JP2023006348A - Data creation device and data creation program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a data creation device and a data creation program which can provide information about a color that can be developed by a printing medium according to the drive voltage before executing printing.SOLUTION: A data creation device for creating printing data used by a printer that executes printing on a printing medium that can develop a plurality of colors including a first color and a second color different from the first color comprises: first specification means which specifies a first range being the range that can develop the first color that is developed according to the drive voltage supplied from a drive power source of the printer; second specification means which specifies a second range being the range that can develop the second color that is developed according to the drive voltage supplied from the drive power source of the printer; and display means which causes a display part to display information about the first range specified by the first specification means and the second range specified by the second specification means as the ranges that can develop the colors of a printed matter expressed by the printing data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

The present invention relates to a data creation device and a data creation program.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a color printer that develops colors on color thermal paper. In color thermal paper, a first coloring layer and a second coloring layer are laminated in order on a substrate. The first coloring layer and the second coloring layer have different coloring temperatures. The coloring temperature of the second coloring layer is lower than the coloring temperature of the first coloring layer. The heating time required for coloring the second coloring layer is longer than the time required for coloring the first coloring layer.

JP 2014-188911 A

The color printer has colors that can be printed and colors that cannot be printed depending on the drive voltage supplied from the drive power supply for driving the color printer. For example, if the drive voltage supplied by the drive power source drops below the expected voltage, there is a possibility that the printed color will be different from the color expected by the user. In this case, there is a problem that the user cannot confirm whether or not the expected colors have been printed until after the printing is executed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a data creation apparatus and a data creation program capable of providing information on colors that can be produced by a print medium in accordance with a drive voltage before executing printing.

This specification discloses, for example, the following aspects.

A data creation device according to a first aspect of the present invention is used by a printing device that executes printing on a printing medium capable of developing a plurality of colors including a first color and a second color different from the first color. A data creation device for creating print data, wherein a first specification specifies a first range, which is a possible color development range of the first color developed in accordance with a drive voltage supplied by a drive power source of the printing device. means, second specifying means for specifying a second range, which is a range in which the second color can be developed in response to the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing apparatus, and the printing data. display means for causing a display unit to display information about the first range specified by the first specifying means and the second range specified by the second specifying means as a range in which the printed matter can be colored; It is characterized by having

The data creation device causes the display unit to display information about the first range and the second range. Therefore, the user can grasp the possible color range of the first color and the second color before executing printing. For example, the data generation device informs the user that the print result will be different from the expected color when the drive voltage supplied from the drive power supply is lowered, before executing the printing. Therefore, the data creation device can provide information on colors that can be produced by the print medium according to the drive voltage before executing printing.

In the data generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the print length that can be colored by the first color and the second color differs depending on the magnitude of the drive voltage supplied by the drive power supply, and the display means comprises: Displaying information indicating a print length capable of being colored with the first color as information regarding the first range, and displaying information indicating a print length capable of being colored with the second color as information regarding the second range. good too. The user can grasp the print length that can be colored with the first color and the second color before executing printing.

In the data generation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the density at which the first color and the second color can be developed differ depending on the magnitude of the driving voltage supplied from the driving power supply, and the display means Information indicating the density at which the first color can be developed may be displayed as the information regarding the first range, and information indicating the density at which the second color can be developed may be displayed as the information regarding the second range. The user can grasp the densities that can be developed with the first color and the second color before executing printing.

The data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes first reception means for receiving input of a character string to be printed on the print medium, and the display means displays the character string received by the first reception means. When the print length exceeds the first range specified by the first specifying means, displaying information indicating that at least part of the character string cannot be printed in the first color, and displaying information indicating that at least part of the character string cannot be printed in the second color when the print length of the accepted character string exceeds the second range specified by the second specifying means; good too. The user can ascertain whether the received character string can be printed in a desired color before executing printing.

In the data creation apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided: a first accepting unit for accepting an input of a character string to be printed on the printing medium; and a specification for specifying a predetermined position of the character string accepted by the first accepting unit. and means for displaying the character string when the print length of the character string up to the predetermined position specified by the specifying means exceeds the first range specified by the first specifying means. and displaying information indicating that at least part of the character string cannot be printed in the first color, and the printing length of the character string up to the predetermined position specified by the specifying means is specified by the second specifying means If the second range is exceeded, information indicating that at least part of the character string cannot be printed with the second color may be displayed. The user can grasp whether the character string up to the designated predetermined position can be printed in the first color or the second color before executing printing.

In the data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention, second receiving means for receiving a color of a character string to be printed on the print medium; Limiting means for limiting to the first range specified by the means and the second range specified by the second specifying means may be provided. The user can grasp information about colors that can be printed in a limited range before executing printing.

The data creation device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes setting means for enabling or disabling the restriction by the restriction means, and when the restriction means validates the restriction by the restriction means by the setting means, A color that can be accepted by the second accepting means may be restricted. The user can set whether to limit acceptable colors, and can grasp information about colors that can be printed with the limitation enabled before executing printing.

