JP7790118B2 - Printer and computer program for printer - 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 a printing device equipped with a cutting unit that cuts cut paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-094784

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

The printer disclosed in this specification may include a storage unit for storing cut paper, a transport unit for transporting the cut paper from the storage unit, a print execution unit for printing on the cut paper, a process execution unit for performing predetermined processes related to cutting the cut paper, and a control unit. The control unit may include a memory that stores N pieces of print setting information (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1) related to the predetermined process for the cut sheet; a receiving unit that receives a request to send print setting information from the terminal device; a sending unit that sends at least one of the N pieces of print setting information to the terminal device when the send request is received from the terminal device; a print control unit that, when first selection information indicating that a first piece of print setting information from the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by a user and image data representing a target image to be printed is received from the terminal device after the at least one piece of print setting information from the N pieces of print setting information has been sent to the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut sheet; and a process control unit that, when the first selection information is received from the terminal device, causes the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet.

With the above configuration, when the printer receives a transmission request from the terminal device, it transmits at least one of N pieces of print setting information related to a predetermined process for cutting cut paper to the terminal device. Then, when the printer receives first selection information from the terminal device indicating that a first piece of print setting information from the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by the user, it executes the predetermined process on the cut paper. In other words, by selecting the first print setting information on the terminal device, the user can have the printer execute the predetermined process on the cut paper. This improves user convenience.

A computer program for implementing the above-mentioned printer and a computer-readable recording medium for storing the computer program are also novel and useful. Furthermore, a method executed by the above-mentioned printer is also novel and useful.

1 shows a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of a printer. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the control configuration of the printer. 1 shows a preset table. A sequence diagram for case A-1 is shown. The sequence diagram continues from FIG. A sequence diagram for case A-2 is shown. A sequence diagram for case A-3 is shown. A sequence diagram for Case A-4 is shown. A sequence diagram of case B is shown. A sequence diagram of case C is shown. 1 shows an example of a screen displayed on a PC.

(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.

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. Each cut piece of cut sheet 56 is further transported downstream in the transport direction by rollers 66. As a result, each cut piece of 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 print on and cut the A4-sized cut paper, thereby providing the user with A5-sized printed paper.

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

The printer 10 includes a display unit 12, a communication interface 14, an operation unit 16, a transport unit 20, a print execution unit 22, a cutting unit 24, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12-30 is connected to a bus line (reference numerals omitted).

The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information. The communication interface 14 is connected to the LAN 4. The operation unit 16 has multiple keys. The user can input various instructions to the printer 10 by operating the operation unit 16. 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 in accordance with 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. The memory 34 also stores a preset table 40. Details of the preset table 40 will be described later.

(Configuration of PC 100)
The PC 100 is used by a user of the printer 10. The PC 100 is equipped with a generic driver 102. The generic driver 102 is a printer driver provided by a company other than the vendor of the printer 10. Unlike a printer driver dedicated to a specific printer (i.e., a dedicated driver), the generic driver 102 can execute printing on various printers manufactured by multiple printer vendors. The generic driver 102 may be installed on the PC 100 from a server (not shown) on the Internet, or may be pre-installed on the PC 100 before shipping. In this embodiment, the generic driver 102 is a printer driver that executes processing in accordance with the IPP (abbreviation for Internet Printing Protocol) method.

(Contents of the preset table; Figure 3)
Next, the contents of the preset table 40 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The preset table 40 stores multiple pieces of preset information PI1 to PI8. Each piece of preset information PI1 to PI8 is default information that is pre-stored in the preset table 40 when the printer 10 is shipped. In particular, each piece of preset information PI1 to PI3 is preset information that is not related to cutting cut sheets, while each piece of preset information PI4 to PI8 is preset information that is related to cutting cut sheets. Each piece of preset information PI1, etc., is information that associates a preset name with multiple setting values that correspond to multiple print setting items (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "items").

The "Paper Size" item indicates the size of the cut paper to be printed on. Setting values for the "Paper Size" item include, for example, "A4," "A5," "Letter," and "Postcard."

The "Cutting Parameters" item indicates whether or not to cut the cut paper to be printed. The setting value corresponding to the "Cutting Parameters" item is, for example, "trim-after-pages." The setting value "trim-after-pages" is a value defined in the PWG (The Printer Working Group) specification PWG5100.1 "IPP Finishings 2.0." Although the setting value "trim-after-pages" is not explicitly stated in the specification, it is typically used as a setting value indicating the cutting position for roll paper that is not cut paper. When the setting value "trim-after-pages" is used as a setting value indicating the cutting position for roll paper, this setting value indicates that the roll paper is to be cut at the end of the image on each page. In this embodiment, unless there is correction information (described below), this setting value is used as a setting value that indicates that the cut sheet will be cut in the middle (i.e., the position of the line connecting the centers of the pair of long sides of the cut sheet). In other words, each of the preset information PI4, PI5, and PI8 that describes this setting value is preset information that indicates that the cut sheet will be cut.

The "trimming-offset" item indicates correction information for correcting the cutting position of the cut paper to be printed. The setting value corresponding to the "trimming-offset" item is a specific numerical value (for example, "148.5 mm"). trimming-offset is also a parameter defined in the above PWG specifications, and is a parameter that can be used together with the above "trim-after-pages". trimming-offset is typically used as correction information for correcting the cutting position of roll paper. trimming-offset indicates that the roll paper will be cut at a position offset by the numerical value indicated by trimming-offset from a reference position (for example, the end position of the image on each page indicated by "trim-after-pages"). In this embodiment, trimming-offset is used as correction information to correct the cutting position of the cut sheet. For example, if trimming-offset is "148.5 mm," the cut sheet will be cut at a position 148.5 mm from the leading edge of the cut sheet.

