JP2014085903A - Printing system, printing data generation device, control method of printing data generation device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cause a printing data generation device (a portable terminal) to monitor progress of tape printing by a tape printer and to display printing time considering deterioration of data transmission speed in the printing data generation device.SOLUTION: An image printing system comprises: a portable terminal which generates printing data; and a tape printer which prints the print data transmitted from the portable terminal on a print tape. The portable terminal comprises: a status acquisition part which acquires a status from the tape printer; a printing time information generation part which generates printing time information being information indicating time required to complete printing; and a display part which displays the printing time information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that generates print data and prints the print data on a tape-shaped member, a print data generation apparatus, a control method for the print data generation apparatus, and a program.

  As a printing system that prints print data on a tape-like member, a printer that displays a remaining time required for printing on a display unit during printing is known (see Patent Document 1). This printer generates print data from the layout information of the print data, the number of prints, and other print settings set on the printer, and performs printing. Then, the print time is calculated from the print setting information stored in the RAM task list of the printer and displayed. As a result, the user can check the remaining time required for printing, and can make a prospect of completion of the printing operation.

JP 2000-118104 A

  By the way, in recent years, it has been studied to activate a label creation application on a portable terminal such as a smartphone to function as a print data creation apparatus. At this time, if the data transmission speed from the portable terminal decreases due to some influence, the tape printing time in the tape printer is extended. Therefore, when the printing time is calculated by applying the above method, there is a problem that a difference appears between the printing time presented to the user and the time required for actual printing.

  In view of the above points, the present invention monitors the progress of tape printing in a tape printer with the print data generation device and displays the print time in consideration of a decrease in data transmission speed on the print data generation device. It is an object to provide a printing system, a print data generation device, a control method for a print data generation device, and a program.

  Application Example 1 A printing system according to this application example prints print data generated from print data generation apparatus based on set print setting information and print data transmitted from the print data generation apparatus on a tape-like member. A print system including a status acquisition unit that acquires status information including print data amount A that has been printed in the tape printer from the tape printer; A printing time information generating unit that generates printing time information that is information indicating a time until printing is completed from the setting information and the printed print data amount A; and a display unit that displays the printing time information. Features.

  According to this application example, the portable terminal (print data generation device) calculates the time until the printing is completed from the amount of print data that has been printed and the total amount of print data. Instead, the mobile terminal can generate printing time information. In addition, because of the structure of the tape printer, the created label is discharged outside the device, so the user generally waits until the label is finished so that the discharged label is not bent or lost. It is. Therefore, displaying information indicating the time until the printing is completed on the mobile terminal is convenient for the user who waits until the label creation is completed.

Application Example 2 In the above printing system, it is preferable to display printing time information that changes with the progress of printing on the display unit.
According to this configuration, real-time printing time information can be presented to the user during execution of printing. As a result, the user can grasp the current printing progress.

Application Example 3 It is preferable that the printing time information is information representing an absolute time until the printing is completed.
According to this configuration, it is possible to present to the user the time until the completion of accurate printing. Note that it is desirable to display the absolute time in both minute units and / or second units as information indicating the absolute time until printing is completed.

Application Example 4 In addition, it is preferable that the printing time information is information indicating a ratio of time until printing is completed with respect to the total time required for printing.
According to this configuration, the user can intuitively grasp the time until printing is completed. It is desirable to display a progress bar or a numerical percentage as information indicating the ratio of the elapsed time to the total required time for printing.

Application Example 5 The print data generation apparatus further includes a transport speed storage unit that stores the transport speed V of the tape-shaped member being printed in association with the type of tape-shaped member and the tape width, and print time information. The generation unit calculates a tape length direction length L1 of a print area to be printed based on the print setting information and the printed print data amount A acquired by the status acquisition unit, and a print time information generation unit Preferably generates print time information based on the formula: (L1 / V).
According to this configuration, it is possible to generate accurate printing time information in consideration of the conveyance speed V during printing.

Application Example 6 In the above printing system, the print data generation apparatus further includes a time measurement unit that measures a print time t from the start of printing, and the print time information generation unit calculates from the print setting information. From the total print data amount B, the printed print data amount A, and the print time t, it is preferable to generate print time information based on the formula: (A / B-1) × t.
According to this configuration, it is possible to generate accurate print time information based on the time required to print the printed print data.

