JP2583678Y2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer used for printing desired print data on a printing medium such as a band-like label with an adhesive.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a device for producing an index label for a cassette tape or an index label for a video tape, a label printer which prints out character string data arbitrarily input by a key on a strip label with an adhesive has been considered. I have.

A label with an adhesive used in this label printer is wound around a cartridge and stored in a cartridge, and is used by cutting out a portion fed out according to the printing length. Depending on the purpose of use,
For example, since the label width is different between a cassette tape and a video tape, a plurality of cartridges containing labels of different widths are prepared in advance.

In this case, for example, when printing character string data input assuming a label width for a cassette tape, a cartridge having a label having a narrow width corresponding to the character string data, and a label width for a video tape must be reduced. When printing character string data that is supposedly input, it is necessary to replace and use cartridges each having a label with a wide width corresponding to the character string data.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional label printer, if the character string data input assuming the wide label width is to be printed on a narrow-width label, for example, the print character is changed to the label. There is a problem in that the printing is out of order.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem . That is, the present invention is not to be printed protrude from the width direction of the multiple rows of print data long printing medium, to provide a printer capable of reliably preventing occurrence of printing defects Aim.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a printer comprising: an apparatus main body; input means for inputting a plurality of lines of print data; and an input means provided in the apparatus main body in a longitudinal direction of a long printing medium. A printing means for printing the print data input by means, a width storage means for storing a width dimension in a width direction of the medium to be printed, and a print having an arbitrarily different size in the print data. Print size setting means capable of setting a size, maximum size judgment means for judging the maximum print size in each line of a print size set arbitrarily different by the print size setting means, and storage in the width storage means width of the printing medium that is, the number of lines print data inputted by said input means, and the printing of each row that is determined by the maximum size determining means Based on the maximum printing size set in the over data, a print determination unit that the print data to determine whether it is possible to print in the width direction of the printing medium, the indicia letter determination means unprintable determined And a notifying unit for notifying that the printing is not possible. Therefore, according to the present invention, in the print data ,
A print size setting means capable of setting a print size of any different size, optionally different by the print size setting means
A maximum size determining means for determining a maximum print size in each row of the print size set to the size, width of the print medium that is stored in the width memory means, the number of lines printed data inputted by the input means, And determining whether or not the print data can be printed in the width direction of the print target medium based on the maximum print size set in the print data for each line determined by the maximum size determination means. Since the configuration includes the print determination unit, it is possible to determine whether the print data can be printed in the width direction of the print target medium before printing the print data on the print target medium. Further, in the printer and a print determining means and the printing size setting means and the maximum size determining means as described above, any different size printing size in the print data of each row is set by the example print size setting means Even if the print data does not protrude from the width direction of the print medium and is printed, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of defective printing. Further, wasteful consumption of the print medium due to occurrence of defective printing can be reliably prevented. According to the present invention,
When the print determination unit determines that printing is possible, the system is provided with a notification unit that notifies that printing is not possible. Therefore, it is easy to determine whether print data can be printed in the width direction of the print target medium. be able to.

[0008]

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a label printer to which the present invention is applied.
For example, the main body case 11 is provided with a key input unit 12 and a display unit 13 on a surface thereof, and a power switch 14 is provided on a right side surface thereof.

A key input unit 12 includes a character input key corresponding to a word processor function for creating character string data such as a name, a heading, and an index for label printing.
In addition to the Kana / Kanji conversion key, the next candidate key, the character magnification setting key, the execution key, etc., a line feed key, a "stop" key for separating boundaries of each character string data for one label, a character input mode and a print mode. A mode switching key for switching, a printing start key for starting a printing operation, and the like are provided.

The display unit 13 displays character string data and print format layout data obtained by the key input operation in accordance with the respective processes. Also,
On the lower surface of the main body case 11, a label outlet 15 for discharging a label with an adhesive (not shown) after printing the character string data, and a cutter button for cutting out the label discharged to the label outlet 15 16 are provided.

That is, after the power switch 14 is turned on, any character string data is created using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, a print mode is set, and the printing process is started. The print target character string is printed on the label and is sequentially discharged from the label discharge port 15.

In this case, the character string to be printed is created by setting a character magnification and a line feed in advance, assuming the width and length of the label to be used. , The character string of the protruding portion is replaced and added in the printing length direction and printed.

When the character string to be printed is printed on a label (not shown) and discharged from the label discharge port 15,
The label is cut and used by sliding the label cutter 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow x.