The "Reduction Ratio" item indicates the reduction ratio of the image to be printed. The setting value corresponding to the "Reduction Ratio" item indicates a specific numerical value (for example, "50%"). The setting value "50%" indicates that the image to be printed has been reduced to 50% of the paper size. In this embodiment, the setting value "50%" is used as a setting value that indicates that the cut paper should be cut in the middle. In other words, preset information PI7, which describes the setting value "50%", is preset information that indicates that the cut paper should be cut.

Preset information PI6 does not include the cutting parameter "trim-after-pages," nor does it include the reduction ratio "50%." Therefore, preset information PI6 appears to be preset information indicating that the cut sheet will not be cut. However, in this embodiment, if the storage unit 18 of the printer 10 contains A4-sized cut sheets and preset information PI6 (i.e., paper size "A5") is selected, the A4-sized cut sheet will be cut into two A5-sized sheets. In other words, when the storage unit 18 of the printer 10 contains A4-sized cut sheets, preset information PI6 also indicates that the cut sheet will be cut. Therefore, as described above, each of preset information PI4 to PI8 is preset information related to cutting the cut sheet.

(Specific cases: Figures 4 to 10)
Next, specific processing executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 10. In the following, for ease of understanding, operations executed by the CPU of each device (e.g., CPU 32) will be described mainly in terms of each device (e.g., printer 10) rather than the CPU. Furthermore, communication between the printer 10 and PC 100 described below is performed via the communication interface 14 and LAN 4. Therefore, in the following description of communication between the printer 10 and PC 100, the terms "via the communication interface 14" and "via LAN 4" will be omitted.

(Case A-1; Figure 4)
First, case A-1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In the initial state of FIG. 4, the PC 100 stores a PDF (Portable Document Format) file representing one page of an A4-sized image. The printer 10 also stores A4-sized cut sheets in the storage unit 18. Hereinafter, A4-sized cut sheets will be referred to as "A4 paper." Similarly, A5-sized cut sheets, letter-sized cut sheets, and postcard-sized cut sheets will be referred to as "A5 paper,""letterpaper," and "postcard paper," respectively. In case A-1, A4 paper is cut in response to the user selecting preset information PI4 (i.e., the preset name "A4 → A5 cut").

At T10, the PC 100 accepts an IPP printing operation to cause the printer 10 to print according to the IPP method. The IPP printing operation includes an operation to select image data representing the image to be printed (in this embodiment, a PDF file), an operation to start the generic driver 102, and an operation to specify the printer 10 from one or more printers connected to the LAN 4. As a result, the PC 100 executes each of the subsequent processes according to the generic driver 102.

At T12, the PC 100 sends a Get-Printer-Attributes request including a preset request to the printer 10. Hereinafter, Get-Printer-Attributes will be referred to as "GPA" and the request as "req." The GPA req is a command conforming to the IPP standard, and is a command requesting the transmission of capability information from the printer 10. The preset request is a command requesting the transmission of preset information stored in the printer 10.

When the printer 10 receives a GPA req from the PC 100 at T12, it sends a GPA response to the PC 100 at T14. Below, the response will be referred to as "res." The GPA res includes the printer 10's capability information and preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7. The capability information includes "A4," "A5," "letter," "postcard," and "cut." The "A4," "A5," "letter," and "postcard" included in the capability information indicate that the printer 10 can print on A4 paper, A5 paper, letter paper, and postcard paper; in other words, the printer 10 can accommodate these paper sizes.

Although not shown in the figure, the printer 10 stores the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 in response to receiving input of that size from the user. In a modified example, the storage unit 18 of the printer 10 may be equipped with a sensor that detects the size of the cut paper. In this case, the printer 10 can identify the size of the cut paper from the value detected by the sensor. The printer 10 may then send to the PC 100 a GPA res that includes only the size of the cut paper currently stored in the storage unit 18 (in this case, "A4") instead of the sizes of cut paper that the printer 10 can print on. In another modified example, the printer 10 may send to the PC 100 a GPA res that includes both the sizes of cut paper that the printer 10 can print on and the sizes of cut paper currently stored in the storage unit 18.

The "cutting" included in the capability information indicates that the printer 10 is capable of cutting cut paper, in other words, that the printer 10 is equipped with a cutting unit 24.

The GPA res also includes only some of the preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7 from the preset information PI1 to PI8. From among the preset information PI1 to PI8, the printer 10 identifies preset information PI1, PI4, PI5, and PI7, which includes the "A4" size of the cut paper currently stored in the storage unit 18 as its paper size. The printer 10 also identifies preset information PI6 from among the preset information PI1 to PI8, which includes the "A5" size, half the "A4" size of the cut paper currently stored in the storage unit 18 as its paper size. The printer 10 then sends the GPA res, including the identified preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7, to the PC 100. In this way, the printer 10 sends to the PC 100 preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7, which include the paper sizes "A4" or "A5" associated with the "A4" size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18. As a result, only preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7 corresponding to the cut paper sizes currently stored in the printer 10 are displayed on the print settings screen D1 (described below). This allows the user to appropriately select the paper size currently printable by the printer 10. This improves user convenience.

When the PC 100 receives a GPA res from the printer 10 at T14, it displays the print setting screen D1 on the display unit 12 at T20. As shown in FIG. 11, the print setting screen D1 includes a preset name selection field for selecting a preset name, a paper size selection field for selecting a paper size, a number of copies selection field for selecting the number of copies to print, an OK button, and a cancel button. In the initial state of the print setting screen D1, the preset name selection field contains the preset name "A4 normal" corresponding to the preset information PI1. The paper size selection field contains the paper size "A4" from the preset information PI1. Furthermore, the number of copies selection field contains the predetermined default value "1".

The user can select one of preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7 by performing a pull-down operation in the preset name selection field. Also, although not shown, while print setting screen D1 is displayed, PC 100 can accept tab selection to display a print setting screen similar to print setting screen D1 except that it does not include a preset name selection field. On this setting screen, the user can perform a pull-down operation in the paper size selection field to select one of the sizes included in GPA res (i.e., "A4," "A5," "Letter," or "Postcard"). In a modified example, the paper size selection field may be configured to allow selection of only the size of cut paper currently stored in printer 10.