A data creation program according to a second aspect of the present invention is used by a printing device that executes printing on a print medium capable of developing a plurality of colors including a first color and a second color different from the first color. A first specification for specifying a first range, which is a possible color development range of the first color to be developed in response to a drive voltage supplied by a drive power source of the printing device, to a computer of a data creation device that creates print data. a second specifying step of specifying a second range, which is a range in which the second color can be developed in accordance with the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing device; a display step of causing a display unit to display information relating to the first range specified in the first specifying step and the second range specified in the second specifying step as a colorable range of the printed matter represented; It is characterized by executing

The data creation device obtains the same effect as the data creation device according to the first aspect by executing the above steps.

A data creation device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a data creation device for creating print data used by a printing device that executes printing on a print medium capable of developing a plurality of colors, wherein printing is performed on the print medium. receiving means for receiving the color of the character string represented by the print data to be printed; and based on the driving voltage supplied by the driving power supply of the printing apparatus, printing is performed in the printable range with the color received by the receiving means. A specifying means for specifying a range, a first part included in the print range specified by the specifying means and a second part not included in the print range of the character string are displayed in mutually different forms. and display means for displaying on the unit.

The data creation device displays the first portion and the second portion in different forms. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the first portion included in the print range and the second portion not included in the print range. Therefore, the data creation device can provide information on colors that can be produced by the print medium according to the drive voltage before executing printing.

In the data creation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the display means displays the first part in the color accepted by the accepting means, and displays the second part in the color accepted by the accepting means. may be displayed in a different color. The user can know that the second part will be printed in a color different from the accepted color before printing.

In the data creation device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the display means may display the first portion in the color accepted by the reception means, and may not display the second portion. Since the second part is not displayed, the user can know that the accepted color cannot be printed before executing printing.

A data creation program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention provides a computer of a data creation device that creates print data used by a printing device that executes printing on a print medium capable of developing a plurality of colors, and prints on the print medium. a receiving step of receiving the color of the character string to be printed; and a specifying step of specifying a printing range, which is a printable range of the color accepted by the receiving step, based on the driving voltage supplied by the driving power supply of the printing device. and a display step of displaying, on a display unit, a first portion included in the print range specified in the specifying step and a second portion not included in the print range, of the character string, in mutually different forms. is characterized by executing

The data creation device obtains the same effect as the data creation device according to the third aspect by executing the above steps.

1 is a perspective view of a printer 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the printer 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between a drive power supply and a drive voltage for the printing apparatus 1; FIG. 4 is an image diagram of a thermal label S. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing first main processing; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing color bars 115A to 115C indicating densities that can be colored with cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y); 4 is a graph showing the relationship between print length and density when driven by a dry battery 18. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the density and length of each coloring layer 3, 4, and 5 at which color can be developed; Fig. 11 shows color bars 115A-115E and printed images 116A-116E formatted in cyan (C); FIG. 4 shows color bars 115A-115E and printed images 116F-116I formatted in magenta (M). 9 is a flowchart showing second main processing;

An embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain technical features that can be employed by the present invention. The configuration of the device, the control, the flow charts of various processes, etc. that are described are not meant to be limited to them, but merely illustrative examples.

An overview of a printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. The printing apparatus 1 is a label printer that prints a character string (characters, symbols, graphics, etc.) on a thermal label S (see FIG. 4), which is a long print medium, to create a stickable label.

The printing apparatus 1 is driven by any driving voltage of an AC adapter 16, a battery 17, or a dry battery 18 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The AC adapter 16 can output a voltage of 15V. The battery 17 can output a voltage of 12V. The dry battery 18 can output a voltage of 9V.

The electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing device 1 includes a CPU 21 , a ROM 22 , a CGROM 23 , a RAM 24 and a flash memory 25 . ROM22, CGROM23, RAM24, and the flash memory 25 are electrically connected to CPU21, respectively. Various programs necessary for controlling the printer 1 are stored in the ROM 22 . The CPU 21 performs various calculations based on these programs.

In the CGROM 23, printing dot pattern data for printing various characters are classified by format and size and stored in association with code data. The RAM 24 is provided with a plurality of storage areas such as text memory and print buffer. Object data is associated and stored in the text memory. The print buffer stores dot patterns for printing such as various character images. Various calculation data and the like are stored in the other storage area.

The flash memory 25 stores a template defining attributes of the thermal label S attached to the printing apparatus 1 . In the template, for example, the dimensions of the thermal label S are defined in association with each ID of the template information.

The printing apparatus 1 further includes a detection section 8, an operation section 7, a display section 31, drive circuits 12-15, and an ADC19. The detection unit 8, the operation unit 7, the drive circuits 12 to 15, and the ADC 19 are each electrically connected to the CPU21. The detection unit 8 is a known sensor that detects the type of thermal label S attached to the printer 1 . The operation unit 7 is used to input various instructions to the printing device 1 (CPU 21). The operation unit 7 is, for example, physical buttons with which a user can input character strings such as text data. The operation unit 7 only needs to be able to input various instructions, and may have other configurations such as switches, dials, and a touch panel.

