage," and "target printing conditions," respectively. Here, the "cut-to-print setting" indicates either "on," which indicates that cut paper is to be cut, or "off," which indicates that cut paper is not to be cut. In particular, "on" includes both the normal "on" and "on (2-in-1)." The orientation of the preview image on the print preview screen differs depending on whether the normal "On" is selected as the cut print setting or "On (2 in 1)" is selected as the cut print setting (see Figures 4 and 8 described below).

In the following description, instead of describing the CPU 132 as the subject of processing, the application 138 will be described as the subject of processing. In S10, the application 138 determines whether the paper size included in the target printing conditions is A4. If the paper size is A4, the application 138 determines YES in S10 and proceeds to S12; if the paper size is not A4 (i.e., it is A5), the application 138 determines NO in S10 and proceeds to S40.

In S12, the application 138 determines whether the cut print setting included in the target printing conditions is "On." If the cut print setting is "On" or "On (2 in 1)," the application 138 determines YES in S12 and proceeds to S20; if the cut print setting is "Off," the application 138 determines NO in S12 and proceeds to S30.

In S20, application 138 rasterizes the target image into an A5-sized image. Application 138 converts vector-format image data representing the target image into bitmap-format image data that corresponds to A5 size. Below, the image represented by the image data generated in S20 will be referred to as a "rasterized image." In particular, below, an example will be described in which the target image includes four pages of page images. In this case, the processing in S20 generates four pages of rasterized images (i.e., four rasterized images) from the four pages of page images, and each of the four rasterized images corresponds to A5 size.

In S22, application 138 lays out each of the four pages of rasterized images in an A5 print area. Specifically, application 138 first generates the same number of A5 print areas as the number of rasterized images (i.e., four in this case). Next, application 138 lays out each rasterized image in each A5 print area. Application 138 lays out the first of the four rasterized images in the first A5 print area. Similarly, application 138 lays out the second, third, and fourth rasterized images in the second, third, and fourth A5 print areas, respectively. Hereinafter, the image represented by the image data generated in S22 will be referred to as a "layout image." Therefore, in the processing of S20, four pages of layout images (i.e., four layout images) are generated from the four pages of rasterized images, and each of the four layout images corresponds to A5 size.

In S24, application 138 draws each rasterized image in an A5 preview area. Specifically, application 138 first generates the same number of A5 preview areas as the number of rasterized images (i.e., four in this case). Next, application 138 draws each rasterized image in each A5 preview area. Application 138 draws the first of the four rasterized images in the first A5 preview area. Similarly, application 138 draws the second, third, and fourth rasterized images in the second, third, and fourth A5 preview areas, respectively.

In S24, application 138 further combines the two A5 preview areas to generate one A4 preview area. Specifically, application 138 combines the first and second A5 preview areas to generate a first A4 preview area, and combines the third and fourth A5 preview areas to generate a second A4 preview area. Hereinafter, the image represented by the image data generated in S24 will be referred to as a "preview image." Therefore, in the processing of S24, two pages of preview images (i.e., two preview images) are generated from four pages of rasterized images, and each of the two preview images corresponds to A4 size. Application 138 also applies animation to each preview image.

In S26, application 138 converts the two-page layout image generated in S22 to generate print data representing one page of print image in a data format interpretable by the target printer. For example, application 138 generates first print data representing one page of print image corresponding to A4 size from the layout image of page 1 and the layout image of page 2. Similarly, application 138 generates second print data representing one page of print image corresponding to A4 size from the layout image of page 3 and the layout image of page 4. In other words, if the target image includes four page images, application 138 generates two pieces of print data representing two page images. Generally speaking, if the target image includes n page images (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1), application 138 generates n/2 pieces of print data (rounded up to the nearest whole number) representing n/2 page print images (rounded up to the nearest whole number).

In S28, the application 138 assigns a cut command to each piece of print data that has been generated. The cut command is a command that instructs the target printer to cut the cut paper. As a result, each piece of print data with the cut command assigned is sent to the target printer, allowing the target printer to cut the cut paper. Hereinafter, when the application 138 "sends (or receives) information," it means that the application 138 sends (or receives) the information via the OS 136 and the communication interface 116.

The processing of S30 is the same as the processing of S20, except that a rasterized image corresponding to A4 size is generated. That is, in the processing of S30, four pages of rasterized images are generated from four pages of page images, and each of the four rasterized images corresponds to A4 size.

The processing of S32 is the same as the processing of S22, except that an A4 print area is used. That is, in the processing of S32, four pages of layout images are generated from four pages of rasterized images, and each of the four layout images corresponds to A4 size.

The processing of S34 is the same as the processing of S24, except that a rasterized image corresponding to A4 size is drawn in the A4 preview area. That is, in the processing of S34, four pages of preview images are generated from four pages of rasterized images, and each of the four preview images corresponds to A4 size. Furthermore, no animation is added to the preview images in S34.

