JP7800092B2 - Printer and computer program for the 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 that can cut cut paper.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-94784

This specification discloses a printer that can switch whether or not to perform a specified process related to cutting cut paper.

The printer disclosed herein may include a storage unit for storing cut sheets, a transport unit for transporting the cut sheets from the storage unit, a print execution unit for printing on the cut sheets, a process execution unit for performing predetermined processes related to cutting the cut sheets, and a control unit. The control unit may include a command receiving unit for receiving a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation to have the printer print an image is performed on the terminal device, a print control unit for causing the transport unit to transport the cut sheets and causing the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheets in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, and a process control unit for causing the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheets if a predetermined process instruction indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheets was obtained before the print execution command was received from the terminal device, and for not causing the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheets if the predetermined process instruction was not obtained before the print execution command was received from the terminal device.

With this configuration, if the printer has received a predetermined processing instruction from the terminal device before receiving the print execution command, it will perform the predetermined processing on the cut paper; if it has not received a predetermined processing instruction from the terminal device before receiving the print execution command, it will not perform the predetermined processing on the cut paper. This allows the printer to switch between whether or not to perform the predetermined processing on the cut paper.

The control method, computer program, and computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for implementing the above-mentioned printer are also novel and useful. Furthermore, a communication system including the above-mentioned printer and terminal device is also novel and useful.

This shows the hardware configuration of the printer. 1 shows the control configuration of the printer. 1 shows a flowchart of a printing process. 1 shows a sequence of the first embodiment. This shows the sequence following that of FIG. 10 shows a sequence of the second embodiment. 10 shows a sequence of the third embodiment.

(First Example)
(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 that have been cut to a predetermined size, such as A4 size, A5 size, letter size, or postcard size. In this embodiment, A4 size cut sheets 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.

(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 display unit 12 also functions as a so-called touch panel. That is, the display unit 12 also functions as an operation unit operated by the user. 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 comprises 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. In addition to the program 36, the memory 34 stores the stored paper size and cutting setting value. The stored paper size indicates the size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit 18. The cutting setting value indicates either "on", which indicates that the printer 10 will cut the cut paper, or "off", which indicates that the printer 10 will not cut the cut paper.

(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 (short for Internet Printing Protocol) method. In a modified example, the generic driver 102 may be a printer driver that executes processing in accordance with a method other than the IPP method.

(Printing process; Figure 3)
The printing process executed by the CPU 32 of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The printing process is triggered by receiving an IPP Create-Job request from the PC 100. The Create-Job request is a command that requests the printer 10 to generate a print job. Hereinafter, the request will be referred to as "req."

In S10, the CPU 32 determines whether the disconnection setting value stored in the memory 34 indicates ON or OFF. If the disconnection setting value indicates ON (YES in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S12, and if the disconnection setting value indicates OFF (NO in S10), the CPU 32 proceeds to S20.

In S12, the CPU 32 determines whether the media-size included in the Validate-Job req received from the PC 100 before the Create-Job req is half the stored paper size stored in the memory 34 (i.e., the paper size of the cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18). Here, the media-size is the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, specified by the user of the PC 100. If the media-size (e.g., A5 size) is half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size) (YES in S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S14. If the media-size is not half the stored paper size (NO in S12), the CPU 32 proceeds to S16.

In S14, the CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 22 to print the image represented by the print data received from the PC 100 after the Create-Job req, and causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed cut sheet. Specifically, the CPU 32 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. Here, the cut sheet 56 is transported along the direction of its long side. The size of the image represented by the print data corresponds to the media-size included in the Validate-Job req. The size of the image (e.g., A5 size) corresponds to half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size) (YES in S12). The CPU 32 then rotates the image represented by the print data 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).

Next, the CPU 32 drives the rollers 60, 62, and 64 of the transport unit 20 to transport the printed cut sheet 56 to the cutting unit 24. The CPU 32 then instructs the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed cut sheet 56. This causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the boundary between the downstream half and the upstream half of the cut sheet 56. In other words, the cutting unit 24 cuts the cut sheet 56 in half along a line connecting the midpoints of the pair of long sides of the cut sheet 56. As a result, a cut sheet of paper with a rotated image printed on it and a cut sheet of paper with no image printed on it are formed. Each of the two cut sheets of paper has the size indicated by the above media-size (e.g., A5 size).