The display unit 31 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display unit 31 can display a color bar (see FIG. 6), a character string, and the like, which will be described later. The drive circuit 12 is an electronic circuit for outputting color bars, character strings, etc. to the display section 31 . The drive circuit 13 is an electronic circuit for driving the tape feed motor 9 that conveys the thermal label S. As shown in FIG. A drive circuit 14 is an electronic circuit for driving the thermal head 10 . The drive circuit 15 is an electronic circuit for driving the cutter motor 11 that operates a movable blade (not shown). The movable blade cuts the printed thermosensitive label S discharged to the outside of the printer 1 . The ADC 19 detects drive pressures of the AC adapter 16, the battery 17, and the dry battery 18 that drive the printing apparatus 1. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the AC adapter 16, the battery 17, and the dry battery 18 have different driving voltage values for driving the printing apparatus 1. FIG. For example, when the drive power source is changed from the AC adapter 16 to the dry battery 18 and the drive voltage is changed from 15V to 9V, the amount of electric power that the thermal head 10 can output changes. As a result, the color density of the heat-sensitive label S is changed. In other words, in the thermal label S, when the driving power source for driving the printing apparatus 1 is switched, the densities of the coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 that can be colored change depending on the magnitude of the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source. . The flash memory 25 stores a table showing the relationship between the drive voltage and the density at which colors can be developed. The battery 17 and the dry cell 18 may change the voltage value of the driving voltage output from the new state due to deterioration over time. A table showing the relationship between the drive voltage and the color density that can be produced is stored in the flash memory so that this case can also be handled.

A thermal label S used in the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The thermal label S has a substrate 2 , a yellow coloring layer 5 , a magenta coloring layer 4 , a cyan coloring layer 3 and an overcoat layer 6 . The base material 2 is white, and the respective coloring layers 5, 4 and 3 are laminated in the order of yellow, magenta and cyan. An overcoat layer 6 is laminated on the cyan coloring layer 3 .

A thermal head 10 is pressed against the overcoat layer 6 side of the thermal label S during printing. The thermal head 10 gives thermal energy for coloring the thermal label S. During printing, the thermal head 10 is controlled according to the coloring characteristics of the cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring layers 3, 4, and 5, respectively. The CPU 21 controls the application time and application timing of the drive voltage to the thermal head 10 . Thereby, the CPU 21 controls the heat generation temperature and the heat generation time of the thermal head 10 according to the coloring characteristics of the respective coloring layers 3, 4 and 5. FIG.

The cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 have different coloring characteristics. The coloring temperature of the yellow coloring layer 5 is lower than the coloring temperature of the magenta coloring layer 4 . The magenta coloring layer 4 has a lower coloring temperature than the cyan coloring layer 3 . In order to color the yellow coloring layer 5, heating for a longer time than that for the magenta coloring layer 4 is required. In order to develop the magenta coloring layer 4, heating for a longer period of time than the cyan coloring layer 3 is required.

The cyan, magenta, and yellow coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 can develop seven colors on the heat-sensitive label S by combining the colors developed on the white substrate 2. FIG. Here, the seven colors are cyan, magenta, yellow, blue, red, green, and black. White can be colored on the thermosensitive label S, but since the substrate 2 is white, it is not necessary to color the cyan, magenta and yellow coloring layers 3, 4 and 5.例文帳に追加In the following, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that printing is performed in cyan, magenta, and yellow.

The first main process will be described with reference to FIG. The user turns on the power by operating the operation unit 7 . When the power is turned on, the CPU 21 reads the program from the flash memory 25 and executes the first main process.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the driving power source for driving the printer 1 has been changed (S1). Based on the voltage value detected by the ADC 19, the CPU 21 detects whether the drive power source has been changed. When determining that the type of drive power source has been changed (S1: YES), the CPU 21 executes power source switching processing (S3). Here, in the power switching process, the sequence of voltage startup for each IC mounted on the substrate of the printing apparatus 1 is switched according to the driving power supply. CPU21 advances a process to S5.

On the other hand, when determining that the type of drive power source has not been changed (S1: NO), the CPU 21 acquires the drive voltage of the drive power source by the ADC 19 (S5). The CPU 21 identifies the density at which color can be developed according to the magnitude of the drive voltage (S7). In this case, the CPU 21 identifies the density by referring to a table showing the relationship between the driving voltage and the density.

The CPU 21 displays, on the display section 31, a color bar indicating the densities at which the coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 can develop colors according to the specified densities (S13). For example, the CPU 21 displays one of the color bars shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c).

As shown in FIG. 6A, for example, when driven by the AC adapter 16, cyan (C) can be developed with a maximum density of 255 among 256 gradations. Similarly, magenta (M) can be colored with a maximum density of 255 out of 256 gradations. Also, yellow (Y) can be colored with a maximum density of 255 out of 256 gradations.