Application Example 7 In the above printing system, it is preferable that the tape printer further includes a tape cutter that cuts the printed tape-shaped member, and the printing time information includes a cutting time of the tape-shaped member.
According to this configuration, the time until the label is created after the printed tape member is cut is the time until the printing is completed. Therefore, the time until the user can actually obtain the label can be presented. it can.

Application Example 8 In the printing system described above, when the print setting information includes information for performing continuous printing for printing a plurality of labels, the printing time information indicates the time until printing of all of the plurality of labels is completed. Information indicating time is preferable.
According to this configuration, in the continuous printing in which the number of printed sheets is larger than the normal printing for printing a single label and generally takes a long time to print, the time until the continuous printing is completed is presented to the user. Can be convenient.

  Application Example 9 A print data generation apparatus according to this application example is a print data generation apparatus that generates print data based on set print setting information and transmits the print data to the tape printing apparatus. A status acquisition unit that acquires status information including the amount of print data that has been printed in the tape printer, and print time information that is information indicating the time until the completion of printing is generated from the print setting information and the amount of print data that has been printed. A printing time information generation unit and a display unit for displaying the printing time information are provided.

  Application Example 10 A control method for a print data generation apparatus according to this application example is a control method for a print data generation apparatus that generates print data based on set print setting information and transmits the print data to a tape printing apparatus. The print data generation device obtains status information including the amount of print data printed in the tape printer from the tape printer, and from the print setting information and the amount of print data printed to the completion of printing. A printing time generation step for generating printing time information, which is information indicating time, and a display step for displaying the printing time information on a display unit are executed.

  Application Example 11 A program according to this application example is a program for causing a computer to execute each step in the control method of the print data generation apparatus.

  According to this application example, the portable terminal (print data generation device) calculates the time until the printing is completed from the amount of print data that has been printed and the total amount of print data. Instead, the mobile terminal can generate printing time information.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control block diagram of a portable terminal. The functional block diagram of a portable terminal. The figure which showed the edit screen of the portable terminal. The flowchart which showed the regular operation | movement of a portable terminal. The state transition diagram which showed the screen transition accompanying a periodical operation. 6 is a flowchart showing a print execution instruction operation. The figure which showed the dialog screen. It is the figure which showed the printing image of a printing tape, (a) is the figure which showed the case where one label is printed, (b) is the figure which showed the case where three labels are printed continuously. . It is a display example of the display part which shows printing remaining time, (a) is a display example displayed before the printing start, (b) is a display example displayed during printing. The flowchart which shows the display process by pressing of a time display button. 6 is a flowchart showing display processing during printing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each layer and each member is made different from the actual scale so that each layer and each member can be recognized.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a portable terminal (print data generating apparatus) 2 equipped with an application for generating print data, and print data 62 (see FIG. 4) generated by the portable terminal 2 on a print tape (see FIG. 4). A tape printer (tape printer) 3 for printing on a tape-like member (T) and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) router 4 are configured. Among these, the portable terminal 2 and the wireless LAN router 4 are wirelessly connected, and the wireless LAN router 4 and the tape printer 3 are wiredly connected by a cable 5. When the printing system 1 includes a plurality of portable terminals 2, the single tape printer 3 can be shared and used by the plurality of portable terminals 2.

  The tape printer 3 is equipped with a tape cartridge 16 that accommodates a long print tape T so that the print tape T can be fed out, and prints the print tape T based on the print data 62 received from the mobile terminal 2 while feeding the print tape T. Cut the label and create a label. An opening / closing lid 17 is provided on the side surface of the tape printer 3. Inside the opening / closing lid 17, a cartridge mounting portion for mounting the tape cartridge 16, and an opening / closing detection sensor for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing lid 17. Are arranged (both not shown). The tape cartridge 16 is detachably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion with the opening / closing lid 17 opened.