The processing of S36 is the same as the processing of S26, except that print data representing print images corresponding to A4 size is generated from a layout image corresponding to A4 size. That is, in the processing of S36, four pages of print images are generated from four pages of layout images, and each of the four print images corresponds to A4 size.

The processing of S40 is the same as the processing of S20. That is, in the processing of S40, four pages of rasterized images are generated from four pages of page images, and each of the four rasterized images corresponds to A5 size.

The processing of S42 is the same as the processing of S22. That is, in the processing of S42, four pages of layout images are generated from four pages of rasterized images, and each of the four layout images corresponds to A5 size.

The processing of S44 is the same as the processing of S24, except that an A4 preview area is not generated. That is, in the processing of S44, four pages of preview images are generated from four pages of rasterized images, and each of the four preview images corresponds to A5 size. Furthermore, no animation is added to the preview images of S44.

The processing of S46 is the same as the processing of S26, except that print data representing print images corresponding to A5 size is generated from a layout image corresponding to A5 size. That is, in the processing of S46, four pages of print images are generated from four pages of layout images, and each of the four print images corresponds to A5 size.

In S48, the application 138 assigns a cut suppression command to each piece of print data that has been generated. The cut suppression command instructs the target printer not to cut the cut paper.

The reason why a cut suppression command is issued is as follows. Here, assume that the target printer is loaded with A4-sized cut sheets and the paper size included in the target printing conditions is A5. In this situation, the A5 paper size included in the target printing conditions is half the A4 paper size of the loaded cut sheets. Therefore, if the cut suppression command were not issued to the print data, the target printer might cut the cut sheets. In other words, even if the cut print setting is "Off," the target printer might cut the cut sheets. In this case, the cut sheets would be cut against the user's intention. For this reason, in this embodiment, the application 138 issues a cut suppression command to the print data to prevent the target printer from cutting the cut sheets. This prevents the cut sheets from being cut against the user's intention.

Note that if the result of S12 is NO, neither the cut command nor the cut suppression command is assigned. In this situation, if the target printer contains A4-sized cut sheets, a print image corresponding to the A4 size will be printed on the A4-sized cut sheets. Furthermore, if the target printer contains A5-sized cut sheets, a print error will occur (i.e., printing will not be performed) because the paper size included in the target printing conditions is larger than the size of the cut sheets stored in the target printer. Thus, if the result of S12 is NO, a situation in which the target printer would cut the cut sheets cannot occur. Therefore, the application 138 assigns neither the cut command nor the cut suppression command to the print data. This makes it possible to prevent unnecessary commands from being assigned to the print data.

In S50, the app 138 displays a print preview screen on the display unit 112. The print preview screen includes a preview image (see S24, S34, and S44). If S24 is completed, a preview image including an animation is displayed. As will be described in more detail below, if S24 is completed, each preview image is displayed in a 90-degree different orientation depending on whether "On" or "On (2 in 1)" is selected as the cut print setting.

In S52, the application 138 monitors whether the user has selected a print button included in the print preview screen. If the application 138 has selected a print button from the user, it determines YES in S52 and proceeds to S54.

In S54, the application 138 sends a print instruction including the generated print data (see S26, S36, and S46) to the target printer. When the processing of S54 ends, the processing of FIG. 3 ends.

(Case A; Figures 4 and 5)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 , a specific case A realized by the process of FIG. 3 will be described. When the terminal 100 receives an application launch operation (e.g., an operation to select an icon for the application 138) from the user, the terminal 100 launches the application 138. In this case, the application 138 displays a home screen D1 on the display unit 112. Hereinafter, the phrase "app 138 displays a screen" refers to the application 138 displaying the screen via the OS 136. That is, the application 138 provides a display instruction corresponding to the screen to the OS 136, and the OS 136 displays the screen by controlling the display unit 12 based on the display instruction. The home screen D1 includes a printer selection area R1 and a print button B1. The printer selection area R1 is an area for selecting a target printer from among printers (in this case, one printer 10) found by searching the LAN 4. In case A, the printer ID "P1" of the printer 10 is selected in the printer selection area R1. The print button B1 is a button for causing the target printer to execute printing. Although not shown, the home screen D1 may further include a scan button, a copy button, and the like.

At T10, app 138 accepts from the user the selection of print button B1 and the selection of the file to be printed that the user wishes to print. When app 138 accepts the selection of print button B1, it displays a file selection screen (not shown) on display unit 112. The file selection screen is a screen for selecting a file representing an image to be printed (hereinafter referred to as a "target file") from one or more files. The one or more files may be files stored in memory 134 of terminal 100, or may be files stored on a server (not shown) different from terminal 100. App 138 accepts the selection of the target file from the user on the file selection screen. In this case, the target file is image data including four pages' worth of page images "A" to "D."

Next, the application 138 displays the print preview screen D2 on the display unit 12 (S50 in FIG. 3). At this stage, the default printing conditions (i.e., paper size "A4," paper type "plain paper," and cut print setting "off") are selected (YES in S10 and NO in S12 in FIG. 3). Therefore, the application 138 generates four pages of preview images from four pages of rasterized images (S30, S34). Each preview image corresponds to A4 size and does not include animation. The application 138 further generates four pieces of print data representing four pages of print images from the four pages of layout images (S32, S36).

