JP2022028011A - Printer, printing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inhibit a shape of a character printed on a heat-shrinkable tube from being distorted significantly from a normal shape after the shape of the character shrinks to fit with a shape of an object.

SOLUTION: A printer 1 prints on a heat-shrinkable tube T and includes: an acquisition part which acquires object information including a shape and a size of an object 50 to which the heat-shrinkable tube T is adhered and information of a character 41 to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T; a generation part which corrects the information of the character 41 to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the information of the object 50 and the information of the character 41 to generate print data; and a thermal head 10 which prints on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the print data.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

The disclosure of this specification relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program.

Conventionally, a printing device for printing characters, figures, etc. (hereinafter, these are referred to as characters) on a heat-shrinkable printing medium that shrinks when heat is applied has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference). Since the shape of the heat-shrinkable printed medium changes to a shape different from that at the time of printing due to heat shrinkage, the shape of the printed character is also distorted accordingly.

In response to such a technical problem, in Patent Document 1, it is possible to obtain a character having a normal shape in a printed medium after heat shrinkage by using a deformed font in anticipation of heat shrinkage of the printed medium in advance. The printing devices that can be used are described.

In Patent Document 1, the printed medium has a heat shrinkage property that deforms into a predetermined storage shape. In this case, the modified font may be provided for each print medium. That is, the modified font may be provided for each shrinkage rate peculiar to the print medium.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-301797

By the way, as one of the heat-shrinkable printed media, a tube-shaped one (hereinafter referred to as a heat-shrinkable tube) is known. This heat-shrinkable tube is used by passing an object through the tube and then applying heat with a dryer or the like. As a result, the heat-shrinkable tube contracts and adheres to the object, so that the heat-shrinkable tube can be fixed to the object without using an adhesive.

When the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact with the object, the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube depends on the object. Therefore, when the technique described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a heat-shrinkable tube, innumerable deformed fonts are required.

Based on the above circumstances, an object of the present invention according to one aspect is to provide a technique for suppressing the shape of a character printed on a heat-shrinkable tube from being greatly distorted after being shrunk according to the shape of an object. That is.

The printing device according to one aspect of the present invention is a printing device that prints on a heat-shrinkable tube, and prints on the heat-shrinkable tube and information on the object including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is in close contact. An acquisition unit for acquiring character information, a generation unit for correcting information on a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the object information and the character information, and a generation unit for generating print data. A printing unit that prints on the heat-shrinkable tube based on print data is provided.

In the printing method according to one aspect of the present invention, the object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact and the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube are acquired, and the object information is obtained. And the information of the character is corrected to generate print data by correcting the information of the character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube, and printing is performed on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data.

The program according to one aspect of the present invention acquires, to a computer, object information including the shape and size of an object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact, and information on a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube, and obtains the object. Based on the information and the information of the character, the information of the character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube is corrected to generate print data, and the process of printing on the heat-shrinkable tube is executed based on the print data.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to prevent the shape of the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube from being greatly distorted after being shrunk according to the shape of the object.

It is a figure which showed the structure of a printing system. It is a perspective view of the tape cartridge 30 housed in the printing apparatus 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the cartridge accommodating part 19 of a printing apparatus 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the printing apparatus 1. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware composition of a printing apparatus 1. FIG. It is a figure which showed the shape of the heat shrink tube T which is an example of the printing medium M. This is an example of a flowchart of processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. It is a figure which showed the normal shape of a character "SALT". It is a figure which showed the shape of the object 50 which the heat shrink tube T is brought into close contact with. It is a figure which showed the shape of the character "SALT" shown by the print data. It is a figure which showed the heat shrink tube T1 after heat shrink which was in close contact with an object 50. This is another example of the flowchart of the process performed by the printing apparatus 1. This is an example of the print method setting screen. This is an example of the tape length setting screen. This is an example of the diameter setting screen. This is an example of the position setting screen. It is a figure which showed the shape of the character "SUGAR" shown by the print data. It is a figure which showed the heat shrink tube T2 after heat shrink which was in close contact with an object 50. It is a figure which showed the shape of the character "VINEGAR" shown by the print data. It is a figure which showed the heat shrink tube T3 after heat shrink which was in close contact with an object 50. It is a figure which showed the shape of the character "soy sauce" shown by the print data. It is a figure which showed the heat shrink tube T4 after heat shrink which was in close contact with an object 50. It is a figure for demonstrating expansion / contraction of a character according to a line-of-sight direction.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. The printing device 1 is a label printer that prints on a long printed medium M. Hereinafter, a thermal transfer type label printer using an ink ribbon will be described as an example, but the printing method is not particularly limited. The printing device 1 may be a heat-sensitive label printer that uses a heat-sensitive tape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus housing 2, an input unit 3, a display unit 4, a lid 5, and a cassette accommodating unit 19. An input unit 3, a display unit 4, and a lid 5 are arranged on the upper surface of the device housing 2. Further, although not shown, the device housing 2 is provided with a power cord connection terminal, an external device connection terminal, a storage medium insertion port, and the like.