  A plurality of types of printing tape T having different tape types (tape width, tape ground color, ground pattern, material (texture), etc.) are prepared. The printing tape T is provided in a tape cartridge 16 corresponding to the tape type. Contained. That is, by replacing the tape cartridge 16, the loaded printing tape T can be replaced, and for example, the tape width of the loaded printing tape T can be changed. The tape cartridge 16 is provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) for specifying the type of the printing tape T. On the other hand, a plurality of tape identification sensors (not shown) such as microswitches for detecting these bit patterns are provided in the cartridge mounting portion corresponding to the plurality of holes. The tape identification sensor detects the tape type of the print tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge 16, that is, the tape type of the print tape T loaded in the tape printer 3.

  The mobile terminal 2 is a general smartphone provided with a touch panel 12. Then, by installing and starting an application for generating print data in the mobile terminal 2, the mobile terminal 2 functions as a print data generating apparatus that generates the print data 62.

  FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the mobile terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile terminal 2 includes a touch panel 12 that is a user interface, a wireless communication unit 13 that communicates with the tape printer 3 via the wireless LAN router 4, a control unit 14 that controls these, And a flash ROM (Flash Read Only Memory) 15 for storing various data.

  The control unit 14 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 33. The CPU 31 is a central processing unit and performs various arithmetic processes. Although not particularly shown, the CPU 31 has a timer that keeps track of the current time. The ROM 32 stores a control program for the CPU 31 to perform various arithmetic processes, and the RAM 33 is used as a work area when the CPU 31 performs various arithmetic processes. The flash ROM 15 stores various data of the tape printer 3 and also stores an application for generating print data.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an editing screen α of the mobile terminal 2. Here, the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.
As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 2 includes a display unit 41, an operation unit 42, a display control unit 43, a print data transmission unit 44, a status information acquisition unit 45, a data editing unit 46, a transport speed. A storage unit 47 and a time measurement unit 48 are provided.
The display unit 41 uses the touch panel 12 as a main part and displays an edit screen α for generating and editing the print data 62. The operation unit 42 is a means for performing various operations on the editing screen α with the touch panel 12 as a main part. The display control unit 43 controls the display unit 41 according to the operation by the operation unit 42 with the control unit 14 as a main part. The print data transmission unit 44 transmits the print data 62 edited on the editing screen α to the tape printer 3 with the wireless communication unit 13 as a main part.

The status information acquisition unit 45 acquires the status information of the tape printer 3 periodically with the wireless communication unit 13 as a main part. Specifically, the status information acquisition unit 45 transmits a status request signal to the tape printer 3, and based on the status information from the tape printer 3 corresponding thereto, the tape of the printing tape T currently loaded in the tape printer 3 The tape width status, which is the width, and the open / close status indicating the open / close state (“open” or “closed”) of the open / close lid 17 are obtained.
In addition, a power status indicating the power status (“power on” or “power off”) of the tape printer 3 is determined based on whether or not status information is acquired from the tape printer 3 in response to the transmission of the status request signal. When the tape printer 3 is printing, the print data amount that has been printed is obtained. As will be described later, since the power status of the tape printer 3 is determined based on whether or not the tape printer 3 has responded, the power status is “power off” including the case where the tape printer 3 cannot communicate. Determine.

The data editing unit 46 edits the print data 62 in accordance with the editing operation on the editing screen α, and the status information acquisition unit 45 performs a specific status change (described later) in the tape printer 3. Based on the acquired tape width status, the tape width setting of the print data 62 is forcibly changed.
The conveyance speed storage unit 47 and the time measurement unit 48 will be described later.

  Next, the editing screen α will be described with reference to FIG. The edit screen α has a preview display area 51, a status display area 54, a menu display area 52, and an operation button display area 53.

The preview display area 51 displays the print data 62 arranged on the tape image 61 that is an image of the print tape T in a scrollable manner by a flick operation. The print data 62 includes text data 63 inserted on the editing screen α and image data 64 inserted on the editing screen α.
The image data 64 includes code image data 66 indicating code information and symbol data 65 that is image data 64 other than the code image data 66. In the example of FIG. 4, symbol data 65, text data 63, and code image data 66 are inserted and arranged side by side.

  In the menu display area 52, a tape length setting menu 71, a tape width setting menu 72, a character size setting menu 73, and an image setting menu 74 are displayed.

