Patent Application
20250080676
The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a method for controlling the information processing apparatus, and a storage medium.
In commercial printing in which label printing is performed, data created by graphics software or the like (PDF [Portable Document Format] or the like) is submitted to printing companies. Some submitted data includes a particular color setting set by graphics software. A particular color setting is to designate an object which uses a particular color ink mounted on a commercial printing machine main body in a label design. Printing in the particular color ink allows the extension of the range of designs. In contrast, printing in the particular color ink takes more printing time as printing processes are increased, and thus a technique to improve printing efficiency is demanded.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2023-019365, a technique to collectively manage information on a printing machine main body having multiple functions such as printing and cutting is provided. A setting which is performed by the printing machine main body in the first place can be performed on a user interface displayed on an information processing apparatus by obtaining information on the printing machine main body and displaying the information on the user interface.
A further technique to improve the usability of printing in a particular color ink is demanded.
An information processing apparatus of an aspect of the present disclosure includes an obtaining unit configured to obtain information on the type of printing process in a case where target data is printed, an acceptance unit configured to accept an operation to lay out the target data in a layout area, and a notification unit configured to provide a notification on target data to be laid out in the layout area in a case where the target data whose type of printing process is different is included in the layout area by the operation to lay out the target data accepted by the acceptance unit in the layout area.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
The present embodiments are explained below with reference to the drawings.
Incidentally, the following embodiments are examples to explain the present disclosure and does not purport that the present disclosure is limited to the embodiments only.
First, an information processing apparatus of the present embodiment is explained with reference to a block diagram of
An information processing apparatus 101 has an input interface 102, an operation unit 103, a CPU 104, a ROM 105, a RAM 106, an external storage apparatus 107, an output interface 108, a display unit 109, and a communication unit 110 or the like. Incidentally, these are connected to each other via a system bus.
The input interface 102 is an interface to accept a data input and an operation instruction from a user via the operation unit 103 to be described later.
The operation unit 103 includes an operator such as a physical keyboard, a button, or a touch panel or the like. Incidentally, the display unit 109 to be described hereinafter and the operation unit 103 may be integrated at least in part. Further, for example, an embodiment which outputs a screen and accepts an operation from the user on the same screen may be applicable.
The CPU 104 is a system control unit and controls the whole of the information processing apparatus 101 such as the execution of a program and the activation of hardware. The ROM 105 stores fixed data such as a control program, a data table, an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) executed by the CPU 104. In the present embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM105 performs software execution control, for example, scheduling, task switch, interruption processing or the like under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 105.
The RAM 106 is composed of a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM or the like which needs a backup power supply. Incidentally, the RAM 106 may retain data by using a primary battery for a data backup not illustrated. In that case, the RAM 106 can store important data such as a program control variable without volatilization. Further, a memory area which stores setting information of the information processing apparatus 101 or management data of the information processing apparatus 101 or the like is also provided in the RAM 106. Furthermore, the RAM 106 is used as a main memory and a work memory of the CPU 104.
The external storage apparatus 107 stores various applications or content data treated by the applications or the like. The output interface 108 is an interface performing control to notify a printer 111 or the display unit 109 of display control of data or the state of the information processing apparatus 101.
The display unit 109 is composed of an LED (light-emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like and provides a notification of display of data or the state of the information processing apparatus 101. Incidentally, the acceptance of the input from the user may be performed via the display unit 109 by installing a software keyboard including keys such as a numeral input key, a mode setting key, a determination key, a cancel key, or a power supply key on the display unit 109. The communication unit 110 is connected to an external apparatus and performs data communication.
The printer 111 prints printing data generated by the information processing apparatus 101 and transfers setting information on the printer 111 or the like to the information processing apparatus 101. An explanation is made below on the premise that the present embodiment is connected to a label printer having the function of printing in a particular color.
In the present embodiment, label data for label printing includes label data in which the particular color ink is used and label data in which the particular color ink is not used. In the present embodiment, the particular color ink refers to a white ink. As a use of printing in the white ink, a case where it is desirable to print patterning or a character in the white ink is conceivable. Additionally, there is a case where printing is performed in the white ink as a background of color printing. The effect of a background color of a print medium can be removed to perform color printing by performing background printing in the white ink and performing color printing thereon. Further, in a case of a transparent print medium, the background printing can prevent a color printing part from being transparent. In a case where the background printing is not performed in the white ink, sometimes a printing result may not have a normal tint because of the effect of the background color of the printing medium.