As shown in FIG. 6B, for example, when driven by the battery 17, cyan (C) can be developed with a maximum density of 255 among 256 gradations. Magenta (M) can be developed at a density of 220 out of 256 gradations. Yellow (Y) can be developed at a density of 80 out of 256 gradations.

As shown in FIG. 6(c), for example, when driven by the dry battery 18, cyan (C) can be developed at a maximum density of 255 among 256 gradations. Magenta (M) can be developed at a density of 200 out of 256 gradations. Also, yellow (Y) can be developed at a density of 60 out of 256 gradations.

This allows the user to recognize the density of colors printable by the printing apparatus 1 before printing. CPU21 returns a process to S1.

As described above, the CPU 21 specifies the density at which magenta (M), which is colored in accordance with the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing apparatus 1, can be developed. The CPU 21 specifies the density at which yellow (Y), which is colored corresponding to the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing apparatus 1, can be colored. The CPU 21 causes the display unit 31 to display information about the specified density of magenta (M) and the specified density of yellow (Y), with the thermal label S represented by the print data as a colorable range.

The printing apparatus 1 causes the display unit 31 to display information about the density of magenta (M) and the density of yellow (Y). Therefore, the user can grasp the possible color range of magenta (M) and yellow (Y) before executing printing.

The CPU 21 displays information indicating the density at which magenta (M) can be developed as information on the density at which magenta (M) can be developed. The CPU 21 displays, as information on yellow (Y), information indicating the density at which yellow (Y) can be colored. The user can grasp the densities that can be colored with magenta (M) and yellow (Y) before executing printing.

A printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. FIG. In the following, configurations having functions similar to those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted or simplified. The printing apparatus 1 of the second embodiment differs in that the color bar is displayed on the display unit 31 in consideration of the character string input result by the user. Also, the printer 1 of the second embodiment differs in that the character string is displayed on the display unit 31 in accordance with the information of the color bar.

The drive voltage supplied to the printer 1 by the battery 17 and the dry battery 18 gradually decreases due to power consumption during printing of the character string. That is, the driving voltage drops as the printing progresses. Therefore, as the length of the character string to be printed increases, the density of colors that can be produced decreases depending on the type of drive power source.

Further, the coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 have different lengths that can be colored depending on the magnitude of the drive voltage supplied by the drive power source. The length in which color can be developed in the transport direction is calculated from the current voltage value of the driving voltage acquired by the ADC 19 . In this case, by accumulating the on-dots of the printed line, the drop amount (power consumption) of the future driving voltage is calculated from the current voltage value, and the length that can be colored according to the drop amount can be specified. is.

An example of the relationship between the color-developable length and density will be described with reference to FIG. For example, when the printing apparatus 1 is driven by the dry cell 18 of the three drive power sources, as the print length of the character string increases, the density decreases in the order of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). , and the length that can develop color is shortened. Here, cyan (C) can be colored with a maximum density of 255 regardless of the print length.

When driven by the dry battery 18, magenta (M) can be colored with a print length of up to 300 mm and a density of 200. Also, magenta (M) can be colored at a density of 180 when the print length exceeds 300 mm.

When driven by the dry battery 18, yellow (Y) can be colored with a print length of up to 100 mm and a density of 60. Also, yellow (Y) can be colored at a density of 40 with a printing length of 100 mm to 200 mm. Furthermore, yellow (Y) can be colored at a density of 20 with a print length of 200 mm to 300 mm. Yellow (Y) cannot be colored when it exceeds 300 mm.

Color bars 115A and 115B will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, when driven by the AC adapter 16, a color bar 115A is displayed for cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), showing information on the density and length of color development. It is displayed in section 31 . The length of the color bar 115A in the horizontal direction indicates the printable length of the thermal label S in the transport direction. The density of each color in the color bar 115A indicates the density that can be developed by the coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) from the top. In this way, by visually recognizing the color bars 115A and 115B displayed on the display unit 31, the user can determine the densities of cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and Length information can be recognized.

As shown in FIG. 8A, for example, when driven by the AC adapter 16, cyan (C) can be developed with a maximum density of 255 up to 1000 mm. Magenta (M) can be colored with a maximum density of 255 up to 1000 mm. Yellow (Y) can be developed with a maximum density of 255 up to 1000 mm.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), for example, when driven by the dry battery 18, cyan (C) can be developed with a maximum density of 255 up to 1000 mm. Magenta (M) can be colored up to 800 mm, and yellow (Y) can be colored up to 300 mm. Magenta (M) can be developed at a maximum density of 200, and yellow (Y) can be developed at a maximum density of 60.

Input of a character string by the user will be described with reference to FIG. A user inputs a character string to be printed on the thermal label S by operating the operation unit 7 . The user places the cursor at a predetermined position and inputs a character string. The entered character string is displayed on the display unit 31 . In FIG. 9, it is assumed that the character string is formatted in cyan (C).