The print preview screen D2 includes the preview image of the first page of four pages (i.e., image "A"), the page number "1/4", the target printer's printer ID "P1", the paper size "A4", the paper type "plain paper", and several buttons B2 to B5. The settings button B2 is a button for displaying the print settings screen for setting printing conditions. The print button B3 is a button for sending a print instruction to the target printer. The enlargement button B4 and reduction button B5 are buttons for enlarging and reducing the preview image, respectively.

The preview image included in print preview screen D2 does not include animation. This allows the user to recognize that "Off" has been selected as the cut print setting (i.e., the printer 10 will not cut the cut paper). Although not shown, when the app 138 receives a scroll operation on print preview screen D2, it displays a print preview screen that includes, for example, the preview image of the second page of four pages of preview images (i.e., image "B").

When the app 138 accepts the selection of the settings button B2 at T12, it sends a capability information transmission request to the printer 10 and receives the capability information from the printer 10. The capability information includes, for example, the paper size ("A4" and "A5" in this embodiment) that the printer 10 can print on, the paper type ("plain paper" in this embodiment), and cutting capability information indicating that the printer 10 can cut cut paper. When the app 138 receives the capability information from the printer 10, it displays the print setting screen D3 on the display unit 112. The print setting screen D3 includes the printer ID "P1," a size selection area R2 for selecting the paper size, a type selection area R3 for selecting the paper type, a cutting selection area R4 for selecting whether to cut cut paper, and an OK button B6.

In a modified example, the app 138 may acquire capability information from the printer 10 when the printer 10 is registered in the app 138. In this case, the app 138 associates the capability information with the printer 10 and stores it in the memory 134. When the app 138 accepts selection of the setting button B2, it may acquire from the memory 134 the capability information stored in association with the already-stored printer 10.

When the application 138 accepts the selection of the cutting selection area R4 at T20, it displays a selection screen D4 for selecting cut print settings on the display unit 112, superimposed on the print setting screen D3. The selection screen D4 includes text that provides an explanation regarding cutting the cut paper, and check boxes for selecting one of the cut print settings: "On," "On (2 in 1)," and "Off."

At T22, when the app 138 receives an operation to check the checkbox to select "On" as the cut print setting, it displays the print setting screen D5 on the display unit 112. On the print setting screen D5, "On" is selected in the cut selection area R4.

When the application 138 accepts the selection of the OK button B6 at T24, it displays the print preview screen D6 on the display unit 112. At this stage, the print conditions selected are paper size "A4," paper type "plain paper," and cut print setting "ON" (YES in S10, YES in S12). Therefore, the application 138 generates two pages of preview images from four pages of rasterized images (S20, S24). Each preview image corresponds to A4 size and includes animation. One preview image is generated from the first and second rasterized images (i.e., images "A" and "B"), and the other preview image is generated from the third and fourth rasterized images (i.e., images "C" and "D"). The application 138 further generates first and second print data representing two pages of print images from the four-page layout images (S22, S26) and assigns a cut command to each print data (S28).

The print preview screen D6 includes a preview image (hereinafter referred to as the "A4 preview image") corresponding to the A4 size, whose long sides run horizontally. The A4 preview image includes two pages of layout images, "A" and "B." The A4 preview image is also associated with the character string "A4." This allows the user to easily recognize that the A4 print preview image corresponds to the A4 size, i.e., that the size of the cut paper before cutting is A4 size.

As shown in Figure 4, the long sides of the A4 preview image extend horizontally, and images "A" and "B" are arranged side by side horizontally. In this case, images "A" and "B" are displayed in the A4 preview image in the same orientation as images "A" and "B" in the target file (i.e., they are displayed upright), making it easier for the user to see images "A" and "B."

An animation begins a certain time (for example, one second) after the print preview screen D6 is displayed. In this way, when the app 138 accepts the selection of the OK button B6 on the print settings screen, it displays the print preview screen D6 and then starts the animation. This makes it easy for the user to understand the animation. Note that the above-mentioned "one second" as the certain time is just an example, and it may be shorter or longer than one second.

(Continuation of Figure 4; Figure 5)
The animation displayed on the print preview screen D6 is as follows. First, as shown in the print preview screen D11 of FIG. 5 , the application 138 draws an image of scissors near the midpoint of the bottom long side of the A4 preview image (hereinafter referred to as the "bottom midpoint"). Next, the application 138 draws a dashed line extending from the bottom midpoint to the midpoint of the top long side of the A4 preview image (hereinafter referred to as the "top midpoint") (see print preview screen D12). The dashed line corresponds to the position where the cut sheet should be cut when the printer 10 cuts the sheet.

Then, the app 138 moves the image of the scissors along the dashed line toward the upper midpoint (see print preview screen D13). Note that in a modified example, the scissors are not limited to moving from the lower midpoint toward the upper midpoint; for example, the scissors may move from the upper midpoint toward the lower midpoint. In this way, the user can easily recognize that the cut paper is being cut by watching the animation of the scissors image moving.