FIG. 2 shows a printing unit 2 of the label printer.
The print unit 21 is used with an ink tape cartridge 22 mounted thereon. The ink tape cartridge 22 has a label 23 as a long print medium with an adhesive on which the print character string is printed, and an ink ribbon 24 for printing on the label 23.
The label 23 is configured to be in parallel contact with the ink ribbon 24 in the transfer section 25 and to proceed simultaneously, and to be ejected from the ink tape cartridge 22.

Here, the ink tape cartridge 22
Are labels 23 and ink ribbons 2 having different widths depending on, for example, a cassette tape label or a video tape label.
4 is selected and mounted.

In contrast to the print unit 21, the ink tape cartridge 22 is provided with the key input unit 12 and the display unit 1.
The ink cartridge 22 is detachable by opening the case cover 26 of the main body case 11 provided with the ink cartridge 3 in a single direction.
The ribbon take-up spool 29 of the ink ribbon 24 has a ribbon take-up shaft 30 inserted and fitted therein, and the ink tape cartridge 22 has cartridge guides 32 in the recesses 31a and 31b on the opposing side surfaces.
a and the cartridge holding hook 32b are locked to each other to achieve positioning.

In this case, the platen roller 33 is attached to the label 23 in the transfer section 25 of the ink tape cartridge 22.
, And the thermal print head 34 is positioned along the ink ribbon 24 in the transfer section 25.

Here, the thermal print head 34
For example, 144 dots in the width direction of the ink ribbon 24
(8 dots / mm). That is, during the printing operation of the character string to be printed on the label 23 with the adhesive, the label 23 and the ink ribbon 24 are attached to the platen roller 33.
And the rotation of the ribbon take-up shaft 30, the paper is conveyed at the same speed in the transfer unit 25, and the thermal print head 34 and the platen roller 33 move the label 2
By performing the thermal transfer operation while sandwiching the ink ribbon 3 and the ink ribbon 24, the character string to be printed is sequentially printed on the label 23 and fed out from the label discharge port 15.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16a denotes a cutter which projects to the label discharge port 15 as the cutter button 16 slides to cut the label 23. On the other hand, a label width detection switch 35 is provided at one end and an ink color detection switch 36 is provided at the other end of the upper side surface of the printing unit 21 where the ink tape cartridge 22 is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows a printing unit 2 of the label printer.
1 shows a structure for detecting the label width and the ink color in FIG. 1. First, the label width detection switch 35 is operated when the ink tape cartridge 22 is mounted along the guide pins 37a to 37d erected and scattered on the print portion base 37. A width detecting movable plate 35a which is pressed by the lower edge of the side surface of the ink tape cartridge 22 and moves downward, a variable resistor 35b which converts a width detecting position by the width detecting movable plate 35a into a voltage signal; And a width detection signal output line 35c for deriving a voltage signal obtained by the unit 35b.
The width of the ink tape cartridge 22, that is, the width of the label 23 with the adhesive and the width of the ink ribbon 24 in the width direction is detected by a voltage signal having a level corresponding to the pressing and lowering position of the width detection movable plate 35a.

When the ink tape cartridge 22 is mounted on the printing section 21 in the same manner as described above, the ink color detection switch 36 is turned on.
A groove detecting movable plate 36a which is fitted on a color identification groove 38 formed in advance with a length corresponding to the ink color of the built-in ink ribbon 24 on the side corresponding to the switch and moves up and down, and a groove formed by the groove detecting movable plate 36a. A micro switch 36b for converting a detection position into a stepwise electric signal corresponding to the detection position, and detecting an ink color of the ink tape cartridge 22 by an electric signal of a level corresponding to the groove detection position of the groove detection movable plate 36a. Is done.

FIG. 4 shows the printing unit 2 of the label printer.
1A shows the detection state of the label width and the ink color in FIG. 1A, and FIG. 2B shows the detection state of the ink tape cartridge 22 containing a 9 mm-wide label 23 for a cassette tape, for example. Indicates a detection state for the ink tape cartridge 22 in which, for example, a label 23 having a width of 18 mm for a video tape is stored.