  The tape length setting menu 71 includes a tape length automatic setting button 76 for automatically setting the tape length of the print data 62, a tape length fixed setting button 77 for manually setting the tape length to a fixed value, and a tape length for manual setting. And a text box 78 for inputting. The portable terminal 2 sets the tape length based on the print data 62 when the tape length automatic setting button 76 is tapped. On the other hand, when the tape length fixed setting button 77 is tapped, input to the text box 78 becomes possible, and the print data 62 is edited so as to be the input tape length (addition of margin, character size / character width). Change).

  In the tape width setting menu 72, the tape width of the print data 62 can be selected from “12 mm”, “18 mm”, “24 mm”, “36 mm”, “50 mm”, and “100 mm”.

  In the character size setting menu 73, the character size of the text data 63 can be selected from “large”, “medium”, and “small”.

In the image setting menu 74, the insertion position of the symbol data 65 can be selected from “none”, “left”, “whole”, and “right”. Here, when “left” is selected, the symbol data 65 in the tape image 61 is left-aligned (arranged on the front end side of the tape). Further, when “right” is selected, the symbol data 65 is arranged right-aligned in the tape image 61 (arranged on the rear end side of the tape). Further, when “entire” is selected, the symbol data 65 expanded in the tape width direction is arranged on the entire printing tape T.
When the symbol data 65 is not inserted, predetermined symbol data can be inserted by selecting “left” or “right” from the image setting menu 74. In this case, the predetermined symbol data may be symbol data selected last time or predetermined symbol data. In addition, a menu for selecting symbol data may be displayed.

The operation button display area 53 includes an extension setting button 96, a preview button 97, a print button 98, and a time display button 99.
The extension setting button 96 is a button for displaying an extension setting screen. On the extended setting screen, an image selection button for displaying an image selection screen, a 2D code creation screen for creating a 2D code, a 2D code creation button for displaying, and a 1D code are created. For example, a one-dimensional code creation button for displaying a one-dimensional code creation screen is displayed (not shown).
The preview button 97 is a button for displaying a preview screen for displaying the print data 62 printed on the print tape T in actual size.
The print button 98 is a button for instructing print execution. That is, when the print button 98 is tapped, the print data transmission unit 44 transmits the print data 62 to the tape printer 3.
The time display button 99 is a button for causing the display unit 41 to display the remaining print time required for printing the print data. In this embodiment, before starting printing of the generated print data, it is used to check the remaining print time required for printing the print data (see FIG. 10).

The status display area 54 displays status information acquired by the status information acquisition unit 45. Specifically, the status display area 54 includes a tape width display area 101 that displays the current tape width based on the tape width status, a status display area 102 that displays the status of the tape printer 3 based on the open / close status and the power status, have.
The tape width display area 101 indicates the current tape width based on the tape width status by dark-displaying the box of the tape width based on the tape width status among the boxes representing a plurality of types of tape widths.
On the other hand, the status display area 102 includes a message indicating that the open / close status is “open” (“Cover Open!”) And a message indicating that the power status is “power off”, that is, no response (“ No Response! ”), And a message (“ Ready ”) indicating that the open / close status is“ blocked ”and the power status is“ power on ”, that is, the printer is ready for printing (“ Ready ”). The state of the tape printer 3 is shown by selectively displaying based on this.
That is, the status information is displayed in the form of “current tape width” and “state of the tape printer 3”.

  Next, the periodic operation of the mobile terminal will be described with reference to FIG. The periodic operation is performed at regular intervals (for example, 3 seconds) while an application for generating print data is activated (during editing work and while the tape printer 3 performs printing based on the generated print data). This operation is mainly for obtaining status information from the tape printer 3 and performing display control and data editing associated therewith.

As shown in FIG. 5, the portable terminal 2 first transmits a status request signal by the status information acquisition unit 45 (S1). Then, the process proceeds to a status information reception waiting state (S2) from the tape printer 3.
At this time, if the status information from the tape printer 3 is not received for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) or longer (S3: Yes), the status information acquisition unit 45 determines that the power status is “power off”. Discriminate (S4). When the power status “power off” is determined, the display control unit 43 updates the status display area 102 of the status display area 54 with the determined power status (S5). That is, the message “No Response! Off!” Is displayed on the display unit 41 in the status display area 102. And this operation | movement is complete | finished. If it is within the predetermined time (S3: No), it shifts to a status information reception waiting state (S2).