In print preview screen D6, D11, or D12, the string "A4" is displayed in association with the A4 preview image. This is because the size of the cut paper before cutting is "A4." In contrast, in print preview screen D13, the string "A5" is included near the upper left and upper right corners of the A4 preview image. That is, the string "A5" is displayed in association with a first area to the left of the dashed line in the A4 preview image, and the string "A5" is displayed in association with a second area to the right of the dashed line in the A4 preview image. This is because the size of the cut paper after cutting will be "A5." This allows the user to easily recognize that the size of the cut paper after cutting will be A5 size.

Then, as shown on the print preview screen D14, the app 138 separates the first area from the second area. Specifically, the app 138 separates the first area from the second area by filling in the area around the dashed line with the same color as the background of the A4 preview image. In a variation, the app 138 may separate the first area from the second area by moving the first area to the left and the second area to the right. In another variation, the app 138 may separate the first area from the second area by moving either the first area or the second area (for example, moving only the first area to the left). In this way, the separation of the first area from the second area allows the user to easily recognize that the cut paper will be cut.

On the print preview screen D14, the application 138 displays page number "1" in place of image "A" overlaid in the first area. Page number "1" corresponds to the page number of image "A" in the target file. Similarly, the application 138 displays page number "2" in place of image "B" overlaid in the second area. This allows the user to easily recognize the respective page numbers of images "A" and "B" laid out in each area.

In this way, when a certain amount of time has elapsed since print preview screen D6 in FIG. 4 was displayed, app 138 starts an animation that transitions from print preview screen D11 to D14. In this embodiment, the animation is displayed only once. That is, in this embodiment, the animation ends when print preview screen D14 is displayed. In a modified example, the animation may be repeatedly executed a predetermined number of times, two or more times. That is, in a modified example, after print preview screen D14 is displayed, app 138 may display print preview screen D11 again and start the animation again.

Then, at T30, when the app 138 accepts selection of the print button B3 on the print preview screen D14, it displays a selection screen D15 on the display unit 112, superimposed on the print preview screen D14. The selection screen D15 is a screen for selecting whether or not to have the printer 10 cut the cut paper, and includes a message indicating that the cut paper will be cut, an OK button B7, and a Cancel button B8. By looking at the selection screen D15, the user can confirm that the cut paper will be cut.

When the application 138 accepts selection of the OK button on the selection screen D15 at T32, it sends a print instruction including the generated first and second print data to the printer 10 (S26, S54). Although not shown in the figure, if the Cancel button B8 on the selection screen D15 is selected, the application 138 does not send the print instruction to the printer 10 and instead causes the print preview screen (e.g., D11) to be displayed again on the display unit 12. Therefore, if the user does not want the cut paper to be cut, the user can select the setting button B2 on the print preview screen D11 to change the cut print setting to "Off."

Printing and cutting are performed in the printer 10 as follows. First, the printer 10 drives the rollers 58, 60 of the transport unit 20 to transport the first A4-sized sheet of paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. Here, the cut paper 56 is transported along the direction of its long side. The printer 10 then instructs the print execution unit 22 to print an image in accordance with the first print data. Specifically, the print execution unit 22 prints image "A" of the first page on the downstream half of the first cut paper 56 (i.e., the downstream half in the transport direction) in accordance with the first print data. Next, the print execution unit 22 prints image "B" of the second page on the upstream half of the first cut paper 56 (i.e., the upstream half in the transport direction).

Next, the printer 10 drives the rollers 60, 62, and 64 of the transport unit 20 to transport the first printed sheet of paper 56 to the cutting unit 24. The printer 10 then instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the first printed sheet of paper 56. This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the boundary between the downstream half and the upstream half of the first sheet of paper 56. In other words, the cutting unit 24 cuts the first sheet of paper 56 in half along a line connecting the midpoints of the pair of long sides of the first sheet of paper 56. As a result, an A5-sized cut sheet of paper containing image "A" of the first page and an A5-sized cut sheet of paper containing image "B" of the second page are formed. Next, the printer 10 drives the rollers 64 and 66 of the transport unit 20 to transport the two cut sheets of paper to the paper output tray 50.

Similarly, the printer 10 transports the second A4-sized cut sheet 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22 and instructs the print execution unit 22 to print an image according to the second print data. As a result, the print execution unit 22 prints the image "C" of the third page on the downstream half of the second cut sheet and the image "D" of the fourth page on the upstream half of the second cut sheet according to the second print data. Next, the printer 10 transports the printed second cut sheet 56 to the cutting unit 24 and instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed second cut sheet 56. This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the boundary between the downstream half and upstream half of the second cut sheet 56. As a result, an A5-sized cut sheet containing the image "C" of the third page and an A5-sized cut sheet containing the image "B" of the fourth page are formed. The printer 10 then transports the two cut sheets of paper to the paper output tray 50. As a result, a total of four A5-sized cut sheets of paper are provided to the user.

