JP2009238026A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device capable of improving operation efficiency by inputting character data with a possibility of reuse, and performing issuance and registration in a single operation in the case of wanting immediate issuance. <P>SOLUTION: The input device comprises a data storage part for storing character data. A CPU receives the input of execution instructions instructing the execution of one of "issuance processing" of generating print data including the input character data after the input of the character data and transmitting the print data to a printer, "registration processing" of storing the input character data in the data storage part, and "issuance-registration processing" of carrying out "issuance processing" and "registration processing" side by side or continuously, and executes one of "issuance processing", "registration processing" and "issuance-registration processing" based on the received input of execution instructions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that accepts input of character data corresponding to a print item set in a print format and generates print data including the input character data, and more particularly, a data storage for storing input character data. The present invention relates to an input device including means.

  Conventionally, print data including character data is generated, and the generated print data is sent from a printing device such as a thermal printer or a thermal transfer printer that prints on a printing medium such as a label or a tag to print from the printing device. An input device such as a personal computer that issues a printing medium on which character data included in the data is printed is used (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  However, in the prior art, either the registration mode for registering input character data in the data storage means or the issue mode for generating print data including the input character data and transmitting it to the printer is selected. It is configured to input character data corresponding to the print item set in the print format in the registration mode or issue mode, and the character data input in the issue mode cannot be reused. Even if you want to publish text data that has a possibility of being issued and immediately publish it, enter the character data once in the registration mode and then publish it by switching to the publishing mode, After issuing, you have to switch to the registration mode and enter the character data again, which reduces work efficiency. There was a point.

JP 2000-141829 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. The object of the present invention is to input and register a character data that can be reused when it is desired to be issued immediately. The object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can be operated in a single operation and can improve work efficiency.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configurations.
The gist of the invention described in claim 1 is that it accepts input of character data corresponding to a print item set in a print format, generates print data including the input character data, and sends the print data to a printing device. An input device for causing the printing device to issue a print medium on which the character data included in the print data is printed by transmitting the data storage means for storing the character data; and input of the character data An issuance process for generating print data including the input character data and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus; a registration process for storing the input character data in the data storage means; the issuance process; and the registration process; An input means for receiving an execution instruction input for instructing execution of any of the issuance registration processes performed in parallel or continuously, and the input means Based on the execution instruction input received Te, the issuing process, resides in the input apparatus characterized by comprising a shelf registration control means either to the execution of the registration process or the issuing registration process.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the issuance registration control means executes a trial issuance process for generating the print data with the number of prints as one and transmitting it to the printing apparatus as the issuance registration process. Later, when a selection input for selecting whether or not it has been issued with correct contents is received, and when the selection input indicating that it has been issued with correct contents is received, the print data with the remaining number of prints is generated and the print data is generated. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the remaining issue processing to be transmitted to the printing device and the registration processing are executed in parallel or in succession.

  An input device according to the present invention includes data storage means for storing character data, and after character data is input, issuance processing for generating print data including the input character data and transmitting it to the printer, and input character data Accepts an execution instruction input for instructing execution of any one of the registration process, the issuance process, and the issuance registration process in which the registration process is performed in parallel or continuously, and issuance is performed based on the received execution instruction input. Process, registration process, or issuance registration process is configured to execute the issuance registration process if you want to input character data that can be reused and immediately issue it. As a result, the issuance process and registration process are executed in parallel or in succession, so that issuance and registration can be performed in a single operation, improving work efficiency. There is an effect that it is Rukoto.

  Furthermore, the input device according to the present invention selects whether or not the print data has been issued with the correct content after executing a test issue process for generating print data with the number of prints being 1 and transmitting it to the printing apparatus as the issue registration process. When the selection input is accepted, and the selection input indicating that it has been issued with the correct contents is accepted, the remaining issuance process for generating the print data with the remaining number of prints and sending it to the printing device is parallel to the registration process. Alternatively, it is possible to minimize issuance based on erroneous character data and to perform registration processing after confirming the issued print target medium by configuring to execute continuously. Therefore, it is possible to prevent erroneous character data from being registered.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the input device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a printing medium and a printing format shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 according to the first embodiment is used by being connected to a printing device 3 such as a label printer for issuing a printing medium 2 such as a label. Is necessary for the operation of the CPU 12 (central processing unit) that operates according to the control program stored in the ROM (read only memory) 11 in which the control program is stored, the ROM 11, and controls each part. A random access memory (RAM) 13 that stores various data, an input unit 14, a display unit 15, a data storage unit 16, and an external I / F 17 are provided, and print data is generated by input from the input unit 14. , And has a function of transmitting the generated print data to the printing apparatus 3. The print medium 2 can correspond to various forms such as a label and a form, but in the first embodiment, it is temporarily attached to a mount 41 as shown in FIG. An example using the label 42 will be described. Further, the print data is data composed of a print item to be printed on the print medium 2, a print format in which the print position of the print item is set, character data input corresponding to the print item, and the number of prints. In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a product name input field 51 and a price input field 52 are set as print items, and as shown in FIG. The printing device 3 prints and issues the product name and price on the label 42 based on the print data.