The CPU 32 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. When S14 is complete, the processing in Figure 3 ends.

In S16, the CPU 32 displays an "unable to cut" error on the display unit 12. The "unable to cut" error includes a message indicating that the cut sheet cannot be cut because the media size (e.g., A4 size) is not half the stored paper size (e.g., A4 size), even though the cutting setting value indicates "on" (YES in S10). When S16 ends, the processing in Figure 3 ends.

In S20, the CPU 32 determines whether the media-size included in the Validate-Job req is equal to or smaller than the accommodated paper size stored in memory 34. If the media-size is equal to or smaller than the accommodated paper size (YES in S20), the CPU 32 proceeds to S22; if the media-size is larger than the accommodated paper size (NO in S20), the CPU 32 proceeds to S24.

In S22, the CPU 32 causes the print execution unit 22 to print the image represented by the print data. Specifically, the CPU 32 first transports the cut paper 56 stored in the storage unit 18 to the print execution unit 22. The size of the image represented by the print data either matches the stored paper size (i.e., media-size = stored paper size in S20) or is smaller than the stored paper size (i.e., media-size < stored paper size in S20). The CPU 32 then instructs the print execution unit 22 to print the image represented by the print data. This causes the print execution unit 22 to print the image on the cut paper 56. If the image size matches the stored paper size (i.e., media-size = stored paper size in S20), an A4-sized image is printed on, for example, an A4-sized cut paper. Alternatively, if the image size is smaller than the stored paper size (i.e., media-size < stored paper size in S20), an A5-sized image will be printed on an A4-sized cut sheet, for example.

The CPU 32 then drives the rollers 60, 62, 64, and 66 of the transport unit 20 to transport the printed sheet 56 to the discharge tray 50. The CPU 32 does not instruct the cutting unit 24 to cut the printed sheet 56.

In S24, the CPU 32 displays a paper size error on the display unit 12. The paper size error includes a message indicating that printing cannot be performed because the media-size is equal to or larger than the accommodated paper size (NO in S20). When S24 ends, the processing in Figure 3 ends.

In this embodiment, the PC 100 is equipped with a generic driver 102 rather than a dedicated driver. If the PC 100 were equipped with a dedicated driver for a printer 10 capable of cutting cut paper, the PC 100 would be able to allow the user to select whether or not to cut the cut paper on the print settings screen. However, it is difficult to allow the user to make this selection with the generic driver 102. This is because printers capable of cutting cut paper are not widely known, and it is highly likely that the print settings screen will not include a setting item for making this selection. Therefore, the printer 10 does not receive a cut request command from the PC 100 instructing it to cut the cut paper.

The printer 10 can switch whether or not to have the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet based on the cutting setting value stored in the memory 34, even without receiving a cutting request command from the PC 100 (S10 in Figure 3). That is, the printer 10 causes the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 when the cutting setting value indicates on (YES in S10), and does not cause the cutting unit 24 to cut the cut sheet 56 when the cutting setting value indicates off (NO in S10). Therefore, the printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut sheet, even without receiving a cutting request command from the PC 100.

Furthermore, when the cutting setting value indicates on (YES in S10), the printer 10 switches whether or not to have the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet based on whether the media size is half the stored paper size (S12). That is, when the media size is half the stored paper size (YES in S12), the printer 10 has the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet 56 (S14), and when the media size is not half the stored paper size (NO in S12), the printer 10 does not have the cutting unit 24 cut the cut sheet 56 (S16). Therefore, when the paper size specified by the user (i.e., the media size) is half the size of the cut sheet 56, the printer 10 can appropriately provide the user with cut paper of that paper size.

(Specific cases: Figures 4 and 5)
4 and 5, a specific case realized by the process of Fig. 3 will be described. At T10, the user places A4 size cut paper 56 in the storage section 18 of the printer 10.

When the printer 10 (i.e., the CPU 32) accepts the setting of cut paper 56 at T10, it displays a paper input screen on the display unit 12 at T12. The paper input screen includes a message inquiring the user about the size of the cut paper set in the storage unit 18 (i.e., the paper feed tray), an area for selecting the paper size to be stored, and an OK button. At T14, the printer 10 accepts the user's selection of the paper size to be stored as "A4" and the selection of the OK button. In this case, the printer 10 stores the paper size to be stored as "A4" in the memory 34 at T16. In a variant, the printer 10 may be equipped with a sensor that detects the paper size to be stored. In this case, the user does not have to select the paper size to be stored.