In commercial printing, printing takes more time in a case where printing is performed in the particular color ink. In a case where the data in which printing is performed in the particular color and the data in which printing is performed without using the particular color are laid out together, the user has difficulty in selecting a layout pattern to make printing time less only by displaying information on the main body.
For example, in commercial printing, it is necessary to efficiently lay out various types of printing data and print a large amount of the printing data, but it is difficult for the user to check, in layout data, printing data which has a setting of the particular color of a commercial printing machine.
Therefore, in order to achieve less printing time, the user needs to perform layout in consideration of subsequent printing time in a layout process executed by printing software in which imposition or the like is performed, and this applies a load of layout on the user.
In the following embodiment, a method for reducing the possibility of occurrence of a mixed layout of a label which uses the particular color ink and a label which does not use the particular color ink is explained. The purpose is to reduce printing time by reducing the possibility of the mixture. Incidentally, in the following explanation, “printing time” refers to printing time which is defined by the type of printing process. In the present embodiment, the type of printing process includes the presence or absence of the use of the particular color ink. Accordingly, for example, in a case where two types of labels in which the particular color ink is not used are laid out, the labels do not have the completely same printing time, but there is no difference between the labels in the types of the printing processes, and thus the printing time is perceived to be the same.
For example, in a case where layout target data 204 without a particular color is selected as layout target data, data selected by the user can be arranged in a line as in a layout state 208. Further, for example, in a case where the user further selects additional layout data in a state where the printing target data is laid out in a first column, the selected layout target data is arranged in a second column of the layout area.
Some embodiments are explained below in the information processing apparatus of the above configuration. Incidentally, in the following embodiment below, in regard to the way to call a label to be printed, the label to be printed is referred to as “layout target data” at a stage in which the label is displayed in the layout target data selection area 201 and is referred to as “printing target data” at a stage in which the label is arranged in the layout area 209.
“LANE” displayed in the warning message 300 means a column in which printing target data is consecutively arranged in the layout area 209. In a case where a YES button 301 of the warning message 300 is selected, processing to replace the layout target data without the particular color with the layout target data without the particular color (for example, layout target data 206) which is no different from the printing target data 204 in printing time in the layout target data selection area 201. In a case where a NO button 302 is selected, processing to maintain the layout state of the printing target data 202 with the particular color is executed. That is, the user can select subsequent processing in each button arranged in the warning message. Incidentally, the warning message 300 of subsequent mixture is not displayed by marking the check box 303.
Next,
Replacement processing of the printing target data in two cases is explained above with reference to
In S901, the CPU 104 of the information processing apparatus 101 obtains main body information from the printer 111 and stores the obtained information in the RAM 106. The CPU 104 stores the main body information in the external storage apparatus 107 as necessary. The main body information indicates information set in the main body such as a sheet type, a sheet size, a roll paper sheet width, a remaining ink amount, a remaining roll paper amount, a setting to perform particular color processing, or a setting to perform decoration which needs a drying process in the printing process. In a case where the setting to perform the particular color processing or the setting required for the decoration which needs the drying process in the main body information is performed, more printing processes are needed than in a case where these settings are not performed, and thus printing time increases. Thus, the CPU 104 distinguishes a piece of information which takes longtime to print and a piece of information which does not take long time to print in the main body information and stores the main body information including these pieces of information in the RAM 106.
In S902, the CPU 104 obtains label information which is information on the particular color in the layout target data displayed in the layout target data selection area 201 of the application screen 200. The CPU 104 stores the obtained label information in the RAM 106 and also stores the obtained label information in the external storage apparatus 107 as necessary.
In S903, the CPU 104 checks whether a setting of the particular color ink is included in the printing target data based on the obtained label information. Further, a check result is stored in the RAM 106. In S904, the CPU 104 determines whether the setting of the particular color ink is included in any layout target data. In a case where it is determined that the setting of the particular color ink is included, the CPU 104 proceeds to S905; in a case where it is determined that the setting of the particular color ink is not included, the CPU 104 proceeds to S906. In this case, there is no printing target data including the particular color ink. In S905, the CPU 104 registers layout target data which uses the particular color ink to the RAM 106.
In 906, the CPU 104 displays the layout target data in the layout target data selection area 201 of the application screen 200. At that time, the CPU 104 checks the layout target data which uses the particular color ink registered in S905 and displays a mark (for example, a W-mark illustrated in
In S907, the CPU 104 determines whether any one piece of the layout target data in the layout target data selection area 201 of the application screen 200 is laid out. Layout processing is executed in the layout target data selection area 201 by marking the check box of the printing target data because of a user operation. In a case where it is determined in S907 that the label is laid out, the CPU 104 proceeds to S908. In contrast, in a case where it is determined that the label is not laid out, the CPU 104 waits until the label is laid out.
In S908, the CPU 104 checks label information on the laid-out printing target data. In S909, the CPU 104 determines whether the layout state of the layout area is a state where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that the layout state is not a state where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S913. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that the layout state is a state where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S910. That is, a condition that the CPU 104 proceeds to YES in this step is a case where at least two labels or more are laid out and the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed. Therefore, in a case where the first printing target data is laid out in a layout area in a state where nothing is laid out, no warning message is displayed because the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are not mixed regardless of which printing target data is the first printing target data.
In S910, the CPU 104 determines whether a condition of layout target data to be laid out is different from that of all printing target data which has been laid out. Here, the condition indicates whether to use the particular color ink or not. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that the condition of the layout target data to be laid out is different from that of all the printing target data which has been laid out, the CPU 104 proceeds to S911. In contrast, in a case where it is determined that the condition of the layout target data to be laid out is no different from that of all the printing target data which has been laid out, the CPU 104 proceeds to S912. That is, in a case where the CPU 104 determines that layout target data with the same condition as that of any printing target data which has been laid out is to be laid out, the CPU 104 proceeds to S912.
S910 is specifically explained. For example, in a case where the layout target data with the particular color is arranged in the second column in a state that the printing target data without the particular color is arranged in the first column, the CPU 104 determines that the answer is YES because both the layout target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are different in the condition as to whether the particular color is used or not. Further, in a case where the layout target data without the particular color is arranged in the third column in a state where the printing target data with the particular color is arranged in the first column and the second column, the CPU 104 determines the answer is YES because the condition of the layout target data without the particular color is different from that of all the printing data which has been arranged. In contrast, consider a state where the printing target data without the particular color is arranged in the first column and the printing target data with the particular color is arranged in the second column. In this case, whichever of the layout target data with the particular color and the layout target data without the particular color is arranged in the third column, the condition is the same as the condition of either of the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color which have been laid out, the CPU 104 determines that the answer is NO in S910.
In S911, the CPU 104 displays the warning message 1 (the warning message 300 illustrated in
In S912, the CPU 104 specifies whether the printing target data whose amount is smaller is printing target data with the particular color or without the particular color by checking label information on the layout target data to be laid out and the printing target data which has been laid out. That is, the CPU 104 specifies in what number column (lane) the printing target data having a printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is smaller is out of the printing target data whose type of printing process is the presence of the particular color and the printing target data whose type of printing process is the absence of particular color. Further, the warning message 2 (the warning message 600 illustrated in
In S913, the CPU 104 determines whether an operation to end the application screen 200 is performed. If the CPU 104 determines that the operation to end the application screen 200 is not performed, the CPU 104 returns to S907 and waits until accepting a user operation. If the CPU 104 determines that the operation to end the application screen 200 is performed, the CPU 104 ends processing of the present flowchart.
As mentioned above, based on the present embodiment, the efficiency of printing in the particular color ink can be improved. Specifically, in a case where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed, a massage as to whether a layout pattern takes long time to print is displayed by a layout operation, and this allows the user to easily determine printing target data to lay out. Further, a layout in which the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed can be resolved by an operation in the warning message, and thereby printing time can be shortened.
Incidentally, in the embodiment mentioned above, the warning message 2 as to whether to replace the printing target data which is printing target data in the specified column and which has the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is smaller with the printing target data which has the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is larger is displayed. Further, an embodiment executing processing to replace the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is smaller with the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is larger has been explained. However, the column of the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is larger may be specified and the warning message as to whether to replace the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is larger with the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is smaller may be displayed. That is, processing to replace the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is larger with the printing target data having the printing process of the type of printing target data whose amount is smaller may be executed.