  The ROM 11 stores a print data generation program for receiving input of character data corresponding to a print item set in the print format and generating print data based on the input character data. Various processes for generating print data to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 3 based on the print data generation program are executed, and issuance processing for transmitting the generated print data to the printing apparatus 3 via the external I / F 17 and the print data. Either or both of registration processing for storing the character data input for generation in the data storage unit 16 as registration data is executed.

  The input unit 14 is an input unit that accepts various inputs related to print data generation, issuance processing, and registration processing. Referring to FIG. 1, four function keys (F1 to F4 keys), a numeric keypad, and a confirmation key are entered. A key and a cursor movement key.

  The display unit 15 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various guidance screens related to print data generation, issuance processing, and registration processing.

  The data storage unit 16 is a non-volatile flash memory such as an SD card that does not erase the stored contents even when the power is turned off. The print format including the variable part is stored in advance and corresponds to the print format print items. The character data input in this way and the registration date and time are stored as registration data.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the printing apparatus 3 stores an external I / F 31, a predetermined control program, a ROM 32 that stores various data relating to printing such as font data and a print format, and the ROM 32. A CPU 33 that operates according to the control program and controls each part, a RAM 34 that stores various data necessary for the CPU 33 to operate, a printing mechanism 35 that performs printing on the print medium 2, and a printing that controls the printing mechanism 35 And a control unit 36.

  When the CPU 33 receives print data from the input device 1 via the external I / F 31, the CPU 33 reads font data corresponding to the character code included in the received print data from the ROM 32 based on the control program stored in the ROM 32. The print data is developed as bitmap image data in the drawing area of the RAM 34 based on the read font data and print format, and the print control unit 36 is instructed to print the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 34.

  The printing mechanism 35 is a printing unit that performs printing on the printing medium 2 and can employ various printing methods such as a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, an inkjet method, an impact method, and an electrophotographic method.

  The print control unit 36 controls the printing mechanism 35 based on an instruction from the CPU 33 to print the bitmap image data developed in the drawing area of the RAM 34 on the print medium 2.

Next, the operation of the input apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display unit shown in FIG. It is.

  When the input device 1 is powered on, the CPU 12 activates a print data generation program stored in the ROM 11 and displays an initial screen on the display unit 15 based on the print data generation program (step A1). As shown in FIG. 6A, the initial screen includes “data input” for inputting character data corresponding to the print item, and “registered data” for issuing based on the print data stored in the data storage unit 16. This is a screen for selecting either “Issuance”, “Data input” is selected by pressing the F1 key of the input unit 14, and “Registered data issuance” is selected by pressing the F2 key of the input unit 14. The

  The CPU 12 monitors pressing of the F1 key or F2 key of the input unit 14 (step A2), and when the F1 key is pressed, causes the display unit 15 to display a data input screen (step A3). As shown in FIG. 6B, the data input screen is a screen provided with a product name input field 51 and a price input field 52 which are print items, and a print number input field 53 for inputting the number of prints. The CPU 12 accepts input of character data corresponding to the print item and the number of prints from the input unit 14 (step A4). The character data corresponding to the print item can be input by, for example, displaying a virtual keyboard on the display unit 15 or selecting character data stored in advance.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when the character data corresponding to all the print items and the number of prints are input from the input unit 14, the CPU 12 performs a process selection key display 54 on the data input screen (step S1). A5), the depression of the F1, F2 or F3 key of the input unit 14 is monitored (step A6). The process selection key display 54 is a display showing a method for selecting the process of print data. When the F1 key of the input unit 14 is pressed, “registration process” is displayed. When the F2 key of the input unit 14 is pressed, “issue” is displayed. “Processing” is executed by pressing the F3 key of the input unit 14.

  When the F1 key of the input unit 14 is pressed in step A6, that is, “registration processing” is selected, the CPU 12 uses the character data input corresponding to the print item in step A4 and the registration date and time as registration data. The “registration process” stored in the storage unit 16 is executed (step A7), and the process returns to step A1. Note that the number of prints input in step A4 may also be stored in the data storage unit 16 as registration data.

  When the F2 key of the input unit 14 is pressed in step A6, that is, “issue processing” is selected, the CPU 12 inputs the print format, the character data input corresponding to the print item in step A4, and the input in step A4. By generating the print data consisting of the number of printed sheets and transmitting the generated print data to the printing apparatus 3, the character data input corresponding to the print item in step A4 by the printing apparatus 3 is converted into the print format. Based on the label 42 printed based on the number of prints input in step A4, an “issuance process” is executed (step A8), and the process returns to step A1. When the printing format is stored in the printing device 3, printing is made up of character data input corresponding to the printing item in step A4 and printing data consisting of the number of prints input in step A4. Data may be created.

  When the F3 key of the input unit 14 is pressed in step A6, that is, “issue registration process” is selected, the CPU 12 performs “issue process” and “registration process” in step A8 in parallel or sequentially. "Registration process" is executed (step A9), and the process returns to step A1.