At T20, the PC 100 accepts an access operation from the user, including input of the IP address of the web server in the printer 10. In this case, at T22, the PC 100 sends an access request to the printer 10, including the IP address as the destination address.

When the printer 10 receives an access request from the PC 100 at T22, it functions as a web server and can send various screen data representing web pages to the PC 100. In this embodiment, the printer 10 sends to the PC 100 at T24 selection screen data representing a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to cut the cut paper.

The PC 10 receives the selection screen data from the printer 10 in T24 and displays the selection screen in T26. The user selects "On" for cutting included in the selection screen in T28. In this case, the PC 100 sends selection result information indicating "On" to the printer 10 in T30. In this way, the user can access the printer 10's web server and change the setting for whether or not to cut the cut paper.

When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 at T30, it stores the cutting setting value "ON" in the memory 34 at T32. In this way, the printer 10 can pre-store the cutting setting value in the memory 34 before executing printing.

Then, in T40, the user executes a print operation on the PC 100. The print operation includes an operation to select image data representing the image to be printed and an operation to start the generic driver 102. As a result, the generic driver 102 executes each subsequent process. When the PC 100 accepts the print operation from the user in T40, in T42 it sends a Get-Printer-Attributes (hereinafter referred to as "GPA") req in accordance with the IPP method to the printer 10. The GPA req is a command requesting the transmission of capability information from the printer 10.

When the printer 10 receives a GPA req from the PC 100 at T42, it identifies the accommodated paper size "A4" stored in the memory 34 at T44 and sends a GPA response to the PC 10 including the identified accommodated paper size "A4" as media-ready. Below, the response is referred to as "res." Note that in a modified example, the identified accommodated paper size "A4" may be sent as media-col-ready.

When the PC 100 receives a GPA res from the printer 10 in T44, it displays a print dialog in T46. The print dialog includes a preview image showing the image to be printed, a size selection area for selecting the size of the cut paper to be printed on, and a print button. The size selection area displays "A4" included in the GPA res. In T48, the PC 100 accepts from the user an operation to change "A4" in the size selection area to "A5" and select the print button. In this case, in T50, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req according to the IPP method to the printer 10. The Validate-Job req includes a media-size indicating the paper size "A5" specified by the user in the print dialog.

When the printer 10 receives a Validate-Job req containing the media size "A5" at T50, it sends a Validate-Job res to the PC 10 at T52. As a result, the printer 10 receives a Create-Job req from the PC 10 at T52 (triggering the process in Figure 3).

When the printer 10 receives a Create-Job req in T52, it determines that the cut setting in memory 34 is on (YES in S10). The printer 10 also determines that the media size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the paper size "A4" stored in memory 34 (YES in S12). Then, in T56, the printer 10 sends a Create-Job res to the PC 10.

When the PC 100 receives a Create-Job res from the printer 10 at T56, it converts the image data to be printed and generates print data in a data format that the printer 10 can interpret. The image represented by the print data has a size corresponding to the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req. Then, at T58, the PC 100 sends a Send-Document req to the printer 10, and at T60, it sends the print data to the printer 10.

The printer 10 receives a Send-Document req from the PC 100 at T58, and receives print data from the PC 100 at T60. In this case, the printer 10 sends a Send-Document res at T62, and executes the print process at T64 in Figure 5 (S14). Specifically, the printer 10 rotates the A5-sized image represented by the print data by 90 degrees to generate a rotated image, prints the rotated image on the downstream half of an A4-sized cut sheet of paper, and cuts the boundary between the downstream half and upstream half of the printed cut sheet. This results in an A5-sized sheet of paper with the rotated image printed on it, and an A5-sized sheet of paper with no image printed on it.

When the printer 10 receives a Get-Attributes req from the PC 100 in T66, it sends a Get-Attributes res to the PC 100 in T68, including a Job-state of "completed," indicating that the printing process has ended.

