JP2005035055A - Tape printer, its label forming method, program and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separate type print system capable of forming and printing a print image suitable for widthwise print and of forming a label easily and quickly, and to provide its data processing method and program and a storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: Any one of longitudinal print or widthwise print is selected and a print image is printed on a tape by means of a tape printer 1 based on communication data being fed from a data server (personal computer PC or the like: feeder) DS to a tape printer 1 (1B, 1C) through an interface IF and then the tape is cut in the widthwise direction thus forming a label. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system that is a separate type tape printing apparatus including a supply device that supplies printing image data and a tape printing device that receives printing image data and prints it on a tape, a label creation method for the printing system, a program, and The present invention relates to a storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a stand-alone tape printer, in addition to longitudinal printing in which the character string alignment direction matches the longitudinal direction of the tape, width direction printing in which the character string alignment direction matches the tape width direction is performed. What is possible is known. In this type of tape printer, a character string is created and edited in accordance with longitudinal printing, and the character string image is rotated by 90 ° to create a print image for width direction printing. Printing is performed in the width direction by reducing the size or slightly (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-141774 A (FIGS. 5 to 6 etc.)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in general, since the above-described type of tape printing apparatus is based on longitudinal printing, character strings can be created and edited on the premise of widthwise printing, and printing and labeling of printed images in which the character string images are arranged. Various detailed settings for creation etc. cannot be made. Moreover, there is no known separate type capable of printing in the width direction.
[0005]
The present invention provides a printing system, a printing system label creation method, a program, and a storage medium that can easily and quickly create and print a print image suitable for width direction printing and label creation, although they are separate types. The purpose is to provide.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The printing system of the present invention selects either the longitudinal direction printing in which the arrangement direction of the character strings coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape or the width direction printing in which the arrangement direction coincides with the width direction of the tape, A communication device that prepares communication data representing a print image in which an image is arranged and supplies the communication data via an interface capable of transmitting the communication data; receives the communication data via the interface; And a tape printer that prints the print image on a tape based on data and cuts the print image in the width direction of the tape to create a label.
[0007]
In the label producing method of the present invention, in the supply device of the printing system including the supply device and the tape printing device, the longitudinal printing in which the alignment direction of the character strings coincides with the longitudinal direction of the tape, and the alignment direction is the above-mentioned Select one of the width direction printing that matches the width direction of the tape, prepare the communication data to represent the print image with the character string image arranged, and print the tape via the interface that can send it The tape is supplied to an apparatus, and the tape printing apparatus prints the print image on a tape based on the received communication data, and cuts it in the width direction of the tape to create a label.
[0008]
In this printing system and its label creation method, the supply device selects either longitudinal printing or widthwise printing, and the tape is based on the communication data supplied from the supply device to the tape printing device via the interface. Since a printing image is printed on a tape by a printing device and cut in the width direction of the tape to create a label, a printing image and a label can be printed by width direction printing even though it is a separate type.
[0009]
Further, in the above-described printing system, the supply device registers file-direction print image creation data for creating the print image in the width-direction printing as a file corresponding to the print image; File designation means for designating a file to be printed among the registered files when the width direction printing is selected, and the print image data that is the image data of the print image is designated Preferably, the tape printing apparatus is created based on the width direction print image creation data of the file to be printed, and the tape printer has a printing unit that prints the print image based on the print image data.
[0010]
In this printing system, print image creation data such as text data for width direction printing, for example, character data development, and other accompanying information (for example, element image data prepared by a dot map or the like) corresponds to the print image. If you register as a file, you can create and print a corresponding print image based on that file by specifying the file to be printed among the registered files when width direction printing is selected . In this case, since a file for width direction printing is prepared instead of diverting a file for longitudinal printing, contents (information) suitable for width direction printing can be registered, and for longitudinal printing as in the past. Compared to creating a print image by using the function of (2) and rotating the print image (90 ° rotation, etc.), it is possible to easily and quickly create and print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label. .
[0011]
Further, in the above-described printing system, the supply device includes a supply source print image generation unit that generates the print image data, and the interface can transmit the communication data including the print image data. It is preferable.
[0012]
In this printing system, the supply device can create print image data based on the print image creation data of the specified file to be printed, and the created print image data can be included in the communication data and transmitted. So, this allows the tape printer to print the print image based on the received print image data, and to create and print the print image suitable for the width direction printing and label creation based on the specified print target file. Can be performed easily and quickly.
[0013]
Further, in each printing system including the file registration unit described above, the interface can transmit the width direction print image creation data of the specified file to be printed included in the communication data. In addition, it is preferable that the tape printer further includes a supply destination print image creation unit that creates the print image data based on the received width direction print image creation data.
[0014]
In this printing system, print data creation data of a specified file to be printed can be included in the communication data and transmitted. In the tape printer, the print image is generated based on the received print image creation data. Since data can be created, a print image can be printed based on the data, and a print image suitable for width direction printing can be created and printed and a label can be created easily and quickly based on a specified file to be printed. .
[0015]
Similarly, in each printing system including the above-described file registration unit, the supply device is configured to set a label width as a longitudinal size of the label when the width direction printing is selected. The file registration means further includes accompanying information registration means for registering the set label width information included in the accompanying information of the file, and the print image is printed. Cut instruction data for instructing a cut process for cutting the tape in accordance with the label width is generated based on the label width information included in the accompanying information of the file, and the tape printing apparatus It is preferable to further have a cutting means for performing the cutting process based on the instruction data.
[0016]
In this printing system, when width direction printing is selected, the label width can be set as the size of the label in the tape longitudinal direction and can be registered by including it in the accompanying information of the file. Even after you have done other work such as creating a different file, you can simply read the registered file and create and print the desired print image and the desired label width without having to reset the label width. The label can be easily and quickly created.
[0017]
In the printing system described above, the supply device includes a supply source cut instruction generation unit that generates the cut instruction data, and the interface can transmit the communication data including the cut instruction data. It is preferable.
[0018]
In this printing system, the supply device can generate the data based on the label width information included in the accompanying information of the file, and the generated cut instruction data can be included in the communication data to be transmitted. In the printing apparatus, tape cutting processing can be performed based on the received cut instruction data, and label creation by width direction printing can be simply and quickly performed based on a designated file to be printed.
[0019]
Further, in each printing system in which the label width information described above is included and registered in the accompanying information, the interface uses the label width information included in the accompanying information of the specified file to be printed for the communication. Preferably, the tape printing apparatus further includes a supply destination cut instruction generation unit that generates the cut instruction data.
[0020]
In this printing system, it is possible to transmit the label width information included in the accompanying information of the specified file to be printed in the communication data, and the tape printer is based on the received label width information. Thus, the cutting instruction data can be generated, so that the tape can be cut based on the cut instruction data, and the label creation by the width direction printing can be easily and rapidly performed based on the designated file to be printed.
[0021]
Similarly, in each printing system including the above-described file registration unit, it is preferable that the supply device further includes a mounting unit capable of mounting a storage medium storing a file that can be registered in the file registration unit.
[0022]
In this printing system, the supply device can mount a storage medium storing a file that can be registered in the file registration means, so that it can store (register and prepare) various new files simply by mounting various storage media. In addition, although it is a separate type, it is possible to more easily and quickly create and print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label.
[0023]
Similarly, in each printing system including the above-described file registration unit, the supply device is connected to another device via a predetermined network, and can be registered in the file registration unit from the other device. It is preferable to have higher-level communication means capable of receiving.
[0024]
In this printing system, the supply device is connected to another device via a predetermined network, and can receive a file that can be registered in the file registration means from the other device. , New various files can be stored (registered and prepared), and even though it is a separate type, print image creation and printing suitable for width direction printing and label creation can be performed more easily and quickly. it can.
[0025]
Similarly, in each printing system provided with the above-described file registration means, the supply device is configured to edit the longitudinal print image creation data in order to create a print image for the longitudinal printing. Direction printing data editing means, data conversion means for designating any of the registered files and converting the width direction print image creation data of the designated file into the longitudinal print image creation data; It is preferable to have.
[0026]
In this printing system, data for longitudinal printing (for printing image creation) can be edited in the supply device in order to create a print image at the time of longitudinal printing, but registered (for widthwise printing). By specifying one of the files, the data for printing in the width direction (for creating print images) of the specified file can be converted into data for printing in the length direction. It can be used for longitudinal printing, is highly convenient, and the overall operability and work efficiency are high.
[0027]
The program of the present invention is characterized by causing each means of each printing system described above to function.
[0028]
Another program of the present invention is characterized in that the above-described label producing method can be executed.
[0029]
These programs are processed by a program-processable printing system, so that it is possible to easily and quickly create / print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label even though it is a separate type.
[0030]
The storage medium of the present invention stores each of the above-described programs so as to be readable by a program-processable printing system.
[0031]
By reading and executing the program stored in this storage medium in a printable printing system, it is easy and quick to create and print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label even though it is a separate type. Can be done.
[0032]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tape printing apparatus 1 has an outer case formed by an apparatus case (apparatus body) 2, and an open / close lid 21 is attached to the left side of the rear part so as to be openable and closable. An opening / closing button 23 for opening / closing the opening / closing lid 21 is provided in the recess to the right of the opening / closing lid 21. In addition, a crescent-shaped portion 8 having an exposed lamp group is formed on the center surface of the front portion, and a keyboard 3 made up of various keys is widely disposed behind the crescent-shaped portion 8. A large lid 9 that covers the keyboard 3 so as to be openable and closable is attached to the front and rear intermediate portion, and a display 4 is incorporated on the inner surface of the lid 9.
[0034]
The lid 9 covers and protects the keyboard 3 in the closed state, and in the opened state, the lid 9 is opened obliquely in the rear upper direction centering on the hinge at the right rear part, and the keyboard 3 is opened in front and the front display 4 is placed, and the input operation with the keyboard 3 is made possible. The display 4 has a rectangular display screen 41 inside the trapezoidal shape, and an input result from the keyboard 3 and the like are displayed on the display screen 41.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printer 1 has, as a basic configuration, an operation unit 11 that has a keyboard 3 and a display 4 to interface with a user, a print head (thermal head) 7 and a tape. A printing unit 12 that has a feeding unit 120 and performs printing on a printing tape (hereinafter simply referred to as “tape”) T of a tape cartridge C mounted in a pocket (cartridge mounting unit, tape mounting unit) 6, and a tape T after printing A cutting unit 13 that performs various types of cutting, a detection unit 14 that includes various sensors and performs various types of detection, a drive unit 15 that includes various drivers and drives each circuit, and controls each unit in the tape printer 1. And a control unit 20 that performs.
[0036]
For this reason, a circuit board (not shown) is housed in the apparatus case 2 in addition to the printing unit 12, the cutting unit 13, the detection unit 14, and the like. In addition to the power supply unit, each circuit of the drive unit 15 and the control unit 20 is mounted on this circuit board, and is connected to an AC adapter connection port 24 or a battery (not shown) such as a nickel-cadmium battery that can be removed from the outside. .
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 4, the tape T is formed by laminating a peeling tape Ta and a base tape Tb, and the base tape Tb is an image receiving surface on the surface (print target surface) side that becomes a printing surface. It is comprised by layer Tc and the adhesion layer Td provided in the back surface (adhesion surface) side. The printed tape T (label element (printed image) Ga or label region La) is exposed by separating the release tape Ta from the base tape Tb, and the adhesive layer Td is exposed. Used by sticking to objects.
[0038]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the printing unit 12 is provided with a pocket 6 inside the opening / closing lid 21, and the tape cartridge C is attached to and detached from the pocket 6 with the opening / closing lid 21 opened. Is done. In addition, a tape discharge port 22 is formed on the left side of the device case 2 for communicating the pocket 6 and the outside of the device to send out the printed portion of the tape T.
[0039]
The tape cartridge C has an outer shell formed by a cartridge case 51, in which a tape T and an ink ribbon R having a certain width (about 4.5 mm to 48 mm) are accommodated, and the print head 7 faces through. An opening 55 is formed. The tape T is wound around the tape reel 52 with the release tape Ta inside, and the ink ribbon R is wound around the ribbon feeding reel 53 and the ribbon take-up reel 54. In the tape cartridge C, a plurality of types of tape widths of the tape T to be accommodated are prepared.
[0040]
A platen roller (platen) 56 corresponding to the print head 7 is accommodated in a portion where the tape T and the ink ribbon R overlap. With the tape cartridge C mounted, the print head 7 hits the back surface of the ink ribbon R exposed from the through opening 55 and is driven to generate heat so that desired characters and the like are printed on the surface of the tape T.
[0041]
A plurality of small detection holes (not shown) are provided on the back surface of the tape cartridge C so that the types of the tape T having different widths can be identified. A tape identification sensor 141 such as a micro switch for detecting the presence or absence of a detection hole is provided, and the presence or absence of the tape T (exactly whether the tape cartridge C is mounted) and the type of the tape T (exactly tape The type of cartridge C) can be detected. In addition, instead of a plurality of detection holes, the type may be expressed by sticking a detection label or the like of a bit pattern, and it may be detected by light detection or the like.