The input unit 3 includes various keys such as an input key, a cross key, a conversion key, and a decision key. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display. The display unit 4 displays various screens and the like, which will be described later. The display unit 4 may be provided with a touch panel unit, and in that case, the display unit 4 may be regarded as a part of the input unit 3.

The lid 5 is arranged so as to be openable and closable on the upper part of the cassette accommodating portion 19. The lid 5 is opened by pressing the button 5a. A window 5b is formed on the lid 5 so that it can be visually confirmed whether or not the tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 2) is accommodated in the cassette accommodating portion 19 even when the lid 5 is closed. .. Further, a discharge port 2a is formed on the side surface of the device housing 2. The printed medium M printed in the printing apparatus 1 is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the ejection port 2a.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge 30 housed in the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge accommodating portion 19 of the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus 1. The tape cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 2 is detachably housed in the cartridge accommodating portion 19 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the tape cartridge 30 is housed in the cartridge storage unit 19.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cartridge 30 has a cartridge case 31 for accommodating a printed medium M and an ink ribbon R on which a thermal head insertion portion 36 and an engaging portion 37 are formed. The cartridge case 31 is provided with a tape core 32, an ink ribbon supply core 34, and an ink ribbon winding core 35.

The print medium M is wound in a roll around the tape core 32 inside the cartridge case 31. The ink ribbon R for thermal transfer is wound around the ink ribbon supply core 34 inside the cartridge case 31 in a roll shape with its tip wound around the ink ribbon winding core 35.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge accommodating portion 19 of the apparatus housing 2 is provided with a plurality of cartridge receiving portions 20 for supporting the tape cartridge 30 at a predetermined position. Further, the cartridge receiving unit 20 is provided with a tape width detection switch 24 for detecting the width of the tape (printed medium M) accommodated in the tape cartridge 30.

The tape width detection switch 24 is a switch for detecting the width of the printed medium M based on the shape of the tape cartridge. A plurality of tape width detection switches 24 are provided in the cartridge accommodating portion 19. Tape cartridges having different tape widths are configured to press a plurality of tape width detection switches 24 in different combinations. As a result, the control circuit 25 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, identifies the type of the tape cartridge from the combination of the pressed tape width detection switches 24, and acquires the information of the width (tape width) of the printed medium M. .. That is, in the printing device 1, the control circuit 25 is an acquisition unit that acquires the tape width as information of the printed medium M accommodated in the printing device 1 based on the signal from the tape width detection switch 24.

The cartridge accommodating portion 19 further has a thermal head 10 that has a plurality of heat generating elements and prints on the printed medium M, a platen roller 21 that conveys the printed medium M, a tape core engaging shaft 22, and ink. A ribbon winding drive shaft 23 is provided. Further, a thermistor 13 is embedded in the thermal head 10. The thermistor 13 measures the temperature of the thermal head 10.

In a state where the tape cartridge 30 is housed in the cartridge housing part 19, as shown in FIG. 4, the engaging part 37 provided in the cartridge case 31 is supported by the cartridge receiving part 20 provided in the cartridge housing part 19. .. Further, the thermal head 10 is inserted into the thermal head insertion portion 36 formed in the cartridge case 31. Further, the tape core 32 of the tape cartridge 30 is engaged with the tape core engaging shaft 22, and the ink ribbon winding core 35 is engaged with the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23.

When a printing instruction is input to the printing apparatus 1, the printing medium M is unwound from the tape core 32 by the rotation of the platen roller 21. At this time, the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 23 rotates in synchronization with the platen roller 21, so that the ink ribbon R is fed out from the ink ribbon supply core 34 together with the printing medium M. As a result, the print medium M and the ink ribbon R are conveyed in an overlapping state. Then, when the ink ribbon R is heated by the thermal head 10 as it passes between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21, the ink is transferred to the printing medium M and printing is performed.

The used ink ribbon R that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is wound around the ink ribbon winding core 35. On the other hand, the printed medium M to be printed that has passed between the thermal head 10 and the platen roller 21 is cut by the half-cut mechanism 16 and the full-cut mechanism 17 and discharged from the discharge port 2a.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 1. In addition to the above-described configuration, the printing device 1 includes a control circuit 25, a communication interface 26, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 27, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 28, a head drive circuit 18, and a transfer device. It includes a motor drive circuit 11, a transport motor 12, a cutter motor drive circuit 14, and a cutter motor 15.

The control circuit 25 includes an arbitrary processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control circuit 25 controls the operation of each part of the printing apparatus 1 by expanding and executing the program stored in the ROM 27 in the RAM 28. Further, the control circuit 25 is an acquisition unit that acquires various information based on the input from the input unit 3 and the communication IF 26, and is a generation unit that generates print data based on the acquired information.

The communication interface 26 exchanges data with and from the information processing apparatus 100 by, for example, wireless communication. In this case, the communication interface 26 is a communication module including an antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit, and a baseband unit, and is, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) module, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, and a BLE module. ..

The ROM 27 stores a print program for printing on the print medium M and various data (for example, fonts and the like) necessary for executing the print program. The RAM 28 is a work memory used for executing a program. The computer-readable recording medium that stores the program and data used for processing in the printing apparatus 1 includes a physical (non-temporary) recording medium such as ROM 27.

The head drive circuit 18 energizes the heat generating element 10a of the thermal head 10 based on the print data and the control signal. The thermal head 10 is a printing unit having a plurality of heat generating elements 10a arranged in the main scanning direction. The thermal head 10 heats the ink ribbon with the heat generating element 10a and prints line by line on the printing medium M by thermal transfer.

The transport motor drive circuit 11 drives the transport motor 12. The transport motor 12 is, for example, a stepping motor, and rotates the platen roller 21. The platen roller 21 is rotated by the power of the transport motor 12 to transport the print medium M in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction, transport direction) of the print medium M.

The cutter motor drive circuit 14 drives the cutter motor 15. The full-cut mechanism 17 and the half-cut mechanism 16 are operated by the power of the cutter motor 15 to fully cut or half-cut the printed medium M.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the shape of the heat-shrinkable tube T, which is an example of the print medium M. The heat-shrinkable tube T has a heat-shrinkable property of shrinking when heated, and is formed in a tube shape as shown in FIG. By blowing hot air onto the heat-shrinkable tube T with a columnar object passed through the tube hole portion of the heat-shrinkable tube T, the heat-shrinkable heat-shrinkable tube T can be brought into close contact with the surface of the columnar object. Therefore, for example, it can be used as a packaging label for columnar objects such as bottles, cans, and PET bottles. The heat-shrinkable tube T is housed in the printing apparatus 1 in a state where the tube hole portion is crushed and flattened. Further, in the heat-shrinkable tube T shown in FIG. 6, perforations 60 used for peeling from an object are formed along the longitudinal direction.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of processing performed by the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a normal shape of the character “SALT”. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the shape of the object 50 to which the heat-shrinkable tube T is brought into close contact. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the shape of the character “SALT” indicated by the print data. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a heat-shrinkable tube T1 after heat-shrinking in close contact with the object 50. Hereinafter, the printing method performed by the printing apparatus 1 when the heat-shrinkable tube T is used as the printing medium M will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11.