  When the F1 key is pressed in step A2, the CPU 12 displays a registration data issue screen on the display unit 15 (step A10). As shown in FIG. 7B, the registration data issuance screen is a screen for displaying a list of registration data stored in the data storage unit 16 and selecting registration data to be issued, and inputting the number of prints. When the registration data to be issued is selected (step A11) and the F2 key is pressed, that is, "issue processing" is instructed, the "issue processing" of the registration data to which the number of prints has been input is executed (step A12). Return to step A1.

  In the first embodiment, the input device 1 and the printing device 3 are separated and configured to be connected by a cable. However, the input device 1 and the printing device 3 may be configured integrally. Further, the input device 1 and the printing device 3 may be connected wirelessly.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the data storage unit 16 that stores the character data is provided, and the CPU 12 generates the print data including the input character data and prints it after the input of the character data. “Issuance process” to be transmitted to the apparatus 3, “Registration process” for storing the input character data in the data storage unit 16, “Issuance registration process” for performing “Issuance process” and “Registration process” in parallel or sequentially By accepting an execution instruction input instructing execution of any of the above, and executing one of “issue processing”, “registration processing”, or “issue registration processing” based on the received execution instruction input If you enter character data that can be reused and want to issue it immediately, you can execute the "Issue Registration Process" to execute "Issuance Process" and "Registration Process" in parallel. Since Ku is performed continuously, it is possible to issue a registration and in one operation, an effect that it is possible to improve work efficiency.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit shown in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the operation when the F3 key of the input unit 14 is pressed in step A6, that is, “issue registration processing” is selected is different from that of the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, when the F3 key of the input unit 14 is pressed in step A6, that is, “issue registration processing” is selected, the CPU 12 prints the number of printed sheets even if the number of printed sheets input in step A4 is plural. Is generated as a single sheet, and the generated print data is transmitted to the printing device 3, so that the character data input corresponding to the print item in step A4 by the printing device 3 is based on the print format. A “trial issue process” for issuing one printed label 42 is executed (step B1), and an issue confirmation screen is displayed on the display unit 15 (step B2). As shown in FIG. 9A, the issue confirmation screen is a screen for confirming the issue content and selecting whether or not the issue has been issued with the correct content. By pressing the F1 key of the input unit 14, the issue confirmation screen is displayed. “OK” is selected by pressing the F2 key of the input unit 14, and the CPU 12 monitors the pressing of the F1 key or the F2 key of the input unit 14 (step B3).

  When the F12 key is issued with the correct contents and the F1 key is pressed in step B3, the CPU 12 issues N-1 sheets when the remaining number of sheets, that is, the number of printed sheets input in step A4 is N. "(Step B4)," registration process "is executed (step B5), and the process returns to step A1. If the number of prints input in step A4 is 1, only the “registration process” is executed.

  If it is not issued with the correct contents and the F2 key is pressed, the process returns to step A3, and the CPU 12 displays a data input screen on the display unit 15 and accepts re-input of character data corresponding to the print item.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, after executing “trial issue processing” that generates print data with one printed sheet and transmits it to the printing apparatus 3 as “issue registration processing”. When a selection input for selecting whether or not it has been issued with the correct content is received, and when a selection input indicating that it has been issued with the correct content is received, print data with the remaining number of prints generated is generated and sent to the printer 3. By configuring the “remaining issuance processing” and “registration processing” to be executed in parallel or in succession, it is possible to minimize issuance based on erroneous character data and Since the “registration process” can be performed after confirming the print medium 2, it is possible to prevent erroneous character data from being registered.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a number, position, shape, and the like that are suitable for implementing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the input device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print medium and a print format illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the input device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the input device which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen displayed on the display part shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Input Device 2 Medium to be Printed 3 Printing Device 11 ROM
12 CPU
13 RAM
14 Input unit 15 Display unit 16 Data storage unit 17 External I / F
31 External I / F
32 ROM
33 CPU
34 RAM
35 Printing Mechanism 36 Print Control Unit 41 Mount 42 Label 51 Product Name Input Field 52 Price Input Field 53 Number of Prints Input Field 54 Process Selection Key Display

Claims (2)

Included in the print data by receiving input of character data corresponding to the print item set in the print format, generating print data including the input character data, and transmitting the print data to a printing device An input device that causes the printing device to issue a printing medium on which the character data is printed,
Data storage means for storing the character data;
After the input of the character data, an issuing process for generating print data including the input character data and transmitting it to the printer, a registration process for storing the input character data in the data storage means, and the issuing process And an input means for receiving an execution instruction input for instructing execution of any of the issuance registration processes for performing the registration process in parallel or continuously;
An input device comprising: an issuance registration control means for executing any of the issuance process, the registration process, or the issuance registration process based on the execution instruction input received by the input means.   The issuance registration control means selects whether or not the issuance registration process has been issued with correct contents after executing a trial issuance process for generating the print data with the number of prints being one and sending it to the printing apparatus. A remaining issuance process for generating the print data with the remaining number of prints as a remaining number and transmitting the print data to the printing apparatus when the selection input indicating that the print has been issued with correct contents is received; The input device according to claim 1, wherein the registration processing is executed in parallel or continuously.

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