JP2642020B2 - Label printing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label printing apparatus for printing an input character string on a heading label of a document or the like via a printing means, and in particular, affixes a large number of labels whose arrangement and shape are standardized. The present invention relates to a label printing apparatus that suitably prints on each label on the label sheet regardless of the type of the label sheet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At an exhibition, for example, the same heading label is often attached to a large number of samples. Also, with the diversification of information, the demand for suitable filing using heading labels according to the type of information and the like is increasing, and moreover, the same information may be owned and stored by a plurality of persons and a plurality of places. Heretofore, this type of label has been created by hand, and there have been problems such as frequent creation and appearance.

In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a printing apparatus which efficiently prints the same contents at both the upper and lower positions of a lined label by appropriately selecting the printing direction (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 1-178948). Gazette).

Further, a label printing apparatus has been proposed in which the number of input characters and the number of lines are stored in one label and the number of labels is calculated so as to set an integer number of sheets on one sheet (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-1986). -175722).

Further, there has been proposed a label printer which automatically calculates a character to be changed to full-width and half-width so that printing can be suitably performed within a predetermined label width (JP-A-63-18963).
276).

Further, a label printer has been proposed in which a print format of a cut-sheet label can be input and printing can be performed on labels of various sizes (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-1).
No. 58072).

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 948, a process for suitably printing one heading label is described in detail. However, the position and size detection of a plurality of arranged heading labels or each label is performed. No description is given as to how to print.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-175722,
JP-A-63-189276 and JP-A-62-15
No. 8072 relates to how to suitably perform printing on one label, and does not relate to printing processing for a large number of arranged labels.

Further, "A-1", "A-2", "A-
The function of printing the same character string on each label one after another while increasing the number of consecutive numbers one by one, such as 3 "..., is convenient. However, with these features,
At present, there is no label printing device that sequentially prints a large number of arranged labels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem. The purpose of the present invention is to identify and store in advance the type of label, and to select and instruct the type of label.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a label printing apparatus in which a label shape and position information are automatically set and a suitable character string can be printed on a large number of labels affixed on a label sheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a label printing apparatus capable of sequentially printing a character string by changing only a series of consecutive numbers and characters by one for each of the arranged labels. To provide.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a label printing apparatus for inputting a desired character string and printing the input character string for each label arranged on a label sheet. In the apparatus, a first processing means for storing a serial number range of the serial number together with a character string including the serial number in a character string storage unit, and a starting value of a number or a character designated by the serial number range. 2nd to be set to the number printing counter
Processing means and the characters stored in the character string storage unit are sequentially read out and stored in the print character storage unit.
If the read character is a serial number symbol, a third processing unit that replaces the character with a number or a character designated by the serial number printing counter; and all of the characters stored in the character string storage unit are printed character storage units. Then, based on the label information for specifying the dimensions and arrangement position of each label arranged on the first label sheet, the character string stored in the print character storage unit is arranged on the arranged label. And a fourth processing means for printing on one label by the fourth processing means, and then setting the number or character set in the serial number printing counter to the corresponding next number or character. The fifth processing means to be updated and the processing by the third to fifth processing means are sequentially executed based on the updated numbers or characters, and the numbers or characters set in the serial number printing counter are serial numbers. Out of range That until and constitutes and a sixth processing means for performing this process.

[0013]

The input character string is stored in the character string storage unit.
In the third processing means, the characters stored in the character string storage are read out one by one in order and stored in the print character storage as a print buffer. At this time, if the read character is a serial number symbol, the character is replaced with a number or character set in the serial number printing counter and stored. After all the character strings to be printed are stored in the print character storage unit, the fourth processing unit prints the character strings in the print character storage unit on labels. After the number or character set in the serial number printing counter is updated by the fifth processing means, the processing by the third to fifth processing means is repeatedly executed by the sixth processing means. This process is performed until the setting of the serial number printing counter exceeds the serial number range.
The set character string is sequentially printed by changing only a series of consecutive numbers and characters one by one.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a label printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show the appearance and internal mechanism of the label printing apparatus 1. FIG. A label printing device (hereinafter, referred to as a device) 1 is a device that performs printing on each of a large number of labels 4a regularly arranged on a label sheet 4, and includes an upper half body 2 and a lower half body 3, An insertion port 5 for the label sheet 4 is formed in the middle.