When PC 100 accepts the selection of the preset name "A4 Cut 1" corresponding to preset information PI4 in the preset name selection field at T22, it displays print setting screen D2 at T24. As shown in FIG. 11, the preset name "A4 → A5 Cut" is entered in the preset name selection field on print setting screen D2. Because the paper size in preset information PI4 is "A4," "A4" is entered in the paper size selection field on print setting screen D2.

The print settings screen D2 also includes a cutting selection field and a checkbox for setting the trimming offset. The cutting selection field describes the cutting parameter "trim-after-pages" in the preset information PI4. Since no value is set for the trimming offset in the preset information PI4, the above checkbox is unchecked.

On print settings screen D2, the cutting parameter "trim-after-pages" is entered in the cutting selection field, so the user knows that the cut paper will be cut. Furthermore, because the above checkbox is not checked, the user knows that the cutting position will not be offset, i.e., the cut paper will be cut in the middle. At T30, PC 100 accepts the user's selection of the OK button on print settings screen D2.

(Continuation of Figure 4; Figure 5)
When the PC 100 accepts the selection of the OK button on the print setting screen D2 (T30 in FIG. 4), it sends a Validate-Job req to the printer 10 at T40 in FIG. 5. Hereinafter, Validate-Job will be referred to as "VJ." The VJ req is a command conforming to the IPP method, and includes the print settings described on the print setting screen D2 (i.e., "A4,""trim-after-pages," and "1 copy"). The VJ req does not include trimming-offset. Note that in this embodiment, the VJ req does not include the preset name "A4 Cut 1," but in a modified example, it may include the preset name "A4 Cut 1."

When the printer 10 receives a VJ req from the PC 100 at T40, it sends a VJ res to the PC 100 at T42.

When the PC 100 receives a VJ res from the printer 10 in T42, it sends a Create-Job req to the printer 10 in T44. Below, Create-Job is abbreviated as "CJ." The CJ req is a command conforming to the IPP method, and requests the printer 10 to create a print job. The CJ req contains the same information as the VJ req in T40.

When the printer 10 receives a CJ req from the PC 100 at T44, it generates a job ID "J1" at T46 and sends a CJ res including the job ID "J1" to the PC 100 at T48.

When the PC 100 receives the CJ res from the printer 10 in T48, it converts the PDF file selected in T10 of Figure 4 to generate image data in a data format that the printer 10 can interpret. Here, the PC 100 generates image data representing an image having a size corresponding to the paper size "A4" in the selected print settings. Then, in T50, the PC 100 sends a Send-Document command (hereinafter referred to as "SD") to the printer 10. The SD is a command that complies with the IPP method and includes the generated image data and the job ID "J1" in the CJ res of T48.

When the printer 10 receives the SD card from the PC 100 at T50, it performs printing and cutting at T52. Specifically, the printer 10 first drives the rollers 58, 60 of the transport unit 20 to transport the cut sheet 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. The cut sheet 56 is transported in the direction of its long side. Next, the printer 10 instructs the print execution unit 22 to print an image represented by the image data. As a result, the print execution unit 22 prints an image corresponding to A4 size onto the cut sheet 56. In other words, the image (circular, triangular, and rectangular images in the example of Figure 5) is printed on almost the entire surface of the cut sheet 56.

Next, the printer 10 drives the rollers 60, 62, and 64 of the transport unit 20 to transport the printed sheet of paper 56 to the cutting unit 24. The printer 10 instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed sheet of paper 56. In particular, since the print settings in the CJ req include "A4" and "trim-after-pages" but not "trimming-offset," the printer 10 instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the sheet of paper 56 (i.e., A4 paper) in the middle (i.e., 148.5 mm from the top edge of the A4 paper). This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the sheet of paper 56 in half at the midpoint of its long side. As a result, two cut A5-sized sheets of paper are produced: one on which part of the image (i.e., the circle and part of the triangle) is printed, and another on which part of the image (i.e., part of the triangle and the rectangle) is printed. In this way, the printer 10 cuts the cut paper 56 at the position where the image is separated.

The printer 10 then drives the rollers 64, 66 of the transport unit 20 to transport the two cut sheets of paper to the paper output tray 50. This provides the two cut sheets of paper to the user. This allows the user to obtain printed paper of a size smaller than A4 paper (A5 paper in this case) when they wish to obtain print media smaller than A4 paper.

(Case A-2; Figure 6)
Next, case A-2 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In case A-2, the preset name "A4 cut" corresponding to preset information PI5 is selected by the user. The initial state in Fig. 6 is the same as the initial state in Fig. 4. First, the same processes as T10 to T20 in Fig. 4 are executed.

At T122 in FIG. 6, PC 100 accepts the selection of the preset name "A4 Cut 2" corresponding to preset information PI5 in the preset name selection field on print setting screen D1. In this case, PC 100 displays print setting screen D3 at T124. As shown in FIG. 11, on print setting screen D3, the preset name "A4 Cut 2" is entered in the preset name selection field. Since the paper size in preset information PI5 is "A4," "A4" is entered in the paper size selection field on print setting screen D3. The cutting parameter "trim-after-pages" from preset information PI5 is entered in the cutting selection field. Since "148.5 mm" is set for trimming offset in preset information PI6, the checkbox for setting trimming offset is checked, and "148.5 mm" is entered as its value.

In addition, while print setting screen D3 is displayed, PC 100 can accept tab selection to display a print setting screen (not shown) similar to print setting screen D3, except that it does not include a preset name selection field. At T126, PC 100 accepts an operation to input "140 mm" as the trimming-offset value on the print setting screen. Here, the user can set the trimming-offset value while checking the cutting position of the image indicated by the trimming-offset value on a preview screen (not shown). In this case, while checking the cutting position indicated on the preview screen, the user inputs the trimming-offset value "140 mm" as the position where the triangle in the above image will not be cut.

