JP2008210217A - Printer and device for setting print pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer and a device for setting a print pattern for easily setting a layout pattern, wherein print target data are arranged in print areas defined by template data, to a predetermined layout pattern. <P>SOLUTION: When print data including print target data are received from an external device 100 while a print pattern setting mode is established, all the layout patterns, in which the print target data are arranged in respective print areas defined by the template data, are generated (S12). On each of the layout patterns, setting propriety check processing (S15) is carried out. For a layout pattern allowing printing of all the print target data, preview data are generated to be displayed on a liquid crystal display 55 (S29). When the preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 are selected (S17:YES), the layout pattern satisfying the preview data is set to the template data (S18). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that arranges and prints print target data to be printed in each print area based on template data in which a plurality of print areas are defined, and arrangement of print target data in each print area of the template data More particularly, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing pattern setting apparatus that can easily set an arrangement pattern of data to be printed with respect to a printing area defined in template data in a desired mode.

Conventionally, when print data including print target data is received, each print target data is arranged in a specified print area, and is printed on a print medium in a form in which each print data is arranged in a predetermined print area. Printing devices are known.
As such a printing apparatus, for example, a printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 05-303476

In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, form definition data (that is, template data) in which a plurality of fields (that is, printing areas) are defined is stored in a storage unit. An identification number for identifying each field is assigned to each field defined in the form definition data.
Here, with respect to print data to be printed in each field (that is, print target data), when sending the print data, data indicating a field in which the print data is to be placed is added. Specify the field.
Accordingly, the print data is arranged in the designated field based on the data added to each print data and the identification number of each field. Therefore, according to the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide a user with a printed material in which each print data is arranged in a desired arrangement mode.

However, in the case of the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, as described above, each field of the form definition data is assigned an identification number, so that each print data is arranged in a desired field. In addition, data specifying a field must be added to each print data. At this time, the data added to each print data must designate a field that the user desires to place.
Then, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the user needs to grasp the identification number of each field defined in the form definition data, and based on the grasped identification number, The print data must be set to add data specifying the field. That is, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in order to obtain a printed matter on which desired printing has been performed, very complicated confirmation work and setting work have to be performed.

Further, as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133867, it is sufficient that data specifying a field can be added to print data, but there is an apparatus that transmits only print data as it is. Since such an inexpensive and low-function apparatus simply performs print data transmission, data cannot be added as in Patent Document 1.
When such an apparatus is used in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a field to be arranged is transmitted in each print data without being specified, and therefore, the arrangement target of each print data is desired by the user. It is not an arrangement mode. That is, in this case, even the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 cannot provide a desired printed matter to the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems in the prior art, and prints by arranging print target data to be printed in each print area based on template data in which a plurality of print areas are defined. The present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a printing pattern setting apparatus that sets an arrangement pattern of printing target data for each printing area of the template data, and in particular, a printing apparatus that can easily set the arrangement pattern of printing target data related to template data in a desired mode. An object of the present invention is to provide a print pattern setting device.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which is made to solve the above-described problem, includes a printing unit that includes print target data and prints print data transmitted from an external apparatus on a print medium, and the print target data. Storage means for storing a plurality of print areas in which the generated print target image is printed, and template data in which the position and size of the print area on the print medium are defined as attribute information for each print area; A printing apparatus comprising: print control means for placing print target data constituting received print data in the print area based on the template data and performing printing by the printing means. A print target image based on the print target data included in the print data is arranged for each print area. Preview data generating means for generating a plurality of review data, display means for displaying a plurality of preview data generated by the preview data generating means, and selection for selecting one preview data from the preview data displayed on the display means And print pattern setting means for setting an arrangement pattern of print target data with respect to the template data based on the preview data selected by the selection means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, the template data includes, as attribute information for each print area, an attribute indicating a type of image to be printed to be arranged in the print area. And determining whether or not the print target data can be printed in the print area based on the attribute information of the print area defined in the template data and the print target data included in the print data. And display control means for displaying on the display means only preview data for which all the print target data is determined to be printable by the determination means.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 3 is the printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit includes a case where a part of the print target data is arranged outside a print area included in the template data. The printing target data is determined to be unprintable with respect to the print area.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the determination unit relates to the print target data when the print target image based on the print target data cannot be generated. It is determined that printing on the print area is impossible.

  The printing apparatus according to claim 5 is the printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the print target data is barcode data, the determination means includes an error in the barcode data itself. When the print data is present, it is determined that the barcode data cannot be printed with respect to the print area.

  In addition, when the printing apparatus according to claim 6 receives the print data in the printing apparatus according to claims 1 to 5, the printing apparatus stores the template data based on the print pattern data set by the print pattern setting means. When print data is arranged in each specified print area, the print unit receives a print mode for printing based on the print data and the template data, and the print data is received, the preview data generation unit receives the preview data. A print pattern setting mode in which the generated preview data is displayed on the display means, and the print pattern setting means sets a print pattern based on the preview data selected by the selection means in the template data. And a mode change means for switching between That.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing pattern setting device comprising: a printing device including a printing unit that prints print data on a printing medium; and an external device that transmits print data including print target data to be printed by the printing device. A plurality of connected communication means for transmitting and receiving data, and a plurality of print areas on which a print target image generated based on the print target data is printed are defined, and the position and size of the print area on the printing medium are each printed. Storage means storing template data defined as attribute information for the area, and print pattern setting means for setting an arrangement pattern of print target data for each print area based on the template data and the print data. In the print pattern setting device, each print area defined in the template data is Preview data generation means for generating a plurality of preview data in which print target images based on the print target data included in the print data are arranged, and display means for displaying the plurality of preview data generated by the preview data generation means, Selection means for selecting one preview data from the preview data displayed on the display means, and the print pattern setting means prints the template data based on the preview data selected by the selection means. The arrangement pattern of the target data is set.

  The print pattern setting device according to claim 8 is the print pattern setting device according to claim 7, wherein the template data is the type of print target image to be arranged in the print area as attribute information for each print area. And whether the print target data can be printed on the print area based on the attribute information of the print area defined in the template data and the print target data included in the print data. Judgment means for judging, and display control means for displaying on the display means only preview data for which all data to be printed are judged to be printable by the judgment means, are provided.