On the other hand, when the tape printer 3 receives the status request signal in the mobile terminal 2 status information reception waiting state (S6) (S6: Yes), the tape width status detected by the tape type detection sensor and the open / close detection sensor, and the open / close status The status is transmitted as status information (S7). When the status request signal is not received in the mobile terminal 2 status information reception waiting state (S6) (S6: No), the tape printer 3 waits for the status request signal from the mobile terminal 2.
In contrast, when the portable terminal 2 receives status information from the tape printer 3 (S2: Yes), the portable terminal 2 obtains the tape width status and the open / close status from the received status information (S8: status acquisition step).

  And since the portable terminal 2 received status information without passing the said predetermined time, the status information acquisition part 45 discriminate | determines that a power status is "power-on" (S9). When the status information (tape width status, open / close status, and power status) is obtained, the display control unit 43 updates each display area of the status display area 54 with the obtained status information (S10: display control step). That is, on the tape width display area 101, the current tape width based on the acquired latest tape width status is displayed on the display unit 41 (the corresponding box is darkened), and the obtained opening / closing is displayed on the status display area 102. The current state of the tape printer 3 based on the status and the power status is displayed on the display unit 41 (a corresponding message is displayed).

Subsequently, the mobile terminal 2 determines whether or not a specific status change has occurred based on the obtained status information by the data editing unit 46 (S11), and if a specific status change has occurred (S11: Yes) changes the setting of the tape width of the print data 62 (S12). Specific status changes include status changes in which the open / close status changes from “open” to “blocked” and status changes in which the power status changes from “power off” to “power on”.
Specifically, whether the open / close status or power status has changed as described above, taking into account the status information obtained in the previous regular operation and the status information obtained in the current regular operation. Whether or not a specific status change has occurred is determined (S11). If no specific status change has occurred (S11: No), this operation is terminated. On the other hand, if no specific status change has occurred (S11: Yes), the tape width of the print data 62 is determined. This setting is changed (S12), and this operation is terminated. That is, even when the tape width of the print data 62 is set by operating the tape width setting menu 72, the tape width of the print data 62 is compulsorily matched with the tape width of the currently loaded print tape T. Change to

  By performing such a periodic operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 43 causes the status display area 54 to transition in conjunction with the actual status change of the tape printer 3. Thereby, the portable terminal 2 can always display the latest status information on the editing screen α during the editing operation by the user, and can keep presenting the current status of the tape printer 3 to the user.

Next, a print execution instruction operation in the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. This print execution instruction operation is an operation executed when print execution is instructed (strictly speaking, when the print button 98 of the portable terminal is tapped).
As shown in FIG. 7, when the print button 98 of the mobile terminal is tapped (S21: Yes), the current tape width based on the tape width status acquired in the latest periodic operation and the tape set by the user operation It is determined whether or not the width (hereinafter referred to as the set tape width) matches (S22). If the two tape widths match (S22: Yes), the print data transmitting unit 44 transmits the print data 62 to the tape printer 3 (S23), and the operation ends.

On the other hand, if the tape widths do not match (S22: No), the display control unit 43 displays on the display unit 41 a dialog screen β indicating that the tape widths do not match and prompting the tape replacement. It is displayed (S24). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the dialog screen β displays a message “The tape width installed in the printer does not match the set tape width” and the response to this message Display options for choosing a strategy. As a result, “print to fit the tape width”, “print by exchanging the tape”, and “cancel” can be selected.
When “Cancel” is selected (S25: Yes, S26: a), the print execution instruction is canceled, and this operation ends.

  On the other hand, when “print in accordance with the tape width” is selected (S25: Yes, S26: b), the data editing unit 46 matches the tape width of the tape width status acquired in the latest periodic operation, The print data 62 is enlarged / reduced (S27). At this time, editing is performed while ignoring the tape length setting by the user operation. Thereafter, the print data transmission unit 44 transmits the print data 62 to the tape printer 3 (S28), and this operation is terminated.