When the printing apparatus 1 executes a predetermined program and starts the process shown in FIG. 7, first, the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T is acquired (step S1). Here, the control circuit 25 acquires the character information input by the user using the input unit 3 as the character information. The character information includes information such as the character code, font, size, and decoration of each character included in the character. For example, when the input character is the character 41 shown in FIG. 8, information such as the character code, font, and size of each character of "S", "A", "L", and "T" is acquired as character information. Will be done.

The character information acquired in step S1 can be regarded as the information of the print result desired by the user as the final product. That is, it is information on the printing result that the user should see on the surface of the heat-shrinkable tube T when observing the heat-shrinkable tube T that has been heat-shrinked and is in close contact with the object.

After acquiring the character information, the printing apparatus 1 then acquires the object information about the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube T is to be brought into close contact (step S2). Here, the control circuit 25 acquires the object information from the information input by the user using the input unit 3. The object information includes at least information about the shape and size of the object. For example, the case where the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube T is to be brought into close contact is the object 50 including the first portion 51 and the second portion 52 shown in FIG. 9 will be described as an example. In this case, the object information is that the first portion 51 has a cylindrical shape having a constant diameter, and the second portion 52 has a truncated cone shape whose diameter decreases as it approaches the first portion 51. It is desirable to include it as information about the shape of the object 50. Further, it is desirable that the object information includes the diameter Φ1 of the first portion 51 and the maximum diameter Φ2 of the second portion 52 as information about the size of the object 50.

The object information can be regarded as information on the shape and size of the heat-shrinkable tube T after heat-shrinking. Therefore, it is possible to estimate the difference in the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube T generated in the heat-shrinkable tube T from the information of the object. The difference in shrinkage rate is one of the causes of distorting the shape of the character. The contraction rate is defined by, for example, (length before contraction-length after contraction) / length before contraction.

When the character information and the object information are acquired, the printing apparatus 1 generates print data based on at least the character information and the object information (step S3). Here, the control circuit 25 corrects the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the character information and the information of the object, and generates print data. That is, the print data of the character whose shape has been adjusted is generated. The shape of the character represented by the print data is adjusted so as to approach the normal shape of the character after the heat-shrinkable tube T is shrunk. In other words, in step S3, the control circuit 25 generates print data for printing on the heat-shrinkable tube T so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T after shrinking the heat-shrinkable tube T has a normal shape.

As described above, the difference in the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube T generated in the heat-shrinkable tube T, that is, the increase / decrease in the shrinkage rate in the heat-shrinkable tube T can be estimated from the information of the object. Therefore, in step S3, the portion of the character that is printed in the region where the shrinkage rate is high (that is, the region where the degree of shrinkage is large) is printed in the region where the shrinkage ratio is low (that is, the region where the degree of shrinkage is small). The shape of the character may be changed from the normal shape so as to be larger than the part to be printed.

For example, in the case where the heat-shrinkable tube T is brought into close contact with the object 50 shown in FIG. 9 by heat-shrinking, the control circuit 25 displays print data 42 including the character 43 obtained by deforming the character 41, as shown in FIG. Just generate it. In the character 43 shown in FIG. 10, the shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube T is relatively high and constant. The “SA” in close contact with the first portion 51 shown in FIG. 9 is large, and the farther away from the first portion 51. The shrinkage rate of the heat-shrinkable tube T becomes low. The “LT” in close contact with the second portion 52 shown in FIG. 9 becomes smaller as the distance from the first portion 51 increases. That is, the control circuit 25 has a plurality of heat-shrinkable tubes T corresponding to a plurality of portions (first portion 51, second portion 52) after the heat-shrinkable tube T has shrunk based on the object information and the character information. Print data of the character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T is generated so that the characters printed in the area each have a normal shape.

Finally, the printing apparatus 1 prints on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the print data generated in step S3 (step S4). Here, the thermal head 10 prints the character 43 on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the print data.

By attaching the heat-shrinkable tube T printed by the above printing method to the object 50 and heat-shrinking it, the heat-shrinkable tube T1 after heat-shrinking can be obtained as shown in FIG. The heat-shrinkable tube T1 after heat-shrinking shows the character "SALT" having the same normal shape as the character 41. As described above, according to the above-mentioned printing method and printing apparatus 1, the shape of the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T1 is greatly distorted after shrinking according to the shape of the object 50 and deviates from the normal shape. It can be suppressed.

In step S3 of FIG. 7, the control circuit 25 may generate print data based on the information of the heat-shrinkable tube T in addition to the character information and the object information. In this case as well, the character represented by the print data may be adjusted so as to approach the normal shape of the character after the shrinkage tube T is contracted. That is, the control circuit 25 may generate print data for printing on the heat-shrinkable tube T so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T after shrinking the heat-shrinkable tube T has a normal shape. Further, the character represented by the print data may have its shape and size adjusted so as to approach the normal shape of the character and the normal size of the character after the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube T. That is, the control circuit 25 may generate print data for printing on the heat-shrinkable tube T so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T after shrinking the heat-shrinkable tube T has a regular shape and a regular size. .. The heat shrink tube information includes the radial size or the circumferential size of the heat shrink tube. Also, the heat shrink tube information includes the lengthwise size of the heat shrink tube. It is desirable that this information be acquired by the control circuit 25 in step S1 or step S2.

By using the information of the heat-shrinkable tube in addition to the character information and the object information, the control circuit 25 not only increases or decreases the shrinkage rate in the heat-shrinkable tube, but also the shrinkage rate value itself, more strictly, in the radial direction. The value of the shrinkage rate of, can be estimated. For example, if the diameter Φ10 of the heat-shrinkable tube is known as shown in FIG. 10, the value of the shrinkage ratio in the radial direction can be calculated from the ratio of the object 50 to the diameters Φ1 and Φ2. Therefore, in order to reproduce the regular shape and the regular size of the character 41, it is possible to estimate which part of the character 41 should be printed at which size.

Therefore, when the information of the heat-shrinkable tube T is acquired in step S1 or step S2, the control circuit 25 takes the heat-shrinkable tube based on the object information, the character information, and the heat-shrinkable tube information in step 3. It is desirable to generate print data of the character whose shape and size are adjusted so as to approach the normal shape of the character and the normal size of the character after the shrinkage of the character. As a result, not only the shape of the character printed on the shrunk heat-shrinkable tube T1 but also the size can be brought close to what the user wants.

Further, in step S3 of FIG. 7, the control circuit 25 generates print data based on the target length in the axial direction after the heat shrinkage of the heat shrink tube in addition to the character information, the object information, and the heat shrink tube information. You may. In this case as well, the character represented by the print data is adjusted in shape and size so as to approach the normal shape of the character and the normal size of the character after the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube T. That is, the control circuit 25 generates print data for printing on the heat-shrinkable tube T so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube T after shrinking the heat-shrinkable tube T has a regular shape and a regular size. It is desirable that the target length in the axial direction of the heat-shrinkable tube T after heat-shrinking is acquired by the control circuit 25 based on the information input by the user using the input unit 3 in step S1 or step S2.

By using the target length in addition to the character information, the object information, and the heat shrink tube information, the control circuit 25 uses not only the value of the radial shrinkage rate in the heat shrink tube but also the axial shrinkage rate. The value can also be estimated. For example, when printing is performed on the heat-shrinkable tube T having a length L10 as shown in FIG. 10, the target length L after shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube T (the length L1 of the first portion 51 and the length of the second portion 52). If the length L2) is known, the value of the shrinkage rate in the length direction can be calculated from the ratio of the length L10 (lengths L11, L12) and the target length L (lengths L1, L2). Therefore, in order to reproduce the regular shape and the regular size of the character 41, it is possible to estimate which part of the character 41 should be printed at which size.

Therefore, when the target length is acquired in step S1 or step S2, the control circuit 25 determines the heat-shrinkable tube in step 3 based on the object information, the character information, the heat-shrinkable tube information, and the target length. It is desirable to generate print data of the character whose shape and size are adjusted so as to approach the normal shape of the character and the normal size of the character after the shrinkage of the character. As a result, the size of the character printed on the shrunk heat-shrinkable tube T1 can be made closer to what the user wants.

FIG. 12 is another example of a flowchart of the process performed by the printing apparatus 1. FIG. 13 is an example of a print method setting screen. FIG. 14 is an example of the tape length setting screen. FIG. 15 is an example of a diameter setting screen. FIG. 16 is an example of a position setting screen. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned printing method performed by the printing apparatus 1 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16.

When the printing apparatus 1 starts the process shown in FIG. 12, first, the character information is acquired (step S11). Step S11 is the same as step S1 in FIG. Here, the case where the information of the character 41 shown in FIG. 8 is acquired will be described as an example.

Next, the printing device 1 determines a method for printing the character information acquired in step S11 (step S12). Here, the control circuit 25 is printed by the user by selecting "normal label creation" or "heat shrinkage label creation" on the screen G1 shown in FIG. 13 displayed on the display unit 4. Determine the method. The screen G1 is a print method selection screen.

When the user selects "normal label creation" in step S12, the printing apparatus 1 performs a normal printing process (step S21) and ends the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, when the user selects "heat-shrinkable label creation" in step S12, the printing apparatus 1 acquires the information of the heat-shrinkable tube T (step S13). Here, in the control circuit 25, the control circuit 25 acquires the diameter Φ10 of the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the signal from the tape width detection switch 24, and further shrinks the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the input of the user. Acquire the previous length L10. Hereinafter, the case where Φ10 = 20 mm and L10 = 70 mm will be described as an example.

After that, the printing apparatus 1 displays the screen G2 shown in FIG. 14, and acquires the target length L, which is the length of the heat-shrinkable tube T after shrinking, based on the input of the user (step). S14). The screen G2 is a setting screen for designating the length of the heat-shrinkable tube after shrinkage.

Next, the printing apparatus 1 displays the screen G3a shown in FIG. 15 and acquires the diameter of the object 50 based on the input of the user (step S15). The screen G3a is a setting screen for designating the diameter Φ1 of the object 50. In the printing apparatus 1, after inputting Φ1 on the screen G3a shown in FIG. 15A, the user selects “Set Φ2” on the screen G3b shown in FIG. 15B (step S16: NO). , The screen G3c shown in FIG. 15 (c) is displayed. When the object 50 has a plurality of diameters, the user can input a plurality of diameters by repeating these operations. The diameter input is completed by selecting “Φ setting end” on the screen 3d shown in FIG. 15 (d) (step S16: YES).

When the input of the diameter is completed, the printing apparatus 1 displays the screen G4a shown in FIG. 16A and acquires the length of each part of the object 50 based on the input of the user (step S17). The screen G4a is a setting screen for designating the length L1 of the first portion of the object 50. By selecting the input of the next length (step S18: NO) as in the input of the diameter, the user can input the length of each of the plurality of parts. It is desirable that the user inputs the length of each part so that the total length of the plurality of parts matches the target length L. G4b shown in FIG. 16B is a setting screen for designating the length L2 of the second portion of the object 50. In this example, the sum of the length L1 (= 20 mm) and the length L2 (= 15 mm) corresponds to the target length L (= 35 mm).

When the input of the length is completed, the printing apparatus 1 generates print data based on the acquired diameter and length of the object 50 (step S19). The processing of steps S11 to S18 may be performed before the processing of step S19, and the order of the processing of these steps S11 to S18 is not particularly limited to this order. In step S19, the control circuit 25 estimates the shrinkage rate based on the information acquired in step S18 from step S11, and the character 43 shown in FIG. 10 is obtained by deforming the character 41 shown in FIG. 8 according to the estimated shrinkage rate. Print data is generated.

In this example, the axial shrinkage of the character is estimated to be 50% based on the target length L (= 35 mm) and the length L10 (= 70 mm) of the heat shrink tubing T. Further, the radial shrinkage rate of the character displayed in the first portion 51 is estimated to be 50% based on the diameter Φ1 (= 10 mm) of the first portion 51 and the diameter Φ10 (= 20 mm) of the heat shrink tube T. Will be done. The radial shrinkage rate of the character displayed in the second portion 52 is the minimum diameter Φ1 (= 10 mm) and the maximum diameter Φ2 (= 15 mm) of the first portion 52 and the diameter Φ10 (= 20 mm) of the heat shrink tube T. ), It is estimated to change linearly from 25% to 50%. The control circuit 25 generates print data of the character 43 in which the character 41 is enlarged by using the reciprocal of the value obtained by subtracting the estimated shrinkage rate from 1 (= 1 / (1-shrinkage rate)) as the enlargement rate.

When the print data is generated, the printing apparatus 1 prints on the heat-shrinkable tube T based on the print data (step S20). Step S20 is the same as step S4 in FIG.

The printing device 1 prints on the heat-shrinkable tube T by the printing method shown in FIG. 12, thereby reducing the burden of inputting information on the user, and the heat-shrinkable tube T1 after heat-shrinking as shown in FIG. Can be obtained.

In the above, "SALT" is exemplified as the character to be input to the printing apparatus 1, but other characters may be input. For example, if the character "SUGAR" is input in step S11, the print data 72 including the character 73 shown in FIG. 17 is generated. The heat-shrinkable tube T2 shown in FIG. 18 can be obtained by bringing the heat-shrinkable tube T printed based on the print data 72 into close contact with the object 50 and shrinking it. Further, for example, when the character "VINEGAR" is input in step S11, the print data 82 including the character 83 shown in FIG. 19 is generated. The heat-shrinkable tube T3 can be obtained by bringing the heat-shrinkable tube T printed based on the print data 82 into close contact with the object 50 and shrinking the tube. Further, for example, when the character "soy sauce" is input in step S11, the print data 92 including the character 93 shown in FIG. 19 is generated. The heat-shrinkable tube T4 can be obtained by bringing the heat-shrinkable tube T printed based on the print data 92 into close contact with the object 50 and shrinking the tube.

The above-described embodiments show specific examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The printing apparatus, printing method, and program can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the description of the claims.

In the above-described embodiment, the direction in which the object 50 is viewed is not mentioned, but the shape of the character changes depending on the direction in which the object 50 is viewed. For example, when the object 50 is viewed from the radial direction D1, the heat-shrinkable tube having a length L2 looks like a length L2a. Therefore, the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube also appears to shrink at a shrinkage rate of (L2-L2a) / L2 in the axial direction. Since this shrinkage occurs constantly for the entire character, it can be ignored when the shrinkage rate is close to zero. However, when the shrinkage rate is large, it is desirable to consider it when generating print data. For example, when the object 50 is viewed from the axial direction D2, the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube having a length L2 is shrunk to a shrinkage rate (L2-L2b) / L2 away from 1. In this case, in order to correct the distortion depending on the viewing direction, it is desirable to further multiply the enlargement ratio L2 / L2b calculated from the shrinkage ratio to generate print data.

In the above-described embodiment, the printing device including the input unit 3 and the display unit 4 is exemplified as the printing device, but the printing device does not necessarily have to include the input unit 3 and the display unit 4. The printing device may be, for example, a printing device that prints by receiving print data from an external information processing device different from the printing device.

Hereinafter, the inventions described in the scope of claims at the time of filing the application of the present application will be added.
[Appendix 1]
In a printing device that prints on heat-shrinkable tubes
An acquisition unit for acquiring object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact, and character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube.
A generation unit that corrects the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube and generates print data based on the object information and the character information.
A printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data.
[Appendix 2]
In the printing apparatus described in Appendix 1,
Based on the object information and the character information, the generation unit prints on the heat-shrinkable tube so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube has a normal shape after the heat-shrinkable tube is shrunk. A printing device characterized by generating print data of characters.
[Appendix 3]
In the printing apparatus described in Appendix 2,
The acquisition unit further acquires information on the heat-shrinkable tube, and obtains information on the heat-shrinkable tube.
Based on the object information, the character information, and the heat-shrinkable tube information, the generation unit has the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube to have a normal shape after the heat-shrinkable tube has shrunk. A printing device characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on a heat shrink tube.
[Appendix 4]
In the printing apparatus described in Appendix 3,
Based on the object information, the character information, and the heat-shrinkable tube information, the generation unit determines that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube after the heat-shrinkable tube is contracted has a regular shape and a regular size. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to be.
[Appendix 5]
In the printing apparatus described in Appendix 3 or Appendix 4,
The acquisition unit further acquires a target length in the axial direction after heat shrinkage of the heat shrink tube.
In the generation unit, the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube after the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube has a normal shape based on the object information, the character information, the heat-shrinkable tube information, and the target length. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to have a regular size.
[Appendix 6]
In the printing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 5.
The acquisition unit acquires the object information including the shape and size of each of the plurality of parts constituting the object.
Based on the object information and the character information, the generation unit has characters printed in a plurality of areas of the heat-shrinkable tube corresponding to the plurality of parts after the heat-shrinkable tube has contracted. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to be.
[Appendix 7]
The object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact and the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube are acquired.
Based on the object information and the character information, the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube is corrected to generate print data.
A printing method comprising printing on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data.
[Appendix 8]
On the computer
The object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact and the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube are acquired.
Based on the object information and the character information, the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube is corrected to generate print data.
A program characterized by executing a process of printing on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data.