(Effects of the first embodiment)
If the printer 10 has already received a cutting instruction before the printing operation is executed by the PC 100 (YES in S10 of FIG. 3), the printer 10 cuts the cut paper 56, and if the printer 10 has not received a cutting instruction before the printing operation is executed by the PC 100 (NO in S10), the printer 10 does not cut the cut paper 56. Therefore, the printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut paper 56 even if it does not receive a command requesting cutting of the cut paper 56 from the PC 100.

(Second embodiment; Figure 6)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the memory 34 stores a size table 38 instead of the cutting setting values of the first embodiment. The size table 38 stores size information indicating each paper size that the printer 10 can cut (i.e., A3, A4, and Letter) in association with a cutting setting value. The cutting setting value indicates either "on," which indicates that the printer 10 will cut the cut paper, or "off," which indicates that the printer 10 will not cut the cut paper.

The PC 100 and printer 10 execute processes similar to those in T10 to T22 in Figure 4. At T124, the printer 10 transmits paper size setting screen data representing the paper size setting screen. The paper size setting screen is a screen that allows the user to specify, for each of multiple paper sizes (i.e., A3, A4, and Letter), whether or not to cut a cut sheet of paper of that paper size.

At T124, the PC 10 receives paper size setting screen data from the printer 10, and at T126 displays the paper size setting screen. At T128, the user selects "Off" for A3 size, "On" for A4 size, and "Off" for Letter size, and presses the OK button. In this case, at T130, the PC 100 sends selection result information including A3 "Off," A4 "On," and Letter "Off" to the printer 10.

When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 at T130, it stores the cutting setting values indicated by the selection result information in the size table 38 in the memory 34 at T132.

Next, the PC 100 and printer 10 execute the same processes as T40 to T62 in Figure 4. At T164, the printer 10 retrieves the accommodated paper size "A4" from the memory 34, and at T166, retrieves the cut setting value "On" associated with the A4 size from the size table 38. As a result, the printer 10 determines that the cut setting value associated with the A4 size is On (YES in S10 in Figure 3). The printer 10 also determines that the media-size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the accommodated paper size "A4" (YES in S12). Next, at T64, the printer 10 executes the print process (S14). The print result is the same as in the case of Figure 4. T64 to T68 in Figure 6 are the same as T64 to T68 in Figure 5.

(Effects of the second embodiment)
In this embodiment, printer 10 stores in memory 34, for each of a plurality of paper sizes, an association between the paper size and a cutting setting value indicating whether or not cut sheets of that paper size should be cut (T132 in FIG. 6). Therefore, printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut cut sheets depending on the stored paper size, even without receiving a cutting request command from PC 100.

(Third embodiment; Figure 7)
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the memory 34 stores a user table 40 instead of the disconnection setting value of the first embodiment and the size table 38 of the second embodiment. The user table 40 stores, for each of a plurality of users, a user ID that identifies the user, a password, and a disconnection setting value, in association with each other.

The PC 100 and printer 10 execute processes similar to those of T10 to T22 in Figure 4. At T224, the printer 10 sends user setting screen data representing a user setting screen to the PC 100. The user setting screen is a screen that allows a user (e.g., the administrator of the printer 10) to specify whether or not to cut the cut paper for each of multiple users.

At T224, the PC 10 receives the user setting screen data from the printer 10, and at T226 displays the user setting screen. At T228, the user selects "On" for user ID "U1", selects "Off" for user ID "U2", and selects the OK button. In this case, at T230, the PC 100 sends selection result information including user ID "U1" and "On" and user ID "U2" and "Off" to the printer 10.

When the printer 10 receives the selection result information from the PC 100 at T230, it stores the cutting setting values indicated by the selection result information in the user table 40 in the memory 34 at T232.

Next, the PC 100 and printer 10 execute the same processes as T40 to T50 in Figure 4. Next, at T252, the printer 10 sends an Authorization Required (hereinafter referred to as "Auth") command in accordance with the IPP method to the PC 100. Auth is a command requesting the transmission of user information.

When the PC 100 receives Auth from the printer 10 in T252, it displays an authentication screen in T254. The authentication screen includes a user ID input area, a password input area, and an OK button. In T256, the user enters the user ID "U1" and password "P1" and selects the OK button. In this case, the PC 100 sends a Validate-Job req including the media size "A5", the user ID "U1", and the password "P1" to the printer 10 in T258.

