Print data generating device, printing device, print data generating method, and program

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016279976-A1
Application number	US-201615076413-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 21, 2016
Priority date	Mar 24, 2015
Publication date	Sep 29, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A print data generating device generates print data printable by a tape printer including a feeding mechanism which feeds a print tape in a scanning direction, a print head which performs print processing on the print tape fed in the scanning direction, and a tape cutter which is arranged downstream of the print head in the scanning direction and cuts the print tape. In the print data generating device, a print direction of a print image is changed in such a way that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing is carried out by the print head in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the time of cutting the print tape, do not overlap with each other.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A print data generating device which generates print data printable by a printing device, the printing device comprising:
a feeding unit which feeds continuous forms paper in a scanning direction; a line head which performs print processing on the continuous forms paper fed in the scanning direction; and a cutting unit which is arranged downstream of the line head in the scanning direction and cuts the continuous forms paper, wherein a direction in which a print image is printed is changed in such a way that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing by the line head is carried out in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the time of cutting the continuous forms paper, do not overlap with each other.

2 . The print data generating device according to claim 1 , comprising:
a direction change decision unit which decides whether or not to carry out direction change processing of changing the direction in which the print image is printed; and a direction change execution unit which executes the direction change processing if the direction change decision unit decides that the direction change processing is to be carried out, wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone do not overlap with each other.

3 . The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit analyzes the print data to determine the image arrangement area on the print image, and decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing, using the determined image arrangement area.

4 . The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change execution unit executes processing of changing the direction in which the print image is printed, by 180 degrees, as the direction change processing.

5 . The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that an area of overlap between the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone becomes smaller when the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other both in the case where the direction change processing is executed and in the case where the direction change processing is not executed.

6 . The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the direction change decision unit decides whether or not to carry out the direction change processing in such a way that a difference between a density of a color in an overlapping area where the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other, and a reference value, becomes greater when the image arrangement area and the print area in the acceleration/deceleration zone overlap with each other both in the case where the direction change processing is executed and in the case where the direction change processing is not executed.

7 . The print data generating device according to claim 2 , wherein the image arrangement area is an area where an image in a color of intermediate gradation is arranged.

8 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 2 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

9 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 3 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

10 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 4 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

11 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 5 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

12 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 6 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

13 . A printing device comprising:
the print data generating device according to claim 7 ; a feeding unit; a line head; and a cutting unit.

14 . A print data generating method for generating print data printable by a printing device, the printing device including a feeding unit which feeds continuous forms paper in a scanning direction, a line head which performs print processing on the continuous forms paper fed in the scanning direction, and a cutting unit which is arranged downstream of the line head in the scanning direction and cuts the continuous forms paper, the method comprising:
changing a direction in which a print image is printed, in such away that an image arrangement area on the print image of the print data, and a print area where the print processing by the line head is carried out in a paper feed acceleration/deceleration zone at the—time of cutting the continuous forms paper, do not overlap with each other.

15 . A program causing a computer to execute the print data generating method according to claim 9 .

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Endo Tsunenobu
• Okawa Taisuke
• Matsuda Kan

Classifications

• B41M5/00

  Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein (by using light-sensitive materials G03; electrography, magnetography G03G {; repeatedly usable boards or tablets for writing or drawing B43L1/00}) · CPC title

• B41J11/008

  Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins · CPC title

• B41J3/4075 Primary

  Tape printers; Label printers · CPC title

• B41J11/70 Primary

  cutting perpendicular to the direction of paper feed · CPC title

• G06K15/022

  for printing on continuous media, e.g. tapes · CPC title