That is, when the printing apparatus according to claim 1 receives print data from an external apparatus, the printing apparatus generates a print target image based on the print target data included in the print data. Then, the print target image is arranged in each of a plurality of print areas defined in the template data. Thereafter, the printing apparatus prints the print target image based on each print target data on the print medium in a manner in which the print target image is arranged in the print area.
Here, when the print data is received, the printing apparatus generates preview data in which a print target image based on the print target data included in the print data is arranged in each print area of the template data. At this time, there are a plurality of types of arrangement patterns of print target data in the print data based on the number of print target data and the number of print areas. Therefore, a plurality of types of the preview data are generated and displayed on the display means.
Thereby, the user can visually recognize a plurality of arrangement patterns, and can surely grasp a desired arrangement pattern.
Furthermore, the user can select one preview data from a plurality of preview data displayed on the display means by operating the selecting means. Then, based on the layout pattern of the preview data selected by the selection unit, the layout pattern of the print target data for the template data is set. As a result, when printing the print data based on the template data, the printing apparatus according to claim 1 can provide a printed matter having an arrangement pattern desired by the user.
In the printing apparatus according to the first aspect, a desired arrangement pattern can be selected simply by selecting one of the preview data displayed on the display unit with the selection unit.
In this respect, the printing apparatus can easily check the order of the print target data transmitted from the external apparatus and easily perform a desired operation without performing a complicated operation such as designating a print area in which each print target data is arranged. An arrangement pattern can be set.

The printing apparatus according to claim 2 determines whether or not printing of the print target data for each print region is possible by the determination unit based on the attribute information of the print region and the print target data. Then, the printing apparatus displays on the display means only the preview data for which all the print target data is determined to be printable by the display control means. As a result, only the preview data that can be reliably printed on the printing medium is displayed on the display means, so that the user can select a desired arrangement pattern from the preview data that can be reliably printed.
That is, since an arrangement pattern that cannot be printed is not set in the arrangement pattern setting, according to the printing apparatus, it is possible to eliminate a printing error due to an arrangement pattern setting error.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus according to the third aspect, when the part of the print target data is arranged outside the range of the print area included in the template data, the determination unit relates to the print target data. It is determined that printing is not possible. That is, an arrangement pattern in which the print target data protrudes from the print area is not displayed on the display unit and is not selected by the selection unit.
Therefore, according to the printing apparatus, it is possible to prevent the user from being provided with a poor-looking print result that protrudes outside the print area.

In the printing apparatus according to claim 4, when the print target image based on the print target data cannot be generated, the determination unit determines that the print region cannot be printed with respect to the print target data. If the print target image cannot be generated from the print target data, the print data cannot be printed. Therefore, when the print target data includes an error that the print target image cannot be generated, the arrangement pattern related to the print target data is not displayed on the display unit and is not selected by the selection unit.
Therefore, according to the printing apparatus, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a print target image cannot be generated from print target data and a user-desired print result cannot be obtained.

  In the printing apparatus according to claim 5, when the data to be printed is barcode data and the barcode data itself includes an error, the barcode data cannot be printed with respect to the printing area. It is judged that. In other words, since an arrangement pattern in which barcode data including an error exists is not set, it is possible to prevent printing in which a barcode printed on a printing medium cannot be used. This also prevents waste of the printing medium.

  In the printing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the mode change means can arbitrarily change the print mode and the print pattern setting mode. As a result, the user can switch between a state in which only printing is performed by the printing apparatus and a state in which a print pattern is set for the template data. In the print mode, printing on the printing medium is performed based on the print pattern data set in the print pattern setting mode. That is, every time print data is printed, a desired print result can be obtained without setting a print pattern by the print pattern setting means.

In the print pattern setting device according to claim 7, when print data is received from an external device, preview data in which a print target image based on the print target data included in the print data is arranged in each print area of the template data is displayed. Generate. At this time, there are a plurality of types of arrangement patterns of print target data in the print data based on the number of print target data and the number of print areas. Therefore, a plurality of types of the preview data are generated and displayed on the display means.
Thereby, the user can visually recognize a plurality of arrangement patterns, and can surely grasp a desired arrangement pattern.
Furthermore, the user can select one preview data from a plurality of preview data displayed on the display means by operating the selecting means. Then, based on the layout pattern of the preview data selected by the selection unit, the layout pattern of the print target data for the template data is set. As a result, the print pattern setting device can be set only by selecting the print mode of the print data for the template data with the selection means.
In this regard, the print pattern setting device can easily check the order of print target data transmitted from the external device, and easily perform a complicated operation such as designating a print area in which each print target data is arranged. A desired arrangement pattern can be set.

The print pattern setting apparatus according to claim 8 determines whether or not the print target data can be printed on the print area based on the attribute information of the print area and the print target data. Then, the print pattern setting apparatus displays only preview data on the display unit, which is determined by the display control unit to be able to print all print target data. As a result, only the preview data that can be reliably printed on the printing medium is displayed on the display means, so that the user can select a desired arrangement pattern from the preview data that can be reliably printed.
That is, since an arrangement pattern that cannot be printed is not set in the arrangement pattern setting, according to the printing apparatus, it is possible to eliminate a printing error due to an arrangement pattern setting error.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, the configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
The printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment receives print data transmitted from the external apparatus 100, and arranges print target data included in the print data in a print area defined in template data to be described later. An apparatus for printing on a printing medium (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30. The control unit 30 is a control unit that plays a central role in the printing function of the printing apparatus 1. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33.
The CPU 31 plays a central role in the control related to printing in the printing apparatus 1 and is an arithmetic processing apparatus that performs calculations based on various control programs stored in the ROM 32.
The ROM 32 is a storage device that stores various control programs and data tables necessary for controlling the printing apparatus 1. That is, the ROM 32 stores a main control program (see FIG. 4) described later. In addition, a template data storage area 35 is formed in the ROM 32 (see FIG. 1), and a plurality of types of template data as shown in FIG. 3 are stored. The template data stored in the template data storage area 35 will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings.
The RAM 33 is a storage device that temporarily stores calculation results of various control programs by the CPU 31. The RAM 33 also functions as a printing buffer, and temporarily stores print data to be printed on the printing medium.