For example, when the user inputs "1" out of the character string "1234567890" when driven by the AC adapter 16, the color bar 115A and the print image 116A are displayed (see FIG. 9A). In this case, the color of the character string of the print image 116A is displayed corresponding to the cyan (C) color of the color bar 115A.

When the user inputs a character string up to "1234567890", color bar 115A and print image 116B are displayed (see FIG. 9B). In this case, the color of the character string of the print image 116B is displayed corresponding to the cyan (C) color of the color bar 115A.

On the other hand, if the user inputs "1" out of "1234567890" while driving with the dry battery 18, the color bar 115C and the print image 116C are displayed (see FIG. 9(c)). According to the color bar information, cyan (C) can be colored at a maximum density of 255. Magenta (M) can be colored up to 800 mm. Further, color can be developed at a maximum density of 200. Yellow (Y) can be colored up to 300 mm. Further, color can be developed at a maximum density of 60. Note that the color of the character string of the print image 116C is displayed corresponding to the cyan (C) color of the color bar 115C.

When the user inputs up to the character string "12345" out of "1234567890", the color bar 115D and the print image 116D are displayed (see FIG. 9D). A string of "12345" drops power. The color bar replaces the display of the maximum density and maximum print length that can be colored with the power after dropping. That is, compared to FIG. 9(c), the displayed color bar becomes lighter in color and the length of the bar becomes shorter. Specifically, since cyan (C) can still be developed up to 1000 mm with a maximum density of 255, the displayed color bar is also the same. For magenta (M), both the maximum density and the maximum print length that can be developed are reduced, and a color bar is displayed as information indicating that the maximum print length is 400 mm and the maximum density is 80. Yellow (Y) cannot be colored at the power after the drop, and no color bar is displayed. Note that the color of the character string of the print image 116D is displayed corresponding to the cyan (C) color of the color bar 115D.

When the user inputs all the character strings "1234567890", the color bar 115E and the print image 116E are displayed (see FIG. 9E). When all the character strings "1234567890" are entered, the power is further dropped, and the color depth and bar length of the color bar are changed to display according to the power after the drop. Since cyan (C) can still be developed up to 1000 mm with a maximum density of 255, the displayed color bar is the same. In addition to yellow (Y), magenta (M) cannot be colored with the power after the drop, and no color bar is displayed. Note that the color of the character string of the print image 116E is displayed corresponding to the cyan (C) color of the color bar 115E.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the AC adapter 16 is driven and the user inputs "1" and the format is set to magenta (M), the character string of the print image 116F is magenta. (M). The color of the character string of the print image 116F is displayed corresponding to the magenta (M) color of the color bar 115A.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the AC adapter 16 is driven and the user changes the format setting to magenta (M) with "1234567890" input, the character string of the print image 116G is , is displayed in magenta (M). The color of the character string of the print image 116G is displayed corresponding to the magenta (M) color of the color bar 115A.

As shown in FIG. 10(c), when driven by the dry battery 18, when the user inputs "1" and the format is set to magenta (M), the print image 116H is magenta (M). Is displayed. In this case, the color of the character string of the print image 116H is displayed corresponding to the magenta (M) color of the color bar 115C.

As shown in FIG. 10D, when the user inputs "1234567890" and the format is set to magenta (M) when driven by the dry battery 18, the character string of the print image 116I becomes magenta ( M). Here, according to the color bars 115C and 115E, magenta (M) becomes lighter as the print length increases. For this reason, the color is displayed lighter toward the rear of the character string. Also, the character "90" cannot be colored.

The second main process will be described with reference to FIG. The second main process is started when the user turns on the printing apparatus 1 with the driving power source. Note that S1 to S7 are the same as S1 to S7 of the first main processing of the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted.

The CPU 21 starts accepting input of a character string to be printed on the thermal label S (S9). Thereby, the user can input a character string to be printed on the thermal label S. FIG. Note that the input character string is displayed on the display unit 31 as cyan (C) as the initial format setting (see, for example, FIG. 9A). The CPU 21 determines whether or not a character has been input or the cursor has been moved with respect to the input character string (S11).

When it is determined that the cursor has not been moved with respect to the character input or the input character string (S11: NO), the CPU 21 displays the color bars of the coloring layers 3, 4 and 5 (S13). For example, the CPU 21 displays a color bar 115A shown in FIG. 8A when the type of drive power source is an AC adapter. Moreover, when the type of drive power source is a dry battery, a color bar 115B shown in FIG. 8B is displayed. CPU21 returns a process to S1.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the character has been input or the cursor has been moved with respect to the input character string (S11: YES), the CPU 21 calculates the print length corresponding to the input character string (S15). Thereby, the length of the character string printed on the thermal label S is specified. Here, if the cursor is at the end of the input character string, the print length from the first character to the last character is calculated. Also, when the cursor is moved in the character string, the print length from the first character to the predetermined position where the cursor is moved is calculated.