1 Printing device 2 Device housing 2a Outlet 3 Input section 4 Display section 5 Lid 5a Button 5b Window 10 Thermal head 10a Heat generation element 11 Transport motor drive circuit 12 Transport motor 13 Thermistor 14 Cutter motor drive circuit 15 Cutter motor 16 Half Cut mechanism 17 Full cut mechanism 18 Head drive circuit 19 Cartridge storage part 20 Cartridge receiving part 21 Platen roller 22 Tape core engaging shaft 23 Ink ribbon winding drive shaft 24 Tape width detection switch 25 Control circuit 26 Communication IF
27 ROM
28 RAM
30 Tape Cartridge 31 Cartridge Case 32 Tape Core 34 Ink Ribbon Supply Core 35 Ink Ribbon Winding Core 36 Thermal Head Inserted Part 37 Engaging Part 41, 43, 73, 83, 93 Character 42, 72, 82, 92 Print Data 50 Target Object 51 1st part 52 2nd part 60 Perforations M Printed medium R Ink ribbon T, T1 to T4 Heat shrinkable tubes G1, G2, G3a to G3d, G4a, G4b Screens D1, D2 directions

Claims (8)

In a printing device that prints on heat-shrinkable tubes
An acquisition unit for acquiring object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact, and character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube.
A generation unit that corrects the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube and generates print data based on the object information and the character information.
A printing apparatus including a printing unit that prints on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data. In the printing apparatus according to claim 1,
Based on the object information and the character information, the generation unit prints on the heat-shrinkable tube so that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube has a normal shape after the heat-shrinkable tube is shrunk. A printing device characterized by generating print data of characters. In the printing apparatus according to claim 2,
The acquisition unit further acquires information on the heat-shrinkable tube, and obtains information on the heat-shrinkable tube.
Based on the object information, the character information, and the heat-shrinkable tube information, the generation unit has the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube to have a normal shape after the heat-shrinkable tube has shrunk. A printing device characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on a heat shrink tube. In the printing apparatus according to claim 3,
Based on the object information, the character information, and the heat-shrinkable tube information, the generation unit determines that the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube after the heat-shrinkable tube is contracted has a regular shape and a regular size. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to be. In the printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.
The acquisition unit further acquires a target length in the axial direction after heat shrinkage of the heat shrink tube.
In the generation unit, the character printed on the heat-shrinkable tube after the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable tube has a normal shape based on the object information, the character information, the heat-shrinkable tube information, and the target length. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to have a regular size. In the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5.
The acquisition unit acquires the object information including the shape and size of each of the plurality of parts constituting the object.
Based on the object information and the character information, the generation unit has characters printed in a plurality of areas of the heat-shrinkable tube corresponding to the plurality of parts after the heat-shrinkable tube has contracted. A printing apparatus characterized by generating print data of a character to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube so as to be. The object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact and the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube are acquired.
Based on the object information and the character information, the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube is corrected to generate print data.
A printing method comprising printing on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data. On the computer
The object information including the shape and size of the object to which the heat-shrinkable tube is brought into close contact and the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube are acquired.
Based on the object information and the character information, the character information to be printed on the heat-shrinkable tube is corrected to generate print data.
A program characterized by executing a process of printing on the heat-shrinkable tube based on the print data.

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