  In the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the print head 20 and the medium transport mechanism 25 are connected to the control unit 30. Accordingly, the control unit 30 can perform drive control of the print head 20 and transport control of the print medium by the medium transport mechanism 25 by transmitting control signals to the print head 20 and the medium transport mechanism 25, respectively. .

The print head 20 constitutes a printing unit that prints print data (including print target data described later) on a print medium. The print head 20 is connected to the control unit 30 via a head drive circuit 21. The head drive circuit 21 is a circuit that controls the drive mode of the print head 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 30.
Therefore, the control unit 30 can control the drive mode of the print head 20 via the head drive circuit 21, and can print on the print medium in a mode desired by the user.
The print head 20 may be any type of print head. That is, various print heads such as a thermal head can be used.

The medium transport mechanism 25 is a drive mechanism unit that transports a print medium. Specifically, the medium transport mechanism 25 transports the print medium from a predetermined position (for example, a storage unit in which the print medium is stored) to the print head 20 and is also printed by the print head 20. To the user's hand.
Here, the medium transport mechanism 25 is connected to the control unit 30 via the medium transport control circuit 26. The medium conveyance control circuit 26 is a circuit that performs drive control of the medium conveyance mechanism 25 based on a control signal from the control unit 30.
The control unit 30 performs drive control of the medium transport mechanism 25 via the medium transport control circuit 26. For example, during printing by the print head 20, drive control such as controlling the conveyance speed of the printing medium is performed, thereby realizing desired printing based on the print data.
The configuration of the medium transport mechanism 25 is a conventionally known configuration and will not be described in detail.

Further, the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a print pattern setting unit 50. The print pattern setting unit 50 sets an arrangement pattern of each print target data when printing the print data (including print target data described later) received from the external apparatus 100 based on the template data in the template data storage area 35. Perform control processing.
The print pattern setting unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. The CPU 51 is an arithmetic processing unit that plays a central role in the control related to the setting of the arrangement pattern. Accordingly, the CPU 51 sets an arrangement pattern of print target data for the template data by executing an arrangement pattern setting processing program (see FIG. 5) and a setting availability check processing program (see FIG. 6) described later.
The ROM 52 is a storage device that stores various control programs, data tables, and the like necessary for performing control for setting an arrangement pattern of each print target data with respect to template data. That is, the ROM 52 stores an arrangement pattern setting processing program (see FIG. 5) and a setting availability check processing program (see FIG. 6) described later.
In FIG. 1, unlike the ROM 32, a template data storage area is not formed in the ROM 52. In this regard, the ROM 52 can also be configured to form a template data storage area.
The RAM 53 is a storage device that temporarily stores calculation results of various control programs by the CPU 51. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 1, since the print pattern setting unit 50 is connected to the control unit 30 by a bus line, data can be transmitted and received between the control unit 30 and the print pattern setting unit 50. Therefore, template data can be acquired from the template data storage area 35 of the control unit 30, and the acquired template data is temporarily stored in the RAM 53.

An operation unit 54 and a liquid crystal display 55 are connected to the print pattern setting unit 50.
The operation unit 54 is an operation unit disposed in the printing apparatus 1 and performs various operations by the user. Accordingly, when an operation signal based on the operation of the operation unit 54 is received, the print pattern setting unit 50 executes control based on the operation.
For example, as will be described later, when an arrangement pattern is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 (see FIG. 8), if a selection operation of a desired arrangement pattern is performed on the operation unit 54, the print pattern setting unit 50 selects the selection pattern. The arranged arrangement pattern is set as an arrangement pattern in printing related to the template data.
Note that the operation unit 54 can perform other operations (such as a mode change operation described later and a print execution operation related to the printing apparatus 1).

The liquid crystal display 55 is a display device that displays preview data, which will be described later, and is disposed in the printing apparatus 1. The liquid crystal display 55 is connected to the print pattern setting unit 50 via the display drive circuit 56.
The display drive circuit 56 is a circuit that controls the display mode of the liquid crystal display 55 based on a control signal from the print pattern setting unit 50. In other words, the display on the liquid crystal display 55 is controlled via the display drive circuit 56 by a control signal from the print pattern setting unit 50.

  A communication control unit 40 is connected to each of the control unit 30 and the print pattern setting unit 50. The communication control unit 40 is further connected to an external device 100 disposed outside the printing apparatus 1. That is, the communication control unit 40 performs data communication control among the control unit 30, the print pattern setting unit 50, and the external device 100. Accordingly, the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment transmits print data (including print target data) transmitted from the external apparatus 100 to the control unit 30 and the print pattern setting unit 50 via the communication control unit 40. can do.

Next, print data transmitted from the external apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of print data transmitted from the external apparatus 100.
The print data transmitted from the external apparatus 100 to the printing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment includes a plurality of print target data. For example, in the case of the print data shown in FIG. 2, three pieces of print target data “print target data (1)”, “print target data (2)”, and “print target data (3)” are included.
In the case of FIG. 12, “print target data (1)” is data composed of a character string “Pencil”, and “print target data (2)” is composed of a character string “2006.10.30”. It is data. The “print target data (3)” is data including a character string “012345”.
“Print target data (1)” to “print target data (3)” are data having a single print target (for example, a character string) to be printed. That is, the print data transmitted from the external apparatus 100 can be said to be a collection of a plurality of print target data.
The print data is composed of print target data and information for specifying each print target data (for example, information indicating the start position of each print target data, a delimiter character, etc.), and the type of each print target data is specified. It does not contain information for identification. That is, the print data does not include information indicating the type of print target data such as text or barcode. Further, the print data does not include information indicating types such as a format, character modification, character size, etc. for the text.
The print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1 in units of print target data. For example, in the case of the print data shown in FIG. 2, the external device 100 sends the print device 1 to the print device 1 in the order of “print target data (1)”, “print target data (2)”, and “print target data (3)”. Sent.