The CPU 21 calculates the length in which each coloring layer 3, 4, 5 can develop color (S17). The length that can be colored is calculated based on the drop amount (power consumption) of the drive voltage from the current voltage value of the drive voltage and the number of on-dots of the character string. That is, the power consumption is calculated from the number of on-dots of the character string input in S9. Calculate the length that can be colored with the voltage value after being consumed by the calculated power consumption. The CPU 21 determines whether or not the lengths of the coloring layers 3, 4, and 5 that can be colored are within the range of the printing length calculated in S15 (S19). For colors determined to be within the printing length range (S19: YES), the CPU 21 displays a color bar indicating the length of the color that can be developed (S23). Note that the density of the color bar displayed here is changed to the maximum density that can be colored at the voltage value after power consumption. Also, for a color whose length that can be produced is not within the range of the print length (S19: NO), the CPU 21 does not display the color bar for that color. For example, the CPU 21 displays each color bar 115A on the display unit 31 because cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are within the print length range in FIG. 9B. On the other hand, in FIG. 9(d), since it is determined that the lengths in which cyan (C) and magenta (M) can be developed are within the printing length range, each color bar 115D is displayed, but yellow (Y ) is not within the range of the print length, the color bar 115 A corresponding to yellow (Y) is not displayed on the display section 31 .

Also, when determining that the color-producing length is not within the range of the print length (S19: NO), the CPU 21 displays that the colors that are not within the range of the print length cannot be printed (S21). For example, in the case of FIG. 9(d), the CPU 21 displays a character string such as "yellow cannot be developed" on the display section 31. FIG.

In the process of S21, when the user moves the cursor to specify a predetermined position of the received character string (S11: YES), and the print length of the character string up to the specified predetermined position is, for example, magenta ( M), if the colorable length is exceeded (S19: NO), the CPU 21 displays information indicating that the exceeding portion of the character string cannot be printed. For example, when the cursor is specified between "5" and "6" in the character string "1234567890" (see FIGS. 9(d) and (e)), the CPU 21 outputs "67890 is magenta Cannot print." is displayed on the display unit 31.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the formatting has been changed (S25). Format setting means that the user operates the operation unit 7 to set the color of the character string. For example, the user selects a desired color from multiple colors displayed on the display unit 31 . When determining that the format setting has not been changed (S25: NO), the CPU 21 shifts the process to S31, and the character string displayed on the display unit 31 at the time of the determination process of S25 is displayed as it is. Then, the process is returned to S1.

On the other hand, when determining that the format setting has been changed (S25: YES), the CPU 21 determines whether or not the color restriction setting is valid (S27). For example, it is assumed that the color restriction is disabled in the initial state and can be changed to enabled later by the operation of the operation unit 7 by the user. When determining that the color restriction is valid (S27: YES), the CPU 21 executes the color restriction (S29).

For example, when color restriction is executed, the CPU 21 restricts the range of desired colors selectable by the user to only colors that can be produced. For example, in the case of the color bar 115E in FIG. 10(d), the range of acceptable colors is limited to cyan (C). The CPU 21 displays a character string limited to colors that can be produced (S31). For example, the CPU 21 switches the display of the display unit 31 from the print image 116I of FIG. 10D to the print image 116E of FIG. 9E (S31). CPU21 returns a process to S1.

On the other hand, when determining that the color restriction setting is invalid (S27: NO), the CPU 21 displays the character string based on the desired color selected by the user (S31). For example, the CPU 21 allows the user to accept colors other than cyan (C) even with the color bar 115E in FIG. 9(e). For example, if the user selects magenta (M) here, the print image 116I shown in FIG. 10D is displayed on the display unit 31 from the print image 116E shown in FIG. 9E. CPU21 returns a process to S1.

Here, in the process of S31, the CPU 21 displays the part "12345678" included in the length that can be colored and the part "90" not included in the character string on the display unit 31 in different forms. display (see FIG. 10(d)). The CPU 21 displays the portion "12345678" in the received magenta (M). The CPU 21 displays the portion "90" in white, which is different from the accepted color. In other words, the CPU 21 displays the portion "12345678" in the received color and does not display the portion "90". This allows the user to visually recognize that the desired color cannot be printed.

As described above, the length that can be colored by magenta (M) and cyan (C) differs depending on the magnitude of the drive voltage supplied by the drive power source. The CPU 21 displays a color bar indicating the length that can be colored in magenta (M). The CPU 21 displays a color bar indicating the length of yellow (Y) that can be colored. The user can grasp the length that can be colored with magenta (M) and cyan (C) before executing printing. For example, the printing apparatus 1 informs the user that the print result will be different from the expected color when the drive voltage supplied from the drive power supply is lowered, before executing the printing. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can provide information on colors that the thermal label S can develop in accordance with the driving voltage before executing printing. The colorable length is calculated from the power consumption corresponding to the number of on-dots of the input character string. Accordingly, even when the density of on-dots of characters constituting an input character string is different, a color bar indicating a length that can be appropriately colored can be displayed.