[0042]
The pocket 6 has a feed motor 121 made of a DC motor as a drive source, a platen drive shaft 66 that engages and rotates the platen 56, and a ribbon take-up reel 54 that engages the platen drive shaft 66. A winding drive shaft 64 to be rotated and a positioning pin 62 are provided upright.
[0043]
The tape feeding unit 120 is disposed in a space extending from the side of the pocket 6 to the lower side, and the feed motor 121 disposed on the side of the pocket 6 is used as a power (driving) source to drive the platen drive shaft 66 and the winding unit. A take-up drive shaft 64, a feed motor 121, a platen drive shaft 66, a take-up drive shaft 64, a reduction gear train (not shown) that transmits the power of the feed motor 121 to each drive shaft, And an encoder (not shown) for detecting the number of rotations of the motor 121. This encoder is fixed to the coaxial end of a worm fixed to the main shaft of the feed motor 121, and has detection openings formed at a plurality of disc-shaped circumferential positions.
[0044]
The feed motor rotation detection sensor 142 of the detection unit 14 includes a photosensor (not shown) in which a light emitting element and a light receiving element are arranged to face each other so as to face the detection opening of the encoder, and a detection opening through which light of the light emitting element rotates. The flickering of the received light is photoelectrically converted and output to the control unit 20 as a pulse signal, and the rotation speed is detected from the number of pulses.
[0045]
Here, when the user uses the tape printer 1, first, the opening / closing lid 21 is opened by the opening / closing button 23. When the tape cartridge C is mounted in the pocket 6, the platen drive shaft 66 and the take-up drive shaft 64 are engaged with the platen 56 and the ribbon take-up reel 54, respectively, and the tape T and the ink ribbon R are brought into contact with the platen 56 and the print head 7. Inserted between. When the open / close lid 21 is closed, the print head 7 in which the heating elements are arranged in the tape width direction rotates so as to sandwich the tape T and the ink ribbon R, and presses the platen 56 to be in a print standby state.
[0046]
In this state, the lid body 9 is opened, the keyboard 3 is opened, and the keyboard 3 is operated while referring to the display 4 positioned in front to input / edit print information of a desired character or other character. To instruct printing execution. As a result, the printing process is started, and the tape T and the ink ribbon R fed out by the driving of the feed motor 121 are overlapped with each other at the print head 7, and the print head 7 is driven to generate heat in synchronism with this. The ink on the ribbon R is thermally transferred to the tape T and printing is performed.
[0047]
The ink ribbon R after printing is taken up by the ribbon take-up reel 54, and the tape T after printing is sent toward the tape discharge port 22 along the feeding path. When printing is completed, the printed tape T is printed. Is sent for a predetermined length and stopped, and various cuts are made by the cutting unit 13 in accordance with various settings described later (see FIG. 4).
[0048]
Next, in the cutting part 13, between the pocket 6 and the tape discharge port 22, the full cutter part (full cut means) 13F faces the feed path and the half cutter part (half cut means) 13H is downstream. It is arranged on the side. The full cutter portion 13F is for cutting (full cut) both the base tape Tb and the release tape Ta of the tape T, and for example, for separating the label region La that is the printed portion from the tape T. (See the full cut (full cut portion) fc in FIG. 4B).
On the other hand, the half cutter portion 13H is for cutting only the base tape Tb to be finally attached as a label (half cut) and leaving the tape T in a state of being connected via the peeling tape Ta. (See the half cut (half cut portion) hc in FIG. 4C).
[0049]
The full cutter unit 13F includes a full cutter 132 made of, for example, a scissors-type cutter or a slide cutter, and a cutter operating mechanism (not shown) that operates the full cutter 132 using a full cutter motor 131 made of a DC motor as a drive source. . The half cutter unit 13H includes a half cutter 134 having a cutter blade formed of a slant blade, a cutter operating mechanism (not shown) that operates the half cutter 134 using a half cutter motor 133 that is also a DC motor as a drive source, It has. In this case, the half cutter 134 is configured to circulate by a cutter operating mechanism, and the movement from the lower side to the upper side, which is a process of the circulatory movement, becomes the cutting operation of the half cutter 134, and the tape T Half cut.
[0050]
The full cutter motor 131 and the half cutter motor 133 are respectively provided with encoders (not shown) similar to those of the feed motor 121 described above, and the full cutter motor rotation detection sensor 143 and the half cutter motor rotation detection of the detection unit 14 are provided. Similar to the feed motor rotation detection sensor 142 described above, the sensor 145 includes the above-described encoders, and respective photosensors in which a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are arranged so as to face the detection opening. The flickering of the light received by the light receiving element through the rotating detection aperture is photoelectrically converted and output as a pulse signal to the control unit 20, and the rotational speed is detected from the number of pulses. Further, the full cutter home position detection sensor 144 and the half cutter home position detection sensor 146 of the detection unit 14 detect that each of the cutter operating mechanisms of the full cutter unit 13F and the half cutter unit 13H is at the home position.
[0051]
The detection unit 14 includes the tape identification sensor 141, the feed motor rotation detection sensor 142, the full cutter motor rotation detection sensor 143, the full cutter home position detection sensor 144, and the half cutter motor rotation detection sensor 145, respectively. And a half-cutter home position detection sensor 146. In addition, it can also be set as the structure which abbreviate | omitted these according to the actual condition.
[0052]
Next, the drive unit 15 includes a display driver 151, a head driver 152, and a motor driver 153. The display driver 151 drives the display 4 of the operation unit 11 in accordance with the instruction based on the control signal output from the control unit 20. Similarly, the head driver 152 drives the print head 7 of the printing unit 12 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20. The motor driver 153 includes a feed motor driver 153 a that drives the feed motor 121 of the printing unit 12, a full cutter motor driver 153 b that drives the full cutter motor 131 of the cutting unit 13, and a half cutter motor 133 of the cutting unit 13. And a half-cutter motor driver 153c for driving each of the motors according to instructions from the control unit 20 in the same manner.
[0053]
Next, the operation unit 11 includes a keyboard 3 and a display 4. The display 4 has a display screen 41 capable of displaying a display image based on the display image data, and the user inputs data from the keyboard 3 to create / edit print image data such as character string image data. This is used when visually confirming the result or inputting various commands / selection instructions from the keyboard 3.
[0054]
The keyboard 3 includes an alphabet key group, a numeric key group, a kana key group such as hiragana and katakana, a character key group 31 including an external character key group for calling and selecting an external character, and various operation modes. A function key group 32 and the like for designating are arranged, and various instructions and data are input to the control unit 20. The function key group 32 includes a power key, a print key for instructing print processing, a selection key for data confirmation at the time of text input, a line feed, and a selection instruction on a selection screen, Four cursor keys for moving the cursor and moving the display range of the display screen 41 are included. These may be input by providing a key for each key input, or may be input using a smaller number of keys in combination with a shift key or the like.
[0055]
Next, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 220, a character generator ROM (CG-ROM) 230, a RAM 240, and a peripheral control circuit (P-CON) 250, which are connected to each other via an internal bus 260.
[0056]
The ROM 220 has a control data area 222 for storing control data including a color conversion table, a character modification table, and the like in addition to a control program area 221 for storing a control program processed by the CPU 210. The CG-ROM 230 stores font data such as characters (including numbers, symbols, figures, etc.) prepared in the tape printer 1 and responds when code data for specifying the characters is given. Output font data.
[0057]
The RAM 240 is backed up when the power is turned off, and includes various flag / register groups 241, text data area 242, display image data area 243, print image data area 244, drawing registration image data area 245, and external character registration image data area 246. And various buffer areas 247 such as a character expansion buffer and a print buffer, and used as a work area for control processing.
[0058]
The tape printer 1 stores the input text data in the text data area 242 of the RAM 240 in a state where the text data is key-input / edited with the keyboard 3 (text editing state), and at the same time, expands the image. It is stored in the display image data area 243 as display image data (display image data), and is output and displayed on the display screen 41 of the display 4 at any time (the state of the display screen 41 at the time of this text data input / editing is Hereinafter referred to as “text editing screen”). Further, the result of editing according to various settings in the text editing screen and other screen display states is stored in the print image data area 244 as image data for printing (print image data).
[0059]
In the P-CON 250, a logic circuit that complements the function of the CPU 210 and handles interface signals with peripheral circuits is configured and configured by a gate array, a custom LSI, or the like. For example, a timer 251 that performs various timings is incorporated as a function in the P-CON 250. For this reason, the P-CON 250 is connected to the various sensors of the detection unit 14 and the keyboard 3, and the various buses described above from the detection unit 14 and the various instructions and input data from the keyboard 3 are used as they are or after being processed. The data and control signals output from the CPU 210 and the like to the internal bus 260 are output to the drive unit 15 as they are or after being processed in conjunction with the CPU 210.
[0060]
With the above configuration, the CPU 210 inputs various detection signals, various instruction signals, various data, and the like via the P-CON 250 according to the control program in the ROM 220, and the font data from the CG-ROM 230 and the various data in the RAM 240. Data is processed and a control signal is output to the drive unit 15 via the P-CON 250 to control the print head 7 to print on the tape T under predetermined printing conditions. The entire tape printer 1 is controlled such as various cutting (cut) control of T or display control of the display screen 41.
[0061]
Next, the processing flow of the entire control of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When processing starts by pressing the power key (power on), as shown in the figure, first, initial settings such as restoring each saved control flag to return to the previous power-off state Next, the previous display screen is displayed as the initial screen (S2).
[0062]
Subsequent processing in FIG. 8, that is, a determination branch (S3) as to whether or not key input and various interrupt processing (S4) are processing conceptually shown. Actually, in the tape printer 1, when the initial screen display (S2) is completed, the interruption by the key input or the like is permitted, and the state is maintained until any interruption occurs (S3: No). When any interrupt occurs (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to each interrupt process (S4), and when the interrupt process is completed, the state is maintained again (S3: No).
[0063]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, the main process is performed by the interrupt process. Therefore, if the user is ready to create a print image or the like, the user can issue a print instruction at an arbitrary point of time. Occurs, print processing is started, and a print image can be printed based on the print image data. That is, the user can arbitrarily select the operation procedure up to printing.
[0064]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in the state of the text editing screen display after inputting the character string “ABCDE” on the first line up to the cursor K (screen D10: hereinafter, the state of the display screen 41 is referred to as a screen Dxx). When the print key is pressed by the user, the message “printing” is displayed (D11), and the character string image of the character string “ABCDE” is printed as the print image G00. A label L00 is created by cutting according to the setting (see FIG. 5B). When printing is completed, the original text editing screen is restored (same as D12: D10). In the tape printer 1, the user can cancel various instructions by key input using the cancel key. For example, by pressing the cancel key from the above state (D11), the display state (D10) of the original text editing screen is displayed. ).
[0065]
By the way, in the tape printer 1, as described above, “longitudinal printing” is performed so that the arrangement direction of the character strings in the print image coincides with the feeding direction (longitudinal direction) of the tape (see FIG. 6B). In addition to “width-direction printing” that prints so that the alignment direction of the character strings matches the width direction of the tape, it is also possible to create, edit and print print images suitable for that “width-direction printing”. Label production can be performed easily and quickly. Hereinafter, as a kind of width direction printing, the case of “free width printing” in which the width (label width) of a label to be created can be set freely (arbitrarily) will be described as an example.
[0066]
In the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, for example, from the state of the text editing screen described above (D10), the user presses (operates) the free width print key included in the function key group 32. ) And the options on the selection screen of the first layer of “free width printing” are displayed (D20). Instead of pressing the free-width print key, display the “special print” menu screen, and select (specify) “free-width print” in the screen to move to this selection screen (screen transition). You can also.
[0067]
This selection screen (D20) is a menu screen for various functions for “free width printing” (hereinafter referred to as “function selection screen”). Options here are “file call”, “file creation”, “file deletion”. “File print”, “Multiple file print”, “File copy”, “Text conversion”, etc. are included, and one option specified by the cursor K and displayed in reverse video (negative display) is displayed as a selection candidate (hereinafter “ Select display ”).
[0068]
Here, in the specification, immediately after the screen transition, the option selected last time (the option for the latest access and the default option when there is no applicable item) is selectively displayed (D20). In the illustrated example, “file creation” is selected and displayed. However, the user can selectively display other options by operating the cursor from the above state (D20). The “file” here is a group of text data that is the basis of the character string image of the print image, and the management of the print image in “free width printing” is performed in units of this “file”.
[0069]
Here, for example, if the user selects and displays “file call” by a cursor operation and then presses the selection key (hereinafter, “selection display” + “selection key pressing” operation will be referred to as “selection operation”). ), You can select and call the desired (arbitrary) 1 from the registered "file", and if you select "delete file", you can select the desired (arbitrary) from the registered "file" 1 can be selected and deleted, and if “file copy” is selected, 1 can be selected from any one “file” and registered as another new “file”.