In the upper half 2 of the apparatus 1, a large number of keys 6 capable of inputting characters and the like are arranged. Is provided. When the number of characters and the number of lines are further input, the screen is scrolled right and left and up and down by the cursor keys. As shown in FIG. 4, the keys 6 arranged include character keys such as alphabets, “functions”,
A function key for performing each processing such as “cancel”, “conversion”, “execution”, and “print” and a cursor key with arrows on all sides are provided. The contents of each key are indicated on the head.

The lower half 3 has an insertion port 5 and the insertion port 5.
And a feed path 11 extending rearward from the feed path, and a guide roller 9 for guiding the inserted label sheet 4 is provided on the upper surface of the feed path 11. In addition, the guide roller 9
Behind the paper feed motor 16, a paper feed roller 8 which is driven to rotate by a sheet feed motor 16 and feeds the inserted label sheet 4 is provided at a total of three places, and further provided with a printing unit 20 for printing. I have.

A guide side wall 18 is formed on one side, for example, the left side of the insertion port 5 and the feeding path 11, and the label sheet 4 is inserted while the left side of the label sheet 4 is in contact with the side wall 18. It is. As shown in FIG. 5, a sheet sensor 19 such as a photo-interrupter having a pair of light-emitting elements 19a and light-receiving elements 19b on the upper and lower surfaces is provided on the side wall 18 on the downstream side of the feed path of the paper feed roller 8. And detects whether or not the left side of the inserted and fed label sheet 4 exactly matches the side wall 18.

The lower part of the printing unit 20 is the label sheet 4.
Spiral shaft 1 disposed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction
2, the rotation of the carriage motor 14 is transmitted to the helical shaft 12 via the gear train 15, and the printing unit 20 reciprocates along the rotating helical shaft 12. . On the upper part of the printing unit 20, a rack 13 is installed in parallel with the spiral shaft 12. The teeth of the rack 13 are formed at a lower portion so as to face the printing unit 20.
The gears in the printing unit 20 are in mesh with the rack 13. From the lower part of the printing unit 20, a thermal head 2 composed of a dot array capable of printing one character, for example, is provided.
The lower plate 3 of the thermal head 28 is provided with a rubber platen 17. In addition,
The printing unit 20 also functions as a cassette holder for mounting a ribbon cassette (not shown) of the ink ribbon, and includes a winding shaft 25 for winding the ink ribbon.

The liquid crystal display unit 7 displays an input character string or an edited character string, a code number, a character label, or a respective selection screen. The character label refers to a character string created for label printing or a character string already created.

Next, a control block diagram of the label printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The device 1 includes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as a CPU) 30 for controlling the entire device, and a storage unit 31 including a ROM, a RAM, and the like.

The CPU 30 synchronizes a head driving unit 36 for driving the thermal head 28 into and out and outputting a character signal, a carriage motor driving unit 37 for controlling the driving of the carriage motor 14, a paper feed roller 8 and a paper discharge roller 23. A sheet feed motor drive unit 38 for driving the sheet feed motor 16 to be driven and a display drive unit 39 for driving the liquid crystal display unit 7 are connected to each other.

The CPU 30 includes a counter for counting the number of sheets and a timer for synchronizing with sheet feeding. The CPU 30 receives input information from the key input unit 6 'and a detection signal from the sheet sensor 19, respectively. A control signal is output to a required circuit unit, and in addition to character input and editing processing as described later,
It comprehensively controls the label sheet type selection, display control, and print processing control.

Further, the CPU 30 monitors the detection signal from the sheet sensor 19, and the insertion and feeding of the label sheet 4 are accurately performed depending on whether or not the signal for detecting the front end of the left side of the label sheet 4 is inputted. The sheet feed motor 1 from the time when the detection signal is generated.
The position of the label sheet being fed is indirectly measured by the rotation pulse 6 or time management.

The storage section 31 has a character string storage section for storing a serial number range to be described later together with an input character string, and a print character storage section for storing a character string to be actually printed. . In addition to programs that control the operation of the entire device, such as editing and printing, dictionary memory for kana / kanji conversion, etc., the arrangement position of labels arranged on various label sheets and the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the labels are also included. The registered label information, a code number as an identification code for specifying the type of label sheet, and a character size table (Table 1) as shown below are stored.