When the PC 100 accepts selection of the OK button on the print setting screen D3 at T130, it executes the processes of T140 to T144. The processes of T140 to T144 are the same as the processes of T40 to T44 in FIG. 5, except that the VJ req and CJ req each include "trimming-offset=140 mm." Then, the same processes as T46 to T52 in FIG. 5 are executed.

However, in T52 of Case A-2, the printer 10 instructs the cutting unit 24 to a different cutting position than T52 of Case A-1. Specifically, because the print settings in the CJ req include "trimming-offset=140mm," the printer 10 instructs the cutting unit 24 to set the cutting position to 140mm from the top edge of the cut sheet 56 (i.e., A4 paper). Therefore, the cutting unit 24 cuts the cut sheet 56 at a position 140mm from the top edge. In this way, the printer 10 can cut the cut sheet 56 at a position in accordance with the trimming-offset. As a result, a cut sheet is formed on which part of the image (i.e., the circle) is printed, and another cut sheet is formed on which another part of the image (i.e., the triangle and rectangle) is printed. In this way, the printer 10 cuts the cut sheet 56 at the position where the image is separated.

(Case A-3; Figure 7)
Next, case A-3 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In case A-3, the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotation Cut 1" corresponding to preset information PI6 is selected by the user. The initial state in Fig. 7 is the same as the initial state in Fig. 4. First, the same processes as T10 to T20 in Fig. 4 are executed.

At T222 in FIG. 7, PC 100 accepts the selection of the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotate Cut 1" corresponding to preset information PI6 in the preset name selection field on print setting screen D1. In this case, PC 100 displays print setting screen D4 at T224. As shown in FIG. 11, on print setting screen D4, the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotate Cut 1" is entered in the preset name selection field. Because the paper size in preset information PI6 is "A5," "A5" is entered in the paper size selection field on print setting screen D4.

When the PC 100 accepts selection of the OK button on the print settings screen D4 at T230, it executes the processes of T240 to T244. The processes of T240 to T244 are the same as the processes of T40 to T44 in FIG. 5, except that the VJ req and CJ req each include "A5" instead of "A4" and do not include "trim-after-pages." Then, the same processes as T46 to T52 in FIG. 5 are executed.

However, because the paper size "A5" is selected on the print settings screen D4, the PC 100 reduces the A4-sized image represented by the PDF file to generate a reduced A5-sized image. Then, in T50, the PC 100 sends image data representing the reduced image to the printer 10.

Since "A5" is included in the CJ req, the printer 10 performs printing and cutting as follows. First, because "A5" included in the CJ req is half the size of the "A4" cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10, the printer 10 rotates the reduced image represented by the image data in the SD (see T50 in Figure 5) by 90 degrees to generate a rotated image, and instructs the print execution unit 22 to print the rotated image. As a result, the print execution unit 22 prints the rotated image on the downstream half of the cut paper 56 (i.e., the downstream half in the transport direction). In other words, nothing is printed on the upstream half of the cut paper 56 (i.e., the upstream half in the transport direction).

The printer 10 then instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 (i.e., A4 paper) at the center of the cut sheet 56. This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 in half at the midpoint of the long side of the cut sheet 56. As a result, a cut A5-sized sheet of paper with the rotated image printed on it and a cut A5-sized sheet of paper with no image printed on it are formed. In this way, the printer 10 can cut the cut sheet 56 at a position where the image will not be separated. In particular, because a cut A5-sized sheet of paper with no image printed on it is formed, the user can reuse that paper as A5 paper.

(Case A-4; Figure 8)
Next, case A-4 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In case A-4, the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotation Cut 2" corresponding to preset information PI7 is selected by the user. The initial state in Fig. 8 is the same as the initial state in Fig. 4. First, the same processes as T10 to T20 in Fig. 4 are executed.

At T322 in FIG. 8, PC 100 accepts the selection of the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotate Cut 2" corresponding to preset information PI7 in the preset name selection field in print setting screen D1. In this case, PC 100 displays print setting screen D5 at T324. As shown in FIG. 11, on print setting screen D5, the preset name "A4 → A5 Rotate Cut 2" is entered in the preset name selection field. Because the reduction ratio in preset information PI7 is "50%," print setting screen D5 includes a reduction ratio setting field for setting the reduction ratio.

When the PC 100 accepts selection of the OK button on the print settings screen D5 at T330, it executes the processes of T340 to T344. The processes of T340 to T344 are the same as the processes of T40 to T44 in FIG. 5, except that the VJ req and CJ req each include a reduction rate of "50%" and do not include "trim-after-pages." Then, the same processes as T46 to T52 in FIG. 5 are executed.

However, because the paper size "A4" and reduction ratio "50%" are selected on the print settings screen D5, the PC 100 reduces the A4-sized image represented by the PDF file to 50% to generate a reduced A5-sized image. Then, at T50, the PC 100 sends image data representing the reduced image to the printer 10.

Since A4 paper is stored in the printer's storage compartment 18, the CJ req includes "A4," and the reduction ratio is "50%," the printer 10 recognizes that an A5-sized image, half the A4 size, should be printed on A4 paper and then cut. In this case, the printer 10 rotates the reduced image represented by the image data by 90 degrees to generate a rotated image, and instructs the print execution unit 22 to print the rotated image. This results in the same print result as case A-3 in Figure 7.

(Case B; Figure 9)
Next, case B will be described with reference to FIG. 9. In case B, postcard paper is stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10. The initial state of FIG. 9 is the same as the initial state of FIG. 4 except that postcard paper is stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10. The processes of T410 and T412 of FIG. 9 are the same as the processes of T10 and T12 of FIG. 4. The process of T414 is the same as the process of T14 of FIG. 4 except that GPA res includes only preset information PI3. In other words, since the printer 10 stores postcard paper, in T414, of the preset information PI1 to PI8, only preset information PI3 including the paper size "postcard" is sent to the PC 100.

When the PC 100 receives a GPA res from the printer 10 at T414, it displays the print settings screen D6 at T420. As shown in FIG. 11, on the print settings screen D6, the preset name "Normal Postcard" is entered in the preset name selection field, and "Postcard" is entered in the paper size selection field.

When PC 100 accepts selection of the OK button on print setting screen D6 at T430 without accepting any changes to the various information on print setting screen D6, it executes the processes of T440 to T450. The processes of T440 to T444 are the same as the processes of T40 to T44 in FIG. 5, except that the VJ req and CJ req each include "postcard" instead of "A4" and do not include "trim-after-pages." Furthermore, the processes of T446 to T450 are the same as the processes of T46 to T50 in FIG. 5, except that the job ID used is "J2."

However, because the paper size "Postcard" is selected on the print settings screen D6, the PC 100 reduces the A4-sized image represented by the PDF file to generate a reduced image corresponding to the postcard size. Then, in T450, the PC 100 sends image data representing the reduced image to the printer 10.

When the printer 10 receives the SD from the PC 100 at T450, it prints the reduced image represented by the image data onto cut paper 56 (i.e., postcard paper) at T452. Because the CJ req does not include "trim-after-pages," the printer 10 does not cut the postcard paper.

In this way, if the printer 10 contains postcard paper of a size that is not suitable for cutting, it does not send preset information related to cutting (i.e., preset information PI4 to PI8) to the PC 100 and does not cut the postcard paper. This prevents unnecessary items from being displayed on the print settings screen D6.

(Case C; Figure 10)
Next, case C will be described with reference to FIG. 10 . In case C, letter paper is stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10. The initial state of FIG. 10 is the same as the initial state of FIG. 4 except that letter paper is stored in the storage unit 18 of the printer 10. The processes of T510 and T512 of FIG. 10 are the same as the processes of T10 and T12 of FIG. 4. The process of T514 is the same as the process of T14 of FIG. 4 except that GPA res includes preset information PI2 and PI8. That is, because the printer 10 stores letter paper, in T514, it sends preset information PI2 and PI8, which include the paper size "letter," from among preset information PI1 to PI8.

When the PC 100 receives a GPA res from the printer 10 at T514, it displays the print settings screen D7 at T520. As shown in FIG. 11, on the print settings screen D7, the preset name "Letter Normal" is entered in the preset name selection field, and "Letter" is entered in the paper size selection field.

At T522, PC 100 accepts the selection of the preset name "Letter Cut" corresponding to preset information PI8 in the preset selection field within print setting screen D7. In this case, PC 100 displays print setting screen D8 at T524. As shown in FIG. 11, the preset name "Letter Cut" is entered in the preset name selection field on print setting screen D8. Because the paper size in preset information PI8 is "Letter," "Letter" is entered in the paper size selection field on print setting screen D8.

When the PC 100 accepts selection of the OK button on the print settings screen D8 at T530, it executes the same processing as T40 to T52 in Figure 5, except that the VJ req and CJ req each contain "letter" instead of "A4."

However, because the paper size "letter" is selected on the print settings screen D8, the PC 100 reduces the A4-sized image represented by the PDF file to generate a reduced letter-sized image. Then, in T50, the PC 100 sends image data representing the reduced image to the printer 10.

Because the print settings in the CJ req include "letter" and "trim-after-pages" but not "trimming-offset," the printer 10 instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 (i.e., letter paper) at the center of the cut sheet 56 (i.e., 139.5 mm from the top edge of the letter paper). This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 in half at the midpoint of the long side of the cut sheet 56. As a result, a half-letter-sized cut sheet of paper is formed on which part of the image (i.e., the circle and part of the triangle) is printed, and another half-letter-sized cut sheet of paper is formed on which another part of the image (i.e., part of the triangle and the rectangle) is printed. In this way, the printer 10 cuts the cut sheet 56 at the position where the image is separated.

As described above, when letter paper is stored in the storage unit 18, the printer 10 sends preset information PI2 and PI8 to the PC 100. On the other hand, when A4 paper is stored in the storage unit 18 (e.g., case A-1), the printer 10 sends preset information PI1 and PI4 to PI7 to the PC 100. In this way, the printer 100 sends different preset information to the PC 100 depending on the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18. That is, the printer 10 sends preset information to the PC 100 that includes a paper size related to the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 (in this embodiment, the same size as or half the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18). The user can select one preset information from the preset information that includes the size of the cut paper currently stored in the storage unit 18 on the print settings screen (e.g., D1). This allows the user to appropriately select the paper size that the printer 10 can currently print. This improves user convenience.

(Effects of this embodiment)
According to the above configuration, when the printer 10 receives a GPA req including a preset request from the PC 100 (T12 in FIG. 4 (or T512 in FIG. 10)), the printer 10 transmits preset information PI3 to PI7 (or PI8) related to cutting cut paper to the PC 100 (T14 in FIG. 4 (or T514 in FIG. 10)). Then, when the printer 10 receives a CJ req including the print settings in the preset information PI3 (or PI8) corresponding to the preset name "A4 Cut 1" (or "Letter Cut") corresponding to the preset information PI3 (or PI8) from the PC 100 (T44 in FIG. 5), the printer 10 cuts A4 paper (or letter paper) (T52 in FIG. 5). That is, the user can cause the printer 10 to cut the cut paper 56 by simply selecting the preset name corresponding to the preset information PI3 (or PI8) on the PC 100. This improves user convenience.

Here, consider a comparison between a dedicated driver for the printer 10 and the generic driver 102. A dedicated driver for the printer 10 is a printer driver provided, for example, by the printer 10 vendor, who can define parameters for cutting the cut sheet 56. In other words, by using the dedicated driver, the PC 100 can have the printer 10 cut the cut sheet 56. On the other hand, the generic driver 102 does not define parameters for cutting the cut sheet 56, making it difficult to have the printer 10 cut the cut sheet 56. Therefore, in this embodiment, parameters already defined in the generic driver 102 are used to have the printer 10 cut the cut sheet 56. Specifically, the printer 10 cuts the cut sheet 56 by using "trim-after-pages," which is typically used as a setting for cutting roll paper. In this way, with the configuration of this embodiment, the PC 100 can have the printer 10 cut the cut sheet 56 by using the generic driver 102.