[0070]
Among the other options, “file printing”, “multiple file printing”, and “text conversion” will be described later. First, the basic “file creation” will be described below.
[0071]
When “print file” is selected by various cursor operations and selection key operations (selection operations) in the state where the above selection screen is displayed (D20), next, the number of the “file” to be newly registered is input. An input screen for prompting is displayed (D21). Here, due to the specifications, immediately after the screen transition, the minimum value of the free number (“03” in the illustrated example) is displayed by default (D21). From this state (D21), the user inputs another number (for example, “04”, “22”, etc.) by operating the numeric keys included in the character key group 31, and then presses the selection key to enter another number. A file number (“04”, “22”, etc.) can be selected. However, when a number that has already been registered is entered, it becomes invalid (in this case, it may be overwritten here, or it may be invalid or overwritten). A warning or the like may be displayed).
[0072]
Here, assuming that the file number “03” is confirmed (the selection key is pressed), then the selection screen of the lower hierarchy is displayed (D22: common to FIGS. 7, 8, and 24). . This selection screen (D22) associates the file with the file number “03” to be created (hereinafter simply referred to as the file “03”), that is, the text data and the label width of the label created based thereon. The selection here includes “whole label width designation”, “division label width designation”, etc., and “whole label width designation” is 1 by the file “03”. This is an option to specify the label width of a single label for the purpose of creating a single label. “Specify split label width” is intended to be created by dividing into multiple labels. This is an option for designating each label width.
[0073]
Here, as shown in FIG. 8, assuming that “designation of overall label width” is selected, an input screen for prompting input of “overall label width” is then displayed as a lower-level screen (D30). ). Here, since the entire label width “00.0 cm” is displayed by default immediately after the screen transition (D30), the user inputs, for example, “54” (54 mm) by operating the numeric keys. By pressing the selection key, the whole label width = 5.4 cm (54 mm) can be designated.
[0074]
When the entire label width is designated (input), a selection screen for a lower hierarchy is displayed (D31: common with FIG. 9). In this selection screen (D31), in addition to the label width to be created, how to set the width for printing the print image (the width in the label width direction and the length in the tape longitudinal direction: hereinafter “print width”). This is a menu screen (selection screen for selecting the print width), and the choices here include "automatic print width", "whole print width designation", "print width designation for each line", etc. (D31 to D33). Among these options, “automatic print width” is an option to match the specified label width, that is, “total label width = total print width”, and “total print width specification” is the entire label width. This is an option for specifying the print width of the entire print image (overall print width) regardless of the designation of “print width”. “Specify print width for each line” is the option when the print image contains multiple lines of character strings. This is an option for individually specifying the print width of each line (print width for each line) regardless of the designation of the label width.
[0075]
In the following, the “whole print width” PW is not an image based on text data of a file created and registered for “free width printing” (width direction printing), not precisely the print width of the entire print image. This is the print width of the developed (arranged) area of the character string image to be developed in the print image. As will be described later, the print width of the entire print image includes the front end side print margin (front end side) in addition to the overall print width PW. Margin) PMs and rear end side print margin (rear end side margin) PMe are included (see FIG. 13 and the like). When front end side margin PMs = rear end side margin PMe = 0 mm, overall label width LW = total print width PW Therefore, for the sake of distinction from “print width per line” and the like, for convenience, it is referred to as “total print width”.
[0076]
Also, in the following, for the sake of convenience, a portion other than the above character string image (character string image developed based on text data of a registered file) (upper and lower left and right margins and background portions) is literally a margin ( However, it is also possible to place a ground pattern or other image different from the character string image (a character image or a character string image may be used if different from the above). For this reason, these images are registered in the form of element image data using a dot map or the like, as print image creation data similar to text data at the time of file registration, which will be described later, or as information included in accompanying information. You may do it.
[0077]
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, assuming that “print width auto” is selected from the above-described selection screen (D31: common to FIGS. 8 and 9), then, as a screen of a lower hierarchy, Then, the screen for inputting / editing the text data of the file “03” (character string input in the width direction) is displayed (D40).
[0078]
In this input screen (D40), immediately after the screen transition, the first line is displayed so as to prompt the user to input a character string of “3 lines” that is the number of lines of the character string possible corresponding to the entire label width of 5.4 cm. Since the cursor is specified at the beginning of the text, for example, the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School”, the second line “Two Years Two Pairs”, and the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto”, as in normal text editing (see FIG. 6 etc.) Are entered and edited (D41), and then confirmed with the shift key + select key, then a character size setting screen is displayed as a screen of a further lower layer (D42).
[0079]
In this setting screen (D42), the number of input lines “3” is specified, and a relative and abstract character size (abstract size) can be specified for the label width. Indicates that the default abstract size “medium” on the first line is designated by the cursor.
[0080]
Options on each line of the setting screen include “extra large”, “large”, “medium”, “small”, “minimal”, etc., and the character size is, for example, “2 to the power of 0.5” (so-called “route 2”: √2 ) Times, ie √2 times “minimal” is “small”, √2 times “small” is “medium”, √2 times “medium” is “large”, and √2 times “large” is “ "Extra large" is relatively specified.
Also, in this case, for example, each line has three lines of “large”, “medium”, and “extra large” and each line has three lines of “small”, “minimal”, and “medium”, and the relative character size relationship between the lines. Are the same, but the actual character size and margin (margin size) in absolute size, such as the number of dots, for example, in the three lines of “Large”, “Medium”, and “Extra Large”, the margin is made smaller to make the entire character size smaller. In the three lines of “small”, “minimal”, and “medium”, the image of the user (“large” or “small”) is specified by increasing the margin and reducing the overall character size. Etc .: Determine and set to follow the nuances of words of each abstract size.
[0081]
Here, for example, when each line is selected to be three lines of “medium”, “small”, and “large” (intermediate image of the above two examples), and then confirmed with the shift key + select key, the file “03” Is completed, and the screen returns to the “free width printing” function selection screen (D43: same as D20 in FIG. 7). In this case, when returning to the function selection screen, the file “03” is registered. At the time of registration, in addition to the text data on the first to third lines, various information associated therewith, for example, the character size (Abstract size), overall label width LW, and overall print width PW (in the above example, overall label width LW = total print width PW = 54 mm) are registered as accompanying information.
[0082]
Therefore, after that, when the file “03” is printed on the tape T having the tape width TW = 36 mm by “file printing” described later, the print image G10 is printed by the print head 7 as shown in FIG. A label L10 having a (horizontal) length of 36 mm and a (vertical) width of 54 mm is produced as it is by the half cut hc at the front end and the full cut fc at the rear end of the label width LW = 54 mm.
[0083]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, longitudinal printing and width printing can be selectively performed, but in the width printing, the size in the tape longitudinal direction when making a label is set as the label width LW, The character string for width direction printing is input, the character string and margin width within the label width LW are set as the arrangement width, and the print image G10 and the like are created according to the arrangement width. The print image G10 and the like can be created more easily and quickly than when the function is used for the purpose and the print image is diverted (rotated 90 °, etc.). Can be edited (without reverting to (1)), can be printed as-is with the edited image, and can be created according to the width of the label L10 by cutting to the set label width LW. Suitable generation of printed images, editing and printing and label production can be performed easily and quickly.
[0084]
In addition, text data for creating a print image can be registered as a file, and the set label width and print width can be registered as accompanying information of the file. For example, creating a file with different label width and print width designation Even after you have done other work, you can create and print the desired print image and print the desired label width and print without having to reset the label width and print width by simply reading the registered file. The width label can be created easily and quickly.
[0085]
Further, when the print image G10 or the like has a plurality of character string images as in the example of the above three lines, the width for each line and the width for each margin (including the space between lines) can be easily and quickly set as the arrangement width. Moreover, since the width of each line can be specified using a relative abstract size such as “large” or “medium”, the user does not need to specify details such as the number of dots or the actual size. Since it can be easily specified according to the image to be drawn or the like, the specification can be made simply by selecting from the menu, so that the arrangement width can be set more easily and quickly.
[0086]
Instead of selecting from the above-described menu, the arrangement width (the width of each line or the width of the margin) may be input numerically. In this case, a desired (arbitrary) setting range can be accurately set by numerical input, and fine adjustment can be performed. In particular, when a division label described later is designated, it can be adjusted according to the width of each division label, which is advantageous. Conversely, in the above example, the whole label width is input as a numerical value, but it may be selected from the menu in the same manner. In this case, the label width can be set easily and quickly simply by selecting from a standard size menu such as for CD, for MD, for each case surface, for each case side, and so on.
[0087]
In the above-described example, only lines including characters (images) are used as lines. However, blank lines not including characters (columns) can be set. For example, from the state of the input screen described above in FIG. 9 (D40: common to FIG. 9 and FIG. 11), as shown in FIG. 11, the second line “Junichiro Yamamoto” is input and edited without input to the first line. If it is confirmed by the shift key + select key (D44), the second line of the last line where the character exists is valid and the first line is a blank line (space only line). For this reason, on the character size setting screen (D45) of the lower layer, the number of lines “2 lines” is clearly indicated, and an abstract size can be designated for each of the first and second lines. “Small” and then confirming with the shift key + select key, the file creation of the file “03” is terminated and the function selection screen for “free width printing” is returned (D46: FIG. 7). Same as D20).
[0088]
In this case, the input character includes a space. For this reason, for example, if a space “” of one character or more is input on the third line and then confirmed with the shift key + selection key, the third line of the last line where characters (including “”) are valid The first and third lines are blank lines with only spaces. In the character size setting screen, the number of lines “3 lines” is clearly indicated, and an abstract size can be specified for each of the first to third lines. .
[0089]
By the way, since the above-mentioned example is “automatic printing width”, “whole label width = whole printing width” is set. However, in the tape printing apparatus 1, in the feeding direction (longitudinal direction) of the tape T for printing a print image. Since the size can be set as an overall print width PW corresponding to the overall label width LW, various combinations of the overall label width LW and the overall print width PW when creating labels by width direction printing can be freely (optional) Can be adjusted and set.
In the following, first, “second print width designation” for designating the whole print width PW irrespective of designation of the whole label width LW will be described as a second embodiment.
[0090]
In the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in the selection screen (D31 to D33) after specifying the entire label width described above with reference to FIG. Then (D32: common to FIG. 8 and FIG. 12), an input screen for prompting input of “total print width” is displayed as a lower layer screen (D50). Here, since the entire print width “00.0 cm” is displayed by default immediately after the screen transition, the user inputs, for example, “36” (36 mm) by operating the numeric keys, and then confirms with the selection key. The total printing width = 3.6 cm (36 mm) can be designated.
[0091]
When the entire print width is designated, a lower layer selection screen is then displayed (D51). This selection screen (D51) is a portion that becomes a label (cut as a label) when the designated overall label width and overall print width are different sizes (in this example, overall label width LW = 54 mm, overall print width PW = 36 mm). Menu screen for selecting where to set each reference position of the print image to be printed on the tape, that is, each reference position of the entire label width LW and the entire print width PW (reference position selection) Screen). Options here include “front end alignment”, “center alignment”, “rear end alignment”, and the like. “Front edge alignment” uses the front edge (in the longitudinal direction of the tape) of the entire label width and overall printing width as the reference position, “Center alignment” refers to the center of each area, and “Rear edge alignment” refers to the rear edge of each. This is an option with the end as the reference position.
[0092]
Of these options, according to the specifications, the option selected last time is selected and displayed immediately after the screen transition. Here, assuming that the default “front end alignment” has been selected, the next lower level is selected. A text data input screen is displayed as a hierarchical screen (D52).
[0093]
In this input screen (D52), not only the label width of 5.4 cm but also the print width of 3.6 cm is displayed on the upper side of the screen (title portion), and the other screens are the same as the input screen (D40) described above with reference to FIG. Since the beginning of the first line is designated by the cursor immediately after the screen transition so as to prompt the input of the character string of the possible number of lines “3 lines”, after this (similar to D40 to D42 in FIG. 9) ) Input and edit the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School”, the second line “Two Years 2nd Class”, the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto”, and specify the abstract size of each line on the setting screen of the lower hierarchy, then file The creation of the file “03” is completed, and the screen returns to the “free width printing” function selection screen (see D43 in FIG. 9 and D20 in FIG. 7).
[0094]
The accompanying information at the time of file registration in this case includes the reference position (“front end” in the above example) selected on the reference position selection screen (D51 in FIG. 12). For this reason, when printing of the file “03” is instructed by “file printing” to be described later, as shown in FIG. 13A, the front end (reference position) of the entire print width PW = 36 mm is set because of “front end alignment”. A print image G21 is created so as to match the front end (reference position: half cut hc position) of the entire label width LW = 54 mm and to have the rear end side margin PMe = 18 mm, for example, the tape width TW = 36 mm. A label L21 having a (horizontal) length of 36 mm × (vertical) width of 54 mm is produced as it is by half-cut hc and a full cut fc at the rear end.
