JP2015112820A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use storage capacity of a memory.SOLUTION: A printing label preparation device accepts an input operation of a printing object including a printing identifier which can be incremented, accepts a setting operation of increment execution frequencies of the printing identifier, generates a plurality of printed matter images in which the printing identifier of the printing object whose input operation is accepted is incremented according to the accepted increment execution frequencies, is provided with a RAM 216 fixingly having predetermined storage capacity, and for storing the plurality of generated printed matter images, displays the plurality of printed matter images stored in the RAM 216, generates a plurality of printing labels L corresponding to the plurality of displayed printed matter images, and variably sets the maximum value of the number of the plurality of printed matter images to be generated, which is determined by a value of the storage capacity of the RAM 216 according to a mode of a printing dot consumption element of the printing object whose input operation is accepted.

Description

  The present invention relates to printing, and more particularly to a printing apparatus that enables incremental printing.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses such as label printing apparatuses are known that perform printing by automatically incrementing similar printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This increment is also known as numbering printing in which a large number of labels are continuously printed while performing an operation of incrementing the value of a variable by 1 in a number or alphabet.

  For example, in filing work such as books, in label printing used for the back cover, etc., “contact form file 1990”, “contact form file 1991”, “contact form file 2013”, etc. This is applied to the case where the last number is moved up by one.

  Here, when the increment is designated, for example, on the operation input screen of the label printing apparatus, the content to be printed on the label is input as “contact form file 1990” and then incremented, for example, “1990”. "Is specified.

  Then, it is designated on the operation input screen how many times to increment, that is, how many labels are to be created.

  In the case described above, 23 increments are designated up to the current year (2013).

  When these two designation operations are completed, the 23 label image images, that is, “contact form file 1990” and “contact form file 1991” are displayed on the operation input screen of the label printing apparatus. "..." All of the communication form file 2013 "is displayed.

  At this time, when the display space of the operation input screen is small with respect to the number of label image images, the operator can confirm the label image image by performing a predetermined scroll operation.

  Therefore, the operator who has displayed (confirmed) the label image can actually print the 23 image labels according to an appropriate operation input (for example, pressing a “print” button).

JP 2012-176516 A

  However, the area of the RAM 216 or the like for temporarily storing data for printing execution of the label printing apparatus is limited.

  Therefore, if the number is about 23, the label image can be created for the designated number of times and temporarily stored in the RAM 216 or the like, and can be scrolled on the operation input screen. However, the number of times is limited. It is common.

  At this time, as in the above-mentioned label, it is common that characters such as “contact form file” and “year” are included other than alphanumeric characters, and it is considered to use the memory storage capacity accordingly. Therefore, the number of times the increment is allowed is normally set to about 50 times.

  For this reason, even if the number of characters on one label is small, if the number of increments allowed is 50, it is fixed at 50, and the effective use of the memory capacity of the numbering printing is effective. I couldn't plan.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of effectively using the storage capacity of a memory.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a transport unit that transports a print-receiving tape, and a print unit that prints a desired print object on the print-receiving tape transported by the transport unit. And a printing apparatus that creates at least one printed matter in which each of the print objects is formed on the print-receiving tape along the transporting direction of the transporting unit, and is at least one in the tape length direction with respect to the one printed matter. A print object receiving means for accepting an input operation of the print object, including a print identifier that can be incremented according to a predetermined regularity, and is arranged in a block that can be individually set; and when incrementing the print identifier An increment count receiving means for receiving an increment execution count setting operation, Image generating means for generating a plurality of printed images in which the print identifier of the print object for which an input operation has been received by the print object receiving means is incremented according to the increment execution number received by the rement number receiving means; A fixed storage capacity, an image memory for storing the plurality of printed images generated by the image generating unit, and a display unit for displaying the plurality of printed images stored in the image memory; Depending on the value of the storage capacity of the image memory and the print control means for controlling the conveying means and the printing means to generate a plurality of the printed matter corresponding to the plurality of printed matter images displayed on the display means The plurality of marks generated by the image generating means Image maximum value setting means for variably setting the maximum value of the number of object images in accordance with the form of the print dot consuming element in the print object received by the print object receiving means. To do.

  In the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the print object is formed on the print-receiving tape conveyed by the conveying means by the printing means, so that each of the print objects (character string, barcode, etc.) is provided. At least one printed material is created.