(Correspondence)
The printer 10 and the PC 100 are examples of a "printer" and a "terminal device," respectively. The generic driver 102 is an example of a "general-purpose printer driver." The cutting unit 24 is an example of a "processing execution unit." Cutting cut paper is an example of a "predetermined process." An image represented by a one-page PDF file (e.g., shown at the top of Figure 4) is an example of a "target image." Preset information PI4 to PI8 and preset information PI1 to PI3 are examples of "N pieces of print setting information" and "M pieces of print setting information," respectively. Preset information PI4 to PI7 and preset information PI8 are examples of "N1 pieces of print setting information" and "N2 pieces of print setting information," respectively. In case A-1, preset information PI4 and the setting values in preset information PI4 are examples of "first print setting information" and "first selection information," respectively. In case A-2, preset information PI5 and the setting values in preset information PI5 are examples of "first print setting information" and "first selection information", respectively. In case A-3, preset information PI6 and the setting values in preset information PI6 are examples of "first print setting information" and "first selection information", respectively. In case A-4, preset information PI7 and the setting values in preset information PI7 are examples of "first print setting information" and "first selection information", respectively. In case C, preset information PI8 and the setting values in preset information PI8 are examples of "first print setting information" and "first selection information", respectively. In case B, preset information PI2 and the setting values in preset information PI2 are examples of "second print setting information" and "second selection information", respectively. Preset information PI4, PI5, and PI8 are examples of "third print setting information". Preset information PI7 is an example of "fourth print setting information". The cut paper sizes “A4,” “postcard,” and “letter” are examples of the “first size,” “second size,” and “third size,” respectively. The downstream half area of the cut paper 56 is an example of a “specific area.”

The setting value corresponding to the item "Paper size" is an example of a "size setting value." The setting value corresponding to the item "Reduction ratio" is an example of a "reduction ratio setting value." The setting value corresponding to the item "Cutting parameters" is an example of a "setting value." The setting value corresponding to the item "Trimming-offset" is an example of "correction information." A GPA req containing a preset request (see, for example, T12 in Figure 4) is an example of a "send request."

The process of T12 in FIG. 4 (and T412 in FIG. 9 and T512 in FIG. 10) is an example of a process performed by a "receiving unit." The process of T14 in FIG. 4 (and T414 in FIG. 9 and T514 in FIG. 10) is an example of a process performed by a "sending unit." The process of T52 in FIG. 5 (and T452 in FIG. 9) is an example of a process performed by a "printing control unit." The process of T52 in FIG. 5 is an example of a process performed by a "processing 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.

(Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when cutting a cut sheet, the cut sheet is cut after printing has been performed on the cut sheet. In a variation, the cut sheet may be cut and then printed on. In other words, the cutting unit 24 may be configured to be located upstream of the printing unit 22 in the transport direction.

(Variation 2) Printer 10 does not need to send different preset information to PC 100 depending on the size of the cut paper stored in printer 10's storage unit 18. For example, when printer 10 receives a GPA req including a preset request from PC 100, it may send all preset information PI1 to PI8 to PC 100. Generally speaking, when the "size of cut paper stored in the storage unit" is the "second size," printer 10 may send "N pieces of print setting information" to the terminal device. When the "size of cut paper stored in the storage unit" is the "first size," printer 10 may send both "N1 pieces of print setting information" and "N2 pieces of print setting information" to the terminal device. When the "size of cut paper stored in the storage unit" is the "third size," printer 10 may send both "N1 pieces of print setting information" and "N2 pieces of print setting information" to the terminal device.

(Variant 3) Each piece of preset information does not have to include the item "paper size." Furthermore, each piece of preset information may further include setting values corresponding to items other than those described in the above examples (e.g., number of colors, printing surface, etc.).

(Variant 4) When the printer 10 receives a CJ req that includes a reduction ratio of less than 100%, it may perform the following process. That is, the printer 10 may store the area where the image is to be printed and the cutting position according to a reduction ratio of less than 100%, and perform printing and cutting according to these areas and positions. For example, if the reduction ratio is "80%," the printer 10 may print the image in an area 80% from the top of the cut sheet, and cut the cut sheet at a position 80% from the top. In this variation, cutting is performed at a "position where the image will not be separated." In another variation, the printer 10 may store only the above-mentioned area. In this case, the printer 10 may cut the cut sheet 56 at a position in the middle of the cut sheet 56. In this variation, cutting may occur at either the "position where the image will be separated" or the "position where the image will not be separated."

(Variation 5) When the printer 10 receives a CJ req that includes a size smaller than the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18, the printer 10 may perform the following process. That is, the printer 10 may store the area where the image is to be printed and the cutting position according to the ratio between the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18 and the size in the CJ req, and may perform printing and cutting according to these areas and positions. In this variation, cutting is performed at a "position where the image will not be separated." In another variation, the printer 10 may store only the above-mentioned area. In this case, the printer 10 may cut the cut paper 56 at the center of the cut paper 56. In this variation, cutting may occur at a "position where the image will be separated" or at a "position where the image will not be separated."

(Variant 6) The setting value corresponding to the "Cutting parameters" item in preset information PI4, PI5, and PI8 may be "trim-after-documents," "trim-after-copies," or "trim-after-job" instead of "trim-after-pages." Like the setting value "trim-after-pages," these setting values are also defined by the PWG specifications, and although not explicitly stated in the specifications, they can typically be used as setting values indicating the cutting position for roll paper that is not cut paper. When the setting value "trim-after-documents" is used as a setting value indicating the cutting position for roll paper, this setting value indicates that the roll paper is to be cut at the end position of the image of each document. When the setting value "trim-after-copies" is used as the setting value indicating the cutting position of the roll paper, this setting value indicates that the roll paper is to be cut at the end of the image of each copy. When the setting value "trim-after-job" is used as the setting value indicating the cutting position of the roll paper, this setting value indicates that the roll paper is to be cut at the end of the image of each job. In this modified example, these setting values may also be used as setting values indicating that the cut paper is to be cut. In this case, unless correction information is available, these setting values may be used as setting values indicating that the cut paper is to be cut in the middle (i.e., at the position of a straight line connecting the centers of the pair of long sides of the cut paper).