[0095]
In addition, “center alignment” is selected on the above-described reference position selection screen (D51 in FIG. 12), and then file creation is completed in the same manner, and “file printing” instructs to print the file “03”. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the center (reference position: intermediate position between the front end and the rear end) of the overall printing width PW = 36 mm is aligned with the center (reference position) of the overall label width LW = 54 mm. In addition, a print image G22 is created so as to have a front end side margin PMs = 9 mm and a rear end side margin PMe = 9 mm, and printing and cutting are performed in the same manner, so that (horizontal) length 36 mm × (vertical) width A 54 mm label L22 is created.
[0096]
Similarly, when “rear end alignment” is selected and operated (D51 in FIG. 12), the file creation is ended and printing is instructed, as shown in FIG. 13C, the entire print width PW = A print image G23 is created so that the rear end (reference position) of 36 mm is aligned with the rear end (reference position: position of full cut fc) of the entire label width LW = 54 mm and the front end side margin PMs = 18 mm. Then, a label L23 having a (horizontal) length of 36 mm × (vertical) width of 54 mm is created by printing and cutting in the same manner.
[0097]
Note that the tape printer 1 can designate an overall print width PW having a value larger than the designated overall label width LW. For example, “36” (36 mm) is designated on the input screen (D30) for the entire label width shown in FIG. 8, and “54” (54 mm) is designated on the input screen (D50) for the overall print width shown in FIG. In other words, in the case of LW <PW, that is, contrary to the above example, when the overall label width LW = 36 mm and the overall printing width PW = 54 mm, the reference position selection screen (D51 in FIG. 12) is used similarly. When the position is selected, the file creation is completed, and printing is instructed, as shown in FIG. 14, the print image G31 having the overall print width PW = 54 mm regardless of the reference position (the above-described print in FIG. 10). The print image G32 and G33 in FIG. 14 is also created), and printing is performed so that the front end thereof is aligned with the position of the half-cut hc.
[0098]
However, when “front end alignment” is selected on the reference position selection screen (D51 in FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. 14A, since it is “front end alignment”, the entire label width LW = 36 mm. A label L31a having an overall label width LW = 36 mm is created by half-cut hc so that the front end coincides with the front end of the print image G31, and the label L31a has a total label width that matches the overall print width PW = 54 mm. A label L31b having a rear end added (rear remainder) label width LMe = 18 mm is formed by a half cut hc and a full cut fc so as to be connected to the rear end.
[0099]
If “center alignment” has been selected (D51 in FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. 14B, the center of the entire label width LW = 36 mm is the center of the entire printing width PW = 54 mm (the front end and First, a label L32a having a front end added (front remainder) label width LMs = 9 mm is formed by a half-cut hc so as to coincide with the rear end intermediate position), and a label having an overall label width LW = 36 mm is connected to the rear end. L32b is created by half-cut hc, and a label L32c having a trailing label width LMe = 9 mm is created by full-cut fc so as to be continuous with the rear end.
[0100]
Similarly, when “rear end alignment” is selected (D51 in FIG. 12), as shown in FIG. 14C, the rear end of the entire label width LW = 36 mm is the rear end of the entire print width PW = 54 mm. First, a label L33a having a front end added (front remainder) label width LMs = 18 mm is formed by half-cut hc so as to coincide with the end, and then a full cut is performed on the label L33b having an overall label width LW = 36 mm so as to be connected to the rear end. Created by fc.
[0101]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, the size in the tape longitudinal direction when making a label can be set as the overall label width LW. If “automatic print width” is selected, the overall print width PW is set as the overall label width LW. Since it can be automatically set to the same size, it can be used to easily determine the overall print width, create a print image to create a label more easily and quickly, If selected, the print width PW corresponding to the overall label width LW can be arbitrarily set, so various combinations of the overall label width LW and the overall print width PW when creating labels by width direction printing can be freely adjusted. Can be set. Further, in this case, since the size larger than the entire label width LW can be set as the entire print width PW (see FIG. 14), the print width can be set more freely, and a more flexible combination of the label width and the print width can be set. It becomes possible.
[0102]
Also, if the print width and label width are different sizes, one end (front end or rear end) or center (intermediate position between the front end and rear end) of the print width and label width can be selected as the reference position. This makes it possible to set the reference position easily and accurately, and because the printing is performed so that the reference position of the set print width matches the reference position of the label width, printing of a desired arrangement can be performed accurately. it can. The reference position of the print width and the reference position of the label width are preferably the same reference as in the above example (for example, both have the front end as the reference position). It may be provided with another reference such as using the rear end as a reference position.
[0103]
In the above-described example, an example in which a print image includes three lines of character strings has been given. For example, when a file of one line of character strings “two years and two sets” is printed as a file, FIG. As shown in the figure, not only the arrangement width (character size) of the character string is made smaller, but also an overall printing width PW smaller than the overall label width LW = 18 mm (PW = 9 mm and “center alignment” in the illustrated example) is designated. Then, by creating and printing the print image G41, a label L41 having a large margin (horizontal) length 36 mm × (vertical) width 18 mm around a small character string “2 years 2 sets” Can be created. Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, if the arrangement width is increased and an overall print width PW (= 24 mm and “center alignment”) larger than the overall label width LW = 18 mm is designated, the print image G42 is displayed. The label L42 of the same size (36 mm × 18 mm) that appears to have been given a kind of decoration by intentionally omitting (deleting) part of the upper and lower parts of the character string “2 years 2 sets” by creating and printing (L42b at the center of the labels L42a to L42c to be created is equivalent).
[0104]
By the way, in the tape printer 1, in addition to the above-mentioned “automatic printing width” (“whole label width = whole printing width”) and “whole printing width designation” for designating the printing width PW of the entire print image, In order to enable various combinations of various label widths LW and print widths PW, when the print image includes a plurality of lines of character strings, the width of each line (arrangement width of each line: each line print width: every line) The “print width designation for each line” that can individually designate the print width for each line can be selected, and this will be described as an example as a third embodiment.
[0105]
In the tape printer 1 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, in the selection screen (D31 to D33) after specifying the entire label width described above with reference to FIG. Then (D33: common to FIG. 8 and FIG. 16), a reference position selection screen similar to the screen (D51) described above with reference to FIG. 12 is then displayed as a lower-level screen (D60). Here, assuming that any of the above-mentioned reference position options “front end alignment”, “center alignment”, and “rear end alignment” is selected and operated, the print width of each line (print width for each line) and A screen for inputting / editing text data is displayed (D61).
[0106]
In this input screen (D61), input / edit of the print width for each line on which the character string of “3 lines”, which is the number of character string lines possible corresponding to the entire label width of 5.4 cm, and the corresponding text data are arranged. I do. Immediately after the screen transition, since the input position is designated by the cursor so as to prompt the input of the print width for each line of the first line (D61), the user operates the number key, for example, the number “12”. By inputting (12 mm), it is possible to designate the print width per line of the first line = 1.2 cm (12 mm) (D62). Also, if you want to edit (correct), for example, if you notice an input error, for example, if you want to change the print width for each line to 1.5 cm (15 mm), delete the last input “2” by pressing the delete key. (D63: common to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17) As shown in FIG. 17, if the number “5” is input, the designation can be changed to the print width per line of the first line = 1.5 cm (15 mm). (D64).
[0107]
After inputting the print width for each line of the first line (D64), when the selection key is pressed, the input position is designated by the cursor so as to prompt the input of the text data of the first line ( D65) In the same manner as the input / edit from the input screen (D40) described above with reference to FIG. 9, the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School” is input / edited, and when confirmed, the print width for each second line is input. The cursor is designated for the input position (D67: common to FIGS. 17 and 18).
[0108]
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 18, as with the first line, the print width for each line of the second line is input as, for example, the number “10” (10 mm), and when it is confirmed, the next two lines are similarly performed. Since the input position of the text data of the eye is designated by the cursor (D68), here, for example, if nothing is entered and confirmed, the input position of the print width for each line of the third line is designated by the cursor. (D69). Similarly, when the numeral “20” (20 mm) is inputted and confirmed, for example, the input position of the text data on the third line is similarly designated by the cursor (D68).
[0109]
Here, for example, if the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto” is entered and edited, the print width for each line from the first line to the third line is determined, the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School” is entered, and the second line A blank line is entered and the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto” is entered (D71: common to FIGS. 18 and 19).
[0110]
In addition, in the screen display state of input / editing of the line-by-line printing width and text data, within the range of the line in which the line-by-line printing width has already been set and the input range, for example, as shown in FIG. The cursor designation position can be freely moved by the cursor operation.
[0111]
From the above state (D71), for example, when the left cursor is pressed seven times, the top of the text on the third line (D72), and the last digit of the print width for each line on the third line (D72), The screen can be changed (transition) to the end of the second line (D75) once more in the uppermost digit twice, and from each screen (D73, D72 and D71) in the third line, every time the up cursor is pressed, Each screen on the second line (D74, D75 and D75) can be transferred to each screen on the first line (D76, D77 and D77). The cursor can be moved by the right cursor from the left side to the right side of the screen and by the down cursor from the first line to the third line in the same manner as the left cursor and the upper cursor. In addition, in the vertical movement from the end of the text (for example, D71 and D78), the specification may move between the ends (D71 → D79 → D78 and D78 → D79 → D71) as shown by dotted arrows.
[0112]
Further, the user can freely move the cursor designated position as described above and then edit (add, delete, change) the cursor designated position. For example, as shown in FIG. From the state in which the cursor is designated at the beginning of the text (D75: common to FIG. 19 and FIG. 20), for example, when the second line “2 years 2 sets” is entered and edited, the first to third lines Each print width is fixed, and the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School”, the second line “Two Years 2nd Class”, and the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto” are input. The same content is input (D80: common to FIGS. 20 and 21). However, after input / editing is completed, if the shift key + selection key is used, unlike the example of FIG. 9 (there is no need to specify the abstract size of each line), the file creation of the file “03” is directly terminated. Then, the screen returns to the “free width printing” function selection screen (D81: same as D20 in FIG. 7).
[0113]
In the above-described input / edit screen display state (D80), the cursor can be moved by the cursor operation in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 19, and as shown in FIG. Movement between lines) and movement within the same line (partially movement between lines) can be performed with the left and right cursors (D83 to D86). However, since the cursor can be moved only within the range of lines where the print width for each line is already set and within the input range, the description is omitted in FIG. 19, but for example, the end of all (the end of the text on the third line) When the right (or down) cursor is operated from the state in which the cursor is designated (D82), an error (warning) notification and blinking display are performed (D87) to indicate that the cursor is out of range, and a predetermined time (for example, 0.75) Seconds) later, the original state is restored (D82). Similarly, an error notification or the like (D87) is also performed for a cursor operation instructing movement outside the range from another state (for example, left or up from D84, up from D83, or down from D86), for a predetermined time. Later, it returns to its original state.
[0114]
When the file creation of the file “03” described above in FIG. 20 is finished and the screen returns to the “free width printing” function selection screen (D81), the text content registered at this time is the first line “ “Chiyoda Elementary School”, 2nd line “2nd year 2 pairs”, 3rd line “Junichiro Yamamoto”, and various designations (settings) are the whole label width LW = 54 mm, and the print width PW1 per line of the first line = 15 mm, the print width PW2 for the second line = 10 mm, the print width PW3 for the third line = 20 mm, and the total print width PW = 15 + 10 + 20 = 45 mm. Further, these various setting information are attached to the file in a state in which the information is compressed together with the reference position information selected on the reference position selection screen (D60) in FIG. Registered as information.
[0115]
Here, when “front end alignment” is selected in the reference position selection (D60 in FIG. 16), when printing of the file “03” is instructed by “file printing” described later, FIG. As shown, each line has a print width PW1 = 15 mm, PW2 = 10 mm, and PW3 = 20 mm, and “Chiyoda Elementary School”, “Two Years”, and “Junichiro Yamamoto” are suitable for the print width of each line. The character size (arrangement width) is arranged at the center of the print width for each line, and “front end alignment”, so that the front end of the overall print width PW = 45 mm is aligned with the front end of the overall label width LW = 54 mm, and the rear end A print image G51 is created so as to have a side margin PMe = 18 mm, and is printed on, for example, a tape T having a tape width TW = 36 mm. The half cut hc and the full cut fc at the rear end It creates a label L51 of (horizontal) length 36 mm × (vertical) width 54 mm. When the reference position is the front end, the reference position of the character string image of each line is also the front end (upper side in the figure: the upper end line of the character string) so that the front end of the character string image of each line matches the front end of the print width for each line. It can also be a specification to arrange.