[0026]

[Table 1]

Table 1 shows the character size, from the SS size to the 3L size. In this type of label printing apparatus, the types of label sheets that can be printed are various and hundreds, and a large number of character sizes to be printed thereon are required. Therefore, horizontally long characters and vertically long characters other than square characters can be designated as the character size.
Thus, the selection operation is facilitated by making the character size selectable using the symbol of the size division.

There are various types of label sheets, such as ordinary square labels, labels with lines, tack index labels, box labels, cassette labels, and the like, and there are also various sticking positions on the label sheets.
Each is standardized. When an external input / output device such as an expansion cartridge shown as the auxiliary storage unit 40 in FIG. 6 is connected to increase the number of types of label sheets or print on a desired non-standardized label sheet. Can be newly registered.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a label sheet and a label. Labels R ₁ , R ₂ ,... Having the same dimensions are regularly attached on the label sheet 4 at regular intervals. The positions of the labels on the label sheet 4 are designated as 1, 2, 3,... In the column direction, and A, B, C,.

The seat number is selected by inputting an identification code of one character or two characters (including numbers). This facilitates the selection operation. A table (not shown) storing the sheet numbers in the present embodiment is represented by label dimensions,
Are stored as dimensions based on the corner position of the front edge of the left side of the label sheet 4 detected. The type of dimensions is the data required to identify the label position on the label sheet from the label sheet's vertical and horizontal dimensions, label shape, label vertical and horizontal dimensions, label vertical and horizontal spacing, number of labels on one sheet, etc. Has been adopted. The dimensions are usually specified in units of millimeters (mm). In this embodiment, the dimensions are coded to reduce the memory capacity. The CPU 30 calculates the print position, that is, the label position, based on the label information corresponding to the designated sheet number (identification code).

The table in which the sheet numbers are stored includes cut dimensions. This cut size defines the size of the margin that is not printed on the peripheral portion of the label. First, the present embodiment does not employ a method of actually measuring and printing the label position, but adopts a simple method of controlling all the positions based on the corner positions of the label sheet. This is to ensure that the printing on the label is realized even if the sheet is slightly fed by 8 or the like. Second, if the label size is stored slightly smaller than the actual one, The same effect can be obtained, but taking into account the disadvantage that the size of the image character (on the screen) and the actual size of the printed character do not match.

Next, each operation for inputting characters in the apparatus 1 will be described.

First, the basic procedure for the start screen will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch 6a is turned on (#
2) First, initialization of the RAM in the storage unit 31 and the printing unit 2
Initialization of the hardware configuration such as setting to the initial position of 0 and battery check of the built-in storage battery are performed (# 4).

An initial screen is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display section 7, and a menu for selecting "label creation" and "address book" is displayed (# 6). When the cursor key is moved to set the desired item position and the "execute" key is pressed, the screen switches to the next work screen. The CPU 30 determines which of the above items has been selected and designated (# 8). If "label creation" is selected, the CPU 30 executes necessary initialization (# 12).
During this time, a message such as "Please wait" is displayed on the screen. On the other hand, if "address book" is selected, the screen is switched to a work screen for registering, changing, and retrieving the name, telephone number, address, and the like (# 10).

When "label creation" is selected and the above initialization is completed, a menu for selecting "new creation" and "continue" is displayed on the screen (# 14). The CPU 30 determines which of the above items has been selected and designated (# 16), and if "continue" is selected, displays the contents of the previous work on the screen (# 18). Here, if the character label was created just before, the sheet number etc. are displayed,
If it is a postcard, this is indicated. Then, when the "execute" key is pressed (# 20), the screen is continuously switched to the previous work screen, and character input can be accepted (# 2).
2). As described above, the contents of the previous work are stored in the R in the storage unit 31.
By storing the work in the AM, it is possible to easily resume the work once suspended.

On the other hand, when "new creation" is selected (# 1)
Then, the screen is switched to a label sheet designation screen to create a new character label (# 24). When a desired sheet number (identification code) is input (# 26)
Is "YES"), and this sheet number is
It is determined whether it exists in the table in the OM (# 2)
8). If the corresponding sheet number exists, the screen switches to the character input screen (# 30).
For example, a message such as "This sheet is not registered" is displayed for 3 seconds, and the screen returns to the original designation screen (# 24).

On the other hand, if the registered sheet number is not known, the "execute" key is pressed without inputting ("NO" in both # 26 and # 32, and "YE" in # 34).
S "), the screen is switched to the file reading screen (# 3
6). When a character label to be read is selected, the character label is displayed on the screen and the sheet number is also displayed.