Next, template data of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of template data.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the template data, an area where the print target data is to be printed is defined as a print area. In the template data shown in FIG. 3, three print areas of “print area (A)”, “print area (B)”, and “print area (c)” are defined. The template data includes, for each print area, attribute information including a print area width based on the width direction dimension of the print area and a print area height based on the height direction dimension of the print area.

In the template data according to the first embodiment, a bar code print in which a bar code obtained by converting the print target data is printed together with a text print region in which the print target data is printed as text and the print target data. There are two types of print areas. Therefore, the template data further includes attribute information that defines the relationship with the print target data printed in the print area for each print area. The attribute information here includes attribute information related to the type of data to be printed such as text or barcode. In the case of text, a format or the like is included in the attribute information, and in the case of a barcode, the bar code standard or the like is included in the attribute information.
In the present embodiment, the text print area described above is referred to as a “print area”, and a print area where the barcode is printed is referred to as a “bar code print area”.
For example, in the template data shown in FIG. 3, since “print area (A)” and “print area (B)” are text print areas, the text data is printed according to the format or the like in which the print target data is in the attribute information of the print area. It is converted to and printed. On the other hand, since the “print area (C)” is a “barcode print area”, a barcode image obtained by converting the print target data according to the barcode standard in the attribute information of the print area is printed. .

  In the template data, in addition to the print areas, data such as characters and ruled lines that are always printed on the printing medium are defined. For example, in the case of the template data shown in FIG. 3, the characters “date” and “item” are defined.

Next, the main control program of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the main control program.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the printing apparatus 1, when the execution of the main control program is started, the CPU 31 first executes an initialization process (S1). In the initialization process (S1), the storage contents of each storage device (for example, the RAM 33 and RAM 53) and the peripheral devices (for example, the medium transport mechanism 25 and the liquid crystal display 55) are initialized.
The initialization of the RAM 53 and the initialization of the liquid crystal display 55 are executed by the CPU 51 when the CPU 31 gives an instruction to the CPU 51.
After the initialization process (S1) ends, the CPU 31 shifts the process to S2.

  After shifting to S <b> 2, the CPU 31 determines whether or not a mode change operation has been performed by the operation unit 54. Specifically, the CPU 31 receives the operation signal transmitted from the operation unit 54 via the print pattern setting unit 50, and performs the above determination process based on the received operation signal. When the mode change operation is performed (S2: YES), the CPU 31 shifts the process to the mode change process (S3). On the other hand, when the mode change operation is not performed (S2: NO), the CPU 31 shifts the process to S4.

  When the mode change operation is performed (S2: YES), the CPU 31 performs a process of changing from the currently set mode to the other mode in the “print mode” and “arrangement pattern setting mode” in the mode change process. . Specifically, the CPU 31 executes the mode change process (S3) by storing a flag corresponding to the changed mode in the “printing mode” and “arrangement pattern setting mode” in the RAM 33. After the mode change process (S3) ends, the CPU 31 returns the process to S2.

Here, the “print mode” is a mode in which print data received from the external apparatus 100 is printed on a print medium. Accordingly, in this print mode, when template data is set and an arrangement pattern is set for the template data, the arrangement set for the print area defined in the template data is set. Based on the pattern, printing on the printing medium is performed in a manner in which a print target image (for example, a text image or a barcode image) obtained by converting the print target data is arranged.
On the other hand, the “arrangement pattern setting mode” is a mode for setting the arrangement pattern of the print target image of the print target data for the print area defined in the template data. Details of the “arrangement pattern setting mode” will be described later in detail.

  In S4, the CPU 31 determines whether or not print data has been received. Specifically, the CPU 31 performs the determination process of S4 based on whether or not the communication control unit 40 has received print data. If the print data is received (S4: YES), the CPU 31 shifts the process to S5. On the other hand, when print data has not been received (S4: NO), the CPU 31 returns the process to S2.

  In step S5, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the currently set mode is the “arrangement pattern setting mode”. Specifically, the CPU 31 refers to the RAM 33 and determines whether the flag stored in the RAM 33 is a flag indicating “print mode” or a flag indicating “arrangement pattern setting mode”. Judgment processing is performed. When the flag indicating the “arrangement pattern setting mode” is stored in the RAM 33 (S5: YES), the CPU 31 shifts the process to S7. On the other hand, when the flag indicating “print mode” is stored in the RAM 33 (S5: NO), the CPU 31 shifts the process to S6.

In S6, the CPU 31 executes a printing process. In this printing process (S6), the CPU 31 performs drive control of the print head 20 via the head drive circuit 21 and drive control of the medium transport mechanism 25 via the medium transport control circuit 26, thereby printing on the print medium. Print based on the data.
At this time, when the template data is set and the arrangement pattern for the template data is set, the CPU 31 prints the print target data included in the print data specified in the attribute information of the print area. The image is converted into a target image, and the print target image is arranged in a print area based on the arrangement pattern. Here, at the time of conversion to the print target image, the CPU 31 executes processing similar to bar code conversion processing (S25) and text image conversion processing (S26) described later. Then, the CPU 31 performs printing on the print medium in a manner based on the arrangement pattern.
After the end of the printing process (S6), the CPU 31 returns the process to S2.

When the process proceeds to S7, the CPU 31 executes an arrangement pattern setting process. In the printing apparatus 1, the arrangement pattern setting is executed by the printing pattern setting unit 50. Accordingly, the CPU 31 transmits a setting start signal to the print pattern setting unit 50. Then, the CPU 31 waits for processing until it receives a setting signal or an error signal from the print pattern setting unit 50.
When the setting signal is received from the print pattern setting unit 50, the arrangement pattern included in the setting signal is associated with the template data and stored in the template data storage area 35, and the arrangement pattern setting process (S7) is terminated. On the other hand, when an error signal is received from the print pattern setting unit 50, the CPU 31 ends the arrangement pattern setting process (S7) as it is.
After completing the arrangement pattern setting process (S7), the CPU 31 returns the process to S2.