(Case B; Figure 6)
Next, case B will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In case B, first, the same processes as those in T10 to T24 in Fig. 4 are executed, and the print preview screen D6 is displayed on the display unit 112.

At T126 in FIG. 6 , if the app 138 receives a scroll operation from the user before a certain time (e.g., one second) has elapsed since the print preview screen D6 was displayed, the app 138 displays the print preview screen D20 on the display unit 112. The scroll operation is an operation for displaying another of the two preview images (e.g., an A4 preview image including two pages of layout images "C" and "D"). The print preview screen D20 is similar to the print preview screen D6, except that image "C" is displayed instead of image "A" and image "D" is displayed instead of image "B".

After that, when a certain amount of time has passed since the print preview screen D20 was displayed, animation begins (print preview screens D21 to D24). Each print preview screen D21 to D23 is similar to the print preview screens D11 to D13 in FIG. 5, except that images "C" and "D" are displayed instead of images "A" and "B," respectively. Furthermore, print preview screen D24 is similar to print preview screen D14, except that page numbers "3" and "4" are displayed superimposed on the first and second areas, respectively. In this way, when app 138 accepts a scroll operation, it displays print preview screen D20, which includes another preview image, and then starts animation. This makes it easy for the user to understand the animation.

As described above, animation begins a certain amount of time after print preview screen D6 is displayed (see FIG. 5). If a scroll operation is received from the user after animation has started, app 138 may display print preview screen D20 including images "C" and "D" (i.e., a print preview screen without animation). Then, animation may begin when a certain amount of time has passed since print preview screen D20 was displayed. In other words, app 138 may begin animation from the beginning when a scroll operation is received.

As described above, animation begins a certain time after print preview screen D6 is displayed (see print preview screens D11 to D14 in FIG. 5). At this time, a similar animation may be running in the background for the A4 preview image including images "C" and "D," although it is not displayed on the print preview screen. In this case, if a scrolling operation is received from the user after the animation has started, app 138 may display the animation by continuing the animation running in the background. For example, consider a case in which a scrolling operation is received from the user while print preview screen D11 in FIG. 5 is displayed after the animation has started. In this case, when a scrolling operation is received, app 138 may display print preview screen D21 instead of print preview screen D20. In other words, when a scrolling operation is received, app 138 may continue displaying the animation without starting it from the beginning.

(Case C; Figure 7)
Next, case C will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In case C, first, the same processes as those in T10 to T24 in Fig. 4 are executed, and the print preview screen D6 is displayed on the display unit 112.

7, when the app 138 receives selection of the reduce button B5 from the user before a certain time (e.g., one second) has elapsed since the print preview screen D6 was displayed, the app 138 displays the print preview screen D30 on the display unit 112. The print preview screen D30 includes two A4 preview images. One of the A4 preview images is the same as the A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D6 (i.e., a preview image including two pages of layout images "A" and "B"). The other A4 preview image is the same as the A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D20 of FIG. 6 (i.e., a preview image including two pages of layout images "C" and "D"). In a modified example, the operation for reducing the preview image may be pinching in on the display unit 112 instead of selecting the reduce button B5.

After that, when a certain time (for example, one second) has elapsed since the print preview screen D30 was displayed, animation begins (print preview screens D31 to D34). The animation for one A4 preview image is the same as D11 to D14 in FIG. 5. The animation for the other A4 preview image is the same as D21 to D24 in FIG. 6. In this way, when app 138 accepts selection of the reduce button B5, it displays print preview screen D30 including two A4 preview images and then starts the animation. This makes it easy for the user to understand the animation. Note that even when app 138 accepts selection of the reduce button B5, it may start the animation from the beginning, or it may continue to display the animation without starting it from the beginning.

Furthermore, at T228, when app 138 accepts selection of Enlarge button B4 in print preview screen D34, app 138 causes print preview screen D6 to be displayed again on display unit 112. Note that, in a modified example, when app 138 accepts selection of Enlarge button B4 in print preview screen D34, app 138 may cause print preview screen D20 to be displayed on display unit 112. Thereafter, when a certain time (e.g., one second) has elapsed since print preview screen D6 was displayed again, an animation starts (see FIG. 5 ). Note that, in a modified example, the operation for enlarging the preview image may be an operation of pinching out on display unit 112, instead of selecting Enlarge button B4. In this way, when app 138 accepts selection of Enlarge button B4, app 138 again displays print preview screen D6 including a single A4 preview image, and then starts the animation. This makes it easier for the user to understand the animation. Note that even when app 138 accepts selection of Enlarge button B4, app 138 may start the animation from the beginning, or may continue displaying the animation without starting it from the beginning.

(Case D; Figures 8 and 9)
Next, case D will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. Case D differs from case A in that cut (2 in 1) is selected as the cut print setting. In case D, first, the same processes as T10 to T20 in Figure 4 are executed, and selection screen D4 is displayed superimposed on print setting screen D3.