[0116]
Further, when “center alignment” is selected as the reference position, and then file creation is completed and printing is instructed in the same manner, as shown in FIG. The print width PW1 = 15 mm, PW2 = 10 mm, and PW3 = 20 mm. The character string image of each line is arranged at the center of the print widths PW1 to PW3 for each line, and “center alignment”, so the overall print width PW = The print image G52 is created so that the center of 45 mm is aligned with the center of the entire label width LW = 54 mm, and the front end side margin PMs = 4.5 mm and the rear end side margin PMe = 4.5 mm. By printing and cutting, a label L52 having a (horizontal) length of 36 mm × (vertical) width of 54 mm is created.
[0117]
Similarly, when “rear end alignment” is selected, file creation is completed, and printing is instructed, as shown in FIG. 22C, the line-by-line printing widths PW1 to PW1 are set as described above. The character string image of each line is arranged in the center of the print widths PW1 to PW3 for each line with an arrangement width suitable for PW3, and the rear end of the total print width PW = 45 mm is set to the total label width LW = 54 mm because of “rear end alignment” A print image G53 is created so as to be aligned with the rear end and to have a front end side margin PMs = 18 mm, and printed and cut in the same manner, whereby a label having a (horizontal) length of 36 mm × (vertical) width of 54 mm L53 is created. When the reference position is the rear end, the reference position of the character string image of each line is also the rear end (the lower side in the figure: the lower end line of the character string), and the rear end of the character string image of each line is placed after the print width for each line. It can also be a specification that is arranged so as to fit the edge.
[0118]
In the case of the above-mentioned “designation of print width for each line”, the print width for each line can be designated as PW1 to PW3 so that the total overall print width PW is larger than the overall label width LW. For example, “36” (36 mm) is designated on the input screen (D30) for the entire label width in FIG. 8, and the line-by-line printing widths PW1 = 15 mm, PW2 = 10 mm and PW3 in FIG. If = 20 mm is specified, the total print width PW = 45 mm, so that the relationship of LW <PW is established. Similarly, the reference position is selected on the reference position selection screen (D60 in FIG. 16), and the file creation is completed. When printing is instructed, as shown in FIG. 23, the character string image of each line is arranged in the center with a layout width suitable for the corresponding print width PW1 to PW3 for each line, and the entire print is performed regardless of the reference position. A print image G61 having a width PW = 45 mm (the print images G62 and G63 in the figure are also the same) is created and printed so that the front end thereof is aligned with the position of the half-cut hc.
[0119]
However, when the above-described reference position selection is “front end alignment”, as shown in FIG. 23A, the entire label width LW = 36 mm so that the front end of the entire label width LW coincides with the front end of the print image G61. The label L61a is created by the half-cut hc, and the label L61b having the trailing label width LMe = 9 mm is created by the half-cut hc and the full-cut fc so that the total label width matches the overall print width PW = 45 mm. In the case of “center alignment”, as shown in FIG. 6B, a label L62a having a front label width LMs = 4.5 mm so that the center of the entire label width LW coincides with the center of the entire printing width PW. Is created by half-cut hc, a label L62b having an overall label width LW = 36 mm is created by half-cut hc so as to be continuous, and a label L62c having a remaining label width LMe = 4.5 mm is created by full-cut fc. Also, in the case of “rear end alignment”, as shown in FIG. 6C, a label having a front margin label width LMs = 9 mm so that the rear end of the entire label width LW coincides with the rear end of the entire print width PW. After the L63a is created by the half cut hc, a label L63b having an overall label width LW = 36 mm is created by the full cut fc so as to be continuous.
[0120]
As described above, in the tape printing apparatus 1, in addition to the above-described “automatic print width” and “whole print width designation”, the “print width designation for each line” that can individually designate the print width for each line (width for arranging each line). ”Can be selected, and more flexible and versatile combinations of label width and printing width are possible, and the desired (arbitrary) printing width (setting width) can be set accurately, and fine adjustment is possible. In particular, when a division label described later is designated, it can be adjusted according to the width of each division label, which is advantageous. In addition, when registering a file, the print width for each line is also registered as accompanying information. Therefore, it is possible to easily and quickly create a desired print image to create a label by simply reading the registered file without requiring resetting. be able to. Other advantages and the like are the same as those in the case of “automatic printing width” and “whole printing width designation” described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0121]
By the way, each of the above examples is a selection screen for selecting a relationship between a print image created and printed based on each registered file and a label to be created, that is, a selection screen for designating the number of main labels as a result. (D22: common to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 24: “label number selection screen” below), “Whole label width for creating basically one label on which the entire print image is printed” This is an example in which “Specify” is selected. However, in the tape printer 1, as described above, by specifying the label width of each of a plurality of labels (each divided label), each of the plurality of labels printed by dividing a desired print image into each one. You can also select “Specify split label width” to create Therefore, in the following, an example in which “division label width designation” is selected will be described as a fourth embodiment.
[0122]
In the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment, assuming that “division label width designation” is selected and operated as shown in FIG. 24 in the label number selection screen (D22 described above) in FIG. Then, an input screen for prompting the input of “number of division labels” is displayed as a lower layer screen (D90). Here, since the division label number “00” is displayed by default immediately after the screen transition, the user presses the selection key after inputting, for example, “2” by operating the numeric key (D90). Thus, the number of division labels = 2 (sheets) can be designated. Here, when the numerical value “0” is input (or nothing is input) and the selection key is pressed (determined), after an error notification (˜predetermined time), the screen returns to the same screen (D90). When the numerical value “1” is input and confirmed, it is determined that “whole label width designation” and the screen shifts to the “whole label width” input screen (D30) described above with reference to FIG.
[0123]
When a plurality (two in this case) are designated (input) as the number of division labels, next, a setting screen for the label width (division label width) of each division label is displayed as a lower layer screen (D91). .
[0124]
In this setting screen (D91), the number of divided labels “02” (2 sheets) is specified, and immediately after the screen transition, the input position is set to the cursor so as to prompt the input of the first divided label width. Since it is designated (D91), the user can designate the first divided label width = 2.5 cm (25 mm) by inputting, for example, the number “25” (25 mm) by operating the number keys. After that, when the selection key is pressed, the input position is designated by the cursor so as to prompt the input of the second divided label width (D92). Similarly, the number “20” is input. Then, it is possible to specify the divided label width of the second sheet = 2.0 cm (20 mm) (D93: common to FIGS. 24 and 25).
[0125]
As shown in FIG. 25, from this state (D93), when the selection is made by the shift key + select key, the selection screen for the lower hierarchy is displayed (D94). This selection screen (D94) is the same as that shown in FIG. 8 except that (total) label width 4.5 cm is displayed as the total of divided label widths such as 02.5 + 02.0 = 04.5 cm in the title part on the upper side of the screen. This is the same screen as the print width designation method selection screen (D31) described above, and the options here include “print width automatic”, “whole print width designation”, “line-by-line print width designation”, and the like. (D94 to D96).
[0126]
Here, as shown in FIG. 26, if “automatic print width” is selected from the above-described selection screen (D94: common to FIGS. 25 and 26), then, as a screen of a further lower layer, The text data input screen is displayed (D100). This input screen (D100) is the same as the input screen (D40) described above with reference to FIG. 9 except for the upper title part (label width display), and so on (D40 to D42 in FIG. 9). In the same way, input and edit the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School”, the second line “Two Years 2nd Class”, the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto” (D101), and then on the lower level setting screen (D102) After specifying the abstract size of each line, for example, so that each line becomes “medium”, “small”, and “large”, the file creation of the file “03” is finished, and the function selection screen of “free width printing” is returned. (D102: same as D43 in FIG. 9 and D20 in FIG. 7).
[0127]
Note that the accompanying information at the time of file registration in this case includes the number of divided labels and the width of each divided label. Therefore, after that, when the file “03” is printed on the tape T having the tape width TW = 36 mm by “file printing” described later, as shown in FIG. 27A, the print image G71 (G61 in FIG. 23) is printed. Are printed with an overall printing width PW = 45 mm, and the range of the entire label width LW = 45 mm from the half cut hc at the front end to the full cut fc at the rear end is divided by two divided labels. A divided label L71a having a first divided label width LW1 = 25 mm is created by a half cut hc, and a divided label L71b having a second divided label width LW2 = 20 mm is produced by a full cut fc so as to be continuous.
[0128]
Although it is slightly different, assuming that the print width PW2 = 10 mm in the second row shown in FIGS. 27A to 27C is an actual size (absolute size) corresponding to the abstract size of “small”. The print width PW1 = 15 mm (exactly 14 mm or more) of the first line is about √2 times of “small”, so that the actual size corresponding to the abstract size of “medium” is almost the third line. Each printing width PW3 = 20 mm is about twice as large as “small”, and thus is an actual size corresponding to the abstract size of “large”. For this reason, in the selection screen for the above-described print width designation method in FIG. 25, “line by line print width designation” is selected (D96 in FIG. 25), and the line-by-line print width PW1 = When 15 mm, PW2 = 10, and PW3 = 20 mm are specified and registered, when printing is instructed, the printing result and the label creation result shown in FIG. Further, the same result can be obtained when the “whole print width designation” is selected and operated (D95 in FIG. 25) and the whole print width PW = 45 mm is designated and registered.
[0129]
Therefore, in the following, the explanation up to the result of FIG. 27 (all (a) to (c)) is an explanation of an example when “line width designation” or “whole print width designation” is selected. Shall also be used.
[0130]
Next, an explanation will be supplemented for an example in which the number of divided labels is different from the above (two). For example, as shown in FIG. 28, by inputting, for example, “3” and confirming (pressing the selection key) on the “divided label number” input screen (D90: common with FIG. 24), the number of divided labels is reached. "3" (3 sheets) is specified as the number, and the division label width of the first sheet is entered by inputting the number "15" as the division label width of the first sheet on the setting screen (D110) of the further lower layer = 1.5 cm (15 mm) is specified and confirmed (the selection key is pressed), and when the number “10” is input as the second divided label width, the second divided label width = 1.0 cm (10 mm) Is designated (D111) and confirmed (pressing the selection key), the cursor is designated so as to prompt the input of the third divided label width (D112). , Enter the number “20” and enter 3 You can specify the eyes of the division label width = 2.0cm (20mm) (D113).
[0131]
Hereinafter, from this state (D113), the same as the selection screen (D94 to D96) described above with reference to the selection screen (D94 to D96) in FIG. 25, the “print width automatic”, “whole print width designation”, “print width designation for each line” ”Is selected and text input to arrangement width (abstract size and print width) are designated in the same way as the above-described processing (see D100 to D102 in FIG. 26) in FIG. 16 to 20), the file creation of the file “03” is finished, and the “free width printing” function selection screen is displayed (D102 in FIG. 26, D43 in FIG. 9, D43 in FIG. 7). D20 etc.).
[0132]
In this case, when the file “03” is printed on the tape T having a tape width TW = 36 mm by “file printing” described later, as shown in FIG. 27B, a print image G72 (G71 in FIG. 27A) is displayed. Are printed with an overall printing width PW = 45 mm, and the entire label width LW = 45 mm from the half cut hc at the front end to the full cut fc at the rear end is divided by three divided labels. The first divided label L72a with the divided label width LW1 = 15 mm is created by the half-cut hc, and then the second divided label L72b with the divided label width LW2 = 10 mm is created by the half-cut hc, and the successive A third divided label L72c having a divided label width LW3 = 20 mm is created by the full cut fc. In this case, since each divided label width and the printed width for each line match, it is possible to create three divided labels L72a to L72c that are divided for each line.
[0133]
Similarly, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, the number of divided labels “4” (four) is obtained by inputting / determining “4”, for example, from the “division label number” input screen (D90: common with FIG. 24). In the division label width setting screen (D114), the first division label width = 1.5 cm (15 mm) is designated and confirmed by inputting the number “15”, and the second piece by inputting the number “10”. Division label width = 1.0 cm (10 mm) is designated / confirmed, and by inputting the number “10”, the third division label width = 1.0 cm (10 mm) is designated (D115) and confirmed (the selection key is pressed). In the same way, the input position is designated by the cursor so as to prompt the input of the fourth divided label width (D116). Eye division label width = 1.0 cm (10 mm) It can be specified (D117).
[0134]
Thereafter, from this state (D117), one of the options for the print width designation method is selected and operated in the same manner as described above, and after the text input to the arrangement width are designated in the same manner, the file “03” is created. To return to the “free width printing” function selection screen (see D102 in FIG. 26, D43 in FIG. 9, D20 in FIG. 7, etc.).
[0135]
In this case, when the file “03” is printed in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 27C, a print image G73 (same as G71 in FIG. 27A) is printed with the entire print width PW = 45 mm. Out of the range of the total label width LW = 45 mm divided into four, the first divided label L73a with the divided label width LW1 = 15 mm, the second divided label L73b with the divided label width LW2 = 10 mm, and the divided label width Each of the third divided labels L73c with LW3 = 10 mm is created by the half cut hc, and then the fourth divided label L73d with the divided label width LW4 = 10 mm is created by the full cut fc.
