Patent Grant
10507673
The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-035506, filed on Feb. 26, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to such a technique that a print execution device conveys a mount (mounting sheet) to which a sticky note is stuck and executes printing on the sticky note.
Description of the Related Art
A sticky note (post-it note) printer for executing printing on a sticky note is known. The sticky note printer is provided with a setting section for setting a sticky note bundle, sticky note feeding means for taking off one sheet of sticky note of the sticky note bundle and then feeding the sticky note while peeling off a paste portion of the sticky note, and printing means for performing printing on the fed sticky note.
In order to perform printing on a sticky note, it has been necessary to prepare any exclusively usable sticky note printer as described above. An object of the present teaching is to provide such a technique that a print execution device is allowed to appropriately execute printing on a sticky note even when the print execution device is not provided with any exclusively usable construction for performing the printing on the sticky note.
According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs executable by a controller that causes a print execution device to execute printing, the print execution device including: a print head provided with nozzles aligned in a sub scanning direction; a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the sub scanning direction; and a head driving device which causes the print head to execute a main scanning operation, the main scanning operation including an operation for causing the print head to discharge an ink toward the printing medium while moving the print head in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub scanning direction, the programs causing the controller to execute: a first acquiring process for acquiring first object data which represents a first object image to be printed on a first sticky note; a generating process for generating printing data for the print execution device to execute the printing of the first object image on the first sticky note by utilizing the first object data; and a supply process for supplying the printing data to the print execution device, wherein the first sticky note is conveyed by the print execution device in a state of being stuck on a mount, the printing data represents a printing image in which the first object image is arranged in a first predetermined area, and the first predetermined area is an area, in which the main scanning operation can be executed by the print head to print the first object image on the first sticky note in such a state that the holding member holds a part of the first sticky note, and in which the main scanning operation cannot be executed by the print head to print the first object image on the first sticky note in such a state that the holding member does not hold the first sticky note.
The programs stored on the medium can realize the following controller. That is, the controller can control the printing execution device so that the print head executes the main scanning operation to print the first object image on the first sticky note in the state in which the holding member holds the part of the first sticky note, and the print head does not execute the main scanning operation in the state in which the holding member does not hold the first sticky note. Therefore, the print execution device can execute the discharge of the ink onto the first sticky note in a state in which the first sticky note is not curled. On this account, even when the print execution device is not provided with any exclusively usable construction for performing the printing on the sticky note, it is possible to cause the print execution device to appropriately execute the printing on the sticky note.
According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a mount for sticking a sticky note on which printing is executed by a print execution device, the print execution device including: a print head provided with nozzles aligned in a sub scanning direction; a holding member which holds a part of a printing medium conveyed from an upstream side toward a downstream side in the sub scanning direction; and a head driving device which causes the print head to execute a main scanning operation, the main scanning operation including an operation for causing the print head to discharge an ink toward the printing medium while moving the print head in a main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub scanning direction, the mount comprising a guide image for indicating a sticking position at which the sticky note is to be stuck, the sticky note having a first sticky note end portion which has an adhesion area and a second sticky note end portion which is disposed on a side opposite to the first sticky note end portion in the sub scanning direction, wherein the sticking position is determined so that: the mount is conveyed in the sub scanning direction by the print execution device in a state in which the sticky note is stuck such that the first sticky note end portion is positioned on the downstream side in the sub scanning direction and the second sticky note end portion is positioned on the upstream side in the sub scanning direction; and the main scanning operation can be executed by the print head to discharge the ink toward the sticky note in such a state that the holding member holds a part of the sticky note, and the main scanning operation cannot be executed by the print head to discharge the ink toward the sticky note in such a state that the holding member does not hold the sticky note.
According to this construction, if a user sticks the sticky note at the sticking position indicated by the guide image included in the mount, and the user sets the mount to the print execution device, then it is possible to realize the printing on the sticky note. In this case, the sticking position is determined so that the main scanning operation can be executed to discharge the ink toward the sticky note in the state in which the holding member holds the part of the sticky note, and that the main scanning operation cannot be executed in the state in which the holding member does not hold the sticky note. Therefore, the print execution device can execute the discharge of the ink onto the sticky note in a state in which the sticky note is not curled. On this account, even when the print execution device is not provided with any exclusively usable construction for performing the printing on the sticky note, it is possible to cause the print execution device to appropriately execute the printing on the sticky note.