When the application 138 receives an operation to check the checkbox for selecting "On (2 in 1)" as the cut print setting at T322 in FIG. 8, it displays the print setting screen D40 on the display unit 112. On the print setting screen D5, "2 in 1" is selected in the cut selection area R4.

When the application 138 accepts the selection of the OK button B6 at T324, it displays the print preview screen D41 on the display unit 112. At this stage, the paper size "A4," the paper type "plain paper," and the cut print setting "2 in 1" have been selected as the printing conditions (YES in S10, YES in S12). Therefore, the application 138 executes the processes of S20 to S28 and S50 of FIG. 3 to display the print preview screen D41 on the display unit 112. The orientation of the A4 preview image on the print preview screen D41 is 90 degrees different from the orientation of the A4 print preview image included in the print preview screen D6 of FIG. 4. That is, the print preview screen D41 includes an A4 preview image whose long side extends vertically. The A4 preview image includes two pages of layout images "A" and "B." In this way, the application 138 can display an A4 preview image with a different orientation from the A4 preview image included in D6 of FIG. 4, depending on the user's selection. Therefore, the application 138 can display an A4 preview image in the orientation preferred by the user. Note that the orientation of the A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D41 in FIG. 8 (i.e., the orientation with the long side extending vertically) is based on the orientation in which the cut paper 56 is ejected from the printer 10.

Then, after a certain amount of time (e.g., one second) has elapsed since the print preview screen D30 was displayed, the animation will begin.

(Continuation of Figure 8; Figure 9)
As shown in D42 to D45 of Fig. 9, the animation is the same as the animation shown by D11 to D14 of Fig. 5, except that the scissors move in the left-right direction (in this case, the scissors move from right to left). After that, the same processes as T30 and T32 of Fig. 5 are executed, and the same print result as in the case of Fig. 5 is obtained.

(Case E; Figure 10)
Next, case E will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In case E, the specific animation differs from case A. When a certain time (for example, one second) has elapsed since the print preview screen D6 in Fig. 4 was displayed, animation begins and the print preview screen D11 in Fig. 10 is displayed. The print preview screens D11 to D13 in Fig. 10 are the same as the print preview screens D11 to D13 in Fig. 5.

Then, as shown in the print preview screen D54, the app 138 displays a portion of the first area and a portion of the second area overlapping each other. Specifically, the app 138 moves the second area to the left and downward. As a result, a portion of the first area and a portion of the second area are separated, and portions of the first area and the second area are displayed overlapping each other. In a variation, the app 138 may move the first area to the right and upward, thereby displaying a portion of the first area and a portion of the second area overlapping each other. The app 138 may also combine the above-described movement of the first area and the second area, thereby displaying a portion of the first area and a portion of the second area overlapping each other. In this way, the movement of at least one of the first area and the second area separates the first area and the second area, and portions of the first area and the second area are displayed overlapping each other, allowing the user to easily recognize that the cut paper is being cut.

(Effects of this embodiment)
With the above configuration, the application 138 displays print preview screens D11 to D14 that include animations that indicate that the cut paper will be cut. Therefore, by viewing the print preview screens D11 to D14 that include animations, the user can easily understand that the cut paper will be cut by the printer 10. This improves user convenience.

(Correspondence)
The terminal 100, the printer 10, and the control unit 130 of the terminal 100 are examples of a "terminal device," a "printer," and a "control device," respectively. The app 138 is an example of a "computer program (and application program)." Cutting a cut sheet of paper is an example of a "predetermined process." The A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D2 is an example of a "specific preview image." The A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D11, etc. is an example of a "first preview image." The A4 preview image included in the print preview screen D21, etc. is an example of a "second preview image." The two A4 preview images included in the print preview screen D31, etc. are examples of a "third preview image." D15 in FIG. 5 is an example of a "selection screen." The image of scissors and the position of the dashed line are examples of an "instrument image" and a "predetermined position," respectively. Images "A" and "B," and images "C" and "D" are examples of a "first page image" and a "second page image," respectively. The A4 preview image is an example of an "outline image." The character strings "A4" and "A5" are examples of a "first size image" and a "second (and third) size image," respectively. The page number "1" displayed superimposed on the first area and the page number "2" displayed superimposed on the second area are examples of a "first page number" and a "second page number," respectively. The cut print setting "On" and the cut print setting "On (2 in 1)" are examples of a "first option" and a "second option," respectively. The orientations in which the long sides of the A4 preview image extend along the left-right direction and the up-down direction are examples of a "first orientation" and a "second orientation," respectively.

Selecting the Print button B3 and selecting the OK button B6 are examples of a "print execution operation" and a "predetermined operation," respectively. The scrolling operation of T126 in Figure 6, selecting the Reduce button B5, and selecting the Enlarge button B4 are examples of a "scrolling operation," a "reducing operation," and a "enlarging operation," respectively. The process in which the app 138 sends a print instruction to the printer 10 is an example of a "print control process."