[0136]
The above example is an example in which the entire label width LW = the entire printing width PW (= 45 mm). However, even in the case of “division label width designation”, “whole printing width designation” or “line-by-line printing width designation”. ”Is selected (D95 and D96 in FIG. 25), the overall label width LW ≠ the overall print width PW (that is, LW> PW or LW <PW) can be set.
[0137]
For example, as shown in FIG. 30, after the division label width is input with the number of division labels “03” (3 sheets) (D113: common with FIG. 28), it is determined by the shift key + select key, and “whole print width designation” is selected. When this is done (D120), the input screen for "Whole Print Width" is displayed as the lower-level screen (D121) as in the example described above with reference to FIG. 12, so that the number "36" (36mm) is entered and confirmed. When (select key is pressed), it is possible to specify the total printing width = 3.6 cm (36 mm), and the default “front end alignment” is selected and operated on the reference position selection screen in the lower layer (D122). In addition, an input screen for text data of a lower hierarchy is displayed (D122). Since this input screen is the same screen as the input screen (D40) described above with reference to FIG. 9 except for the title part on the upper side of the screen (description about the label width), the first line is the same as D40 to D42 in FIG. After inputting / editing the third line and specifying the abstract size of each line on the setting screen of the lower hierarchy, the file creation of the file “03” is terminated and the function selection screen of “free width printing” is returned ( (See D43 in FIG. 9 and D20 in FIG. 7).
[0138]
In this case, when printing of the file “03” is instructed, as shown in FIG. 31A, since “front end alignment”, the front end of the entire print width PW = 36 mm is aligned with the front end of the entire label width LW = 45 mm. In addition, a print image G81 is created so as to have a rear end side margin PMe = 9 mm, and is printed on a tape T having a tape width TW = 36 mm, for example, and as shown in FIG. The whole label width LW = 45 mm from the cut hc to the full cut fc at the rear end is divided into three divided label numbers, and divided into divided label widths LW1 = 15 mm, LW2 = 10 mm, and LW3 = 20 mm, respectively. Labels L81a to L81c are created by a half cut hc and a full cut fc.
[0139]
Further, when “center alignment” is selected in the reference position selection, the file creation is finished in the same manner, and when printing of the file “03” is instructed, as shown in FIG. A print image G82 is created so that the center of the print width PW = 36 mm is aligned with the center of the entire label width LW = 45 mm and the front end side margin PMs = 4.5 mm and the rear end side margin PMe = 4.5 mm. Similarly, by performing printing and cutting, divided labels L82a to L82c having divided label widths LW1 = 15 mm, LW2 = 10 mm, and LW3 = 20 mm are created.
[0140]
Similarly, when “rear end alignment” is selected and printing is instructed after file creation, as shown in FIG. 31C, the rear end of the total print width PW = 36 mm is set to the entire label width LW = A print image G83 is created so as to be aligned with the rear end of 54 mm and to have a front end side margin PMs = 18 mm, and printed and cut in the same manner, whereby divided label widths LW1 = 15 mm and LW2 = 10 mm, respectively. , Division labels L82a to L82c with LW3 = 20 mm are created.
[0141]
For example, in the print width designation method selection screen of FIG. 30 (D120), “line width print designation” is selected instead of “whole print width designation”, and then the above-described operations are performed in FIGS. Similarly to the example, even when text input to line-by-line print width designation is performed and printing is instructed after file creation, for each of the first to third lines, for example, line-by-line print widths PW1 = 12 mm, PW2 = 8 mm, PW3 If the designation is 16 mm (the ratio between the rows is the same as the ratio of 15, 10, 20 when PW = 45 mm in FIG. 27), the above-described result is obtained in FIG.
[0142]
The above example is an example of the relationship of overall label width LW> overall print width PW, but “total print width designation” and “print width designation for each line” are selected (D95 and D96 in FIG. 25). Accordingly, contrary to the above, it is possible to set the relationship of overall label width LW> overall print width PW. For example, the setting of the number of divided labels and the width of each divided label is the same as described above (that is, the number of divided labels “03”, each divided label width LW1 = 15 mm, LW2 = 10 mm, LW3 = 20 mm). When the print width PW = 54 mm is set, or when the print widths PW1 = 18 mm, PW2 = 12 mm, and PW3 = 24 mm are set for each of the first to third lines in “Specify Print Width”, as shown in FIG. Printing results and label creation results.
[0143]
That is, regardless of the reference position, a print image G91 having the entire print width PW = 54 mm (which is the same as the above-described print image G10 in FIG. 10; also the print images G92 and G93 in FIG. 32 are the same) is created. Printing is performed so that the front end matches the position of the half-cut hc.
[0144]
However, when “front edge alignment” is selected in the reference position selection, as shown in FIG. 32A, the front edge of the entire label width LW = 45 mm coincides with the front edge of the print image G91 because it is “front edge alignment”. As described above, the divided labels L91a to L91c having the divided label widths LW1 = 15 mm, LW2 = 10 mm, and LW3 = 20 mm are divided into the half-cut hc out of the range of the total label width LW = 45 mm divided by the number of divided labels. In addition, a label L91d having a trailing label width LMe = 9 mm is formed by the full cut fc so as to be continuous with the rear end of the label L91c so that the total label width matches the overall printing width PW = 54 mm.
[0145]
If “center alignment” has been selected, as shown in FIG. 32 (b), first, the center of the entire label width LW = 45 mm coincides with the center of the entire printing width PW = 54 mm. A label L92a having a remainder label width LMs = 4.5 mm is created by half-cut hc, and the range of the entire label width LW = 45 mm is divided into three divided label numbers so as to be connected to the rear end thereof. Split labels L92b to L92d with LW1 = 15mm, LW2 = 10mm, and LW3 = 20mm are created by half-cut hc, and the label L92e with a trailing label width LMe = 4.5mm is fully cut so as to be connected to the rear end. Created by fc.
[0146]
Similarly, when “rear end alignment” is selected, as shown in FIG. 32C, the rear end of the entire label width LW = 36 mm matches the rear end of the entire print width PW = 54 mm. First, after creating a label L93a with a front margin label width LMs = 9 mm by half-cut hc, the range of the entire label width LW = 45 mm is divided by three divided label numbers so as to be connected to the rear end, respectively. The division labels L92b to L92d having division label widths LW1 = 15 mm, LW2 = 10 mm, and LW3 = 20 mm are created by the half cut hc and the full cut fc.
[0147]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, the label corresponding to the print image can be realized by a series of a plurality of divided labels. In this case, the number of the divided labels is designated, and each label width of each divided label is set. By cutting according to each label width, a plurality of divided labels can be created as labels. Therefore, the label width and the print width can be set in a more flexible and diverse combination, and a wider variety of labels can be created. In addition, when registering a file, the number of divided labels and the width of each divided label are also registered as accompanying information, so even if the label on which the print image is printed is divided into a plurality of labels and created, the registered file It is possible to simply and quickly create a desired print image to a label without requiring resetting or the like only by reading. Other advantages and the like are the same as those in the above-mentioned “whole label width designation”, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0148]
By the way, as described above, among various functions of “free width printing” (see D20 in FIG. 7), files created in various forms by the “file creation” function (for example, file “03”) are Are registered in a predetermined area in the RAM 240. When the file of each file is registered, various label widths (such as the divided label width LW1) including the entire label width LW or the total label width LW can be derived, and the entire print width Various information relating to printing and label creation from print image creation, such as various print widths including the PW or from which the overall print width PW can be derived (such as the print width PW1 for each line), is registered as accompanying information of each file. For this reason, for example, even immediately after other work such as creating a file with different individual settings (specification / setting for width direction printing such as print width and label width), the width can be Label preparation based on a desired individual setting can be performed easily and quickly without requiring resetting for direction printing.
[0149]
Then, next, various methods of using each registered file will be described below. First, the function of “file printing” will be described.
[0150]
For example, as shown in FIG. 33, from the state where the above-mentioned “file creation” is selected and displayed on the “free width printing” function selection screen (D20: common with FIG. 7), “file printing” is selected and displayed by the cursor operation. (D130) When confirmed (selection key pressed) (when a selection operation is performed), a selection screen (print file) for selecting (specifying) a file print target file is displayed as a lower layer screen. (Selection screen) is displayed (D131).
[0151]
In this selection screen (D131), it is clearly indicated in the title part at the top of the screen that the file is printed in free-width printing, and “file number: required size” is displayed on each line in order from the smallest file number of the registered file. Displayed in the format of “first part of text data”. However, the required size = the larger one of the overall label width LW and the overall printing width PW (the size necessary for the tape T in the longitudinal direction). Here, for example, if the file “03” is created and registered as in the example described in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the file “03” is “03: 05.4 [Chiyoda] as illustrated. “Elementary School” is displayed (D131 to D132: see FIGS. 9 to 10). The cursor position is indicated by a negative display of the file number.
[0152]
Here, for example, when the above-described file “03” is selected, an input screen for prompting the input of the number of prints is displayed as a lower-level screen (D133: common to FIGS. 33 and 34). Here, since the number of prints “00” is displayed by default immediately after the screen transition, from this state (D133) as shown in FIG. 34, the user inputs, for example, “1” by operating the numeric keys. By confirming (pressing the selection key), the number of printed sheets = 1 (sheets) can be designated. Here, when the numerical value “0” is input (or nothing is input) and the selection key is pressed (determined), the error screen (~ predetermined time) is displayed, and then the screen returns to the same screen (D133). . Here, assuming that “1” has been input / confirmed, a confirmation screen is displayed as a screen of a further lower layer (D135).
[0153]
In this confirmation screen (D133), in addition to the title portion as described above, the file number of the file selected as the print target (here, the file “03”), the required size (here, “05.4 cm”), the text content (here) The first line “Chiyoda Elementary School”, the second line “Two Years 2nd Class”, the third line “Junichiro Yamamoto”), and the number of prints (here “01 sheets”) are displayed.
[0154]
Here, when confirmed by the user after confirming (pressing the selection key), the message “printing” is displayed together with the title portion, file number and required size in FIG. (D11), a corresponding print image (here, the above-described print image G10 in FIG. 10) is created and printed based on the file (here, file “03”), and the setting indicated by the registered accompanying information A label L10 is created by cutting according to (here, the entire label width LW = total printing width PW = 54 mm) (the front end is a half cut hc and the rear end is a full cut fc) (see FIG. 10). Return to the original text editing screen (D137: same as D10 in FIG. 6).
[0155]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, longitudinal printing and width printing can be selectively performed. However, text data for creating a print image for “free width printing” (width printing) ( Data) and accompanying information are registered as corresponding files (here, file “03”), and when “file printing” (width direction printing) is selected, the print target of the registered files A file (file “03”) is designated, and a corresponding print image (here, print image G10) is created based on the file “03” and printed. In this case, since a file for width direction printing is prepared rather than diversion of a file for longitudinal direction printing, contents (information) suitable for width direction printing can be registered.
[0156]
Further, the label width corresponding to the print image G10 (here, the entire label width LW = 54 mm) is set before registration of the file “03” corresponding to the print image G10, and the label width (the entire label width LW) is added to the accompanying information. = 54 mm) is registered, and the cutting process is performed based on this information.
[0157]
Therefore, the state (for example, D10 in FIG. 6) before the transition to the function selection screen (for example, D20 in FIG. 7 or FIG. 33) is immediately after other work such as creation of a file with a different label width setting. However, the label creation based on the desired individual setting (creation of the label L10) can be performed by simply reading the registered file (file “03”) and without having to reset the width direction printing (here, at least the label width). Can be performed easily and quickly.
[0158]
Note that, as described above, not only the case of “whole label width designation” and “whole label width LW = whole print width PW = 54 mm” (see FIG. 10) but also other settings (FIGS. 13 to 15, 22-23, 27, 31-32), various labels that include the entire label width LW or can derive the entire label width LW as accompanying information at the time of file registration of each file. Information on width (information such as the number of divided labels and divided label width LW1), and information on various print widths including the total print width PW or from which the total print width PW can be derived (number of character strings and print width PW1 per line) And the reference position (front end, center, rear end) in the case of “total label width LW ≠ total print width PW” (see FIGS. 13 to 15, 22 to 23, and FIGS. 31 to 32). Information such as print image creation and printing A variety of information about the fine label created and registered as the accompanying information of each file.
[0159]
For this reason, in the tape printer 1, for example, a registered file even immediately after other work such as creation of a file with different individual settings (especially designation / setting relating to width direction printing such as printing width and label width) is performed. It is possible to easily and quickly create a label based on a desired individual setting without requiring resetting for width direction printing.