When the "postcard" is selected on the screen of # 24 ("YES" at # 32), the screen is switched to the "text direction designation" screen, the designation is made, and the "execute" key is pressed. Then, the screen is switched to the normal character input screen (# 38). Since the character input method after # 22, # 30, # 36 and # 38 is almost the same as that of a normal word processor, the description is omitted.

After setting the initial conditions in this way, a desired character label is created on the character input screen. In this device 1, the character size is automatically set according to the number of characters and the number of lines of the input character string. In the automatic setting of the character size, the size of the character is set so that the character can be suitably printed in the label automatically according to the character string input on the character input screen. Selected from Table 1.

Hereinafter, the process of automatically setting the character size will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

First, an initial value of the character size is set.
The label to be used is specified in the initial setting described above (# 10
2) The print area of the label is determined based on the label information, and the lengths of the print area in the vertical and horizontal directions are compared (# 104). The shorter length is selected by this comparison, and if the size in the horizontal direction is short as shown in FIG. 11A, a square area S having this horizontal length l as one side is assumed (# 106), and FIG.
If the size in the vertical direction is short as shown in FIG. 5, a square area S having this vertical length l as one side is assumed (# 10).
8). Then, the character size of the largest square character that fits in this square area S is selected from Table 1, and this character size is set to an initial value (# 110).

After the initial value of the character size is determined in this way, input of characters (including symbols and the like) is waited, and each time the input character increases or decreases by one character, the character string of the created character string is changed. The horizontal length is calculated. When a character string is created in a plurality of lines, it is calculated for each line (# 202).
Then, the horizontal length of the character string and the set horizontal length of the print area are compared for each line, and it is determined whether or not the created character string can be printed within the set horizontal dimension of the label ( # 204). If the length of the character string in the horizontal direction is larger than the print area, a character size that is one size smaller than the set character size is selected from Table 1, and all character sizes over all lines are changed to this new character size. The size is changed (# 206). And after this, again, # 202, # 20
4 is repeated. In this manner, a suitable character size is temporarily determined based on the horizontal length of the character string in each line and the horizontal length of the print area.

Next, the vertical length of the determined character size is added over the entire line to obtain a total vertical length (# 20).
8) The total vertical length is compared with the vertical length of the print area. Thus, it is determined whether the created character string can be printed within the set vertical dimension of the label (# 21).
0). If the total vertical length of the created character string is larger, a character size that is one size smaller than the determined character size is selected from Table 1, and all character sizes over all lines are changed to the new character size. It is changed (# 212). Thereafter, the processes of # 208 and # 210 are repeated again. In this way, the maximum character size that can be printed in the print area is finally set. Note that the above-described equations are stored in the ROM of the storage unit 31 in advance.
A conversion table storing the calculation results may be used.

As described above, in the created character label, the same character size is set for all lines. When the number of characters differs for each line, the character size differs for each line. The set inconvenience has been eliminated.
When the character size is switched from the S size shown in Table 1 to an extremely small SS size, the character size is not switched immediately but switched to SS-size horizontally long characters.

The automatic setting of the character size is performed when one character is input or deleted, when the size of the input character is changed, when the character decoration of the input character is changed, when a line feed or line feed is performed. This is always performed when the state of the input character or the state of the input line changes, for example, when they are combined.

The character size of each character is set in advance.
Alternatively, it can be manually set to a specific size as needed. In this case, in the above-mentioned # 202,
The length of the character string is calculated for each line by adding the horizontal length of the set character and the horizontal length of each character being automatically set. In # 208, the longest vertical size character is calculated for each line. After being extracted every time, it is added over the entire row.

The character string whose character size is automatically set in this way is stored in the storage unit 31, and is arranged under the control of the CPU 30 based on the stored data and the label information which has been already set. The printing process is sequentially performed on each of the labels.

In this printing process, the present apparatus 1
A serial number printing function is provided for sequentially printing the arranged labels by increasing the numbers and the like included therein by one while printing the same character string.