  Furthermore, when “print with replacement of tape” is selected (S25: Yes, S26: c), it waits for replacement with the print tape T having the set tape width. Specifically, the periodical operation shifts to an acquisition waiting state (S29) in which the tape width status indicating the set tape width (that is, the tape width status of the tape width that matches the set tape width) is awaited. When the tape width status indicating the set tape width is acquired (S29: Yes), it is considered that the print tape T has been replaced with the print tape T having the set tape width, so the print data transmission unit 44 transmits the print data 62 to the tape printer 3. Then, this operation is finished (S30).

  Even when the tape width status indicating the set tape width is acquired (S25: No, S31: Yes) in the state where the dialog screen β is displayed (S25), the print data transmission unit 44 causes the print data 62 to be printed. Is transmitted to the tape printer 3 (S32), and this operation is terminated. That is, in such a case, the print data 62 is transmitted to the tape printer 3 without being accompanied by an instruction from the operation unit 42 (operation by the touch panel 12). Further, when the dialog screen β is displayed (S25) and the tape width status indicating the set tape width cannot be acquired (S25: No, S31: No), “Power OFF” or “Network error” (S33), and this operation is terminated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for calculating the remaining print time according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows a print image of the print tape T printed based on the print data edited by the user and the set print settings.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the print data edited by the user is “ABC”, the print settings are “no continuous printing”, “margin Xmm”, and “no automatic cut”. When printing, a print area A1 in which print data is printed and a blank color feed area A2 on the tape length direction side of the print area A1 are set on the print tape T. In calculating the remaining print time during printing, a print area A1 based on print data of an unprinted part and a color feed area A2 of a part not passing through the print head are set.

  First, the control unit 14 of the portable terminal 2 calculates the tape length L of the print tape T to be printed. Specifically, based on the print data “ABC”, the tape length L1 as the length in the tape length direction of the print area A1 is calculated, and the tape length L2 of the margin feed area A2 is added to the margin Xmm. The length L is calculated. That is, the tape length L is L1 + 2L2. The tape length L1 is calculated in consideration of formatting such as font and character size based on a predetermined program.

Subsequently, the remaining printing time is calculated from the tape length L and the transport speed V of the printing tape T. Specifically, the calculation of the remaining printing time in the printing area A1 and the calculation of the remaining printing time in the color feeding area A2 are performed separately in consideration of the conveying speed V1 in the printing area A1 and the conveying speed V2 in the color feeding area A2. To do.
That is, the remaining printing time in the printing area A1 is L1 / V1, and the remaining printing time in the color feed area A2 is L2 / V2. The remaining print time in the entire area of the tape length L is the sum of these, and is (L1 / V1) +2 (L2 / V2).
If “automatic cut” is designated, it is necessary to add a cut time ct. The conveyance speed V (V1, V2) may be held in the conveyance speed storage unit 47 of the portable terminal 2, or may be acquired from the tape printer 3 by the status information acquisition unit 45 together with other information. The transport speed V is preferably associated with the type of tape-like member and the tape width, and an accurate remaining print time can be calculated according to the tape-like member.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, when “3 continuous printing” is set in the print setting and 3 labels are continuously printed, the time required for the entire printing operation is {(L1 / V1) +2 (L2 / V2) + ct} × 3. That is, the remaining printing time is calculated for the single label by the above calculation method, and the remaining printing time for continuous printing is calculated by multiplying the remaining printing time by the number of sheets.

  Next, a display example indicating the calculated remaining print time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a display example of the display unit 41 of the mobile terminal 2 displayed before the start of printing. The display unit 41 displays the total time required for printing executed from these. In the drawing, the remaining print time calculated based on the currently input print data and print settings is displayed in absolute time (20 seconds) in seconds.

FIG. 10B shows three display examples of the display unit 41 of the mobile terminal 2 displayed during execution of printing. The main display unit 41 displays a screen indicating the remaining printing time during printing that is being performed. [Example 1] in the figure displays the calculated remaining print remaining time in absolute time (5 seconds) in seconds. In [Example 2] in the figure, the ratio of the remaining printing time to the total required printing time is expressed by a progress bar. In [Example 3] in the figure, the ratio of the print completion time to the total time required for printing is displayed numerically. The print completion time can be calculated by removing the remaining print time from the total required time for printing.
In this way, the main display unit 41 displays the remaining print time in the printing being executed in absolute or relative to the total required time, and the user can display the progress of the printing being executed on this screen. Can be confirmed. In addition, the display of the display part 41 changes with the remaining printing time which changes with printing progress.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the control method of the portable terminal 2 regarding the display of the display part 41 by pressing of the time display button 99 is demonstrated. When the portable terminal 2 detects pressing of the time display button 99 (S01), the portable terminal 2 calculates the tape length L from the print data and the print settings by the above-described calculation method (S02). Then, the remaining printing time is calculated from the calculated tape length L and transport speed V by the above-described calculation method (S03). If the printing is not continuous printing (S04: No), the calculated remaining printing time is set as the total remaining printing time, and the process proceeds to S06. On the other hand, when the printing is continuous printing (S04: Yes), the calculated print remaining time is multiplied by the number of printed sheets (S05), and the calculated time is set as the total remaining print time. Then, display data to be displayed on the display unit 41 is generated based on the calculated remaining print time (S06), and the generated display data is displayed on the display unit 41 (S07).

Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a control method of the portable terminal 2 regarding the display of the display unit 41 during execution of printing will be described. In this description, a process that goes through the same process as the processes of S02 to S05 in FIG. 11 is described as a “printing remaining time calculation process”.
As shown in the figure, when the portable terminal 2 detects pressing of the print button 98 (S111), the portable terminal 2 performs a remaining print time calculation process (S112). Then, display data to be displayed on the display unit 41 is generated based on the calculated total print remaining time (S113), and the generated display data is displayed on the display unit 41 (S114).

  When the printing is normal printing for printing a single label (S115: No), and a predetermined time has elapsed from the display of display data (S116: Yes), the amount of print data printed from the tape printer 3 is determined. The remaining tape length L is calculated from the acquired print data amount and print settings acquired (S117). Actually, the completion of printing is detected by the number of printed dots acquired by the status information acquisition unit 45 of the portable terminal 2, and the print data and the blank that have not been printed from the detection result remain as unprinted print data. The tape length L is calculated. Then, the remaining print remaining time is calculated from the calculated remaining tape length L and transport speed V by the above-described calculation method based on L / V (S118). Then, display data to be displayed on the display unit 41 is generated based on the calculated remaining print time (S119), and the generated display data is displayed on the display unit 41 (S120). If all printing is completed (S121: Yes), the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the printing has not been completed (S121: No), the processes of S116 to S120 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the printing is continuous printing (S115: Yes) and printing is newly completed for one label (S122: Yes), the remaining printing time for the number of printed labels is calculated from the remaining printing time. The actual remaining printing time is calculated by subtracting (S123). Then, display data to be displayed on the display unit 41 is generated based on the calculated remaining print time (S124), and the generated display data is displayed on the display unit 41 (S125). Then, when printing is completed for all the labels, the processing is terminated (S126: Yes). On the other hand, when printing has not been completed for all the labels, the processing of S122 to S125 is repeated.

  According to the printing system 1 described so far, the tape length L required for printing is calculated based on the amount of print data that has already been printed, and the remaining printing time is calculated. The remaining printing time can be calculated. By displaying the calculated remaining printing time on the display unit 41, the user can check the remaining printing time, which is convenient. In addition, since the remaining print time is calculated based on the amount of print data that has already been printed, the remaining print time taking into account the data transmission status and print status can be displayed, so the print time taking into account the decrease in data communication speed Can be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining printing time before printing is started by pressing the time display button 99 and the remaining printing time is automatically displayed during printing. For this reason, when it is difficult to predict the remaining print time, such as when the amount of print data is enormous or continuous printing, the user can make a print job outlook by checking the remaining print time before starting printing. it can. In addition, it is convenient for a user who waits for completion of printing because the remaining printing time can be confirmed during printing.