The process of displaying the print preview screen (e.g., D3) and the process of displaying the selection screen D15 are examples of processes executed by a "first display control unit" and a "second display control unit," respectively. The process of S54 in Figure 3 is an example of processes executed by a "print control unit."

Specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

(Variant 1) The processing in FIG. 3 may be realized by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 executing the program 36. In this case, each screen of the above embodiment (e.g., each screen of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) may be displayed on the display unit 12 of the printer 10. When the printer 10 accepts selection of the print button B3 displayed on the display unit 12 of the printer 10, the CPU 32 may supply instructions to the print execution unit 22 and the cutting unit 24. In this variant, the control unit 30 of the printer 10 is an example of a "control device," and the CPU 32 supplying instructions to the print execution unit 22 and the cutting unit 24 is an example of processing executed by a "print control unit."

(Variant 2) The printer 10 may be equipped with a perforation unit instead of the cutting unit 24. When perforations are added to the cut paper, the user can easily cut the cut paper along the perforations. In this variant, adding perforations to the cut paper is an example of a "predetermined process." Generally speaking, a "predetermined process" may be any process related to cutting the cut paper.

(Variant 3) The app 138 may display a print preview screen including an animation on the display unit 112 even when Off is selected. In this case, the print preview screen may include, for example, a message indicating that selecting On as the cut print setting will cause the printer 10 to cut the cut paper. This allows the user to know that selecting "On" as the cut print setting will cause the printer 10 to cut the cut paper.

(Variation 4) Instead of waiting for a certain period of time to pass, the app 138 may start the animation when it receives a predetermined operation on the print preview screen (for example, tapping on the A4 preview image).

(Variation 5) In the above example, the animation includes an image of scissors moving along a dashed line. In a variation, instead of an image of scissors, an image of, for example, a cutter, a needle for creating perforations, etc. may be included moving along a dashed line. In this variation, the cutter, needle, etc. are examples of "instrument images." In another variation, the animation may not include an image of scissors, etc., but may include a blinking dashed line. In this variation, the blinking dashed line is an example of "animation."

(Variant 6) The animation does not have to include the dashed lines in the above examples. For example, the animation may not include dashed lines, but may include a scissors image moving along a position connecting the midpoints of the long sides of the A4 preview image. In this case, the A4 preview image is not divided into two or more regions. Generally speaking, the "animation" does not have to include "dividing the outline image into a first region and a second region."

(Variation 7) The print preview screen D11, etc., may not include the character string "A4" associated with the A4 preview image. Similarly, the print preview screen D13, etc., may not include the character string "A5" associated with each of the first and second areas. In this variation, the "first preview image" may not include the "first (second, and third) size image." In another variation, the print preview screen D13, etc., may include the character string "A5" associated only with the first area. In this variation, the "first preview image" may not include the "third size image." In another variation, the A4 preview image and the first (and second) areas may be associated with, for example, a specific numerical value for the paper size instead of a character string representing the paper size. In this variation, this numerical value is an example of the "first (second, and third) size image."

(Variant 8) The print preview screen D14 does not need to display page numbers in association with the first and second areas. In this variant, the "first preview image" does not need to include the "first (and second) page numbers." In another variant, instead of displaying page numbers superimposed on the first and second areas (see print preview screen D14 in FIG. 5), the app 138 may display the page numbers near each area (e.g., below each area).

(Variant 9) The user may be able to select only either "On" or "Off" as the cut print setting. In other words, selection screen D4 may not include a check box corresponding to the cut print setting "On (2 in 1)." In another variant, app 138 may cause display unit 112 to display a print preview screen including an A4 preview image with the same orientation, regardless of whether "On" or "On (2 in 1)" is selected as the cut print setting.

(Variation 10) When the app 138 accepts the selection of the print button B3 at T30 in FIG. 5, it may send a print instruction to the printer 10 without displaying the selection screen D15. Generally speaking, the "second display control unit" can be omitted.

(Variant 11) In the above embodiment, the OK button B6 included in the print setting screen is displayed on the print setting screen D3 displayed by the app 138 (i.e., the OK button B6 is displayed by the app 138). In a variant, the button corresponding to the OK button B6 may be a button displayed by the OS 136. In this case, when the user selects the button, the OS 136 supplies a screen transition instruction to the app 138. As a result, when the user selects the button, the app 138 may transition from the print setting screen to a print preview screen.

(Variation 12) In the above embodiment, each of the processes shown in Figures 3 to 10 is implemented by software, but at least one of these processes may also be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations set forth in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving any one of those objectives is itself technically useful.