Hereinafter, the serial number printing function will be described. For example, "A-1", "A-2", "A-3" ...
When it is desired to print on each label in the order of..., The present device 1 continuously prints a serial number symbol 50 as a special symbol in which the characters “sequence” are circled as shown in FIG. Enter in the position that indicates a changing number. This serial number symbol 50
Can only be used once on the same label and 2
When representing a digit number or a character, the serial number symbol 50
Are input side by side. The serial number 50 can be input separately in one label, but in this case, the serial number 50 that appears first is in the tens place. For convenience, the serial number symbol 50 is used for reasons such as a reduction in memory capacity.
It is set so that up to two digits can be entered, and does not accept three or more digits.

The operation of inputting and canceling the serial number symbol and setting the serial number range will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. As described above, since the serial number symbol 50 can be set up to two digits on the character input screen, the present apparatus 1 is provided with a serial number input counter for counting the set number of the serial number symbol. Therefore, first, the value of the serial number input counter is reset (# 302). In # 304,
The presence / absence of input of a key (serial number key) with a serial number is always determined. If the serial number is input ("YES" in # 304), this key of the serial number input counter is checked. It is determined whether or not the count number at the time is two (# 30).
6) If the count is not 2 ("N" in # 306)
O "), the count number of the serial number input counter is increased by one in # 308. Subsequently, the character code indicating the serial number symbol 50 is set in the set position of the character string currently being input (# 310). The serial number is thus input. If two or more digits are input, the current count number is 2 in # 306, so that the processing is performed as "YES" and no further input is accepted. Mechanism.

On the other hand, in the present apparatus 1, it is always determined whether or not the input character has been erased. When the "cancel" key is pressed ("YES" in # 312), the character is erased. It is determined whether the character is a serial number symbol (# 31).
4). That is, it is determined whether the character code to be deleted is a character code corresponding to a serial number symbol. If the character code is not a serial number symbol, the character code is deleted as it is (# 318). Is decremented by one (# 316), the character code is deleted.

The setting display of the serial number range for inputting the start value and the end value of the serial number is located above the uppermost line of the character input line, and the cursor is operated by operating the cursor key. The setting display appears in the character input screen by being positioned on the upper setting line. Note that this display is displayed as an alternative to the display for specifying the number of individual labels to specify the number of labels to be printed. If a serial number symbol is entered in the character string, the display for setting the serial number range is displayed. If no serial number has been entered, a designation display of the individual number appears.

Therefore, in the present apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not the cursor is positioned at this set line at # 320. If the cursor is positioned at the set line ("YES" at # 320), the serial number input counter is set to zero. It is determined whether or not there is, that is, whether or not serial number printing is designated (# 322). If the serial number input counter is zero, it is determined that serial number printing has not been designated, and a screen prompting the input of the numerical value of the individual number is displayed on the setting line (# 324). For example, when printing three character strings "A-1", as shown in FIG. 12B, the number "3" is input to the setting line 51 (# 33).
2).

On the other hand, if a serial number is present in the character string ("NO" in # 322), the count is determined.
If this count is "1"("YE" in # 326)
S "), a screen prompting the input of the start value and end value of the serial number is displayed on the setting line. In this case, a screen prompting input of a one-digit start value and a one-digit end value is displayed (# 328).

If the count number is "2"("NO" in # 326), a screen prompting the input of the two-digit start value and the two-digit end value is displayed on the setting line 51 (# 330). For example, if you want to print from A-12 to A-18,
As shown in FIG. 12C, two-digit numbers "12" and "18" are input to the setting line 51 (# 332).

The character string for which each value is set as described above is stored in the character string storage unit of the storage unit 31 together with the set serial number range. It should be noted that the serial number is stored while distinguishing between the tens place and the ones place.

The serial number symbol is set in the character string in this manner. Here, the printing process of the character string including the serial number symbol will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not a serial number is specified in the character string stored in # 402. If specified ("YES" in # 402), the stored start value of the serial number is read into the serial number print counter (# 404),
Further, the character code of the first character is read from the stored character string (# 406). It is first determined whether or not the read character code is a character code indicating a tens digit number (# 408). If the read character code is a character code indicating a tens digit number symbol (# 408 " YES "), this character code is replaced with a character code indicating the tenth decimal value of the serial number print counter read in # 404 (# 410). If the read position code is a character code indicating a serial number symbol of ones digit (# 4)
08 "NO", # 412 "YES"), and is replaced with a character code indicating the first decimal value of the serial number print counter read in # 404 (# 414). After being replaced with a predetermined character code in this way, the character font set for the character code is developed in a print buffer as a print character storage unit of the storage unit 31 (# 41).
6). In this process, if the read character code is a character code other than the serial number symbol, the character code is expanded as it is. If there is still a character to be printed ("NO" in # 418), the character code of the next character in the stored character string is read,
Similar processing is repeatedly performed. Such processing is
The processing is sequentially performed on all the characters constituting the character string.