  Further, since the remaining printing time is calculated in consideration of the conveying speed V1 in the printing area A1 and the conveying speed V2 in the color feed area A2, the remaining printing time can be accurately calculated. If the transport speed V1 and the transport speed V2 are the same, the remaining print time in the print area A1 and the time in the color feed area A2 may be calculated together.

  In this embodiment, the remaining print time is displayed by pressing the time display button 99 before printing is started. However, the remaining print time is automatically displayed based on the currently input print data and print settings. It is good also as composition to do. On the other hand, the display of the remaining print time during printing may not be automatically displayed, but may be displayed by pressing the time display button 99.

  In this embodiment, the tape length L required for printing is calculated based on the printed print data amount and the remaining print time is calculated. However, the printed print data amount A and the total print data amount B are calculated. Further, the remaining printing time may be calculated by (A / B-1) × t from the printing time t after printing is started. In this case, the portable terminal 2 may be configured to include the time measuring unit 48 that measures time and measure the printing time t after printing is started.

  The calculation of the remaining print time during printing is performed by calculating the remaining tape length L based on unprinted print data even in continuous printing and calculating the remaining print remaining time using the tape length L. It is good. According to this, when it takes time to print one label, the remaining print remaining time can be accurately displayed even during label printing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 2 ... Portable terminal, 3 ... Tape printer, 17 ... Opening / closing lid, 41 ... Display part, 42 ... Operation part, 43 ... Display control part, 44 ... Print data transmission part, 45 ... Status information acquisition part, 46 ... Data editing unit, 47 ... Conveying speed storage unit, 48 ... Time measuring unit, 62 ... Print data, α ... Edit screen, β ... Dialog screen, T ... Print tape, 99 ... Time display button, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 33 ... RAM.

Claims (11)

A print data generation device that generates print data based on the set print setting information;
A tape printing apparatus that prints the print data transmitted from the print data generation apparatus on a tape-shaped member,
The print data generation device includes:
A status acquisition unit that acquires status information including print data amount A that has been printed in the tape printer from the tape printer;
A print time information generating unit that generates print time information that is information indicating a time until printing is completed from the print setting information and the printed print data amount A;
A display unit for displaying the printing time information,
A printing system characterized by that.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the printing time information that changes with the progress of printing.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing time information is information representing an absolute time until the printing is completed.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing time information is information indicating a ratio of a time until the printing is completed with respect to a total time required for the printing. The print data generation device includes:
A transport speed storage unit that stores the transport speed V of the tape-shaped member during printing in association with the type and tape width of the tape-shaped member;
The print time information generation unit calculates a tape length direction length L1 of a print area to be printed based on the print setting information and the printed print data amount A acquired by the status acquisition unit. And
The printing time information generation unit generates the printing time information based on the formula: (L1 / V).
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. The print data generation device further includes a time measurement unit that measures a print time t from the start of printing,
The print time information generation unit calculates the formula: (A / B-1) × t from the total print data amount B calculated from the print setting information, the printed print data amount A, and the print time t. Generating the printing time information based on:
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing system is a printing system. The tape printer further comprises a tape cutter for cutting a printed tape-shaped member,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing time information includes a cutting time of the tape-shaped member. When the print setting information includes information for performing continuous printing for printing a plurality of labels, the print time information is information indicating a time until printing of all of the plurality of labels is completed.
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein A print data generation device that generates print data based on set print setting information and transmits the print data to a tape printer,
A status acquisition unit that acquires status information including the amount of print data printed in the tape printer from the tape printer;
A print time information generating unit that generates print time information, which is information indicating a time until printing is completed, from the print setting information and the printed print data amount;
A display unit for displaying the printing time information,
A print data generation apparatus characterized by the above. A control method for a print data generation apparatus that generates print data based on set print setting information and transmits the print data to a tape printing apparatus, wherein the print data generation apparatus includes:
Status information acquisition step for acquiring status information including the amount of print data printed in the tape printer from the tape printer;
A print time information generating step for generating print time information, which is information indicating a time until printing is completed, from the print setting information and the printed print data amount;
A display step of displaying the printing time information on a display unit;
A control method for a print data generation apparatus, comprising:   The program for making a computer perform each step in the control method of the printing data generation apparatus of Claim 10.

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