2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Printer, 12, 112: Display unit, 14, 114: Operation unit, 16, 116: Communication interface, 18: Storage unit, 20: Conveyor unit, 22: Print execution unit, 24: Cutting unit, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: Program, 50: Paper output tray, 52: Conveyor path, 56: Cut paper, 58-66: Rollers, 68: Inkjet head, 100: Terminal, 136: OS program, 138: Application

Claims (18)

A computer program for a control device that causes a printer to perform printing,
The control device
a first display control unit that causes a display unit to display a first preview image corresponding to the image to be printed, the first preview image including an animation indicating that a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper is being executed; and
a print control unit that, when a print execution operation is accepted after the first preview image is displayed on the display unit, executes a print control process to cause the printer to print the image to be printed on the cut paper and to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper; and
A computer program that functions as a The first display control unit
When it is selected that the predetermined process is to be executed by the printer, the first preview image is displayed on the display unit;
2. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein when it is selected that the printer not execute the specified process, a specific preview image corresponding to the image to be printed, the specific preview image not including the animation, is displayed on the display unit. the first display control unit displays the first preview image on the display unit when a predetermined operation is received on a print setting screen for setting print conditions;
The computer program according to claim 1 , wherein the animation is displayed when the first preview image is displayed in response to the predetermined operation. the image to be printed includes a plurality of page images;
the first preview image is a preview image corresponding to a first page image among the plurality of page images,
the first display control unit, when receiving a scroll operation for displaying a second preview image corresponding to a second page image of the plurality of page images, the second page image being different from the first page image, while the first preview image is being displayed, causes the display unit to display the second preview image;
the second preview image includes an animation indicating that the predetermined process is being executed;
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the animation is displayed when the second preview image is displayed in response to the scrolling operation. the image to be printed includes a plurality of page images;
the first preview image is a preview image corresponding to a first page image among the plurality of page images,
The first display control unit, in a state in which the first preview image is displayed,
when a reduction operation for reducing the first preview image is accepted, displaying on the display unit a third preview image corresponding to the first page image and a second page image of the plurality of page images, the second page image being different from the first page image;
the third preview image includes an animation indicating that the predetermined process is being executed,
The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the animation is displayed when the third preview image is displayed in response to the reduction operation. the first display control unit, when receiving an enlargement operation for enlarging the third preview image after the third preview image is displayed on the display unit, causes the first preview image to be displayed again on the display unit;
The computer program product according to claim 5 , wherein the animation is displayed when the first preview image is displayed again in response to the enlargement operation. The computer program described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the animation included in the first preview image starts a certain time after the first preview image is displayed. the animation includes an instrument image showing the content of the predetermined process moving from a predetermined position;
The computer program according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined position corresponds to a position on the cut sheet where the predetermined process is to be performed. the first preview image includes an outline image showing an outline of the cut sheet;
The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the animation comprises dividing a first region and a second region in the outline image. The first preview image is
a first size image associated with the outline image, the first size image indicating the size of the cut sheet;
a second size image associated with the first region, the second size image indicating a size of the first region;
10. The computer program of claim 9, comprising: The computer program of claim 10, wherein the first preview image further includes a third size image associated with the second region, the third size image indicating the size of the second region. The animation is
displaying the first size image in association with the outline image before the outline image is divided into the first region and the second region;
After the outline image is divided into the first area and the second area, displaying the second size image in association with the first area;
12. A computer program according to claim 10 or 11, comprising: When the image to be printed includes a plurality of page images, the first area includes an image corresponding to one page of the plurality of page images, and the second area includes an image corresponding to another page of the plurality of page images,
The first preview image is
a first page number associated with the first region, the first page number being the page number of the page image for one page;
a second page number associated with the second region, the second page number being the page number of the page image of the other one page;
13. A computer program according to any one of claims 9 to 12, comprising: The first display control unit
When a first option indicating that the predetermined process is to be executed by the printer is selected, the first preview image corresponding to the image to be printed in a first orientation is displayed on the display unit;
14. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein when a second option indicating that the printer is to execute the specified process and different from the first option is selected, the first preview image corresponding to the image to be printed in a second orientation that is 90 degrees different from the first orientation is displayed on the display unit. The computer program further causes the control device to:
and when the print execution operation is accepted after the first preview image is displayed, the display unit functions as a second display control unit that displays a selection screen for selecting whether or not to cause the printer to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper,
the print control unit executes the print control process when it is selected on the selection screen to have the printer execute the predetermined process on the cut paper;
15. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein the print control process is not executed when it is selected on the selection screen that the printer not perform the predetermined process on the cut paper. the control device is a control unit of a terminal device different from the printer,
The computer program according to claim 1 , wherein the computer program is an application program stored in the terminal device. A control device that causes a printer to perform printing,
a first display control unit that causes a display unit to display a first preview image corresponding to the image to be printed, the first preview image including an animation indicating that a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper is being executed; and
a print control unit that, when a print execution operation is accepted after the first preview image is displayed on the display unit, executes a print control process to cause the printer to print the image to be printed on the cut paper and to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper; and
A control device comprising: 1. A method performed by a controller that causes a printer to print, comprising:
a first display control step of displaying a first preview image corresponding to the image to be printed on a display unit, the first preview image including an animation indicating that a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper is being executed;
a print control step of executing a print control process to cause the printer to print the image to be printed on the cut paper and to perform the predetermined process on the cut paper when a print execution operation is accepted after the first preview image is displayed on the display unit;
A method comprising: