JP2002347309A - Multiple form batch printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to know a timing for replacing a sheet and the type of the sheet on the printer side even if print information of different sheet format is transmitted collectively from external apparatus. SOLUTION: Print information is transmitted in batch from external apparatus and a command for temporarily stopping a printer is embedded at a change of sheet format along with a message for designating a next form (label). A label printer 10 interrupts printing upon execution of the temporary stop command, alarms the fact by sound and displays a message on the LCD 11 of the printer. The printer is reset to print operation processing by operating a reset button 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-form batch printing method for printing on a plurality of form papers having different formats by using a printer based on print data sent from an external device such as a host computer. The present invention relates to a multi-form batch printing method capable of printing a replacement timing without mistake.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a distribution warehouse, a price tag attached to a product or package or a label (form paper) for advertisement, sales promotion, etc.
Is printed in large quantities on different color inks, typefaces, different sizes of paper, and formats depending on the destination.

FIG. 4 shows an example.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a host computer as an external device for transmitting print data. Normally, an input operation is performed by a dedicated operator 2.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a label printer connected to the host computer 2 via a communication cable 4. The label printer 3 has a plurality of labels having different sizes, shapes, paper qualities, types of glue, and preprinted marks and logos. (Form paper) 5 and 6 are replaced and loaded, and printing is performed on this. Usually, a dedicated operator 7 is also engaged in operations such as replacement and winding of the labels 5 and 6.

For example, now, label 5 of department store A
When printing on the form paper 6 for another delivery destination, the supermarket B, is completed, the operator 2 of the host computer 1 contacts the operator 7 of the label printer 3 and sends it. The label (form paper) 6 that matches the print data (print data of the label of the supermarket B) was designated and exchanged.
In this case, when the host computer 1 and the label printer 3 are set apart from each other, the extension telephone 8 or the like is used for the communication.

[0007]

When the host computer 1 and the label printer 3 are installed separately from each other, the operator 2 of the host computer 1 does not know when the printing of the label 5 is completed. The operator 7 of 3 did not know whether he would contact me.

Similarly, an operator 7 of the label printer 3
As soon as the printing of the label 5 is completed, the operator 2 must be inquired about which label to set next.
They could not do other tasks in parallel or leave their posts.

Also, if the operator 7 of the label printer 3 mistakes the timing or type of label exchange, there is a problem that a large amount of defectively printed label paper is discharged.

On the other hand, only the label type
Although the above-mentioned drawback can be solved by providing the above, there is another problem that the equipment cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to collectively print a plurality of forms on a form paper according to a format without being concerned with the timing of replacing the form paper. It is to provide a method.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the feature of the configuration adopted by the multi-form batch printing method of the present invention is to change together with a command for temporarily stopping the printing operation of the printer at a change of format from an external device. Transmitting information on the form paper to be performed, the printer receiving the command, stopping the printing operation, displaying the information on the form paper to be changed on the display means provided in the printer, and according to this information, It is intended to include a step of changing the form paper and a step of restarting the printing operation by an operation on the printer side.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. Note that the same components as those described in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

First, a label printer 10 according to an embodiment
Are connected to a host computer 1 via a communication cable 4 as shown in FIG.

The label printer 10 has a liquid crystal display (LCD) 11 as a display means on an operation panel of the main body housing, and a return button for resuming printing by a printer whose printing operation is stopped by a pause command described later. 12 and the like are provided.

The label printer 10 has a CPU
13, a printing unit including a thermal head 14 and a motor 15, a ROM 16 storing an operation program and the like, a RAM 1 providing a reception buffer, an editing area for print data, and the like.
7, the communication interface 18 and the like are connected.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a buzzer as a warning means by sound. The buzzer 19 outputs a normal warning (for example, a print end or a paper jam) and a print stop by receiving a pause command, and outputs a plurality of tone colors and sound patterns. The ones that are separated by are provided in the main body housing.

In such a configuration, the label printer 10 drives a printing unit based on print information received from the host computer 1 and issues a label.

Next, the processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS.

First, when the power of the main body of the label printer 10 is turned on by manual operation or the like, the control program is loaded from the ROM 16 into the CPU 13 and the processing is started.

Step 1 (abbreviated as "S1" in the figure)
The same applies hereinafter. In), the communication interface 18 becomes receivable (online), enters a state of waiting for reception from the host computer 1, and receives data when transmitted from the host computer 1.

When data is received from the host computer 1 in step 2, the received data is transferred to a reception buffer. Thus, even if the processing capacity of the printing unit is significantly lower than the communication speed between the host computer 1 and the label printer 10, the host computer 1 is released in a short time and can perform the next processing.

The received data includes character code data as print information, control code data relating to format specification, a command for executing printing (hereinafter, “print data”), and other commands. Provides a "pause command" for temporarily stopping the printing operation.

The pause command is, for example, “ESC +
@ ". When the label printer 10 receives this command, the printing process is temporarily stopped.

In addition, the temporary stop command is "ESC + @,
By describing in the format of “nnn... n”, a message to be displayed on the LCD 11 or the like can be sent (see “nnn
.. N ”is a message part).

For example, reference numeral 20 in FIG. 3 indicates an example of transmission data. Reference numeral 21 denotes print data for an A department store label (form paper) which is currently undergoing printing processing, and reference numeral 22 denotes a temporary stop command provided after the A department store print data 21. The pause command 21 includes
A message 23 indicating the exchange is attached to the label of "next is B shop". 24 is the label B to be printed after the label is changed from that of department store A to that of supermarket B
This is print data for shop use.

As described above, the temporary stop command and the message about the next form sheet to be exchanged are transmitted to the
It is provided at the transition of the format for printing with 0.

The label printer 10 whose printing has been stopped by the execution of the pause command is released from the pause when the return button 12 on the printer body is operated, and the printing operation is resumed.

In step 3, the commands in the received data are sequentially executed. If the command is a print command,
The printing process is performed sequentially.

When the temporary stop command in the received data is executed (when step 4 is "Y"), the process proceeds to the next step 5, where the printing operation is stopped.

Then, in the next step 6, a warning is given by sound. Some conventional printers are provided with a buzzer or a speaker for error notification. Is provided.

At the same time, the label printer 10
The LCD 11 displays a message indicating what the next label should be set (ex. "Next is B shop").

According to this message, the next step 7
The operator of the label printer 3 changes the label 5 to the label 6
When the return button 12 is operated and the pause of the printing unit is released, new print data is printed on the new label 6.

Then, the label printer 10 returns to step 3 and sequentially executes the commands of the reception data stored in the reception buffer.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operator of the host computer 1 collectively inputs print information,
By embedding a pause command and a message designating the next form paper at the change of the format, the printing is reliably stopped at the timing when the label is replaced, so that the operator of the label printer 10 can perform other operations in parallel. Can be carried out or leave the holding place, and problems such as a large amount of defective printing due to a communication error relating to label exchange can be prevented.

Further, the operator of the printer 10 can know the timing of label exchange and the type of label in accordance with the warning by sound, the message displayed on the LCD 11 of the printer, and the type of label without always paying attention to the printer. Host computer 1 and label printer 3
Operators no longer need to keep in touch,
Contributes to improvement of work efficiency and labor saving.

In the above embodiment, the LCD 11 is exemplified as the display means. However, a display device such as a multi-color LED or a CRT may be used, and a label on which a message is printed may be discharged from the printing unit.

The return button 12 may also be used as an existing button in the printer. For example, its function can be assigned to an online button or the like.

Furthermore, although an example has been shown in which the host computer and the label printer are connected by wire using a cable, a wireless connection using radio waves or infrared rays may be used, or a mobile device such as a handy terminal may be used as an external device.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention, according to the present invention, print information is transmitted collectively from the external device side, and a command for temporarily stopping the printer at a format change and the next form paper are specified in the transmission data. By embedding the message to be printed, the printing of the printer can be reliably stopped at the timing when the form paper is replaced, and the occurrence of defective printed matter can be prevented.

Further, the printer operator can know the sound warning, the timing of replacing the form paper and the type of the form paper in accordance with the information displayed on the printer, without always paying attention. And efficiency can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a host computer and a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing performed on the label printer side in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing transmission data from an external device and an operation on a label printer side.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional label issuing mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Host computer (external device), 5, 6: Label
(Form paper), 10 ... Label printer, 11 ... LCD
(Display means), 12 ... Return button, 19 ... Buzzer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A multi-form batch printing method in which a plurality of print data having different formats are sequentially transmitted from an external device and received by a printer and sequentially printed, a printing operation of the printer is performed at the time of a format change from the external device. Transmitting information on the form paper to be changed together with the command to pause, and a printer receiving the command, stopping the printing operation;
Displaying information on the form paper to be changed on display means provided in the printer, changing the form paper in accordance with the information, and restarting the printing operation by an operation on the printer side. Multi-form batch printing method.