Next, the PC 100 and printer 10 execute the same processes as T52 to T62 in Figure 4. At T264, the printer 10 obtains the cut setting value "On" associated with user U1 from the user table 40 (YES in S10). The printer 10 also determines that the media size "A5" included in the Validate-Job req is half the accommodated paper size "A4" (YES in S12). Next, the printer 10 executes printing processing at T64 (S14). The printing result is the same as in the case of Figure 4. Note that T64 to T68 in Figure 6 are the same as T64 to T68 in Figure 5.

(Effects of the third embodiment)
In this embodiment, the printer 10 stores in memory, for each of a plurality of users, the user ID of that user and a cutting setting value indicating whether or not to cut the cut paper, in association with each other (T232 in FIG. 7). Therefore, the printer 10 can switch whether or not to cut the cut paper depending on the user, even without receiving a cutting request command from the PC 100.

(Correspondence)
The PC 10 is an example of a "terminal device" and an "external device." The cutting unit 24 is an example of a "processing execution unit." The instructions of T30 in FIG. 4, T130 in FIG. 6, and T230 in FIG. 7 are examples of "predetermined processing instructions." The selection screen, paper size setting screen, and user setting screen are examples of "selection screens." The cutting setting value is an example of a "setting value."

T22 in Figure 4 is an example of processing realized by the "access request receiving unit." T24 in Figure 4, T124 in Figure 6, and T224 in Figure 7 are examples of processing realized by the "screen data transmitting unit." T30 in Figure 4, T130 in Figure 6, and T230 in Figure 7 are examples of processing realized by the "result information receiving unit." T32 in Figure 4, T132 in Figure 6, and T232 in Figure 7 are examples of processing realized by the "first storage control unit." T54 in Figure 4 is an example of processing realized by the "command receiving unit." T64 in Figure 5, T64 in Figure 6, and T64 in Figure 7 are examples of processing realized by the "printing control unit." T64 in Figure 5, T64 in Figure 6, and T64 in Figure 7 are examples of processing realized by the "processing control unit." T132 and T166 in Figure 6 are examples of processing implemented by the "second storage control unit" and "acquisition unit," respectively. T232 and T258 in Figure 7 are examples of processing implemented by the "third storage control unit" and "user information receiving unit," respectively.

The above describes specific examples of the present invention in detail, 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) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 obtains the cutting instruction by sending screen data to the PC 100 and receiving selection result information from the PC 100. Alternatively, the printer 10 may obtain the cutting instruction by accepting an operation on a software switch of the printer 10 from the user. The software switch may be implemented, for example, by displaying a screen on the display unit 12 that allows the user to select ON, which indicates that the cut paper should be cut, or OFF, which indicates that the cut paper should not be cut. In another variant, the printer 10 may obtain the cutting instruction by accepting an operation on a physical switch of the printer 10 from the user. The physical switch may be provided, for example, on the housing of the printer 10. In another variant, the cutting unit 24 may be detachable from the housing of the printer 10. In this case, the printer 10 may store the cutting setting value "ON" when the cutting unit 24 is attached to the housing, and store the cutting setting value "OFF" when the cutting unit 24 is removed from the housing. That is, the printer 10 may receive a cutting instruction by receiving an instruction from the user to attach the cutting unit 24 to the housing. In any of the above variations, the printer 10 does not need to store in memory 34 a setting value indicating whether or not the cut paper should be cut, and may instead determine whether or not a cutting instruction has been received by checking the state of a physical switch, for example. In this variation, the "first control unit," "access request receiving unit," "screen data transmitting unit," and "result information receiving unit" can be omitted.

(Variation 2) S12 in Figure 3 may be omitted. That is, the printer 10 may perform printing and cutting when the cutting setting value indicates on in S10. Generally speaking, the "cutting control unit" may cause the cutting unit to cut the cut paper when the "second paper size" is specified as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed on.

(Variant 3) Instead of the cutting unit 24, the printer 10 may be provided with a perforation unit that applies perforations to the cut paper. Once the cut paper has been perforated, the user can easily cut the cut paper along the perforations. In another variant, instead of the cutting unit 24, the printer 10 may be provided with a crease unit that applies creases to the cut paper. Once the cut paper has been creased, the user can easily cut the cut paper along the creases. Generally speaking, the "predetermined process" may be any process related to cutting the cut paper.

(Variation 4) The printer 10 does not have to cut the cut sheet in half. For example, if the media size is A5 and the storage paper size is A3, the printer may cut the cut sheet into quarters.