Next, the arrangement pattern setting processing program according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the arrangement pattern setting processing program.
In the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, as described above, the arrangement pattern setting is performed in the printing pattern setting unit 50. That is, this arrangement pattern setting processing program is executed by the CPU 51 of the print pattern setting unit 50.

In the arrangement pattern setting process (S7), when a setting start signal is received from the CPU 31, the CPU 51 of the print pattern setting unit 50 starts executing the arrangement pattern setting process program.
As shown in FIG. 5, first, the CPU 51 initializes an arrangement pattern related to template data currently set in the printing apparatus 1 (S11). After initialization of the arrangement pattern, the CPU 51 proceeds to S12.

  After shifting to S12, the CPU 51 executes an arrangement pattern generation process. In this arrangement pattern generation process (S12), the CPU 51 generates arrangement patterns for all combinations that can be generated based on the number of print target data included in the print data and the number of print areas defined in the template data. To do. After generating the arrangement patterns for all combinations that can be generated based on the print target data and the print area, the CPU 51 proceeds to S13.

Here, the arrangement pattern generation processing will be described with a specific example. In this specific example, it is assumed that the print data shown in FIG. 2 is transmitted from the external apparatus 100, and the template data shown in FIG. 3 is set at that time.
As described above, the print data shown in FIG. 2 includes the three print target data of “print target data (1)”, “print target data (2)”, and “print target data (3)”. The template data shown in FIG. 3 defines three print areas: “print area (A)”, “print area (B)”, and “print area (C)”.
Accordingly, there are six arrangement patterns that can be generated by the three print target data and the three print areas. In this case, the CPU 51 generates six types of arrangement patterns “arrangement pattern (1)” to “arrangement pattern (6)” shown in FIG. Then, after storing the “arrangement pattern (1)” to “arrangement pattern (6)” in the RAM 53, the CPU 51 proceeds to S13.

  When the process proceeds to S13, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the check of whether or not all the arrangement patterns generated in the arrangement pattern generation process (S12) can be printed on the printing medium has been completed. That is, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the setting availability check process (S15) has been performed for all the arrangement patterns. When the check of whether printing is possible for all the arrangement patterns has been completed (S13: YES), the CPU 51 shifts the process to S16. On the other hand, if the check of whether printing is possible for all the arrangement patterns has not been completed yet (S13: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to S14.

  When there is an arrangement pattern for which preview data has not yet been generated (S13: NO), in S14, the CPU 51 identifies one arrangement pattern for which preview data has not yet been generated. After specifying the arrangement pattern, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to a setting availability check process (S15).

When the process proceeds to the setting availability check process (S15), the CPU 51 checks whether printing on the printing medium is possible based on the arrangement pattern specified in S14. Specifically, the CPU 51 generates a print target image of print target data to be arranged in each print area based on the layout pattern specified in S14, and printing based on the print target data is possible. It is checked whether or not. At this time, the CPU 51 checks whether “the print target image based on the print target data is outside the print area” or “the print target data has no problem with the barcode standard (for example, code 128)”. Do.
When the corresponding print target data can be printed in all the print areas, the CPU 51 generates preview data based on the arrangement pattern and displays the preview data on the liquid crystal display 55. If there is a print area that cannot be printed, preview data based on the arrangement pattern is not generated. Therefore, in this case, preview data based on the arrangement pattern is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 55.
When the setting availability check process for the arrangement pattern specified in S14 is completed, the CPU 51 returns the process to S13. As a result, the CPU 51 can perform processing for an arrangement pattern that has not yet undergone the setting availability check processing.

  Note that the details of the setting availability check process (S15) will be described in detail later with reference to the drawings, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

After performing the setting availability check process (S15) for all the arrangement patterns generated in the arrangement pattern generation process (S12) (S13: YES), the CPU 51 displays the number of preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 as “0”. Is determined (S16).
When the number of preview data is “0” (S16: YES), the CPU 51 shifts the process to an error notification process (S19). Here, when the number of preview data is “0” (S16: YES), the preview data is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. In other words, this state is a state in which there is no layout pattern that can print all print target data included in the print data in each print area without error.
On the other hand, if the number of preview data is not “0” (S16: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to S17. At this time, at least one preview data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. This state is a state in which at least one arrangement pattern that can print all print target data in each print area without error exists.

In S <b> 17, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a selection operation has been performed by the operation unit 54. This selection operation is an operation for selecting one preview data from the preview data (see FIG. 8) displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. As described above, the preview data is based on one arrangement pattern. Therefore, selection of preview data can be translated into selection of an arrangement pattern.
Then, the CPU 51 determines whether or not a selection operation has been performed based on an operation signal from the operation unit 54. When the selection operation is performed (S17: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S18. On the other hand, when the selection operation is not performed (S17: NO), the CPU 51 waits for processing until the selection operation is performed.

When a selection operation is performed by the operation unit 54, in S18, the CPU 51 sets an arrangement pattern based on the selected preview data as an arrangement pattern for the template data.
Specifically, the CPU 51 identifies an arrangement pattern that is the basis of the selected preview data, and transmits a setting signal indicating the arrangement pattern to the control unit 30.
Here, when receiving the setting signal, the control unit 30 stores the arrangement pattern included in the setting signal in the template data storage area 35 in association with the template data. Therefore, when the CPU 51 transmits a setting signal, an arrangement pattern for the template data is set.
After transmitting the setting signal, the CPU 51 ends the arrangement pattern setting processing program.

If the number of preview data is “0” (S16: YES), the CPU 51 executes an error notification process (S19).
As described above, the preview data is generated when printing can be normally performed on the print target area of all print target data. That is, the case where the number of preview data is “0” is a state in which at least one error that makes printing impossible is included in all the preview data. If the arrangement pattern in this case is set in the template data, an error always occurs in the print result on the printing medium. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 cannot set the preview data (that is, the arrangement pattern) and the user An error is notified.
Specifically, when the process proceeds to the error notification process (S19), the CPU 51 controls the display mode of the liquid crystal display 55 via the display driving circuit 56 to notify that there is no settable arrangement pattern. Thereby, since the user can recognize the occurrence of an error, it is possible to make various setting changes such as a change of template data, thereby eliminating the error.
Further, the CPU 51 transmits an error signal together with an error display on the liquid crystal display 55. By receiving this error signal, the CPU 31 of the control unit 30 also ends the arrangement pattern setting process (S7) as it is.
After the error notification process (S19), the CPU 51 ends the arrangement pattern setting process program.

Next, the setting availability check processing program executed in S15 of the arrangement pattern setting processing program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the setting availability check program.
After shifting to the setting availability check process (S15), the CPU 51 starts executing the setting availability check processing program.
At this time, the RAM 53 stores print data (including print target data) received via the communication control unit 40 and currently set template data acquired from the template data storage area 35.
At this time, one arrangement pattern is identified from the arrangement pattern generated in the arrangement pattern generation process (S12) by S14.

In S <b> 21, the CPU 51 first reads each print target data and template data included in the print data stored in the RAM 53.
Then, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the check on whether or not the print target data associated with the specified arrangement pattern can be printed is completed for all the print areas of the template data. (S22). When the check of whether or not printing is possible for all print areas is completed (S22: YES), the CPU 51 shifts the process to the display display process (S29). On the other hand, if the check of whether or not printing is possible for all the print areas has not yet been completed (S22: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to S23.

  In S23, the CPU 51 identifies one print area defined in the template data, and whether or not the identified one print area (hereinafter referred to as a target print area) is a “barcode print area”. Make a judgment about. As described above, since the template data also defines the point of “barcode printing area” (see FIG. 3), the CPU 51 makes the determination in S23 by referring to the template data. When the target print area is the “barcode print area” (S23: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S24. On the other hand, when the target print area is not the “barcode print area” (S23: NO), the CPU 51 proceeds to the text image conversion process (S26).

  When the target print area is the “barcode print area” (S23: YES), the CPU 51 specifies the print target data associated with the target print area based on the arrangement pattern, and the print target data is the barcode. A determination is made as to whether or not a standard (for example, code 128) is satisfied (S24). Specifically, the CPU 51 makes a determination based on whether or not the number of characters in the print target data is the number of characters and the character type permitted by the barcode standard. If the print target data satisfies the barcode standard (S24: YES), the CPU 51 proceeds to S25. On the other hand, when the print target data does not satisfy the barcode standard (S24: NO), the CPU 51 ends the setting availability check processing program as it is.

  Therefore, when the print target data associated with the barcode printing area does not satisfy the barcode standard, the arrangement pattern including this is determined as an error and is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. That is, an arrangement pattern that does not satisfy the barcode standard and results in a printing result that cannot be used as a barcode cannot be set as an arrangement pattern for template data. By disabling the setting of the arrangement pattern that causes the problem of “cannot be used as a barcode”, the printing apparatus 1 can prevent disadvantages for the user who uses the printed medium to be printed.

In the determination process of S24, it is possible to perform a check using a check digit, and it is possible to use the check based on the number of characters and the check digit check together.
Check digit check is the check digit calculation result calculated by the calculation method based on the barcode standard and the print target when the check digit is included in the print target data. It is checked by whether or not it matches the check digit included in the data. If the check digits do not match, the print target data is handled as an error.

When the print target data related to the target print area which is the “barcode print area” satisfies the barcode standard (S24: YES), the CPU 51 performs the barcode conversion process (
S25) is executed. In this barcode conversion process (S25), the CPU 51 is a process for generating a barcode image using the print target data as barcode data in accordance with the attribute information (ie, barcode standard) related to the target print area.
In this regard, the technology relating to bar code conversion is already known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
After converting the print target data and generating a barcode image, the CPU 51 stores the barcode data in the RAM 53, and the process proceeds to S27.

On the other hand, in S26, where the target print area is not a barcode print area (S23: NO), the CPU 51 executes text image conversion processing. In the text image conversion process (S26), the CPU 51 is a process for converting the print target data into a text image in accordance with attribute information (ie, format, character size, character modification, etc.) related to the target print area.
In this respect, since the technology relating to conversion to a text image is already known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
After converting the print target data into a text image, the CPU 51 stores the text image in the RAM 53, and the process proceeds to S27.

In step S27, the CPU 51 determines whether a print target image (for example, a text image or a barcode image) of the print target data can be arranged in the target print area. As described above, since each print area of the template data is determined by the print area width and the print area height, the CPU 51 determines the width and height of the print target image of the print target data, the print area width, and the print area. The determination in S27 is made by comparing the heights.
When the print target image of the print target data can be arranged in the target print area (S27: YES), the CPU 51 shifts the process to S28. On the other hand, when the print target image of the print target data cannot be arranged in the target print area, that is, when a part of the print target image of the print target data is located outside the target print area (S27: NO), The CPU 51 ends the setting availability check processing program as it is.

  That is, an arrangement pattern in which the print target image of the print target data cannot be arranged in the target print area is not displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 as preview data, and is not set as an arrangement pattern for the template data. . Therefore, according to the printing apparatus 1, by disabling the setting of an arrangement pattern that can produce a poorly printed result such that a print target image based on the print target data protrudes from the print region, the printed print medium is changed. It is possible to prevent a disadvantage for the user to use.

In S28, the CPU 51 changes the target print area to the next print area and acquires the print target data associated with the next print area from the RAM 53. At this time, with respect to the print area and print target data that have undergone the processing of S23 to S27, data indicating that the print availability has been checked is added.
After changing the target print area and acquiring new print target data associated with the change, the CPU 51 returns the process to S22.

Based on the arrangement pattern specified in S14, whether or not the print target data can be printed is checked for all the print areas related to the template data, and if it is determined that all can be printed (S22: YES), the CPU 51 Then, the process proceeds to the display display process (S29).
In the display display process (S29), the CPU 51 generates preview data based on the arrangement pattern specified in S14, the print target data included in the print data, and the template data, and displays this on the liquid crystal display 55. After displaying the generated preview data on the liquid crystal display 55, the CPU 51 ends the setting availability check processing program.

The case where preview data is generated based on the above-described print data shown in FIG. 2 and the template data shown in FIG. 3 will be specifically described as an example.
For example, when generating the preview data based on the “arrangement pattern (1)” illustrated in FIG. 7, since the “print target data (1)” is associated with the “print region (A)”, the “print target The character string “Pencil” related to “Data (1)” is arranged in “Print area (A)”. Similarly, the character string “2006.10.30” related to “print target data (2)” is arranged in “print area (B)”.
Since “print target data (3)” is associated with “print region (C)” and “print region (C)” is “barcode print region”, barcode conversion processing (S25) is performed. ), The barcode obtained by converting the character string “012345” based on a predetermined standard (for example, code 128) is arranged in the “printing area (C)”. Note that there is a character string “012345” under the bar, but the character string is a portion called “lower character” of the barcode. The barcode in this case is composed of a bar and a lower character. In this regard, depending on the attribute information of the print area in the template data, there may be “no lower character”.
In this way, preview data based on the arrangement pattern specified in S14 (in this case, “placement pattern (1)”) is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. Then, after displaying the preview data on the liquid crystal display 55, the CPU 51 ends the setting availability check processing program.

  Note that the layout pattern in which the preview data is generated is determined to be able to print the print target image of the print target data associated with each print area in all the print areas by the processes of S22 to S28. ing. Therefore, if an arrangement pattern corresponding to the preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 is selected, the user always produces a printed matter that does not have an error in the barcode and does not protrude from the print area. I can get it.

As described above, by performing the setting availability check process (S15) for all the arrangement patterns generated in the arrangement pattern generation process (S12), the arrangement pattern that can be printed on the print medium is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55. Only the based preview data is displayed (see FIG. 8). In other words, only preview data relating to an arrangement pattern that can be set for the template data is displayed.
Since preview data is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55, the user can grasp a desired arrangement pattern only by visually recognizing the liquid crystal display 55.
Since the printable arrangement pattern can be set for the template data simply by selecting the preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55, the user can set the print data based on the template data. Can be easily performed.

As described above, according to the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, when the print target image of the print target data included in the print data is specified in the template data and arranged in the print area, respectively, and printed. Since the preview data generated by arranging the print target data in the print area is displayed on the liquid crystal display 55, the user can visually recognize a plurality of arrangement patterns and surely grasp the desired arrangement pattern. Can do.
Further, in the printing apparatus 1, by selecting the preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 with the operation unit 54, an arrangement pattern corresponding to the preview data can be set in the template data. Accordingly, when setting an arrangement pattern in the template data, complicated work (for example, confirmation work of the order in which the print target data is transmitted and a print area in which the print target image of the print target data is set are set. The setting operation) is not required, and the user can set a desired arrangement pattern in the template data only by performing a simple operation.
Then, when the user sets a desired arrangement pattern for the template data, the printing apparatus 1 prints the printed matter printed with the arrangement pattern desired by the user when printing the print data based on the template data. Can provide.

  Further, according to the printing apparatus 1, only preview data based on an arrangement pattern capable of printing the print target data is displayed on the liquid crystal display for all print areas by the setting availability check process (S15). When printing is performed based on the set arrangement pattern, a print result that does not look good or a print result that does not function as a barcode is not printed. In other words, the printing apparatus 1 can always provide the user with a printed material that has a good appearance and can withstand the use that the user has planned.

  In the printing apparatus 1, the “print mode” and the “print pattern setting mode” can be changed based on the operation of the operation unit 54. That is, if an arrangement pattern is set in the template data in the “print pattern setting mode”, then a printed matter based on the desired arrangement pattern is provided in the “print mode”. Thereby, when printing the print data, the user can obtain a desired printed matter without setting the arrangement pattern in the “print pattern setting mode” every time.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, various improvement and deformation | transformation are possible within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, in the first embodiment, the types of images to be printed are only text images and barcode images, but in addition to these, various types of images can be used. For example, an image of a two-dimensional code, an image of an arranged text in which text is arranged along a predetermined line, or the like can be used.
In the first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 is configured to perform printing on the printing medium and setting the arrangement pattern for the template data. However, printing on the printing medium is performed. It is also possible to arrange the device for performing the setting and the device for setting the arrangement pattern for the template data independently.

  Here, an embodiment in which a printing apparatus and a printing pattern setting apparatus are provided independently will be described in detail with reference to the drawings for a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, as described above, the printing apparatus 1 and the print pattern setting apparatus 70 are provided independently.
The printing apparatus 1 in the second embodiment is configured such that printing control is performed by the control unit 30 as in the first embodiment. The control unit 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, and a RAM 33, and a template data storage area 35 is formed in the ROM 32.
Since this is the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

In the printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the print head 20 and the medium transport mechanism 25 are connected to the control unit 30 via a head drive circuit 21 and a medium transport control circuit 26, respectively. In addition, a communication control unit 40 is connected to the control unit 30.
Since the configuration related to these peripheral devices is the same as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Note that, as described above, in the second embodiment, since the setting of the arrangement pattern for the template data is performed by the print pattern setting device 70 that is a device different from the printing device 1, the printing device 1 is the first device. The print pattern setting unit 50 and the peripheral device connected to the print pattern setting unit 50 in the embodiment are not provided.

The print pattern setting device 70 includes a print pattern setting unit 50 that plays a central role in the control. The print pattern setting unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, and a RAM 53. In this regard, unlike the first embodiment, the ROM 52 has a template data storage area 57 in which the same storage content as the template data storage area 35 in the printing apparatus 1 is stored.
The configurations of the CPU 51 and RAM 53 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

An operation unit 54, a liquid crystal display 55, and a communication control unit 60 are connected to the print pattern setting unit 50. Since the operation unit 54, the liquid crystal display 55, and the display drive circuit 56 have the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.
The communication control unit 60 is a part that transmits and receives data between the printing pattern setting device 70 and the printing device 1 and the external device 100. That is, the basic function of the communication control unit 60 is the same as that of the communication control unit 40 of the printing apparatus 1.