Further, the user can easily determine which is layout target data which is a combination of layout target data which takes long time to print by displaying the warning mark for layout target data which is the combination of layout target data which takes long time to print in the layout target data selection area 201.
Incidentally, in addition to printing in the particular color ink, a similar measure can be applied to a printing stetting which takes time such as a decorative printing setting which needs a drying process.
Embodiment 1 shows a method for displaying the warning message according to an arrangement state of the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color. In the present embodiment, a method for displaying a warning in a case where printing target data 202 with the particular color is not displayed in a layout area 209 and in a case where the printing target data 202 with the particular color is displayed in the layout area 209 according to a selection state of the printing target data in the layout target data selection area 201 is explained. In a layout of label data, for example, in a case where a number is printed, numbers can be laid out from the upper left to the upper right in ascending numeric order, not along a lane. In a case of such a special layout, in the layout area 209, a visual check of the laid-out printing target data cannot be made immediately in some cases. For example, there is a case where the printing target data with the particular color is arranged in a lower portion of the layout area and cannot be checked on the display. In such a case, it is considered that the arrangement which is not displayed is checked by performing a scroll operation or the like, but there is a case where a user does not understand which is printing target data with the particular color in the first place. In such a case, it is probable that printing takes much time in a case where the user unknowingly performs printing.
Processing in S1201 to S1206 is the same processing in S901 to S906 of
In S1208, the CPU 104 checks label information to be laid out. In 1209, the CPU 104 determines whether printing target data or layout target data which has a different condition (that is the type of printing process) is arranged in a mixed layout. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that printing target data or layout target data which has a different condition is not mixed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S1213. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that printing target data or layout target data which has a different condition is mixed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S1210.
In S1210, the CPU 104 determines whether a layout of the printing target data with the particular color is displayed in the currently displayed layout area 209. In a case where the CPU 104 determines that the layout of the printing target data with the particular color is displayed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S1211, and in a case where the CPU 104 determines that the layout of the printing target data with the particular color is not displayed, the CPU 104 proceeds to S1212.
In S1211, the CPU 104 grays outs and displays the printing target data with the particular color, as illustrated in
The above processing is the processing of the flowchart of the present embodiment. Based on the present embodiment, in a case where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed, the printing target data with the particular color is grayed out and displayed in a case where the printing target data with the particular color can be checked on a screen, and in a case where the printing target data with the particular color cannot be checked on the screen, the warning message is displayed. This can reduce the possibility of the execution of printing in a state where both the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed in the same layout area. That is, printing time can be shortened.
Incidentally, in the present embodiment, an object to be warned is explained as the printing target data with the particular color, but is not limited to this. For example, an embodiment in which the printing target data without the particular color is grayed out in the mixed layout may be applicable. Further, an embodiment in which the amount of the printing target data with the particular color is compared with the amount of printing target data without the particular color to gray out the printing target data whose amount is smaller may be applicable.
Incidentally, in addition to printing in which a particular color ink is used, a similar measure can be taken for a printing setting which takes time such as a decorative printing setting which needs a drying step.
The above embodiments explain that the printing target data is arranged in three columns on a roll of paper, but actually, embodiments are not limited to this. For example, an embodiment in which printing target data is arranged in four columns on a roll of paper may be applicable. In such a case, the possibility of the mixture can be reduced by replacing the printing target data according to the arrangement status of target data with the particular color and target data without the particular color. For example, in a case where more printing target data with the particular color is arranged than the printing target data without the particular color in a status in which four columns of printing target data are arranged, a message to execute processing to replace the printing target data without the particular color with the printing target data with the particular color has only to be displayed. Further, in a case where the amount of the printing target data with the particular color is equal to that of the printing target data without the particular color in a status in which four columns of printing target data are arranged, replacement has only to be performed so as to prioritize the condition of the printing target data which is arranged first. That is, the replacement has only to be performed so as to prioritize the type of printing process which the printing target data arranged first has. Incidentally, the printing target data may be arranged in four columns or more on a roll of paper.
Further, in the above embodiment, the warning message is displayed in a case where the printing target data with the particular color and the printing target data without the particular color are mixed, but is not limited to this. For example, a warning saying that a label takes time in a case where the layout target data with the particular color is laid out in the first column in a state where nothing is laid out may be displayed.
Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-139920, filed Aug. 30, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-139920 | Aug 2023 | JP | national |