(Variant 5) The PC 100 does not need to be equipped with a generic driver 102. In this case, the PC 100 is equipped with a dedicated driver instead of the generic driver 102. The dedicated driver is a printer driver dedicated to a specific printer.

(Variant 6) In the above embodiment, the cut sheet is cut after printing has been performed, but in a variant, the cut sheet may be printed after cutting has been performed. Generally speaking, the "processing execution unit" may be located upstream of the "printing execution unit" in the cut sheet transport direction.

(Variation 7) In the above embodiment, the printer 10 acquires the cutoff setting value in S10 of FIG. 3 after receiving a Create-Job req. Alternatively, the printer 10 may acquire the cutoff setting value before receiving a Create-Job req. For example, the printer 10 may acquire the cutoff setting value when the printer 10 is turned on, or when it receives a Get-Printer-Attributes req or a Validate-Job req.

(Variation 8) In the above embodiment, the processes shown in Figures 3 to 7 are implemented by software, but at least one of these processes may also be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

Furthermore, 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 simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself 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,
The control unit
a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device;
a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when a predetermined processing instruction indicating that the predetermined processing should be executed on the cut sheet has been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the predetermined processing instruction has not been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device;
A printer comprising:
(Item 2)
The control unit further includes a memory,
the control unit includes a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before the print execution command is received from the terminal device;
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the predetermined process instruction is acquired;
2. The printer according to item 1, wherein when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut paper, the predetermined process instruction has not been acquired.
(Item 3)
The control unit further
an access request receiving unit that receives an access request from an external device requesting access to a web server in the printer;
a screen data transmission unit that, when the access request is received from the external device, transmits to the external device selection screen data representing a selection screen for selecting whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet;
a result information receiving unit that receives result information indicating a selection result from the external device when a selection is made on the selection screen displayed on the external device as to whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet,
The first storage control unit
When the result information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the setting value indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet is stored in the memory;
Item 3. The printer according to item 2, wherein when the result information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper, the setting value indicating that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper is stored in the memory.
(Item 4)
The processing control unit
when the predetermined processing instruction is acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device and a first paper size is specified from the terminal device as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper;
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the specified processing instruction is obtained before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and when a second paper size different from the first paper size is specified from the terminal device as the paper size of the cut paper to be printed, the processing execution unit is not caused to perform the specified processing on the cut paper.
(Item 5)
The control unit further includes a memory,
The control unit further
a second storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of paper sizes, a setting value that indicates whether the predetermined process should be performed on cut paper having the paper size, in association with the paper size;
an acquisition unit that acquires the paper size of the cut paper stored in the storage unit when the print execution command is received from the terminal device,
The predetermined processing instruction is acquired when the setting value associated with the acquired paper size indicates that the predetermined processing should be performed on the cut paper, and
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the specified processing instruction is not acquired when the setting value associated with the acquired paper size indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper.
(Item 6)
The control unit further
Memory and
a third storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of users, user information that identifies the user and a setting value that indicates whether the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, in association with each other;
a user information receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device, target user information that identifies a user of the terminal device;
The predetermined processing instruction is acquired when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined processing should be performed on the cut sheet; and
A printer described in any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the specified processing instruction is not acquired when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper.
(Item 7)
7. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 6, 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 8)
8. The printer according to any one of items 7 to 7, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet in half, a process of making a perforation at the halfway position of the cut sheet, and a process of making a crease at the halfway position of the cut sheet.
(Item 9)
Item 9. The printer according to item 8, wherein the predetermined process is a process of cutting the cut paper having an A4 size into an A5 size.
(Item 10)
the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver;
10. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the command receiving unit receives the print execution command from the generic printer driver of the terminal device.
(Item 11)
11. The printer according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein the processing execution unit is disposed downstream of the print execution unit in a conveyance direction of the cut paper.
(Item 12)
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 computer;
The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows:
a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device;
a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when a predetermined processing instruction indicating that the predetermined processing should be executed on the cut sheet has been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, and that does not cause the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut sheet when the predetermined processing instruction has not been acquired before the print execution command is received from the terminal device;
A computer program that functions as a