In the printing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the main control program is executed by the CPU 31 as in the first embodiment. Therefore, since the main control program (see FIG. 4) has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted.
In the print pattern setting device 70, as with the print pattern setting unit 50 in the first embodiment, the CPU 51 executes an arrangement pattern setting processing program (see FIG. 5) and a setting availability check processing program (see FIG. 6). Is done. Since the arrangement pattern setting processing program and the setting availability check processing program have already been described in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the print pattern setting device 70 displays the preview data generated by arranging the print target data in the print area on the liquid crystal display 55, so that the user can select a plurality of arrangement patterns. It can be visually recognized, and a desired arrangement pattern can be surely grasped.
In the print pattern setting device 70, the user can set the layout pattern corresponding to the preview data in the template data by selecting the preview data displayed on the liquid crystal display 55 with the operation unit 54. Accordingly, when setting an arrangement pattern in the template data, complicated work (for example, confirmation work of the order in which the print target data is transmitted and a print area in which the print target image of the print target data is set are set. The setting operation) is not required, and the user can set a desired arrangement pattern in the template data only by performing a simple operation.

  Further, according to the print pattern setting device 70, only preview data based on an arrangement pattern capable of printing the print target data is displayed on the liquid crystal display for all print areas by the setting availability check process (S15). Therefore, when printing is performed based on the set arrangement pattern, it is possible to prevent setting of an arrangement pattern that results in a poor-looking print result or a print result that does not function as a barcode.

  In the second embodiment, the external device 100 and the print pattern setting device 70 are directly connected, and the print pattern setting device 70 is configured to directly acquire print data from the external device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this aspect. Not what you want. In other words, the print pattern setting device 70 may be configured to acquire print data via the printing device without connecting the external device 100 and the print pattern setting device 70.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the print data transmitted from an external device. It is explanatory drawing regarding a template data and a printing area. It is a flowchart of the main control program of a printing apparatus. It is a flowchart of an arrangement pattern setting processing program. It is a flowchart of a setting availability check processing program. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the arrangement pattern based on each printing area | region and each printing object data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display mode of a liquid crystal display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and a printing pattern setting apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing apparatus 20 Print head 25 Medium conveyance mechanism 30 Control part 31 CPU
32 ROM
33 RAM
35 Template Data Storage Area 40 Communication Control Unit 50 Print Pattern Setting Unit 51 CPU
52 ROM
53 RAM
54 Operation Unit 55 Liquid Crystal Display 56 Display Drive Circuit 57 Template Data Storage Area 60 Communication Control Unit 70 Print Pattern Setting Device 100 External Device

Claims (8)

Printing means that includes print target data and prints print data transmitted from an external device on a print medium;
A plurality of print areas in which a print target image generated based on the print target data is printed are defined, and template data in which the position and size of the print area on the print medium is defined as attribute information for each print area is stored. Stored storage means,
In a printing apparatus comprising: print control means for arranging print target data constituting received print data in the print area based on the template data and performing printing by the printing means;
Preview data generating means for generating a plurality of preview data in which print target images based on the print target data included in the print data are arranged for each print region defined in the template data;
Display means for displaying a plurality of preview data generated by the preview data generating means;
Selecting means for selecting one preview data from the preview data displayed on the display means;
A printing apparatus comprising: a print pattern setting unit that sets an arrangement pattern of print target data with respect to the template data based on preview data selected by the selection unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The template data is
As attribute information for each print area, it has attribute information indicating the type of image to be printed to be arranged in the print area,
Determining means for determining whether or not the print target data can be printed on the print region based on the attribute information of the print region defined in the template data and the print target data included in the print data;
A printing apparatus comprising: display control means for displaying only preview data for which all of the print target data is determined to be printable by the determination means on the display means. The printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The determination means includes
When a part of the print target data is arranged outside a print area included in the template data, the printing apparatus determines that the print target data cannot be printed with respect to the print target data. . The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
The determination means includes
When the print target image based on the print target data cannot be generated, it is determined that the print target data cannot be printed with respect to the print region. The printing apparatus according to claim 4,
When the print target data is barcode data,
The determination means includes
When the barcode data itself includes an error, the printing apparatus determines that printing on the print area is impossible with respect to the barcode data. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
When the print data is received, based on the print pattern data set by the print pattern setting means, print target data is arranged in each print area defined in the template data, and the print means A print mode for printing based on template data;
When the print data is received, preview data is generated by the preview data generation means, the generated preview data is displayed on the display means, and the preview data selected by the selection means is displayed by the print pattern setting means. A printing apparatus comprising mode change means for switching between a print pattern setting mode for setting a print pattern based on the template data. A printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints print data on a printing medium; and a communication unit that is connected to an external apparatus that transmits print data including print target data to be printed by the printing apparatus, and transmits and receives data.
A plurality of print areas in which a print target image generated based on the print target data is printed are defined, and template data in which the position and size of the print area on the print medium is defined as attribute information for each print area is stored. Stored storage means,
In a print pattern setting device comprising: a print pattern setting unit that sets an arrangement pattern of print target data for each print region based on the template data and the print data;
Preview data generating means for generating a plurality of preview data in which print target images based on the print target data included in the print data are arranged for each print region defined in the template data;
Display means for displaying a plurality of preview data generated by the preview data generating means;
Selecting means for selecting one preview data from the preview data displayed on the display means,
The print pattern setting means includes
A print pattern setting apparatus that sets an arrangement pattern of print target data with respect to the template data based on preview data selected by the selection means. In the printing pattern setting device according to claim 7,
The template data is
As attribute information for each print area, it has attribute information indicating the type of image to be printed to be arranged in the print area,
Determining means for determining whether or not the print target data can be printed on the print region based on the attribute information of the print region defined in the template data and the print target data included in the print data;
A print pattern setting apparatus, comprising: display control means for displaying only preview data for which all data to be printed is determined to be printable by the determination means on the display means.

Images