(Variation 7) The generic driver 102 may be a generic printer driver that complies with a method other than the IPP method.

(Variant 8) The printer 10 may be provided with a perforation unit that applies perforations to cut sheets instead of the cutting unit 24. Once the cut sheets have been perforated, the user can easily cut the sheets along the perforations. In another variant, the printer 10 may be provided with a crease unit that applies creases to cut sheets instead of the cutting unit 24. Once the cut sheets have been creased, the user can easily cut the sheets along the creases. Generally speaking, the "predetermined process" may be any process related to cutting the cut sheets.

(Variant 9) The printer 10 may be a multi-function device that can perform scanning, facsimile, and other functions in addition to printing.

(Variation 10) In the above embodiment, the processes in Figures 4 to 10 are implemented by software (e.g., program 36), 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 described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.
The following items are elements of the claims as filed:
(Item 1)
1. A printer comprising:
a storage section for storing cut sheets;
a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section;
a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper;
a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper;
A control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit
a memory for storing N pieces of print setting information (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper;
a receiving unit that receives a request to send print setting information from the terminal device;
a transmitting unit that transmits at least one piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information to the terminal device when the transmission request is received from the terminal device;
a print control unit that, after at least one piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been transmitted to the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper when first selection information indicating that a first piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by a user and image data representing a target image to be printed are received from the terminal device;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the first selection information is received from the terminal device;
A printer comprising:
(Item 2)
the transmitting unit transmits the at least one piece of print setting information of the N pieces of print setting information to the terminal device when the transmission request is received from the terminal device and the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a first size;
A printer as described in item 1, wherein when the transmission request is received from the terminal device and the size of the cut paper stored in the storage section is a second size different from the first size, none of the N pieces of printing setting information is sent to the terminal device.
(Item 3)
The memory further stores M pieces of print setting information (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) that are not related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper,
The transmission unit
When the transmission request is received from the terminal device and the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is the first size, at least one piece of print setting information out of the M pieces of print setting information and the at least one piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information are transmitted to the terminal device;
When the transmission request is received from the terminal device and the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is the second size, transmitting at least one of the M pieces of print setting information to the terminal device;
when, after at least one piece of print setting information out of the M pieces of print setting information is transmitted to the terminal device, second selection information indicating that second print setting information out of the M pieces of print setting information has been selected by the user and the image data are received from the terminal device, the print control unit causes the conveying unit to convey the cut paper and causes the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper;
3. The printer according to item 2, wherein when the second selection information is received from the terminal device, the predetermined process is not performed on the cut paper.
(Item 4)
4. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein each of the N pieces of print setting information includes a size setting value that indicates the size of the cut paper on which the target image is to be printed.
(Item 5)
the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
The printer described in item 4, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at the position where the target image is separated when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit.
(Item 6)
When the first print setting information includes a reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of less than 100%, the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information and the image reduction ratio indicated by the reduction ratio setting value included in the first print setting information,
The processing control unit
when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit, and the first print setting information does not include the reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of less than 100%, have the processing execution unit execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet at a position where the target image is separated;
A printer as described in item 4 or 5, wherein when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit, and the first print setting information includes a reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of less than 100%, the printer causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position where the target image is not separated.
(Item 7)
the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print a rotated image obtained by rotating the target image by 90 degrees onto a specific area of the cut sheet when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut sheet contained in the container and the first print setting information includes the reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of 50%;
the specific area is one of two areas separated by a straight line connecting the centers of a pair of long sides of the cut paper,
The printer described in item 6, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at the position of the straight line when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit and the first print setting information includes the reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of 50%.
(Item 8)
the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
A printer described in any one of items 4 to 7, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position where the target image is not separated when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is smaller than the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit.
(Item 9)
the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print a rotated image obtained by rotating the target image by 90 degrees onto a specific area of the cut sheet when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is half the size of the cut sheet contained in the container unit;
the specific area is one of two areas separated by a straight line connecting the centers of a pair of long sides of the cut paper,
The printer described in item 8, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at the straight line position when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is half the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit.
(Item 10)
N is an integer of 2 or more,
When the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a first size, the at least one piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information includes N1 pieces of print setting information (N1 is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than N) among the N pieces of print setting information,
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 9, wherein, when the size of the cut paper stored in the storage section is a third size different from the first size, the at least one print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information is N2 pieces of print setting information (N2 is an integer less than N and greater than 1) among the N pieces of print setting information, and includes the N2 pieces of print setting information different from the N1 pieces of print setting information.
(Item 11)
11. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein third print setting information of the N pieces of print setting information includes a setting value indicating a predetermined position at which the predetermined process should be executed.
(Item 12)
the setting value further includes correction information for correcting the predetermined position,
The printer described in item 11, wherein when the first print setting information is the third print setting information, the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position in accordance with the correction information included in the setting value included in the first print setting information.
(Item 13)
13. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein a fourth piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information includes a reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of less than 100%.
(Item 14)
The terminal device is provided with a general-purpose printer driver that executes processing in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) method,
14. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the receiving unit receives the transmission request according to the IPP method.
(Item 15)
15. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut paper, a process of perforating the cut paper, and a process of folding the cut paper.
(Item 16)
A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer
a storage section for storing cut sheets;
a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section;
a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper;
a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper;
a memory for storing N pieces of print setting information (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper;
A computer,
Equipped with
The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows:
a receiving unit that receives a request to send print setting information from the terminal device;
a transmitting unit that transmits at least one piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information to the terminal device when the transmission request is received from the terminal device;
a print control unit that, after at least one piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been transmitted to the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper when first selection information indicating that a first piece of print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by a user and image data representing a target image to be printed are received from the terminal device;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the first selection information is received from the terminal device;
A computer program that functions as a