2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Printer, 12: Display, 14: Communication interface, 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, 38: Size table, 40: User table, 50: Paper output tray, 52: Conveyor path, 56: Cut paper, 58-66: Rollers, 68: Inkjet head, 100: PC, 102: General-purpose driver

Claims (12)

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,
The control unit
Memory and
a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before a print execution command is received from a terminal device;
a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device;
a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet ;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper;
Equipped with
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, and the designated paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet to be printed designated in the terminal device, is smaller than the stored paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit,
the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper;
the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper;
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size,
the print control unit does not cause the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper,
the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper,
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet . The printer further comprises:
A display unit;
a display control unit that, when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, causes the display unit to display error information indicating that the predetermined process cannot be performed on the cut sheet;
The printer of claim 1 , comprising: The print control unit
when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or smaller than the stored paper size, causing the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet;
A printer as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the print execution unit does not print the image on the cut paper when the setting value indicates that the specified process should not be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is larger than the stored paper size. The control unit further
an access request receiving unit that receives an access request from an external device requesting access to a web server in the printer;
a screen data transmission unit that, when the access request is received from the external device, transmits to the external device selection screen data representing a selection screen for selecting whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet;
a result information receiving unit that receives result information indicating a selection result from the external device when a selection is made on the selection screen displayed on the external device as to whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet,
The first storage control unit
When the result information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, the setting value indicating that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet is stored in the memory;
A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the result information indicates that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper, the setting value indicating that the specified processing should not be performed on the cut paper is stored in the memory . The control unit further
a second storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of paper sizes, the paper size and the setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on cut paper having the paper size, in association with each other;
an acquisition unit that acquires the accommodated paper size when the print execution command is received from the terminal device,
The processing control unit
when the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is smaller than the stored paper size , have the process execution unit perform the predetermined process on the cut paper ;
When the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, and when the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the process execution unit is not caused to perform the predetermined process on the cut paper;
when the setting value associated with the acquired stored paper size indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut paper, the process execution unit is not allowed to perform the predetermined process on the cut paper .
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The control unit further
a third storage control unit that, before the print execution command is received from the terminal device, stores in the memory, for each of a plurality of users, user information that identifies the user and the setting value that indicates whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper, in association with each other;
a user information receiving unit that receives, from the terminal device, target user information that identifies a user of the terminal device;
The processing control unit
when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is smaller than the stored paper size , have the process execution unit perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet ;
When the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size, the process execution unit is not caused to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet;
A printer as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the processing execution unit does not execute the specified processing on the cut paper when the setting value associated with the received target user information indicates that the specified processing should not be executed on the cut paper . A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the predetermined process is one of cutting the cut paper, perforating the cut paper, and folding the cut paper. 8. The printer according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined process is one of a process of cutting the cut sheet in half, a process of making a perforation in the cut sheet at a position halfway, and a process of making a crease in the cut sheet at a position halfway . The printer of claim 8, wherein the predetermined process is a process of cutting the cut paper having an A4 size into an A5 size. the terminal device is equipped with a generic printer driver;
The printer according to claim 1 , wherein the command receiving unit receives the print execution command from the generic printer driver of the terminal device. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the processing execution unit is positioned downstream of the print execution unit in the direction in which the cut paper is transported. 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;
Memory and
a computer;
The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows:
a first storage control unit that stores in the memory a setting value indicating whether or not the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet before a print execution command is received from a terminal device;
a command receiving unit that receives a print execution command from the terminal device when a print operation for causing the printer to print an image is executed on the terminal device;
a print control unit that, in response to receiving the print execution command from the terminal device, causes the transport unit to transport the cut sheet and causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut sheet ;
a processing control unit that causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper;
It functions as
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut sheet, and the designated paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet to be printed specified in the terminal device, is smaller than the stored paper size, which is the paper size of the cut sheet stored in the storage unit,
the print control unit causes the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper;
the processing control unit causes the processing execution unit to execute the predetermined processing on the cut paper;
When the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should be performed on the cut paper and the specified paper size is equal to or larger than the stored paper size,
the print control unit does not cause the print execution unit to print the image on the cut paper,
the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to execute the predetermined process on the cut paper,
A computer program , wherein when the setting value indicates that the predetermined process should not be performed on the cut sheet, the process control unit does not cause the process execution unit to perform the predetermined process on the cut sheet .