  At this time, in order to arrange the print objects provided in each printed material, in the present invention, at least one block is set in each printed material, and the printed objects are arranged in each block. In the present invention, the print object includes a print identifier (for example, a number or an alphabet) that can be incremented along a predetermined regularity when the printed matter is created as described above. When the operator performs an input operation of the print object including the print identifier, the input operation is received by the print object receiving unit.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, the operator can set the number of times the print identifier is incremented. That is, when the operator performs a setting operation of the number of times of increment execution (for example, incrementing by three stages, etc.) when the print identifier of the print object included in the printed material image is incremented, the setting is performed by the increment number reception unit. The operation is accepted. Then, based on the reception result, the image generation unit generates a plurality of printed images in which the print identifier is incremented according to the received increment execution count. The generated plurality of printed images are read out after being stored in the image memory and displayed by the display means. Thereafter, based on the control of the print control means, a plurality of printed materials corresponding to the displayed plurality of printed images are generated by the cooperation of the conveying means and the printing means.

  Here, the image memory for storing a plurality of printed images generated as described above has a fixed storage capacity. That is, the storage capacity that can be used when storing a plurality of printed images as described above is limited. Therefore, if the number of increments can be set infinitely, the total number of printed images cannot be stored. Therefore, normally, the maximum number of increments that can be set by the operator as described above is uniformly limited. Is provided.

  However, the storage capacity consumed when storing one print image depends on the number of dots of the print object included in the print image and varies depending on, for example, whether the number of characters of the print object is large or small. Therefore, for example, when the number of characters of one print object is relatively small, even if the maximum number of increments is set, the storage capacity of the image memory is actually not fully used. There is a high possibility of being in the

  Therefore, in the present invention, image maximum value setting means is provided. This image maximum value setting means determines the maximum value of the number of printed images generated by the image generation means as the mode of the print dot consumption element in the print object (as described above, whether the number of characters in the print object is large or small). Set to be variable according to Thereby, for example, when the number of characters of a print object is large, for example, when the number of dots of one print object is large, only a relatively small number of printed images can be generated, and conversely, for example, the number of characters of the print object is small. When the number of dots of one print object is small, a relatively large number of printed images can be generated. As a result, in any of the above two cases, it is possible to create as many printed materials as possible efficiently without waste in a form that is fully used without leaving the storage capacity of the image memory. Effective use of the storage capacity of the memory can be achieved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use the storage capacity of the memory.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a print label producing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view schematically showing the internal structure of the cartridge. It is a conceptual diagram showing the control system of a printed label production apparatus. It is a top view showing the example of appearance of the printed label produced. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of a display when the various settings regarding an increment are received. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of a display when the various settings regarding an increment are received. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the printing dot consumption element at the time of calculating the maximum value of the frequency | count of execution of an increment with a control circuit. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which a control circuit performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S80. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example when accepting various settings related to increment in Modification 2.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Appearance structure of printing label production device>
As shown in FIG. 1, a print label producing apparatus 1 (corresponding to a printing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a housing 1A that constitutes an outline. The housing 1A includes a resin lower cover 15 that constitutes the apparatus lower surface and the apparatus side surface, and a resin upper cover 17 that constitutes the apparatus upper surface. The upper cover 17 includes a cartridge cover 17a that covers the cartridge holder 9 (see FIG. 2 described later) on the rear side, and the cartridge cover 17a can be opened and closed with the rear end portion as a fulcrum. For example, a rectangular opening 6 adjacent to the cartridge cover 17 a and a transparent panel 7 mounted so as to close the opening 6 are provided on the front side of the upper cover 17. A display unit 5 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display is arranged for displaying input characters and symbols. An operation unit 2 is provided around the opening 6. The operation unit 2 executes various functions of the keyboard 3 for performing various operations such as character input from the front direction to the rear direction of the upper cover 17 and the print label producing apparatus 1 such as a power switch and a print key. A function key group 4 is arranged.

  Inside the housing 1A, for example, a main board (not shown) in which an electronic element (IC chip or the like) constituting a control circuit 210 (see FIG. 3 to be described later) or the like is mounted below the display unit 5 and the main board And a key board (not shown) connected to the control circuit 210 via a connector. The key board has a plurality of key contacts provided at positions corresponding to the keys constituting the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4, and the key contacts are provided by the operator using the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4. When the keys are operated, the function assigned to each key is executed.

<Cartridge holder and surrounding configuration>
Inside the cartridge cover 17a of the housing 1A, as shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge holder 9 to which the cartridge 8 for supplying the printed label tape 109 can be attached and detached is provided. The cartridge holder 9 is always closed by the cartridge cover 17a. When the cartridge cover 17a is opened, the cartridge holder 9 is exposed. The cartridge holder 9 has a ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 for taking up the used ink ribbon 105 in the cartridge 8 and a feed for carrying the cover film 103 (corresponding to the print-receiving tape) in the cartridge 8. A roller drive shaft 108 (corresponding to the conveying means) is provided.

  The cartridge holder 9 is provided with a thermal head 23 (corresponding to printing means) for performing desired printing on the cover film 103 so as to be positioned at the opening when the cartridge 8 is mounted. The thermal head 23 includes a plurality of heating elements 23a (see FIG. 3 to be described later) arranged in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the cover film 103, and controls the print drive circuit 211 (see FIG. 3 to be described later). Based on this, at least each dot is formed on each print line obtained by dividing the cover film 103 into print resolution in the transport direction. Thus, a desired print object (for example, a character string) is printed on the cover film 103.

  The cartridge 8 is disposed in the housing 8A and the first roll 102 around which the belt-like base tape 101 is wound (actually, it is spiral, but is simply shown concentrically in the figure). ), And a second roll 104 (actually a spiral shape, but is simply shown as a concentric circle in the figure) around which the transparent cover film 103 having substantially the same width as the base tape 101 is wound, A ribbon supply side roll 111 around which an ink ribbon 105 (thermal transfer ribbon, but not required when the print-receiving tape is a thermal tape) is wound, a ribbon take-up roller 106 for winding the ink ribbon 105 after printing, and a cartridge 8 A feed roller 27 rotatably supported in the vicinity of the tape discharge unit.

  The first roll 102 has the base tape 101 wound around a reel member 102a. In this example, the base tape 101 is laminated in the order of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for bonding, the base film, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer for bonding, and the release paper from the side wound inside to the opposite side. Has been. The second roll 104 has the cover film 103 wound around a reel member 104a.

  The feed roller 27 presses and conveys the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing is formed to adhere to the printed label tape 109. The resulting printed label tape 109 is shown in FIG. It is conveyed in the direction indicated by the middle arrow A. The ribbon take-up roller 106 and the feed roller 27 are transmitted to the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 and the feed roller drive shaft 108 by the driving force of the roller driving motor 213 (see FIG. 3 described later). Driven in conjunction with rotation. During this rotational driving, the platen roller 26 disposed opposite to the thermal head 23 and the pressure roller 28 disposed opposite to the feed roller 27 are similarly rotated.

  Further, the printed label tape 109 is cut in the thickness direction on the downstream side of the feed roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 along the conveyance path of the printed label tape 109 (hereinafter, as appropriate, “all cut” or “ A cutter 40 is provided for the purpose of “full cut”.

<Control system of printing label production device>
A control system of the print label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3, the print label producing apparatus 1 includes a print drive circuit 211, a roller drive circuit 212, a cutter solenoid drive circuit 215 that controls energization to the cutter solenoid 214 that causes the cutter 40 to be fully cut, and a print drive circuit. 211, a roller drive circuit 212, a cutter solenoid drive circuit 215 and the like, and a control circuit 210 for controlling the operation of the entire print label producing apparatus 1 is provided.

  The roller drive circuit 212 controls a roller drive motor 213 that drives the feed roller drive shaft 108 (see FIG. 2) and the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107 (see FIG. 2). That is, the roller driving circuit 212 controls the conveyance speed of the printed label tape 109 (in other words, the conveyance speed of the cover film 103; the same applies hereinafter) by controlling the rotation speed of the roller driving motor 213.

  The print drive circuit 211 supplies power to the heating element 23a of the thermal head 23. That is, the print drive circuit 211 starts the conveyance of the printed label tape 109 by the driving force of the roller drive motor 213 (the print data acquired from the control circuit 210 is divided into one print line unit). While switching the energization mode for each line print data, energization control of the plurality of heating elements 23a corresponding to the data is performed.

  The operation unit 2 receives an operation signal from a key contact that is provided on the key board and is closed corresponding to the operation of the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4. The control circuit 210 controls the print drive circuit 211, the roller drive circuit 212, the roller drive motor 213, the cutter solenoid drive circuit 215, and the like through the control circuit 210 in accordance with the operation of the keyboard 3 and the function key group 4. Further, a display control signal is output from the control circuit 210 according to the operation result in the operation unit 2, and a corresponding display is performed on the display unit 5.

  The control circuit 210 is a so-called microcomputer. In addition to a CPU and ROM that are central processing units (not shown), a RAM 216 as an image memory that has a predetermined storage capacity and stores a plurality of printed images. Etc. The control circuit 210 performs predetermined processing in accordance with a program (including a print label creation program for executing a print label creation flow shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to be described later) stored in the ROM in advance using the temporary storage function of the RAM 216. I do. The control circuit 210 is powered by a power supply circuit and connected to, for example, a communication line via a communication circuit. A route server (not shown) connected to the communication line, another terminal, a general-purpose computer, an information server, and the like Information can be exchanged between the two.

<Basic operation of printed label production device>
In the print label producing apparatus 1 configured as described above, when the cartridge 8 is mounted on the cartridge holder 9, the cover film 103 and the ink ribbon 105 are sandwiched between the thermal head 23 and the platen roller 26, and the substrate The tape 101 and the cover film 103 are sandwiched between the feed roller 27 and the pressure roller 28. As the feed roller drive shaft 108 is driven, the ribbon take-up roller 106 and the feed roller 27 are rotationally driven in synchronization with directions indicated by arrows B and C in FIG. The pressure roller 28 is rotated by the rotation of the feed roller 27, the base tape 101 is fed out from the first roll 102 and supplied to the feed roller 27, and the ink ribbon 105 is transferred from the ribbon supply roller 111 by the rotation of the ribbon take-up roller 106. It is paid out. The platen roller 26 is rotated by feeding out the ink ribbon 105, and the cover film 103 is fed out from the second roll 14 by the rotation of the feed roller 27, the pressure roller 28 and the platen roller 26 and supplied to the feed roller 27. On the other hand, a plurality of heating elements 23 a of the thermal head 23 are energized by the print drive circuit 211, and a desired print object R (in this example, “AB...” Is printed on the back surface of the cover film 103 fed out from the second roll 104. Column) is formed.

  Then, the base tape 101 and the cover film 103 after the printing are bonded and integrated by the feed roller 27 and the pressure roller 28 to form a printed label tape 109, from the tape discharge section. It is carried out of the cartridge 8. The ink ribbon 105 on which the formation of the print object R has been completed on the cover film 103 is taken up by the ribbon take-up roller 106 by driving the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 107.

  Thereafter, the cutter 40 is operated, and the printed label tape 109 is completely cut to a predetermined length to form a printed label L (corresponding to a printed matter, see FIG. 4 described later).

<Example of printed label>
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the print label producing apparatus 1 puts a plurality of print labels L 1, L 2... L 66 on the print label L in a predetermined order along the transport direction of the printed label tape 109. It can be created continuously.

  In the illustrated example, the character “A” and the character “001” are arranged on the print label L1. The character “A” and the character “002” are arranged on the print label L2, respectively, and the characters “A” and “066” on the print label L66 are sequentially arranged in numerical order.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, when a plurality of print labels (66 print labels L1, L2,... L66 in this example) are continuously produced as described above, a predetermined regularity is obtained. Contains a printable identifier that can be incremented along That is, in this example, the numbers “001”, “002”,... “066” are print identifiers, and the whole including the character “A” (for example, “A001” “A002”) is a print object. The alphabet “A” can also be designated as a printing identifier in uppercase alphabetical order, but in the following description, only the numbers will be described.

  The numbers “001”, “002”,..., “066” in the print labels L1, L2,... L66 are “001” → “002”, and then “066” in the order of creation of the print label L1, the print label L2,. "Is incremented by one character.

<Features of the embodiment>
In the present embodiment, in creating the print labels L1, L2,... L66 as described above, various settings by the operator regarding the increment of the character string are accepted. Hereinafter, the details will be described in order.

<Reception of print objects>
First, in a state where an appropriate initial setting screen for editing (not shown) is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2, the operator uses the keyboard unit 3 to print identifiers for character input, character editing, etc. on the print label L. When an input operation for a print object including is performed, the input operation is accepted. In the present embodiment, based on the reception result, a setting image related to one print label L is generated and displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 as shown in FIG.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 5A, the character “A” is input as the print object in one print label L, and the character “001” is input as the print object. As a result, the setting image M1 of one print label L including the characters “A” and “001” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2.

  In the present embodiment, the setting relating to the increment by the operator can be specified in two places for the print identifier (in this example, the numeric portion) to be incremented. In other words, at least one print identifier to be incremented can be selected. In the setting instruction message field SM1 above the setting image M1 on the liquid crystal display unit 2, an operation guide message such as “Please make various settings for incrementing” is displayed.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a character string “001” is designated as a print identifier to be incremented, and shading or black and white reverse display is performed so that the target range can be recognized. do.

<Reception of increment mode>
When the range designation as described above is performed, next, in this example, as shown in FIG. 6A, an increment mode designation field SM2 related to the increment target is displayed on the lower left side of the setting image M1. . The increment mode designation field SM2 displays an “increment interval” box SM21 in which the setting of the increment interval representing the degree of one increment can be input, and an “increment number” box SM22 in which the setting of the number of executions of the increment can be input. Is done.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the increment interval is set to 1 in the “increment interval” box SM21 in the increment mode designation field SM2. In addition, the number of executions of the increment is set to 66 in the “increment number” box SM22.

  When the setting of the increment interval and the number of increments of the character “001” of the setting image M1 is completed as described above, the print labels L1, L2,... L66 are created as shown in FIG. The confirmation can be made by scrolling. Further, the print data of the created print labels L 1, L 2... L 66 is stored in the RAM 216.

  Then, for example, by the operation of the print execution button, the print formation by the thermal head 23 and the entire cutting by the cutter 40 are executed, and the corresponding number of print labels L1, L2,. For example, the print label L1 in which the character string “A001” as the print object is arranged, the print label L2 in which the character string “A002” is arranged, and the print in which the character string “A066” is arranged, as shown in FIG. A label L66 can be created.

  As described above, in the print label producing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, print objects are printed on the print-receiving tape conveyed by the feed roller drive shaft 107 by the thermal head 23, thereby printing each. At least one print label provided with an object (character string, barcode, etc.) is created.

  At this time, at least one block (corresponding to a print label) is set in each printed matter in order to arrange the print objects provided in each printed matter, and the print objects are arranged in each block. Further, the print object includes a print identifier (for example, a number or an alphabet) that can be incremented according to a predetermined regularity when the printed matter is created as described above. When the operator performs an input operation for the print object including the print identifier, the input operation is accepted.

  On the other hand, the operator can set the number of times the print identifier is incremented. That is, when the operator performs a setting operation of the number of times of execution of the increment when the print identifier of the print object included in the printed material image is incremented (for example, incremented by three levels), the setting operation is accepted. Based on the reception result, a plurality of printed images in which the printing identifier is incremented according to the received increment execution count are generated. The generated plurality of printed images are read out after being stored in the RAM 216 and displayed on the display unit 5. Thereafter, a plurality of printed materials corresponding to the displayed plurality of printed material images are generated by the cooperation of the feed roller drive shaft 107 and the thermal head 23 based on the control of the printing control means.

  Here, as described above, all the images (character strings) designated as the number of executions of the increment are generated and displayed on the display unit 5 before actual printing. At that time, the capacity of the RAM 216 of the print label producing apparatus 1 is naturally consumed for image generation.

  Since the capacity of the RAM 216 is finite (a fixed value determined for each model), for example, even if the number of executions of increment is designated as “999”, it is not accepted by the print label producing apparatus 1 due to the restriction function, and the RAM 216 Only “50 sheets” corresponding to the capacity are created and displayed on the display unit 5.

  Conventionally, the limit value of “50 sheets” is a fixed value regardless of whether the character string as a print object is four characters “A001” or three characters “001”. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the case of the character string “A001”, since the number of characters is 4, even if an image cannot be created due to the limitation of 50, the number of characters is changed to “001”. If the number of characters is reduced to three, the capacity of the RAM 216 consumed per printed label is naturally reduced. Therefore, if the limit value can be increased on the printed label producing apparatus 1 side, many images can be generated. .

  Therefore, when the number of executions of the increment is designated as “999” times, the character string as the print object is “A001” of 4 characters, 50 times, and the character string “001” is 66 times. The maximum value N of the number of printed images (print labels L1, L2,... LN) determined according to the capacity of the RAM 216 is variably set based on the print dot consumption factor when the print object input operation is accepted. It was configured as follows.

  That is, in the character string “A001” shown in FIG. 7A and the character string “001” shown in FIG. 7B, the character string “A001” naturally has a larger number of dots. Use area also increases.

  The storage capacity consumed when storing one print image depends on the number of dots of the print object included in the print image, and varies depending on, for example, whether the number of characters in the print object is large or small.

  Therefore, for example, when the number of characters in one print object is relatively small, the storage capacity of the RAM 216 is actually not fully used even if the maximum number of increments is set. There is a high possibility of being in a state.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the maximum image value can be set. The maximum image value is set by changing the maximum value of the number of printed images when generating an image to the mode of the print dot consumption element in the print object (as described above, whether the number of characters in the print object is large or small). Set to be variable accordingly.

  Thereby, for example, when the number of characters of a print object is large, for example, when the number of dots of one print object is large, only a relatively small number of printed images can be generated, and conversely, for example, the number of characters of the print object is small. When the number of dots of one print object is small, a relatively large number of printed images can be generated.

  As a result, in any of the above two cases, it is possible to create as many printed materials as possible efficiently without wasting in a manner that allows the storage capacity of the RAM 216 to be fully used up.

  A control procedure executed by the CPU 44 of the label producing apparatus 1 in order to realize the above method will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

<Control procedure>
In FIG. 8, the process shown in this flow is started when, for example, the power of the print label producing apparatus 1 is turned on.

  First, in step S10, the control circuit 210 is arranged in at least one block that can be set in the tape length direction with respect to one printed matter via the operation unit 2 and can be incremented along a predetermined regularity. An input operation of a print object such as a character string including a print identifier such as a character or a number is accepted. The control circuit 210 that executes step S10 functions as a print object receiving means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, where the control circuit 210 has one set image in which the blocks of the quantity received in step S5, each having the print object received in step S10, are arranged in the tape length direction. M1 is generated.

  In step S30, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the display unit 5 to display the setting image M1 generated in step S20 on the display unit 5 (see FIG. 5A).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S <b> 40, and the control circuit 210 receives various setting operations related to the increment mode by the operator via the operation unit 2. Note that, as described above, the setting operation related to the increment of the print label accepted in step S40 is, for example, the setting of the print identifier to be incremented (range setting; see FIG. 5B), and the increment interval. There are operations such as setting (see FIG. 6A), setting the number of executions of increment when incrementing the print identifier (see FIG. 6A), and the like. The control circuit 210 that executes this step S40 functions as an increment number receiving means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S50, where the control circuit 210 determines the maximum value N of the number of executions of increments of the print labels L1, L2,... LN determined according to the storage capacity value of the RAM 216, and the print object that has received the input operation in step S10. Is variably set according to the mode of the printing dot consumption element (for example, the number of characters is large). The control circuit 210 that executes this step S50 functions as an image maximum value setting means described in each claim.

  As a result, when the number of dots of one print object is large, a plurality of printed images are generated with the smaller number of increment executions even if the number of increment executions set by the operator is large. When the number of dots is small, it is possible to generate a plurality of printed images according to the number of increment executions set by the operator. As a result, in any of the above two cases, a printed matter can be efficiently created without waste.

  Further, the control circuit 210 moves to step S60, and according to the increment execution count received in step S40, a plurality of printed images (print labels) in which the print identifier of the print object accepted in step S10 is incremented. L1, L2... L50 or L66).

  Specifically, the number of increments received in step S40 is equal to (for example, 66 sheets) or less (for example, 50 sheets) than the number of executions of the increment received in step S40 depending on the aspect of the print dot consumption element in the print object. A plurality of printed images (print labels L1, L2,... L50 or L66) in which the print identifier is incremented are generated. The control circuit 210 that executes step S60 functions as an image generation unit and an image generation restriction unit described in each claim.

  In step S <b> 70, the control circuit 210 determines whether a predetermined label creation instruction has been input via the operation unit 2. Until the label creation instruction is input, the determination in step S70 is not satisfied (S70: NO), and a loop waits. If a label production instruction is input, the determination at step S70 is satisfied (S70: YES), and the routine goes to step S80.

  In step S80, the control circuit 210 executes a label creation process for generating a print label L corresponding to the increment mode and the cutting mode received in step S40 and step S40. The control circuit 210 that executes this step S80 functions as a print control means described in each claim. Thereafter, the processing shown in this flow is terminated.

  The detailed procedure of the label creation process in step S80 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 9, first, in step S <b> 81, the control circuit 210 sets a value of a variable N related to the number of print labels L to be created to 1. At the same time, the maximum value Nmax of the variable N is set corresponding to the selection of the increment mode (increment interval, number of increments, etc.) accepted in step S40.

  Thereafter, in step S82, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller driving circuit 212, and starts driving the roller driving motor 213. Thereby, rotation of the platen roller 26 and the like is started, and conveyance of the cover film 103, the base tape 101, and the printed label tape 109 is started.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S83, and the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the transport direction position of the cover film 103 has reached a predetermined print start position by a known method. Until the print start position is reached, the determination in step S83 is not satisfied (S83: NO), the process returns to step S82 and the same procedure is repeated. When the print start position is reached, the determination at Step S83 is satisfied (S83: YES), and the routine goes to Step S84.

  In step S84, when the control circuit 210 sequentially increments the print identifier based on the increment mode set in step S40, the control circuit 210 changes the sequence corresponding to the value of the variable N at this time point. A control signal (print data) corresponding to the label is output. As a result, the thermal head 23 is driven corresponding to the print data, and the formation of a print object corresponding to the print data is started on the cover film 103.

  In step S85, the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the transport direction position of the cover film 103 has reached a predetermined print end position by a known method. Until the print end position is reached, the determination in step S85 is not satisfied (S85: NO), and a loop waits. When the print end position is reached, the determination at Step S85 is satisfied (S85: YES), and the routine goes to Step S86.

  In step S86, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the print drive circuit 211, stops driving the thermal head 23, and ends printing.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S87, and the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the transport direction position of the printed label tape 109 has reached the tape cutting position by a known method. Until the tape cutting position is reached, the determination in step S87 is not satisfied (S87: NO), and the loop waits. When the tape cutting position is reached, the determination at step S87 is satisfied (S87: YES), and the routine proceeds to step S88.

  In step S <b> 88, the control circuit 210 outputs a control signal to the roller drive circuit 212 and stops driving the motor 213. Accordingly, the rotation of the platen roller 26 and the like is stopped, and the conveyance of the cover film 103, the base tape 101, and the printed label tape 109 is stopped.

  In step S89, the control circuit 210 determines whether or not the value of the variable N has reached the maximum number Nmax. Until the value of the variable N reaches the maximum number Nmax, the determination in step S89 is not satisfied (S89: NO), and the process proceeds to step S90. In step S90, the control circuit 210 adds 1 to the value of the variable N, and then returns to step S82 to repeat the same procedure. On the other hand, when the value of the variable N reaches the maximum number Nmax in step S89, the determination in step S89 is satisfied (S89: YES), and this routine is terminated. Thus, the Nmax all print labels L are generated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to set the cutting of the printed label tape 109 according to the set increment mode. That is, the setting operation is accepted when the operator performs a setting operation for all cutting modes by the cutter 40 at the boundary between two adjacent print labels L corresponding to the increment mode (see step S60). . Then, a plurality of print labels L (in the above example) are formed, each of which is formed with a print object in which the print identifier is incremented according to the set increment mode, and cut in the cut mode accepted as described above. Then, five print labels L1, L2,... L66) are generated (see step S80).

  As a result of the above, which of the plurality of print identifiers (character “A” and character “001” in the above example) included in the print objects of the plurality of blocks in each print label L is to be incremented is determined. The operator can set it as desired. In addition, the number of increment executions at that time can also be set according to the character string mode. As a result, convenience can be improved with certainty.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. Below, the modification is demonstrated. Parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified as appropriate.

(1) Input limit on the number of increments In the above embodiment, when the number of executions of increment is designated as “999”, when the character string as the print object is “A001” of 4 characters, the character count is 50 times. In the case of “001”, the maximum number N (variable N) of the number of printed images (print labels L1, L2,... LN) determined according to the capacity of the RAM 216 is input 66 The variable is set based on the print dot consumption factor when the operation is accepted.

  On the other hand, the number-of-receptions limiting means is provided so that the number “999” times cannot be input and the number input box on the screen does not spread so that only “50” times (or “66” times) can be selected. It may be provided.

  That is, in the image maximum value setting step of step S50, the control circuit 210 limits the maximum value N of the number of executions of increments received by the increment number reception unit of step S40 according to the form of the print dot consumption element in the print object. May be.

  As a result, when the number of dots of one print object is large, only a relatively small number of increments can be set for the operator, and conversely, when the number of dots of one print object is small It is possible to set the number of executions of a relatively large number of increments. As a result, in any of the above two cases, a printed matter can be efficiently created without waste.

(2) Continuous processing example 1 when the maximum value N is exceeded
In the above embodiment, even when the number of executions of increment is designated as “999”, it is variable such as 50 times or 66 times based on the print dot consumption element when the print object input operation is accepted. To restrict printing to no more.

  On the other hand, “999” increments are accepted as is. For example, when Nmax = 66, printing of 66 sheets is completed, or print image generation is performed as shown in FIG. On the screen, a confirmation message SM3 to continue printing is displayed. If “Yes”, the subsequent 67th to 132nd sheets (or 51st to 100th sheets) are automatically printed. May be processed. The “Yes” button constitutes a continuation instruction receiving means in the scope of claims.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 10A, when “999” is input as the number of executions of increment, the number of executions input is larger than the maximum value N based on the calculation result of the print dot consumption element by the control circuit 210. In this case, a message indicating that the upper limit has been exceeded can be displayed in the setting instruction message field SM1.

  In this case, the calculated maximum number N can be displayed on the display unit 5 or the numerical value in the “increment number” box SM22 can be lowered to the maximum value N.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, print images for the maximum value N may be displayed on the display unit 5. At this time, in the case of the above-described continuation instruction, the control circuit 210 may newly generate a new print image (print labels L67 to L132, etc.) and display it on the display unit 6.

  As described above, the storage capacity that can be used when a plurality of printed images are stored in the RAM 216 is finite. Accordingly, there may be a case where the operator cannot finally generate all the necessary number of printed materials by only generating a plurality of printed material images at once and a printing operation based thereon. Alternatively, there may be a case where the generation of the printed matter is stopped due to an error caused for some reason during the printing operation. In order to facilitate the generation of the remaining printed matter in such a case, a continuation instruction receiving means is provided in the present invention.

  After the printing operation is performed once and stopped as described above, when the operator gives a predetermined increment continuation instruction, the continuation instruction receiving unit receives the instruction. Then, the image generation means newly prints a plurality of print images in which the print identifier has been incremented (for the accepted number of increments executed) following the print identifier of the print object of the print product that has already been generated. To generate. The plurality of newly generated printed matter images are stored in the RAM 216, and a new printed matter corresponding to the new plurality of printed matter images is generated under the control of the print control unit.

  As a result, even after the printing operation is performed and stopped as described above, it is possible to set the print identifier of the print object included in the printed material without setting the number of increments to be performed again. It is possible to easily create the remaining printed matter while continuing the increment in a subsequent manner.

(3) Continuous processing example 2 when the maximum value N is exceeded
Further, in the above modification, when the number of executions of the input increment exceeds the maximum value N and the printing for the maximum value N is completed, the next print image is created and displayed on the display unit 5. However, such a question may be omitted and the subsequent 67th to 132nd sheets (or 51st to 100th sheets) may be automatically printed. . It should be noted that the control circuit 210 that executes this automatic continuation functions as the acceptance number continuation means described in each claim.

  As described above, in the present invention, when the number of executions of increment is designated as “999”, when the character string as the print object is “A001” of 4 characters, it is 50 times, and when the character is “001” The maximum value N (variable N) of the number of printed images (print labels L1, L2,... LN) determined according to the capacity of the RAM 216, such as 66 times, is displayed when the print object input operation is accepted. By variably setting based on the print dot consumption factor, the storage capacity of the RAM 216 can be effectively used.

  In each of the above examples, when calculating the maximum value N with respect to the number of executions of the increment, the control circuit 210 does not consider all of the free capacity but considers the capacity for executing other processes. The maximum value N is calculated (with a work area secured in advance).

  Further, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated procedure, and the procedures may be added / deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the present invention. May be.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above embodiments may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

1 Print label production device (printing device)
5 Display section (display means)
23 Thermal head (printing means)
103 Cover film (printed tape)
107 Ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 108 Feed roller drive shaft (conveying means)
210 Control circuit 216 RAM (image memory)

Claims (5)

Conveying means for conveying the print-receiving tape;
A printing unit for printing a desired print object on the print-receiving tape conveyed by the conveyance unit;
Have
A printing apparatus that creates at least one printed matter formed on the print-receiving tape by each of the print objects along a transport direction of the transport means,
A print object that is arranged in at least one block that can be set in the tape length direction with respect to one print and that receives an input operation of the print object including a print identifier that can be incremented along a predetermined regularity Receiving means;
An increment number accepting unit for accepting an operation for setting the increment execution number when incrementing the print identifier;
Image generation means for generating a plurality of printed images in which the print identifier of the print object for which an input operation has been received by the print object reception means is incremented according to the increment execution number received by the increment number reception means. When,
An image memory having a predetermined storage capacity fixedly and storing the plurality of printed images generated by the image generation means;
Display means for displaying the plurality of printed images stored in the image memory;
Print control means for controlling the conveying means and the printing means, and generating a plurality of the printed matter corresponding to the plurality of printed matter images displayed on the display means;
Printing on the print object that has received an input operation by the print object accepting unit, the maximum value of the number of the plurality of print images generated by the image generating unit, which is determined according to the value of the storage capacity of the image memory Image maximum value setting means variably set according to the mode of the dot consumption element;
A printing apparatus comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image maximum value setting means includes:
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a reception number limiting unit that limits a maximum value of the increment execution number received by the increment number reception unit according to an aspect of the print dot consumption element in the print object. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image maximum value setting means includes:
The image generation unit is controlled according to the form of the print dot consumption element in the print object, and the print identifier is incremented by a number equal to or less than the number of increment executions received by the increment number reception unit. A printing apparatus that is an image generation restriction unit that generates a plurality of printed images. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
After the plurality of printed materials corresponding to the plurality of printed images displayed on the display unit are generated by the control of the print control unit, the image processing unit includes a continuation instruction receiving unit that receives a predetermined increment continuation instruction.
When the increment continuation instruction is received by the continuation instruction reception unit,
The image generation means includes
Subsequent to the print identifier of the print object provided in the plurality of generated prints, a plurality of print images in which the print identifier is incremented by the increment execution number received by the increment number reception unit. Newly generated,
The display means includes
Displaying the new plurality of printed images stored in the image memory;
The print control means includes
A printing apparatus that controls the transport unit and the printing unit to generate a plurality of new printed materials corresponding to the new plurality of printed images displayed on the display unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image maximum value setting means includes:
If the number of increments received by the increment count accepting unit exceeds the maximum value of the increment execution count according to the form of the print dot consumption element in the print object, the processing for the calculated maximum value is completed. A printing apparatus, characterized in that the printing apparatus is a reception number continuation unit that automatically and continuously executes a process below the maximum value afterwards.

Images