When the print length of the received character string exceeds the specified magenta (M) colorable length, the CPU 21 displays information indicating that part of the character string cannot be printed. When the print length of the received character string exceeds the specified yellow (Y) colorable length, the CPU 21 displays information indicating that part of the character string cannot be printed in yellow (Y). The user can ascertain whether the received character string can be printed in a desired color before executing printing.

The CPU 21 indicates that part of the character string cannot be printed in magenta (M) when the print length of the character string up to the designated predetermined position exceeds the specified magenta (M) color development length. Display information. If the print length of the character string up to the designated predetermined position exceeds the length of the identified yellow (Y) color development possible, the CPU 21 indicates that part of the character string cannot be printed in yellow (Y). Display information. The user can ascertain whether the character string up to the designated predetermined position can be printed in magenta (M) or yellow (Y) before executing printing.

The CPU 21 receives the color of the character string printed on the thermal label S. The CPU 21 limits the range of acceptable colors to cyan (C). The user can grasp information about colors that can be printed in a limited range before executing printing.

The CPU 21 enables or disables the color restriction setting. When the color restriction is valid, the CPU 21 restricts acceptable colors. The user can set whether to limit acceptable colors, and can grasp information about colors that can be printed with the limitation enabled before executing printing.

In the character string, the CPU 21 causes the display unit 31 to display the part "12345678" included in the specified colorable length and the part "90" not included in the specified colorable length in different forms. to display.

The printing device 1 displays the "12345678" portion and the "90" portion in different forms. Therefore, the user can easily grasp the part of "12345678" that is included in the colorable length and the part of "90" that is not included. Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can provide information on colors that the thermal label S can develop in accordance with the driving voltage before executing printing.

The CPU 21 displays the portion "12345678" in the received color. The CPU 21 displays the portion "90" in white, which is different from the accepted color. The user can know that the "90" portion will be printed in a color different from the accepted color before printing.

The CPU 21 displays the "12345678" portion in the received magenta (M) color and does not display the "90" portion. Since the "90" portion is not displayed, the user can know that the received color cannot be printed before executing printing.

The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above first and second embodiments. In the above embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 creates print data and executes the first main process and the second main process, but the present invention is not limited to this. The computer on which the first main process and the second main process are executed is not limited to the printing apparatus 1, and may be any computer (for example, PC, tablet, etc.) having a user interface function. In this case, a notification may be received from the printing apparatus 1 each time the driving power supply is changed in the printing apparatus 1 . Then, in the process of S1, it may be determined whether or not the printer 1 has notified that the driving power supply has been changed.

In the above embodiment, cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are layered in this order, but they may be layered in a different order. In this case, the coloring layer arranged on the thermal head 10 side can develop colors most stably.

In the above embodiment, color bars are displayed for cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the color bar may display four colors (blue, red, green, and black) other than cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

In the above embodiment, the thermal labels S may be of colors other than cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and may be of the same color, for example. In the above embodiment, the thermal label S can be colored in seven colors, but it may be colored in seven or more colors, or may be colored in less than seven colors.

In the above embodiment, the color bar length and density are displayed. Further, in the first embodiment, the gradation that can be colored is represented by the length of the color bar, but it may be represented by the depth of the color displayed on the display unit 31 as in the second embodiment. At this time, as in the second embodiment, the length of the color bar may be used to represent the length of the color bar.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the character string "1234567890" is input, but the input is not limited to this, and image data and the like may be selected in addition to characters, figures, and symbols. In the above embodiment, the power consumption is obtained from the number of on-dots in the input character string, but the power consumption may be obtained from the number of characters in the input character string. Alternatively, a table may be stored in which voltage values are associated with print lengths in which colors can be produced, and it may be determined whether colors can be produced based on the voltage values corresponding to the print lengths of the input character strings.

In the above embodiment, the fact that printing is not possible is displayed as a character string on the display unit 31, but the present invention is not limited to this. .

In the above embodiment, the CPU 21 displayed the portion "12345678" in the color accepted in the format setting and did not display the portion "90" in the process of S31. The character portion may be displayed in a color that can be colored (for example, cyan (C)).

Instead of the CPU 21, a microcomputer, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as the processor. The first main processing and the second main processing may be distributed by a plurality of processors. The non-temporary storage medium may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the information storage period. Non-transitory storage media may not include transitory storage media (eg, transmitted signals). The program may be downloaded (that is, transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network, for example, and stored in flash memory 25 . In this case, the program may be stored in a non-temporary storage medium such as a hard disk drive provided in the server. Note that the modifications described above may be combined with each other as long as there is no contradiction.

In the above embodiment, magenta (M) corresponds to the "first color" of the invention. Yellow (Y) corresponds to the "second color" of the present invention. The thermal label S corresponds to the "printing medium" of the present invention. The AC adapter 16, the battery 17, and the dry cell 18 correspond to the "driving power source" of the present invention. 15V, 12V and 9V correspond to the "driving voltage" of the present invention. The density at which magenta (M) can be developed and the length at which magenta (M) can be developed correspond to the "first range" of the present invention. The density at which yellow (Y) can be developed and the length at which yellow (Y) can be developed correspond to the "second range" of the present invention. "12345678" corresponds to the "first part" of the present invention. "90" corresponds to the "second portion" of the present invention.