2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Printer, 12: Display, 14: Communication I/F, 16: Operation unit, 18: Storage unit, 20: Conveyor unit, 22: Print execution unit, 24: Cutting unit, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 36: Program, 40: Preset table, 50: Paper output tray, 52: Conveyor path, 56: Cut paper, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66: Rollers, 68: Inkjet head, 100: PC, 102: General-purpose driver

Claims (13)

1. A printer comprising:
a storage section for storing cut sheets;
a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section;
a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper;
a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper;
A control unit;
Equipped with
The control unit
a memory that stores N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) pieces of print setting information related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper, and M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) pieces of print setting information not related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper, each of the N pieces of print setting information and the M pieces of print setting information including a size setting value that indicates the size of the cut paper on which a target image to be printed is to be printed ;
a receiving unit that receives a request to send print setting information from the terminal device;
a transmission unit that transmits print setting information to the terminal device when the transmission request is received from the terminal device ,
When the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a first size, transmit to the terminal device at least one piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information that includes a size setting value corresponding to the first size, and at least one piece of print setting information among the M pieces of print setting information that includes a size setting value corresponding to the first size;
When the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a second size different from the first size, none of the N pieces of print setting information is sent to the terminal device, and at least one piece of print setting information including a size setting value corresponding to the second size among the M pieces of print setting information is sent to the terminal device.
the transmitting unit ;
a print control unit that, when first selection information indicating that a first print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by a user and image data representing the target image are received from the terminal device after the print setting information has been sent to the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and causes the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper, and when second selection information indicating that a second print setting information out of the M pieces of print setting information has been selected by the user and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and causes the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the first selection information is received from the terminal device, and that does not execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the second selection information is received from the terminal device ;
A printer comprising: the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position where the target image is separated when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit . When the first print setting information includes a reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of less than 100%, the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information and the image reduction ratio indicated by the reduction ratio setting value included in the first print setting information,
The processing control unit
when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit, and the first print setting information does not include the reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of less than 100%, have the processing execution unit execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet at a position where the target image is separated;
A printer as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit, and the first print setting information includes a reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of less than 100 %, the processing execution unit performs the specified processing on the cut paper at a position where the target image is not separated . the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print a rotated image obtained by rotating the target image by 90 degrees onto a specific area of the cut sheet when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut sheet contained in the container and the first print setting information includes the reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of 50%;
the specific area is one of two areas separated by a straight line connecting the centers of a pair of long sides of the cut paper,
4. The printer according to claim 3, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at the position of the straight line when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information matches the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit and the first print setting information includes the reduction ratio setting value indicating an image reduction ratio of 50 %. the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
A printer described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position where the target image is not separated when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is smaller than the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit. the image data represents the target image having a size corresponding to a size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information;
the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print a rotated image obtained by rotating the target image by 90 degrees onto a specific area of the cut sheet when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is half the size of the cut sheet contained in the container unit;
the specific area is one of two areas separated by a straight line connecting the centers of a pair of long sides of the cut paper,
6. The printer according to claim 5, wherein the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at the position of the straight line when the size indicated by the size setting value included in the first print setting information is half the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit. N is an integer of 2 or more,
the N pieces of print setting information include the at least one piece of print setting information corresponding to the first size and at least one piece of print setting information corresponding to a third size different from the first size ,
A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the transmitting unit transmits to the terminal device at least one piece of printing setting information corresponding to the third size among the N pieces of printing setting information when the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is the third size. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein a third piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information includes a setting value indicating a predetermined position at which the predetermined process is to be executed. the setting value further includes correction information for correcting the predetermined position,
9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein, when the first print setting information is the third print setting information, the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to perform the specified processing on the cut paper at a position in accordance with the correction information included in the setting value included in the first print setting information. The printer according to claim 1 , wherein a fourth piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information includes a reduction rate setting value indicating an image reduction rate of less than 100%. The terminal device is provided with a general-purpose printer driver that executes processing in accordance with the IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) method,
The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving unit receives the transmission request in accordance with the IPP method. 12. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet, a process of perforating the cut sheet, and a process of folding the cut sheet. A computer program for a printer, comprising:
The printer
a storage section for storing cut sheets;
a conveying section that conveys the cut paper from the storage section;
a print execution unit that executes printing on the cut paper;
a processing execution unit that executes a predetermined process related to cutting the cut paper;
a memory that stores N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) pieces of print setting information related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper, and M (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 1) pieces of print setting information not related to the predetermined processing of the cut paper, each of the N pieces of print setting information and the M pieces of print setting information including a size setting value that indicates the size of the cut paper on which a target image to be printed is to be printed ;
A computer,
Equipped with
The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows:
a receiving unit that receives a request to send print setting information from the terminal device;
a transmission unit that transmits print setting information to the terminal device when the transmission request is received from the terminal device ,
When the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a first size, transmit to the terminal device at least one piece of print setting information among the N pieces of print setting information that includes a size setting value corresponding to the first size, and at least one piece of print setting information among the M pieces of print setting information that includes a size setting value corresponding to the first size;
When the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit is a second size different from the first size, none of the N pieces of print setting information is sent to the terminal device, and at least one piece of print setting information including a size setting value corresponding to the second size among the M pieces of print setting information is sent to the terminal device.
the transmitting unit ;
a print control unit that, when first selection information indicating that a first print setting information out of the N pieces of print setting information has been selected by a user and image data representing the target image are received from the terminal device after the print setting information has been sent to the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and causes the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper, and when second selection information indicating that a second print setting information out of the M pieces of print setting information has been selected by the user and the image data are received from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut paper and causes the print execution unit to print the target image on the cut paper;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the first selection information is received from the terminal device, and that does not execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the second selection information is received from the terminal device ;
A computer program that functions as a