The foregoing controller itself, a control method for realizing the controller, and a computer readable recording medium storing the computer program are also novel and useful. Further, a print system, which is provided with the controller and the print execution device described above, is also novel and useful.
[First Embodiment]<Construction of Print System 2>
As depicted in
<Construction of Printer PR>
The printer PR includes a network interface 12, a controller 20, and a print engine PE. The interface will be hereinafter referred to as “I/F” in some cases. The network I/F 12 is connected to LAN 4. The controller 20 is provided with a CPU and a memory (not depicted) to execute various processes in order to cause the print engine PE to execute the printing. The print engine PE includes a print head PH, a head driving device AU, a sheet conveyance device TU, and a sheet holding device (sheet pressing device) SP.
<Construction of Print Engine PE>
The print head PH is provided with a plurality of nozzles N1 to NE. The respective nozzles N1 to NE are aligned at equal intervals on a straight line in the sub scanning direction. The nozzle N1 and the nozzle NE are the nozzles which are arranged on the most upstream side and the most downstream side in the sub scanning direction respectively.
The head driving device AU is provided with a carriage 60. The print head PH is carried on the carriage 60. The head driving device AU further includes a driving circuit which is provided to drive the print head PH and a transport member which is provided to transport the carriage 60 (these components are not depicted). The driving circuit supplies the driving signal to the print head PH in accordance with the instruction of the controller 20. Accordingly, ink droplets are discharged from the respective nozzles N1, NE and the like provided in the print head PH. The transport member includes a motor, a belt, a pulley and the like (not depicted) to reciprocatively move the carriage 60 in the main scanning direction in accordance with the instruction of the controller 20.
In this embodiment, the print head PH discharges the ink toward the sheet S during the outward movement of one round of the reciprocating movement performed in the main scanning direction, but the print head PH does not discharge the ink toward the sheet S during the return path movement. In the following description, the operation, in which the print head PH discharges the ink while performing the outward movement, is referred to as “main scanning operation”. Further, in the following description, the main scanning operation is simply referred to as “path” in some cases. In a modified embodiment, the print head PH may discharge the ink toward the sheet S during the outward movement of one round of the reciprocating movement performed in the main scanning direction, and the print head PH may discharge the ink toward the sheet S during the return path movement. In this case, the path is executed one time by discharging the ink while performing the outward movement by the print head PH, and the path is executed one time by discharging the ink while performing the return path movement by the print head PH.
The sheet conveyance device TU is provided with one paper feed roller pair 40, a platen 42, a plurality of ribs 44, and a plurality of paper discharge roller pairs 46. The paper feed roller pair 40 is constructed by a pair of rollers which are longer than the length of the sheet S in the main scanning direction. As depicted in
The paper discharge roller pairs 46 are arranged at equal intervals in the main scanning direction. In particular, in the main scanning direction, the positions of the respective paper discharge roller pairs 46 are coincident with the positions of the respective ribs 44. As depicted in
The sheet holding device SP is provided with a plurality of corrugated plates 70 and a plurality of corrugated spurs 48, 50. As depicted in
As depicted in
In the case of the print engine PE constructed as described above, the head driving device AU allows the print head PH to execute the main scanning operation while the sheet conveyance device TU conveys the sheet S in the sub scanning direction, and thus it is possible to realize the printing on the sheet S. In particular, the sheet holding device SP is provided. Therefore, as depicted in
<Construction of Terminal Device TR>
As depicted in
The controller 120 is provided with CPU 122 and a memory 124. CPU 122 executes various processes in accordance with an OS program (not depicted), a printer driver 126 and the like stored in the memory 124. The printer driver 126 is a program which is provided to generate the printing data that represents the printing image as the printing object so that the printing data is supplied to the printer PR. For example, the printer driver 126 may be installed into the terminal device TR from a computer readable recording medium shipped together with the printer PR. Alternatively, the printer driver 126 may be installed into the terminal device TR from a server on the internet. The memory 124 further stores a template data group 128 which includes a plurality of types of template data. The template data group 128 is installed into the terminal device TR together with the printer driver 126. The template data group 128 is the data which is utilized in the sticky note printing process as described later on (see
<Sticky Note Printing Process>
An explanation will be made with reference to
In S10, CPU 122 stands by for the selection of the sticky note size. The user operates the operation device 104 to select a desired size from a plurality of types of sticky note sizes. In this procedure, CPU 122 determines that the sticky note size is selected (S10: YES), and CPU 122 executes S12. In this case, the plurality of types of the sticky note sizes include a first size (for example, a sticky note FS depicted in
In S12, CPU 122 reads the template data (hereinafter referred to as “specified template data”) corresponding to the sticky note size selected in S10, from the template data group 128 stored in the memory 124. Then, CPU 122 causes the display 106 to display a predetermined instruction screen in order to print the mount (see
In S14, CPU 122 stands by for the input of the instruction in order to print the mount MB on the predetermined instruction screen. If the instruction is inputted by the user, CPU 122 determines that the mount printing instruction is inputted (S14: YES), and CPU 122 executes S16.
In S16, CPU 122 supplies, to the printer PR, the mount data which represents the mount image corresponding to the specified template data. As a result, the printer PR prints the mount image represented by the mount data, for example, on the sheet S having a predetermined size such as A4 or the like. Accordingly, the mount MB can be provided to the user.
An explanation will now be made about the mount MB with reference to
As depicted in
The respective guide frames GF indicate the sticking positions of the sticky notes having the first size. The position and the size of each of the guide frames GF are previously determined in the specified template data. The size of each of the guide frames GF is the same as that of the size of the sticky note (i.e., the first size). A technique for specifying the position of each of the guide frames GF will be explained later on.
The plurality of guide frames GF include the two or more (three in the example depicted in
Symbols PH1 to PH5, which are depicted by broken lines, indicate the positions of the print head PH when the first to fifth paths are executed in such a situation that the printer PR executes the printing on the sticky notes FS stuck to the mount MB. More correctly, the length in the sub scanning direction of each of PH1 to PH5 indicates the length in which the printing can be performed in one path by utilizing those ranging from the most upstream nozzle N1 to the most downstream nozzle NE. Further, each of symbols 70a to 70e, which is depicted by broken lines, indicates the position of the lower surface of one corrugated plate 70 (i.e., the holding position) when the print head PH executes the first to fifth paths. Then, each of symbols R, which is depicted by long dashed short dashed lines, indicates the area (hereinafter referred to as “printing area R”) in which the image is to be printed in each of the sticky notes FS. The length of the long side and the length of the short side of the printing area R are smaller than the length of the long side and the length of the short side of the sticky note FS respectively. When the print head PH executes the printing on the printing area R, a part or parts of the sticky note FS is/are held or pressed by the corrugated plate 70. For example, when the print head PH executes the first path (see PH1), the plate 70 holds the central portion of the sticky note FS in the first row (see 70a). That is, the plate 70 holds the upstream side in the sub scanning direction (i.e., the lower side as viewed in
Further, the corrugated plate 70 holds the portion on the upstream side in the sub scanning direction from the adhesion area 300 in the sticky note FS. Accordingly, when the print head PH executes the path, such a situation is prevented from being caused that a part of the sticky note FS (especially the end portion disposed on the side opposite to the adhesion area 300) floats and the sticky note FS is brought in contact with the print head PH. Accordingly, the sticky note FS is prevented from becoming dirty by the ink adhered to the print head PH.
In the case of the mount MB depicted in
When the process of S16 depicted in
In S18 depicted in
In S20, CPU 122 stands by for the input of the sticky note printing instruction. The user sets, to the printer PR, the mount MB to which at least one sheet of the sticky note FS is stuck, and the user selects the printing execution button 404 in the template screen 400. In this procedure, CPU 122 determines that the sticky note printing instruction is inputted (S20: YES), and CPU 122 executes S22.
In S22, CPU 122 generates the printing data 500. At first, CPU 122 generates the solid image data which represents the white solid image corresponding to the white sheet having the same size as that of the mount MB. The solid image data is combined with the respective pieces of the object image data acquired in S20 to generate the combined data (composite or synthesized data). In this case, in the printer driver 126, it is previously determined that the object image data should be combined at what position in the solid image data depending on the size of the sticky note selected in S10. Specifically, the position in the solid image data, at which the object image data should be combined, is determined so that the positional relationship of the respective object images in the solid image is coincident with the positional relationship of the respective printing areas R in the mount MB. The combined data includes a plurality of pieces of pixel data, and each of the pieces of pixel data represents the multi-gradation (for example, 256-gradation) RGB value.