CPU21 which performs the process of S7 and S17 corresponds to the "1st specification means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S7 and S17 corresponds to the "2nd specification means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S13, S23, and S31 corresponds to the "display means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S9 is equivalent to the "1st reception means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S11 corresponds for the "designating means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S25 corresponds for the "2nd reception means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S29 corresponds for the "limiting means" of this invention. CPU21 which performs the process of S15 and S17 corresponds to the "specification means" of this invention.

Reference Signs List 1 printing device 2 base material 3 cyan coloring layer 4 magenta coloring layer 5 yellow coloring layer 6 overcoat layer 10 thermal head 21 CPU
31 display unit 115 color bar 116 print image S thermal tape

Claims (12)

A data creation device for creating print data used by a printing device for printing on a printing medium capable of developing a plurality of colors including a first color and a second color different from the first color,
a first specifying means for specifying a first range, which is a possible color development range of the first color that develops in response to a driving voltage supplied by a driving power source of the printing apparatus;
a second specifying means for specifying a second range, which is a range in which the second color can be developed in response to the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing apparatus;
causing a display unit to display information about the first range specified by the first specifying means and the second range specified by the second specifying means as a range in which the printed material represented by the print data can be colored; and display means. The printing length that can be colored by the first color and the second color differs depending on the magnitude of the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source,
The display means is
displaying, as information about the first range, information indicating a printing length that can be colored with the first color;
2. The data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating a print length capable of being colored with the second color is displayed as the information regarding the second range. The densities that can be produced by the first color and the second color differ depending on the magnitude of the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source,
The display means is
displaying, as information about the first range, information indicating the density at which the first color can be developed;
3. The data creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information indicating a density capable of being colored with the second color is displayed as the information about the second range. A first receiving means for receiving an input of a character string to be printed on the print medium,
The display means is
When the print length of the character string accepted by the first accepting means exceeds the first range specified by the first specifying means, at least part of the character string cannot be printed in the first color. display information that indicates
When the print length of the character string accepted by the first accepting means exceeds the second range specified by the second specifying means, at least part of the character string cannot be printed in the second color. 4. The data creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it displays information to be displayed. a first reception unit that receives an input of a character string to be printed on the print medium;
Designating means for designating a predetermined position of the character string received by the first receiving means,
The display means is
When the print length of the character string up to the predetermined position specified by the specifying means exceeds the first range specified by the first specifying means, at least part of the character string is printed in the first color Display information indicating that printing is not possible,
When the print length of the character string up to the predetermined position specified by the specifying means exceeds the second range specified by the second specifying means, at least part of the character string is printed with the second color 5. The data creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein information indicating that printing is not possible is displayed. a second receiving means for receiving a color of a character string to be printed on the print medium;
Limiting means for limiting the range of colors that can be accepted by the second accepting means to the first range specified by the first specifying means and the second range specified by the second specifying means. 6. The data creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising: A setting means for enabling or disabling the restriction by the restriction means,
7. The data creation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said limiting means limits colors that can be received by said second receiving means when said setting means enables the limitation by said limiting means. A computer of a data creation device that creates print data used by a printing device that executes printing on a printing medium capable of developing a plurality of colors including a first color and a second color that is different from the first color,
a first specifying step of specifying a first range, which is a range in which the first color can be developed in response to a driving voltage supplied by a driving power source of the printing apparatus;
a second specifying step of specifying a second range, which is a colorable range of the second color that is colored in response to the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing device;
causing a display unit to display information about the first range specified by the first specifying step and the second range specified by the second specifying step as a range in which the printed material represented by the print data can be colored; A data creation program characterized by causing a display step to be executed. A data creation device for creating print data used by a printing device that prints on a print medium capable of developing multiple colors,
receiving means for receiving a color of a character string represented by the print data to be printed on the print medium;
specifying means for specifying a printing range, which is a printable range of the color received by the receiving means, based on the driving voltage supplied by the driving power source of the printing device;
display means for displaying on a display unit a first part included in the print range specified by the specifying means and a second part not included in the print range of the character string in different forms from each other; A data creation device comprising: The display means is
displaying the first part in the color received by the receiving means;
10. The data creation apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second portion is displayed in a color different from said color received by said receiving means. The display means is
displaying the first part in the color received by the receiving means;
10. The data creation device according to claim 9, wherein said second part is not displayed. In a computer of a data creation device that creates print data used by a printing device that executes printing on a printing medium capable of developing multiple colors,
a receiving step of receiving a color of a character string to be printed on the print medium;
a specifying step of specifying a printable range, which is a printable range of the color accepted in the accepting step, based on a drive voltage supplied by a drive power source of the printing apparatus;
a display step of displaying, on a display unit, a first part included in the print range specified by the specifying step and a second part not included in the print range, of the character string, in different forms from each other; A data creation program characterized by being executed.

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