After all the characters constituting the character string have been developed in the print buffer ("YES" in # 418), the character string data actually printed stored in this print buffer is:
Printing is performed based on the designated label information (# 42
0). In the example of FIG. 12C, the symbol input as a serial number symbol in the character string is replaced with an initial value, and “A-12”
Is printed as

Thereafter, 1 is added to the number of the serial number printing counter ("YES" in # 422, # 424), and the processes in and after # 406 are repeatedly executed. This process is repeated until the numerical value of the serial print counter reaches the set end value (# 426). Thus, “A-12”
To "A-18" are sequentially printed on the arranged labels.

On the other hand, when the serial number is not specified and the individual number designation for designating the number of prints is performed (“N” in # 402).
O "), first, the number-of-printed-sheets counter is reset (# 4).
28), a predetermined character string is printed on one label (#
406- # 420). After this, after the count number of the print number counter is increased by one (# 430), # 406 is again performed.
The processing from # to # 430 is repeated. This processing is performed until the count number of the print number counter matches the designated print number (# 432).

As described above, when the number of prints is set, printing processing is repeatedly performed on the set number of labels.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which numerals such as 1, 2, 3,... Are replaced by serial numbers. However, other numbers and characters that can be replaced by the serial numbers include:
I, II, III,..., A, B, C,.
Any character string or numeral string such as..., I, b, c,. Furthermore, figures, symbols, and the like whose shapes and the like change according to a certain rule can also be used.

[0065]

As described above, according to the label printing apparatus of the present invention, the third processing means performs the processing of replacing the serial number symbol with the number or character set in the serial number printing counter. After the character string to be actually printed is printed by the fourth processing means,
After the fifth processing means updates the number or character set in the serial number printing counter, the sixth processing means executes the processing by the third to fifth processing means, and the setting of the serial number printing counter changes continuously. Since the process is performed until the number exceeds the number range, it is possible to automatically print a character string by changing only a series of consecutive numbers and characters one by one.

Further, since a serial number is provided as a symbol representative of a continuous series of numbers or characters, even when a character string containing continuously changing numbers or characters is printed on each label, The user only has to input the serial number symbol at a desired position of the character string together with the serial number range, the input operation becomes extremely simple, and the user can determine where the serial number is specified in the character string. You can grasp at a glance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a label printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a key arrangement of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a sheet sensor.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of the label printing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a positional relationship of a label with respect to a label sheet.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a basic procedure for a start screen.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating setting of an initial value of a character size in automatic character size setting.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating automatic setting of a character size.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams showing a method of setting an initial value of a character size corresponding to the shape of a label.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C are explanatory diagrams showing display screens at each operation stage displayed on the liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating operations for inputting and canceling a serial number symbol and setting a serial number range.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process of a character string including a serial number symbol.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label printing device, 4 ... Label sheet, 4a ... Label, 6 '... Key input part, 7 ... Liquid crystal display part, 20 ... Printing part, 30 ... CPU, 31 ... Storage part.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A label printing apparatus for inputting a desired character string and printing the input character string for each label arranged on a label sheet, the label printing apparatus including a character string including a serial number symbol. First processing means for storing a serial number range of a number symbol in a character string storage unit; and second processing means for setting a start value of a number or a character designated by the serial number range in a serial number printing counter. The characters stored in the character string storage unit are sequentially read and stored in the print character storage unit. At this time, if the read characters are the serial number symbols, the characters are designated by the serial number print counter. Third processing means for replacing the characters with numbers or characters, and after all of the characters stored in the character string storage unit are stored in the print character storage unit, each of the labels arranged on the first label sheet Dimensions and distribution A fourth processing unit that prints a character string stored in the print character storage unit on the arranged labels based on label information for specifying a position; After printing on the label, fifth processing means for updating the number or character set in the serial number printing counter to the next number or character, and based on the updated number or character, The third to fifth
And a sixth processing unit for performing the processing until the numbers or characters set in the serial number printing counter exceed the serial number range. Printing device.