Subsequently, CPU 122 executes the color conversion (color transformation) process for the combined data to generate the CMYK image data. The CMYK image data includes a plurality of pieces of pixel data (i.e., the pieces of pixel data of the same number as that of the pieces of printing image data described above), and each of the pieces of pixel data represents the multi-gradation (for example, 256-gradation) CMYK value.
Subsequently, CPU 122 executes the half tone process (for example, the process of the error diffusion method, the dither method and the like) for the CMYK image data described above to generate the binary data. The binary data includes a plurality of pieces of pixel data (i.e., the pieces of pixel data of the same number as that of the pieces of CMYK image data described above), and each of the pieces of pixel data includes the two-gradation (i.e., “1” or “0”) CMYK value. The pixel data “1” represents Dot ON (i.e., discharge of the ink), and the pixel data “0” represents Dot OFF (i.e., no discharge of the ink). In this embodiment, the nozzles N1 to NE (see
Subsequently, CPU 122 generates the printing data 500 on the basis of the binary data described above. The printing data 500 includes a plurality of pieces of path data. One piece of path data corresponds to one path (i.e., one round of the main scanning operation). In each of the pieces of path data, the nozzle is allowed to correspond to each of the pieces of pixel data included in the binary data in relation to each of the plurality of nozzles N1 to NE. For example, in the case of the path data of the first path illustrated in S22, the pieces of pixel data, which are allowed to correspond to the nozzle N1, represent, for example, “1”, “0”, “0” or the like in an order as started from the left. This means the fact that the discharge, no discharge, and no discharge of the ink droplets from the nozzle N1 are successively executed during the process of the first path. Each of the pieces of path data further includes the conveyance amount data which represents the conveyance amount of the mount MB in the sub scanning direction. For example, the path data of the first path includes the conveyance amount data which represents the conveyance amount PL. This means the fact that the mount MB is conveyed by the conveyance amount PL in the sub scanning direction before the first path is executed.
In this embodiment, the printer PR executes the so-called one-path printing. The one-path printing is such a printing technique that another dot is not formed between two dots which adjoin in the sub scanning direction of a plurality of dots after the plurality of dots for constructing the object image are formed on the sticky note FS by executing one round of path by the print head PH, and another dot is not formed between two dots which adjoin in the main scanning direction of the plurality of dots. The conveyance amount PL for realizing the one-path printing is N nozzle pitches. In this case, “N” is the total number of the nozzles for discharging one color (for example, K) ink. Further, the nozzle pitch is the distance between the two nozzles which adjoin in the sub scanning direction in the print head PH.
In S24, CPU 122 supplies the printing data 500 generated in S22 to the printer PR. Accordingly, the controller 20 of the printer PR controls the sheet conveyance device TU and the head driving device AU in accordance with the printing data 500. Specifically, the controller 20 firstly allows the sheet conveyance device TU to convey the mount MB set to the printer PR to a predetermined printing start position. Then, the controller 20 successively utilizes the path data included in the printing data 500 so that the controller 20 allows the sheet conveyance device TU to execute the conveyance of the mount MB in accordance with the conveyance amount data and the controller 20 allows the head driving device AU to execute the path of the print head PH in accordance with the respective pieces of the pixel data. Accordingly, the printing image, in which the object image is arranged in the printing area R in the mount MB, is printed on the mount MB. That is, the object image is printed on the sticky note FS.
As described above, when the printer PR is allowed to execute the printing by using the mount MB, if the print head PH executes the path with respect to the printing area R of the sticky note FS, then the part of the sticky note FS is held or pressed by the corrugated plate 70 (see
Further, in this embodiment, the mount MB is constructed such that a plurality of sticky notes FS can be aligned and stuck in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction respectively. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately execute the printing of the object image on the plurality of sticky notes FS stuck to one sheet of the mount MB respectively.
<Method for Determining Sticky Note Sticking Area (Position of Guide Frame GF)>
As described above, in this embodiment, the position of each of the guide frames GF on the mount MB (i.e., the sticky note sticking area) is previously determined for each of the pieces of template data. Then, each of the pieces of template data is previously generated by a vendor. An explanation will be made below about a method for determining the sticky note sticking area by the vendor.