[0160]
In the example described above with reference to FIG. 34, the label of the file “03” is created as a single label. However, when the label is created as a plurality of labels (FIGS. 14, 15B, 23, and 27). , FIG. 31 and FIG. 32), the message “Printing” is in the format of “Printing-x / y” (see FIG. 41: where y is the number of labels to be created, x is what number of them) The part that becomes the label indicates whether printing is in progress). Needless to say, even when one sheet is displayed, it may be displayed as in the same way “Printing-1 / 1”.
[0161]
In the above example, only one desired label (in the above example, the label corresponding to the file “03”) is created (one copy: one copy). (Number of copies) can also be created.
[0162]
For example, as shown in FIG. 35, when a file “19” having a required size “00.5 cm” (5 mm) is selected and operated from the print file selection screen (D131: common with FIG. 33) (D140), the lower layer Is displayed (D141: the same as D133 in FIG. 33), for example, when the number “10” is input (D142) and confirmed (selection key pressed), the number of prints = 10 is set. Then, a confirmation screen is displayed as a screen of a lower hierarchy (D143: common to FIGS. 35 and 36). In this confirmation screen (D143), in addition to the title portion of “free width file printing”, the file to be printed “19”, the required size “00.5 cm”, the text content “Yamashita 090-1234-5678”, and the number of printed sheets “ "10 sheets" is displayed.
[0163]
From this state (D143), as shown in FIG. 36, when confirmed and confirmed by the user, the message “Printing” and the current number of copies / total number of copies (here, the title portion, file number and required size) (01/10 to 10/10) is displayed (D144 to D146). Based on the file “19”, a corresponding print image G100 is created and designated as shown in FIG. In accordance with the setting (whole label width LW = whole print width PW = 5 mm) indicated by the accompanying information registered for each print, in parallel with printing the print image 100 for the number of prints = 10. 10 labels L101 to L110 are created by cutting (however, full cut fc only, half cut hc in the middle), and when printing is completed, the original text editing screen is restored. D147: the same as the D10 in FIG. 6).
[0164]
As described above, the tape printer 1 can set the number of times (so-called the number of prints and the number of copies) of printing of the print image (print image G100) corresponding to the file to be printed (file “19” in the above). The same print image (G100) is repeatedly printed by this number of times, and each time the print image is printed, a cut process for separating the labels corresponding to each printed image (half-cut in the above description) Since hc) is performed, the same desired number of copies (number of copies) can be easily and quickly created.
[0165]
By the way, the above-mentioned example is the continuous (collective) creation of a plurality of sheets (a plurality of copies) of the same label, but when a plurality of types of files having different contents are registered by being distinguished by a file number or the like, It is also possible to specify several types at once and create a plurality of types of labels corresponding to the specified types of files in a continuous (collective) manner. This is the “file multiple printing” function, which will be described below.
[0166]
For example, as shown in FIG. 38, from the state where “Create File” is selected and displayed on the function selection screen (D20: common with FIGS. 7 and 33, etc.), “Print Multiple Files” is selected and displayed (D150) and confirmed. Then, a selection screen (collective print file selection screen) similar to the print file selection screen (D131) described above with reference to FIG. 33 or the like is displayed as the lower layer screen (D151).
[0167]
However, on this selection screen (D151), the registered file is displayed in the same format as described above together with the title display of “multiple file printing”, and a display (selection display) for selecting the negative display of the file number as described above. However, in this case, the cursor position immediately after the screen transition (in the example shown, the file number of the file “01”) is not a negative display but a negative display when the selection key is first pressed, and thereafter Each time the selection key is pressed, the display is reversed as normal image (positive) display → negative display → positive display → negative display →... (D151 to D153: D153 is common to FIG. 39). That is, every time the selection key is pressed, selection display (negative display) and its release (positive display) are switched.
[0168]
Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 39, from the state where the selection of the file “01” is released (D153), the user designates the file “03” (file number) by cursor operation (D154). ) After selecting with the selection key (D155), the cursor can be designated for another file (file number) by the cursor operation while the file “03” is selected and displayed. Here, for example, when the user designates the next file “19” with the cursor (D156) and is selected (by the selection key), the file “19” is selected and displayed (negative display) in addition to the file “03”. (D157: common to FIGS. 39 and 40).
[0169]
Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 40, from the above state (D157), for example, the next file “20” is designated by the cursor (D158) and selected, and then the file “20” is selected and displayed. (D159).
[0170]
Then, from this state (D159), when the selection is made with the shift key + selection key, the three files “03”, “19”, and “20” are confirmed (set) as the print target designation (collective print) files. Next, a confirmation screen is displayed as a lower layer screen (D160: common to FIGS. 40 and 41). In this confirmation screen (D160), in addition to the title portion of “free width file multiple printing”, the file to be printed “selected file [03, 19, 20” and the required size “total of 07.4 cm” are displayed. The required sizes “07.4 cm” (74 mm) here are the required sizes “05.4 cm” (54 mm) and “00.5 cm” (5 mm) of the selected files “03”, “19” and “20”, respectively. ), “01.5 cm” (15 mm).
[0171]
Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 41, from the above state (D160), when confirmed and confirmed, along with the title part and the selected file number, “Printing -x / y” (y: created for each file) 42 (D161 to D163), and in parallel therewith, as shown in FIG. 42, the accompanying information of the files “03”, “19” and “20” is displayed. According to the setting information regarding the label width and the print width shown, print images G10, G100, and G150 (or a print image G200 obtained by combining these) corresponding to each are created and printed, and cut processing (however, the full cut fc, The desired labels L201 to L203 are created by half-cut hc in the middle, and when printing is completed, the original text editing screen is displayed again (D164: D1 in FIG. 6). And the same).
[0172]
As described above, in the tape printer 1, when there are a plurality of registered files, a plurality of files (three files “03”, “19”, “20” in the above) are set as files to be printed. A plurality of corresponding print images (the above-described print images G10, G100, and G150) are printed in succession (or the composite print image G200) and printed. In addition, since the cut processing (half-cut hc in the above description) for separating the labels corresponding to each of the plurality of print images is performed, a plurality of desired types can be obtained simply by specifying the corresponding files at once. Labels can be created easily and quickly by continuously (collectively) labels.
[0173]
By the way, in the tape printer 1, the half cut hc and the full cut fc are possible as described above with reference to FIG. 4 and the like, and among the examples described above including the examples described above, there are a plurality of labels that are continuously generated. In the case (see FIG. 14, FIG. 15B, FIG. 23, FIG. 27, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, FIG. 37, FIG. 42), as the cutting process, the full cut fc is performed only at the rear end of the last label. Since half cut hc is performed at the position (between each label, etc.), after all the cuts have been completed, if the created labels are collectively managed, they are managed as one piece of tape up to the full cut fc. Since each label has a half-cut hc, it is possible to peel off only the label to be applied when it is desired to be applied, and the label (group) is easy to manage.
[0174]
The above-mentioned “free width printing” is a width direction printing, and a function having a wider tape width TW is advantageous. Therefore, in the specification, for example, the tape width TW ≧ 36 mm or the like is specified or further limited. Only the width TW = 36 mm may be specified. In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 43, when “File Print” (D130: common with FIG. 33) or “Print Multiple Files” (see D150 in FIG. 38) is selected on the function selection screen, When a tape having a predetermined tape width TW = 36 mm is not loaded, an error (warning) notification and a blinking display are performed (D170), and after a predetermined time (for example, 0.75 seconds), the original state is restored ( D1711: same as D130).
[0175]
By the way, the text editing screen (D10) and the like described above with reference to FIG. 6 is a screen for text input to editing for longitudinal printing (see FIG. 6B). Screens for text input and editing for printing are provided separately (D40 to D41 in FIG. 9, D40 to D44 in FIG. 11, D52 in FIG. 12, D61 to D71 in FIGS. 16 to 18, and FIG. 20 D75 to D80, FIG. 26 D100 to D101, FIG. 30 D123, etc.) and their usage methods (printing methods, etc.) are also different (see FIG. 6 and FIG. 33 etc. for comparison). The text data of the file created for “free width printing” may be registered in a form different from the text data for longitudinal printing, but the tape printing apparatus 1 uses this “free width printing”. Registered for Yl (text data) to be able to divert to a longitudinal direction printing, to enhance the convenience.
[0176]
Since this function is a function for converting the form of data as described above, it may be referred to as “data conversion” or the like, or the form of the file when stored (or registered) is converted. However, here, the converted text data is expanded in the text editing area for longitudinal printing and displayed on the text editing screen. To do.
[0177]
For example, as shown in FIG. 44, from the state where “file creation” is selected and displayed on the function selection screen (D20: common with FIGS. 7, 33, 38, etc.), “text conversion” is selected and displayed (D180). Then, a selection screen (conversion file selection screen) similar to the print file selection screen (D131, D151) described above in FIGS. 33, 38, etc. is displayed as the lower layer screen (see FIG. 33). D181).
[0178]
On this selection screen (D181), the registered file is displayed and selected in the same format as described above together with the title display of “text conversion”. For example, here, the aforementioned file “03” is selected and displayed (D182), and when confirmed, the text data of the selected file “03”, that is, the first line “Chiyoda Elementary School” and the second line in FIG. The text data of “2 years 2 sets”, 3rd line “Junichiro Yamamoto” is expanded in the text editing area for longitudinal printing, and displayed in a form suitable for the text editing screen for the display (D183).
[0179]
As described above, the tape printer 1 is convenient because the file (text data) created and registered for “free width printing” (width direction printing) can also be used for longitudinal printing. In addition to printing in the width direction, not only in the width direction printing but also in the longitudinal direction printing, a device for easily creating / editing / printing a print image and creating a label is made, and the operability and work efficiency are high.
[0180]
The various processing methods described above (label creation method, file processing method such as file creation / registration / printing, text conversion method, etc.) can be applied as programs processed by various tape printers capable of program processing. The present invention can also be applied to storage media such as CD, MD, and DVD for storing various types of programs. By storing these types of programs or reading them from the storage media and executing them, a “free width” Based on a file registered for “print” (width-direction printing) and selected / designated as a print target, creation / editing / printing of a print image suitable for width-direction printing and label creation can be performed easily and quickly. In addition, depending on the file and its accompanying information, various label widths and print widths when creating labels by width direction printing The label can be easily and quickly created based on the desired individual settings without having to reset the width direction printing by simply reading the registered file. The data of the file prepared and registered for the direction printing can be used for the longitudinal printing, and the convenience and work efficiency can be improved. Of course, other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0181]
In the above-described embodiments (first to fourth embodiments), a single (stand-alone) tape printer is illustrated, but a supply device for preparing and supplying image data (print image data) of a print image A configuration (system) in which a similar tape printing apparatus) is connected to the same via predetermined communication means can be regarded as one tape printing apparatus. Hereinafter, this type of tape printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printing system” in distinction from a single apparatus) will be described as a fifth embodiment.
[0182]
As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, first, the tape printer 1 of the present embodiment (when distinguishing, the first to fourth embodiments are 1A and the fifth embodiment is 1B). Are connected to the data server (supply device) DS via an interface IF, and constitute a printing system SYS as a whole. The data server DS supplies print image data to be printed to the tape printer 1 (1B).
[0183]
For this reason, for example, as shown in FIG. 45, the data server DS includes a plurality of workstations WS (personal computers PC, etc.) 1 to 3 and terminal adapters (routers, repeaters, hubs, etc.) serving as terminals around the network NW. ) A TA or the like may be connected, and the tape printer 1 may be connected from any of these terminals via the interface IF or as an interface IF directly from the network NW. As the network NW in this case, a network conforming to an IEEE standard LAN-compliant communication protocol such as the so-called Internet or various local area networks (LAN: Ethernet (registered trademark), 10/100 base (Base), etc.) can be adopted. . The interface IF via the terminal may be serial data communication (RS-232C, USB, IEEE 1394, etc.) or parallel data communication (Centronics, etc.). Note that these are standards for wired communication, but wireless communication can also be used.
[0184]
Alternatively, as a simpler configuration, the data server DS may be a stand-alone type device. For example, as shown in FIG. 46, a printing system SYS can be configured simply by connecting a stand-alone personal computer PC and the tape printer 1 (1B) with an interface IF such as a USB. 45 (first configuration), print image data prepared (stored) in each device (WS1 to 3, TA, etc.) in the data server DS is supplied (by downloading or the like) and printed. The configuration shown in FIG. 46 (second configuration) is such that, for example, print image data stored in a personal computer PC (data server DS) is supplied and printed.
[0185]
In the following, the relatively simple printing system SYS of the second configuration in FIG. 46 will be mainly described. Here, the tape printer 1 (1B), as shown in FIG. 47, performs data communication with the data server DS from the interface IF (via the USB cable) via the USB connector 25 based on the USB specification (protocol). The supply interface (DS-IF) 16 is configured to be added to the same configuration (see FIG. 3) as the tape printer 1 (1A) of the first embodiment.