In this case, the mounting height of each ink tape cartridge 22 with respect to the printing section 21 is regulated by guide pins 37a to 37d erected on the printing section base 37, and the top plate is always set to the same height. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the descending amount of the width detection movable plate 35a is small, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the label 23 having a width of 9 mm is mounted. As shown in FIG. 4B, the width detection movable plate 35
When the descending amount of “a” is large, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the label 23 having a width of 18 mm is mounted.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an electronic circuit in the above label printer. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 41 denotes a control unit which controls the operation of each unit of the circuit.
In addition to the key input unit 12, a print data storage unit 42 for storing the created character string to be printed is connected, and the display unit 13 is connected via a layout display control unit 43 and a display control unit 44. Is done.

The print data storage section 42 stores print target character strings created corresponding to each label, separated by a stop code. The print target character strings are sequentially stored according to the print mode setting. The data is read out by the control unit 41 and the display control processing of the print layout is executed.

The layout display control unit 43 includes a print format including the maximum character size, character print direction, maximum print length, label width used, and print image together with the print target character string read from the print data storage unit 42. The setting information of the character string to be printed laid out on the display buffer by the layout display control unit 43 and the setting information of its printing format are controlled by the layout display control unit 43. Is displayed on the display unit 13 through the display control unit 44 in accordance with the designation of the start of printing.

The control section 41 sends a label width detection signal from the label width detection switch 35 to the A / D conversion section 35d.
And the ink color detection switch 36
Are supplied to the control unit 41. In addition to the print unit 45, a print length / print width determination unit 46, a print width error determination unit 47, and a data storage unit 48 are connected to the control unit 41.

The printing section 45 is a thermal print head for performing printing processing of the print target character string sequentially read from the print data storage section 42 in accordance with the print format information set in advance in the layout display control section 43. 34
And the rotation of the ribbon take-up shaft 30 and the platen roller 33. The print length and print width of the print target character string are controlled by the print target character string from the print data storage unit 42. Each time character data is read out of the column, the print length / print width determination unit 46 determines based on the character control code. The printing unit 45
In accordance with the print control operation, whether or not the print width of the print target character string falls within the width of the label 23 is determined each time the stop code is read from the print data storage unit 42, that is, the print target character string for one label. The print width error determination unit 47 determines each reading.

The data storage section 48 sequentially stores and updates the maximum print length and print width in accordance with the print length / print width determination processing of the print target character string in the print length / print width determination section 46. The print width data stored in the data storage unit 48 and the label width detection switch 35 are stored.
An error determination process is performed in the print width error determination unit 47 based on the label width detection data obtained from the above, and a character string to be printed in the layout display control unit 43 is determined based on maximum character size data and maximum print length data. Is performed.

Next, the operation of the label printer having the above configuration will be described. For example, in order to create a label for a video tape, arbitrary character string data is input using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, and the print target character string "ABC
When the "development department, Inc." is generated, the character string data is delimited by the stop code and stored in the print data storage unit 42.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print layout display process when the print mode of the label printer is set. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the five types of print layout display states in the label printer and their respective label print states in association with each other.

That is, the character string to be printed "ABC Co., Ltd." without line breaks, in which "ABC Co., Ltd."
Tape cartridge 22 having a wide label 23 having a width of 18 mm for the printing unit 21 in the state stored in the
When the print mode is set by operating the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 and the first character “A” of the character string to be printed is stored from the print data storage unit 42 to the control unit 41.
And the print character size "full-width" (3 mm square) is determined based on the character control code (steps S1 to S1).
3).

Then, based on the character size "full-width" of the character data "A" to be printed determined by the control unit 41, the printing length (including the character pitch) is determined by the printing length / print width determining unit 46. Is added to the print length register in the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction up to the previously read character (in this case, none) stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 and the current readout The character size of the character "A" is compared with the character size in the label width direction, and the larger character size in the label width direction is updated and stored in the maximum character size register as a new maximum character size (steps S4 to S4).
6).

In this manner, when the print length adding process based on the print character size and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction are performed in accordance with the read process of the first character "A" of the character string to be printed, two more characters are obtained. The character size determination processing, print length addition processing, and maximum character size storage processing in the label width direction are repeated in accordance with the print data reading processing for the eyes "B" and subsequent, and the character string to be printed "ABC Co., Ltd." The print length data (in this case, 10 cm) is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size (in this case, quadruple size) in the label width direction is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48. (Steps S1 to S1
S6).

When the stop code "STOP" indicating the end of the print target character string "ABC Co., Ltd." is read from the print data storage unit 42, the maximum character size of the data storage unit 48 is determined in step S6. In accordance with the maximum character size in the character string to be printed stored in the register, the print width is determined by the print length / print width determination unit 46 and added to the print width register of the data storage unit 48, and The number of lines is stored in the character size register in association with the line and its maximum character size, and the maximum character size of the currently read print line stored in the maximum character size register is cleared (steps S1, S2 → S7 ~
S10).

If the character string to be printed for one label consists of a plurality of lines, the maximum print length up to the last read print line stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 and the above-described step S4 The print length of the currently read print line stored in the print length register is compared with the print length / print width determination unit 46 to determine the length, and the longer print length is updated and stored in the maximum print length register. The print length of the currently read print line stored in the print length register is cleared (steps S11 to S1).
3).

If the current read print data in step S1 is the stop code "stop",
The reading of the character string to be printed for one label is completed, and the data storage section 48 stores the print width data, the maximum character size data for each print line, and the maximum print length data for each print line. Is obtained (step S1).
4).

Here, from the label width detection switch 35 to A
The label width detection data (18 mm in this case) of the adhesive-attached label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained through the / D conversion unit 35d and the print target stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 in step S8. The print width data (in this case, quadruple-width = 6 mm) is compared with the print width error determination unit 47 to determine the size of the character string. In this case, the label width (1
Since the print width of the character string to be printed (quadruple width = 6 mm) is smaller than that of the character string to be printed (8 mm), label printing according to the setting format when the character string to be printed is input can be performed. : Maximum character size for each print line stored in the character size register (in this case, one line: 4
Is transferred to the layout display control unit 43 (steps S15 and S16).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, a print image 13a (only one line in this case) is displayed at the upper right end of the display section 13 on which the character string to be printed "ABC Co., Ltd." is displayed. Is displayed as a thin line, the character size (1 × 1) corresponding to the character designated by the cursor (in this case, “A”), the printing direction (horizontal) of the character string to be printed, The label width (18 mm) of the tape cartridge 22 and the maximum print length (10 cm) of the character string to be printed stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 in step S12 are displayed (step S17). ).

That is, the user inputs the character string "AB
By setting the print mode after the creation of "C Co., Ltd. Development Department", it is displayed on the display unit 13 that the character string to be printed including double-width characters is printed horizontally on the label 23 with an adhesive of 18 mm width with a print length of 10 cm. You can know in advance with the layout display,
The label printing process corresponding to the layout display is performed by the printing unit 45 in response to the operation of the print start key.

In the first line, a character string to be printed consisting of two lines of "ABC" full-width characters and "Ltd." Is stored in the print data storage section 42, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the 18 mm wide label 23 is attached to the print section 21, and the mode switching key of the key input section 12 is operated to set the print mode. Is set, the first character "A" of the character string to be printed is read out from the print data storage unit 42 to the control unit 41 in the same manner as described above, and the print character size "full-width" is determined based on the character control code (step). S1 to S3).

Then, based on the character size "full-width" of the character data "A" to be printed determined by the control section 41, the print length (including the character pitch) is determined by the print length / print width determination section 46. Is added to the print length register in the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction up to the previously read character (in this case, none) stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 and the current readout The character size of the character "A" is compared with the character size in the label width direction, and the larger character size in the label width direction is updated and stored in the maximum character size register as a new maximum character size (steps S4 to S4).
6).

In this manner, when the print length adding process based on the print character size and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction are performed in accordance with the read process of the first character "A" of the character string to be printed, two more characters are obtained. The character size determination process, the print length addition process, and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction are repeated in accordance with the print data reading process after the item "B", and the print length data of the first character string "ABC" in the print target character string is obtained. The maximum character size (full width in this case) in the label width direction is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48 in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 (steps S1 to S6).

Then, the first character string "AB"
When the line feed code indicating the line feed of "C" is read from the print data storage unit 42, the line feed code according to the maximum character size (full-width) in the first line stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 in step S6 described above. The print length / print width determination unit 46 determines the print width and adds the print width to the print width register of the data storage unit 48. The print line (first line) and the maximum character size (full-width) are also determined. The number of lines associated with each other: stored in the character size register, and the maximum character size of the currently read print line (first line) stored in the maximum character size register is cleared (steps S1, S2 → S7 to S10). ).

Here, the maximum print length (in this case, "0") up to the previously read print line stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 and the current read length stored in the print length register in step S4. Print line (first line)
The print length is compared and determined by the print length / print width determination unit 46, and the longer print length, in this case, the print length of the first line, is updated and stored in the maximum print length register. The print length of the first line stored in the length register is cleared (steps S11 to S13).

If the current read print data in step S1 is a line feed code, there is a character string to be printed on the second line. Is sequentially read in the same manner as described above, and the character size determination process, the print length addition process, and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction are repeated. Development department"
Is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48 in the maximum character size in the label width direction (in this case, quadruple size).
Is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 (step S14 → S1 to S1).
6).

When the stop code "STOP" indicating the end of the printable character string "ABC / Development Department" consisting of the two lines is read from the print data storage unit 42, the data storage unit in step S6 is executed. The maximum character size in the second line stored in the 48 maximum character size register (4
In the print length / print width determination unit 46,
The print width is determined and added to the print width register of the data storage unit 48 as (full-width + quadruple-size), and the corresponding print line (second line) is associated with its maximum character size (quadruple-size). Number: The maximum character size of the current read print line (second line) stored in the character size register and stored in the maximum character size register is cleared (steps S1, S2 → S7 to S10).

Here, the maximum print length up to the previous read print line (in this case, the print length of the first line) stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage section 48 and the print length register in step S4 are stored. The print length of the currently read print line (second line) is compared and determined by the print length / print width determination unit 46, and the longer print length, in this case, the print length of the second line is the maximum print length. The update length is stored in the register, and the 2
The print length of the line is cleared (steps S11 to S1
3).

If the current read print data in step S1 is the stop code "stop",
The reading of the character string to be printed for one label is completed, and the print width data (full-width +
The maximum character size data for each print line (first line: full width / second line: quadruple size) and the maximum print length data between print lines (print length of the second line) were obtained. (Step S14).

Here, from the label width detection switch 35 to A
The label width detection data (18 mm in this case) of the adhesive-attached label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained through the / D conversion unit 35d and the print target stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 in step S8. Character string print width data (in this case, full-width + quadruple-width = 9m
m) is determined by the print width error determination section 47 in this case. In this case, the print width of the character string to be printed (full-width +4) is larger than the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with the adhesive.
(Double-width = 9 mm) is small, so that label printing can be performed in accordance with the setting format at the time of inputting a character string to be printed. In step S9, the number of lines in the data storage unit 48: each print line stored in the character size register The maximum character size (first line: full-width / second line: quadruple-size) is the layout display control unit 4.
3 (steps S15 and S16).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first line is a thin line, the second line is a right line at the upper right end of the display unit 13 on which the character string to be printed "ABC / Development Department" is displayed. Print images 13a and 13b with the double-width line as a thick line are displayed, and a character size (1 × 1) corresponding to the cursor designated character (in this case, the line feed target character “ABC”) is displayed from the upper left end of the display unit 13. The print direction (horizontal) of the print character string, the label width of the ink tape cartridge 22 being mounted (18 m
m), and in step S12, the data storage unit 4
The maximum print length (7 cm) of the print target character string stored in the maximum print length register 8 is displayed (step S17).

That is, the user inputs the print target character string “AB
By setting the print mode after the creation of "C / Development Department", the character string to be printed consisting of two lines including double-width characters on the second line is printed horizontally on a label 23 with an adhesive of 18 mm width with a print length of 7 cm. This can be known in advance by the layout display on the display unit 13, and the label printing process corresponding to the layout display is performed by the printing unit 45 in response to the operation of the print start key.

The first line is "ABC" full-width characters, the second line is "Corporation" full-width characters, and the third line is "development unit". In the state where the “corporation / development department” is stored in the print data storage part 42, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the 18 mm wide label 23 is attached to the print part 21, and the mode switching key of the key input part 12 is pressed. If the print mode is set by operating, the above steps S1 to S17
7C, the display unit 13 on which the character string to be printed “ABC / KK / Development Department” is displayed as shown in FIG.
At the right end of the upper part, print images 13a and 13b are displayed, in which the first and second lines are thin lines and the third line with double-width lines is a thick line, and a cursor designation character (in this case, The character size (1 × 1) corresponding to the line feed target character “corporation”, the printing direction of the character string to be printed (horizontal), the label width of the installed ink tape cartridge 22 (18 mm), and the maximum size of the data storage unit 48 The maximum print length (4 cm) of the character string to be printed stored in the print length register is displayed.

That is, the user inputs the print target character string “AB
By setting the print mode after creating "C / Co., Ltd./Development Department", the character string to be printed consisting of three lines including double-width characters on the third line is written horizontally on the 18 mm wide adhesive label 23 with a print length of 4 cm. It can be known in advance from the layout display on the display unit 13 that printing is to be performed, and the label printing process corresponding to this layout display is performed by the printing unit 45 in response to the operation of the print start key.
It will be done in.