An explanation will be made with reference to
FL≤PL*n+UM Expression (1)
In Expression (1), FL represents the length of the sticky note FS in the sub scanning direction (i.e., the length of the long side of the rectangular sticky note FS). PL represents the conveyance amount for every one path, which is N nozzle pitches in this embodiment. UM represents the holding length of the sticky note FS brought about by the corrugated plate 70, which is a previously determined length. n corresponds to the number of paths (i.e., the number of times of the main scanning operation) required for the printing on the sticky note FS in the first row.
If the minimum value of n, at which Expression (1) holds, is determined, the vendor calculates the value of “PL*n+UM” as the right side of Expression (1). Then, the vendor specifies the position separated on the upstream side in the sub scanning direction by the calculated value from the starting point SA1 described above, as the upstream end A1 of the sticky note sticking area in the first row. Further, the length in the sub scanning direction of each of the sticky note sticking areas is coincident with the length (i.e., FL) in the sub scanning direction of the sticky note FS.
For example, a specified example is assumed, in which FL is 75 mm, PL is 35 mm, and UM is 10 mm. In this case, the minimum value of n, at which Expression (1) holds, is 2, and the value of the right side of Expression (1) is 80 (mm). The vendor determines the position separated on the upstream side by 80 mm from the starting point SA1, as the upstream end A1 of the sticky note sticking area in the first row, in relation to the sub scanning direction.
Subsequently, the vendor determines the position in the main scanning direction (left-right direction as viewed in
The vendor further determines the printing area R in which the object image is to be arranged, in relation to each of the sticky note sticking areas. Specifically, the vendor firstly calculates “FL−UM” (for example, 75−10=65 mm in the example described above) to determine the length in the sub scanning direction of the arrangement area D in which the printing area R can be arranged. The length in the main scanning direction of the arrangement area D is coincident with the length in the main scanning direction of the sticky note FS (i.e., the length of the short side of the rectangular sticky note FS). Then, the vendor determines the arrangement area D as indicated by the hatching so that the downstream end of the sticky note sticking area is coincident with the downstream end of the arrangement area D in relation to the sub scanning direction, and the both ends of the sticky note sticking area are coincident with the both ends of the arrangement area D in relation to the main scanning direction.
Subsequently, the vendor determines the printing area R which is one size smaller than the arrangement area D, at the inside of the arrangement area D. That is, the positions of the both ends of the printing area R are the positions which are disposed inwardly by predetermined values t1 from the both ends of the arrangement area D, in relation to the main scanning direction. Further, the positions of the both ends of the printing area R are the positions which are disposed inwardly by predetermined values t2 from the both ends of the arrangement area D, in relation to the sub scanning direction.
Next, an explanation will be made with reference to
PL*n+UM+(FL+SL)≤PL*m+UM Expression (2-1)
In Expression (2-1), FL, PL, UM, and n are the same as or equivalent to those of
SL=PL*(n+1)−(PL*n+UM) Expression (2-2)
As depicted in
When the vendor calculates the value of m, the vender calculates the value of “PL*m+UM” which is the right side of Expression (2-1). Then, the vendor specifies the position which is separated on the upstream side by the calculated value from the starting point SA1 described above, as the upstream end A2 in the sub scanning direction of the sticky note sticking area in the second row, in relation to the sub scanning direction.
For example, in the specified example described above, FL is 75 mm, PL is 35 mm, UM is 10 mm, and n is 2. Further, SM is 5 mm. In this case, the value of SL described above is 25 (mm). Then, the minimum value of m, at which Expression (2-1) described above holds, is 5. The value of “PL*m+UM” which is the right side of Expression (2-1) is 185 (mm). The vendor specifies the position separated by 185 mm on the upstream side from the starting point SA1, as the upstream end A2 in the sub scanning direction of the sticky note sticking area in the second row.
The position in the main scanning direction of the sticky note sticking area in the second row is the same as the position in the main scanning direction of the sticky note sticking area in the first row. Further, the vendor determines the printing area R of the sticky note sticking area in the second row in the same manner as the sticky note sticking area in the first row.