[0186]
The DS-IF 16 has a reception buffer 161 for receiving various data (print image data and the like) from the data server DS. Further, the P-CON 250 is connected to the DS-IF 16 in addition to the various detection signals from the detection unit 14 and the various commands and input data from the keyboard 3 shown in FIG. (Download) Data or the like is taken into the internal bus 260 as it is or after being processed, and in conjunction with the CPU 210, the data and control signals output from the CPU 210 or the like to the internal bus 260 are as they are or after being processed. 15 and DS-IF16.
[0187]
For example, in the data server DS having the second configuration in FIG. 46, in the case of longitudinal printing, a text editing screen similar to the text editing screen (D10) of the character string “ABCDE” described above with reference to FIG. Alternatively, when a predetermined print instruction (pressing a print key or the like) is performed by the user while the print image G00 is displayed as an image screen display or the like, the data server DS displays a message “Printing” and the like. Print image data of the print image G00 of the character string “ABCDE”, and cut instruction data for instructing a required cut type and timing (here, full cut fc with respect to the rear end in the tape feed direction in FIG. 6B) (Cut instruction signal) is transmitted via the interface IF.
[0188]
On the other hand, in the tape printer 1 (1B), the print image G00 is printed while receiving the print image data and the cut instruction signal of the print image G00 by the DS-IF 16, and the label is printed by the full cut hc at the rear end. L00 is created.
[0189]
According to the specification, print image creation data (text data, element image data, etc.) for creating the print image G00 is transmitted as it is from the data server DS to the tape printer 1 via the interface IF, and the tape printing is performed. You may prescribe | regulate so that it may perform from creation of the printing image G00 (the printing image data) to label production by the apparatus 1 side. Further, it may be possible to select whether to transmit in the form of print image data or to transmit in the form of print image creation data.
[0190]
Next, regarding the width direction printing, for example, among the above-mentioned “free width printing” functions (see D20 in FIG. 7 and the like), functions other than the printing system (file printing, multiple file printing) are performed only on the data server DS side. It is processed. Further, in the data server DS, when the above-mentioned “file printing” or “multiple file printing” is instructed by the user in FIGS. 33 to 36, 38 to 41, etc., a similar message such as “printing” is given. Along with the display and the like, printing of the print image G10 and the like (see FIGS. 10, 13 to 15, 22 to 23, 27, 31 to 32, FIG. 37, FIG. 42, etc.) based on the designated file Image data and a cut instruction signal for cutting (half cut hc or full cut fc) are transmitted via the interface IF.
[0191]
In contrast, in the tape printer 1 (1B), the print image G10 and the like are printed while receiving the print image data such as the print image G10 and the cut instruction signal by the DS-IF 16, and the label L10 and the like are printed by the cut processing. Create
[0192]
As described above, also in the printing system SYS, a print image suitable for width direction printing can be created and selected based on a file registered for “free width printing” (width direction printing) and selected and designated as a print target. Editing / printing and label creation can be performed easily and quickly, and various combinations of label width and printing width when creating labels by width-direction printing can be set freely using files and associated information. In addition, it is possible to obtain an effect that label creation based on a desired individual setting can be easily and quickly performed by simply reading a registered file without requiring resetting for width direction printing.
[0193]
In the case of “free width printing” (width direction printing), the file data (print image creation data (text data or elemental image) selected (designated) as a print target in “file printing” or the like due to specifications. Data) and accompanying information (information such as the label width, printing width, reference position, etc.) as they are are communicated through the interface IF as they are, and the print image G10 etc. ) To label creation may be executed. Also in this case, it may be possible to select whether to transmit in the form of print image data or to transmit in the form of the above file data.
[0194]
In the above example, the data server DS side has been described as creating a file and preparing (registering / storing) the file internally. However, as shown in FIG. 46, a compact disk (CD, CD-ROM) is externally provided. ) Or the like can be supplied as a file that has already been created. In this case, various files can be prepared by changing the CD-ROM 501 or can be changed according to the purpose.
[0195]
Also, a control program (processing program: dedicated application program) for performing various processes may be prepared (stored) in the data server DS from the beginning, or together with a file or the like alone. It may be stored in the memory so that it can be activated (after downloading or the like). Further, in this case, if an application that can be executed by a general operation system (OS) is used, the application can be used simply by mounting the CD-ROM 501 on a personal computer or the like having the OS.
[0196]
In the above example, the CD-ROM is taken as an example, but other storage media such as FD, MO, DVD, etc. may be used. If the network NW is used as shown in FIG. 45 instead of the configuration shown in FIG. 46, the device directly connected to the tape printer 1 via the network NW (supply device: PC1 or TA in the illustrated example). ), Various files and various programs can be received from various other devices (WS2, WS3, etc. in the illustrated example) connected to the network NW. You can memorize (prepare) or change files and programs. In these cases, the program on the data server DS side can include a program on the tape printing apparatus 1 side that can be downloaded and used partially on the tape printing apparatus 1 side.
[0197]
In the above (fifth) embodiment, the tape printer 1 (1B) including the operation unit 11 having the keyboard 3, the display 4, and the like is exemplified as the printing device. However, all or most of the operations are performed by the data server DS. When the operation is performed in accordance with the instructions from, the operation unit 11 or the like is not required on the printing apparatus side, so that the functions can be omitted. For example, even if the tape printer is the same as the tape printer 1B (see FIGS. 46 and 47), the operation unit 11 and the like are omitted as in the tape printer 1C shown in FIGS. 48 and 49. You can also.
[0198]
The various processing methods (various label creation methods, file processing methods, etc.) of the printing system SYS described above can also be applied as programs processed by various types of printing systems capable of program processing, in order to store such types of programs. It can be applied to the above-mentioned various storage media, etc., and this type of program is stored, read out from the storage media, etc., or downloaded via a network and executed, and executed as a separate type. Even in a printing system, it is possible to easily and quickly create / edit / print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label based on a file registered and designated for width direction printing. Also, the label width and print width when creating a label for width direction printing are determined based on the file and accompanying information. Various combinations can be set freely, and by simply reading the registered file, label creation based on desired individual settings can be performed easily and quickly without requiring resetting for width direction printing. The data of the file prepared and registered for the width direction printing can be diverted to the longitudinal direction printing, and the convenience and the work efficiency can be improved. Of course, other modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0199]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printing system, the label creation method, the program, and the storage medium of the present invention, it is easy to create and print a print image suitable for width direction printing and create a label even though it is a separate type. In addition, there is an effect that it can be performed quickly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external plan view of a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the tape printer, showing a state where a lid is raised.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the tape printer.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printing result and a cutting result.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a schematic process of overall control of the tape printer.
6A and 6B are a display screen showing an example when printing, an explanatory diagram of a typical operation on the display screen, and an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing result by the printing.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a typical operation in the case of performing “file creation” among the functions of “free width printing” which is a kind of width direction printing as the first embodiment.
8 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example in which “file creation” of “free width printing” is performed by “whole label width designation” following FIG. 7;
9 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by “automatic printing width” of “whole label width designation” following FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print result by “file printing” and a label creation result by that when “file creation” is performed by the method of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing another example in which the input content of text data is different.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7 showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by “whole label width designation” and “whole print width designation” following FIG. 8 as the second embodiment. .
13 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example when “file creation” is performed by the method of FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 13, showing another example.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 13, showing yet another example.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7 showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by “designation of print width for each line” of “whole label width designation” as in the third embodiment. is there.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 16, following FIG.
18 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 16, continued from FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 16 mainly showing an example of a cursor operation following FIG. 18;
20 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 16, continued from FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 16 mainly showing an example of cursor operation, error notification, and the like following FIG. 20;
22 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by the method of FIGS. 16 to 20; FIG.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 22, showing another example.
24 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 7 in the case where “file creation” of “free width printing” is performed by “division label width designation” following FIG. 7 as the fourth embodiment.
25 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 24, following FIG. 24;
26 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by “printing width automatic” of “division label width designation” following FIG. 25;
27 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by the method of FIGS. 24 to 26, FIG. 28, and FIG. 29;
FIG. 28 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 24, showing another example.
FIG. 29 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 24, showing yet another example.
30 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by “general print width designation” of “division label width designation” following FIG. 28. FIG.
FIG. 31 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example when “file creation” is performed by the method of FIG. 30;
32 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 31, showing another example. FIG.
33 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example of performing “file printing” among the functions of “free width printing”. FIG.
34 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 33, following FIG. 33;
FIG. 35 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 34, showing another example.
36 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 33, following FIG. 35;
37 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example in which “file creation” is performed by the method of FIGS. 35 to 36. FIG.
FIG. 38 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, illustrating an example of performing “file multiple printing” among the functions of “free width printing”.
FIG. 39 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 38, following FIG. 38;
40 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 38, following FIG. 39;
41 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 38, following FIG. 40;
42 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 10, showing an example when “file creation” is performed by the method of FIGS. 38 to 41. FIG.
43 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 33, mainly showing an example of error notification and the like following FIG. 33;
44 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 7, showing an example of performing “multiple file printing” among the functions of “free width printing”. FIG.
FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a first configuration example of a printing system according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 45, showing a second configuration example.
47 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the tape printer in the first and second configuration examples of FIGS. 45 and 46. FIG.
FIG. 48 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 45, showing a third configuration example.
49 is an explanatory view similar to FIG. 47, showing the third configuration example of FIG. 47. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tape printer
2 Device case
3 Keyboard
4 display
7 Print head
11 Operation unit
12 Printing department
13 Cutting part
13F Full cutter part
13H Half cutter part
14 detector
15 Drive unit
20 Control unit
C tape cartridge
DS data server
D ~ Example of display screen
fc Full cut (part)
G ~ Print image example
hc half cut (part)
IF interface
K cursor
L ~ Label
NW network
PC to PC
R ink ribbon
SYS printing system
T tape
TA terminal adapter
WS-Workstation

Claims (14)

A print image in which the character string image is arranged by selecting one of longitudinal printing in which the alignment direction of the character string matches the longitudinal direction of the tape and width direction printing in which the alignment direction matches the width direction of the tape. A supply device that prepares data for communication that expresses and supplies the data via an interface capable of transmitting the data,
A tape printer that receives the communication data via the interface, prints the print image on a tape based on the communication data, and cuts it in the width direction of the tape to create a label; A printing system comprising: The supply device includes:
File registration means for registering width direction print image creation data for creating the print image at the time of width direction printing as a file corresponding to the print image;
File designation means for designating a file to be printed among registered files when the width direction printing is selected,
Print image data that is image data of the print image is created based on the width direction print image creation data of the specified file to be printed,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the tape printer includes a printing unit that prints the print image based on the print image data. The supply apparatus has a supply source print image creation means for creating the print image data,
The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the interface is capable of transmitting the communication data including the print image data. The interface is capable of transmitting the width direction print image creation data of the specified file to be printed in the communication data,
4. The printing according to claim 2, wherein the tape printing apparatus further includes a supply destination print image creating unit that creates the print image data based on the received width direction print image creation data. 5. system. The supply device further includes label width setting means for setting a label width as the size of the label in the longitudinal direction when the width direction printing is selected,
The file registration means includes incidental information registration means for registering the set label width information by including the label width information in the incidental information of the file,
Cut instruction data for instructing a cut process for cutting the tape on which the print image has been printed in accordance with the label width is generated based on the label width information included in the accompanying information of the file,
The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the tape printer further includes a cutting unit that performs the cutting process based on the cutting instruction data. The supply device includes a supply source cut instruction generation unit that generates the cut instruction data,
The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the interface is capable of transmitting the communication data including the cut instruction data. The interface is capable of transmitting the communication data including the label width information included in the accompanying information of the designated file to be printed,
The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the tape printer further includes a supply destination cut instruction generation unit that generates the cut instruction data. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the supply device further includes a mounting unit that can mount a storage medium storing a file that can be registered in the file registration unit. The said supply apparatus is connected with another apparatus via a predetermined | prescribed network, and has a high-order communication means which can receive the file which can be registered into the said file registration means from the said other apparatus, The said communication apparatus is characterized by the above-mentioned. The printing system according to any one of 8 to 8. The supply device includes:
Longitudinal print data editing means for editing the longitudinal print image creation data to create a print image in the longitudinal print,
Data conversion means for specifying any of the registered files and converting the width-direction print image creation data of the specified file into the longitudinal-direction print image creation data, A printing system according to any one of claims 2 to 9. In the supply device of a printing system including a supply device and a tape printing device, longitudinal printing in which the alignment direction of character strings matches the longitudinal direction of the tape, and width direction printing in which the alignment direction matches the width direction of the tape To prepare communication data representing a print image in which the character string image is arranged, and supply the data to the tape printer via an interface capable of transmitting,
In the tape printing apparatus, the printed image is printed on a tape based on the received communication data, and the label is created by cutting the printed image in the width direction of the tape. . 11. A program for causing each means of the printing system according to claim 1 to function. The program which can perform the label production method of the printing system of Claim 11. 14. A storage medium, wherein the program according to claim 12 or 13 is stored so as to be readable by a printing system capable of program processing.

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