The vendor can determine the sticky note sticking area in the third row and the followings in accordance with a method which is the same as or equivalent to the method for determining the sticky note sticking area in the second row. However, whether or not the sticky note sticking area in the third row and the followings should be determined is determined depending on the size of the sticky note and the size of the mount. For example, if there is no space for arranging the sticky note FS in the third row and the followings as in the examples of the mount MB depicted in
If the vendor determines the respective sticky note sticking areas in accordance with the method as described above, the vendor can generate the mount data which represents the respective guide frames GF for indicating the respective sticky note sticking areas and the image of the message 210 (see
<Correlation>
The print engine PE, the controller 120, and the printer driver 126 are examples of the “print execution device”, the “controller”, and the “computer program” respectively. The corrugated plate 70 is an example of the “holding member”. The plurality of sticky notes FS in the first row stuck to the mount MB are examples of the “first sticky note” and the “second sticky note”. Then, the respective printing areas R of the plurality of sticky notes FS in the first row are examples of the “first predetermined area” and the “second predetermined area”. The template screen 400 is an example of the “mount image”.
[Second Embodiment]
In a second embodiment, the printer PR is provided with a so-called leading portion skip function. The leading portion skip function is such a function that the printer PR conveys the sheet S up to the position at which any object image other than a blank space is arranged (i.e., the printer PR skips the leading space portion) if the blank space is present at a downstream end portion in the sub scanning direction of the printing image, and the printer PR starts the main scanning operation of the print head PH from the position at which the object image is arranged.
Also in this embodiment, the vendor determines the respective sticky note sticking areas in accordance with a method which is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment (see
In the technique depicted in
[Third Embodiment]
In a third embodiment, the printer PR is provided with the leading portion skip function, and the printer PR is provided with a so-called intermediate portion skip function. The intermediate portion skip function is such a function that the printer PR conveys the sheet S up to the position at which any object image other than a blank space is arranged (i.e., the printer PR skips the intermediate space portion) if the blank space is present at an intermediate portion in the sub scanning direction of the printing image, and the printer PR starts the main scanning operation of the print head PH from the position at which the object image is arranged.
Also in this embodiment, the vendor determines the respective sticky note sticking areas in the first row in accordance with a method which is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, as depicted in
In this embodiment, when the combined data (i.e., the combined data in which the object image data is combined with the solid image data) is generated in S22 depicted in
Therefore, when the printing is executed in accordance with the printing data 500 generated in S22, the path leading images 202a, 202b and the skip prevention images 204a, 204b are printed on the mount MB as depicted in
Also in this embodiment, the path leading image 202a is arranged on the second side (i.e., the upper side) as compared with the end portion on the second side (i.e., the upper side) of the object image in the first row (i.e., the end portion on the second side of the printing area R), in relation to the first direction (i.e., the upward-downward direction as depicted in
In the example depicted in
When the printer PR of this embodiment is used, if at least one of the leading portion skip function and the intermediate portion skip function is executed, then the path for performing the printing on the sticky note FS may be also executed in a state in which the sticky note FS is not held by the corrugated plate 70. On the contrary, as described above, in this embodiment, CPU 122 generates the printing data 500 which represents the printing image including the path leading images 202a, 202b and the skip prevention images 204a, 204b (S22 depicted in
[Fourth Embodiment]
In a fourth embodiment, the printer PR executes the so-called interlace printing. The interlace printing resides in such a printing technique that a plurality of dots, which constitute the object image, are formed on the sticky note FS by allowing the print head PH to execute the main scanning operation, and then one or more dots are formed between the two dots which adjoin in the sub scanning direction and which are included in the plurality of dots. In other words, the interlace printing resides in such a printing technique that the main scanning operation (i.e., the path) is executed a plurality of times in order to form a plurality of dots during one nozzle pitch provided in the sub scanning direction. In this embodiment, as depicted in
An explanation will be made about the process to be performed in order that the vendor generates the template data in this embodiment. At first, the vendor determines the sticky note sticking area in the first row on the mount MB. An explanation will be made with reference to
Then, the vendor determines the value of i at which the following expression (4) holds.
FL≤RL*i+TL*(i−1)+UM Expression (4)
In Expression (4) described above, FL and UM are as described above. As depicted in
The vendor specifies the value of i at which Expression (4) holds, and the vendor calculates the value of “RL*i+TL*(i−1)+UM” which is the right side of Expression (4). The vendor determines the position which is separated in the sub scanning direction by the calculated value from the starting point SC1 described above, as the upstream end C1 of the sticky note sticking area in the first row. Note that the method for determining the position in the main scanning direction of the sticky note sticking area in the first row is the same as or equivalent to that depicted in
If the vendor determines the respective sticky note sticking areas in accordance with the technique described above, the vendor can generate the mount data which represents the mount image including the guide frames GF for representing the respective sticky note sticking areas and the image of the message 210 (see
In this embodiment, a part of the content of the sticky note printing process (see
Note that also in this embodiment, the printer PR may be provided with the leading portion skip function. In this case, the vendor may prepare the printer driver 126 so that the path leading data, which represents the path leading image 202a (see
The printer PR may further include the intermediate portion skip function. In this case, the vendor may prepare the printer driver 126 so that the path leading data, which represents the path leading image 202a (see
The specified embodiments of the present teaching have been explained above in detail. However, they are merely exemplified by way of example, and they do not limit claims. The technique defined in claims includes those obtained by variously deforming or changing the specified embodiments exemplified above by way of example. Modified embodiments of the embodiments described above will be recited below.
[First Modified Embodiment]
The printer PR may execute any multi-path interlace printing other than the four-path interlace printing, including, for example, the two-path interlace printing, without being limited to the one-path printing (first to third embodiments) and the four-path interlace printing (fourth embodiment). Further, the printer PR may execute the so-called “four-path singling printing”. The four-path singling printing resides in such a printing technique that a plurality of dots for constructing the object image are formed on the sticky note FS by allowing the print head to execute the kth (k is an integer of not less than 1) main scanning operation, and then three dots are formed between the two dots which are included in the plurality of dots and which adjoin in the main scanning direction. Further, the printer PR may execute any other multi-path singling printing including, for example, the two-path singling printing. Further, the printer may execute the printing in which the multi-path interlace printing and the multi-path singling printing are combined. In this case, the techniques for forming the dots in the respective paths in the multi-path interlace printing and the multi-path singling printing disclosed in the foregoing respective embodiments and this modified embodiment are merely examples. Any arbitrary technique for forming dots may be adopted in respective paths in the multi-path interlace printing and the multi-path singling printing. Even when the printer PR is any one of those referred to in this modified embodiment, the print system disclosed in this specification may execute the printing on the sticky note in accordance with any technique which is the same as or equivalent to the techniques explained in the respective embodiments described above.
[Second Modified Embodiment]
It is also allowable that the memory 124 of the terminal device TR does not store the template data group 128. In this case, in the sticky note printing process (see
[Third Modified Embodiment]
The memory included in the controller 20 of the printer PR may store the printer driver 126 and the template data group 128. In this case, the controller 20 may execute a process which is the same as or equivalent to the sticky note printing process depicted in
[Fourth Modified Embodiment]
It is also allowable that the printer PR is not provided with the corrugated plate 70. The printer PR may be constructed so that a part of the sticky note FS is held or pressed by the paper feed roller pair 40 when the print head PH executes the main scanning operation in order to perform the printing on the sticky note FS. In this modified embodiment, the paper feed roller pair 40 is an example of the “holding member”.
[Fifth Modified Embodiment]
A plurality of types of the mounts corresponding to the sizes of the sticky notes may be previously prepared by the vendor, and the mounts may be shipped while being packaged together with the printer PR. In this case, CPU 122 may omit the processes of S14 and S16 in the sticky note printing process (
[Sixth Modified Embodiment]
The sticky note FS is not limited to those made of paper. It is also allowable to use a sticky note made of any arbitrary material such as those made of resin. Further, the mount MB is not limited to those made of paper. It is also allowable that the mount MB may be any sheet member such as those made of resin.
[Seventh Modified Embodiment]
In the third embodiment described above, it is also allowable that the skip prevention image 204a does not extend continuously over the range corresponding to the entire region between the end portion on the first side (i.e., the lower side) of the printing area R and the end portion on the second side (i.e., the upper side). Specifically, in the example depicted in
[Eighth Modified Embodiment]
The sizes of the respective guide frames GF depicted in
[Ninth Modified Embodiment]
In the respective embodiments described above, the processes depicted in
Further, the technical elements explained in this specification or the drawings exhibit the technical usefulness independently or in accordance with various types of combinations, which are not limited to the combinations defined in claims at the time of the filing of the application. Further, the technique exemplified in this specification or the drawings simultaneously achieves a plurality of objects, and the technique has the technical usefulness intrinsically owing to the achievement of one of the objects.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170246883 A1 | Aug 2017 | US |