Further, in the first line, “ABC” full-width characters, 2
The four-line printable character string "ABC / KK / Open / In the state where the “originating unit” is stored in the print data storage unit 42, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the 18 mm wide label 23 is attached to the printing unit 21, and the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 is operated. When the print mode is set, the processes of steps S1 to S14 are executed in the same manner as described above.

If the current read print data in step S1 is the stop code "stop",
The reading of the character string to be printed for one label "ABC / Co. / Open / Departure" has been completed, and the print width data (full-width + full-width + 4-fold + 4) is stored in the data storage unit 48.
Double size), maximum character size data for each print line (first line:
Full-width / second line: full-width / third line: quadruple-width / fourth line: quadruple-width) and the maximum print length data (printing length of the second line) between the print lines (step). S14).

Here, from the label width detection switch 35 to A
The label width detection data (18 mm in this case) of the adhesive-attached label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained through the / D conversion unit 35d and the print target stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 in step S8. The print width data (in this case, full width + full width + 4 times width + 4 times width = 18 mm) of the character string is compared and determined in the print width error determination unit 47. In this case, the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with the adhesive is used. Since the printing width of the character string to be printed (full-width + full-width + quadruple-size + quadruple-size = 18 mm) is not smaller than that, it is impossible to print four lines according to the setting format when inputting the character string to be printed. As shown in the figure, the upper right end of the display section 13 on which the character string to be printed "ABC / Co. / Open / Departure" is displayed, "E" indicating that four lines cannot be printed.
rr "message 13c is displayed and the display unit 1
3, the character size (2 × 2) corresponding to the character designated by the cursor (in this case, the line feed target character “open”), the printing direction of the character string to be printed (horizontal), the label width of the ink tape cartridge 22 being mounted ( 18 mm) and the maximum print length (5 cm) obtained by adding the printable character string "source" of the fourth line that cannot be line feed in the print length direction (steps S15 to S18).

That is, the user inputs the print target character string “AB
By setting the print mode after creating "C / Co., Ltd./Open/Department", it is possible to know that 4-line printing according to the set format is not possible, and if this is printed, It is possible to know in advance on the display unit 13 that the print character string is to be printed horizontally on the label 23 with an adhesive having a width of 18 mm with a print length of 5 cm. The label printing process to be performed is performed by the printing unit 45.

On the other hand, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 7C, the first line is "ABC" full-width character, the second line is "Japan" full-width character, and the third line is "development unit". Ink tape having a narrow label 23 with a width of 9 mm for the print unit 21 in a state in which the print target character string "ABC / Corporation / Development Department" composed of three lines of double-width characters is stored in the print data storage unit 42. When the print mode is set by operating the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 when the cartridge 22 is mounted, first, the processes of steps S1 to S14 are executed in the same manner as described above.

If the current read print data in step S1 is the stop code "stop",
The reading of the character string to be printed "ABC / Co., Ltd./development department" for one label is completed.
8, the print width data (full-width + full-width + quadruple-width), the maximum character size data for each print line (first row: full-width / second row: full-width / third row: quadruple-width), and each print line The maximum print length data (print length of the third line) is obtained (step S14).

Here, from the label width detection switch 35 to A
The label width detection data (in this case, 9 mm) of the label 23 with the adhesive in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained via the / D conversion unit 35d and the print target stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 in step S8. Character string print width data (in this case, full width + full width + quadruple width =
12 mm) is determined by the print width error determination unit 47. In this case, the print width of the character string to be printed (full-width + full-width + 4 × width = 12 mm) is greater than the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with the adhesive. ) Is large, it is impossible to print three lines in the set format at the time of inputting the print target character string. As shown in FIG. 7 (E), the print target character string “ABC /
"Err" message 13c indicating that three lines cannot be printed,
Is displayed, the character size (2 × 2) corresponding to the character designated by the cursor (in this case, “open”) from the upper left end of the display unit 13, the printing direction (horizontal) of the character string to be printed, The label width (9 mm) of No. 22 and the maximum print length (11 cm) obtained by adding the printable character string “development section” of the third line that cannot be line-feeded in the print length direction are displayed (step S15 → S18).

That is, the user inputs the print target character string “AB
By setting the print mode after creating "C / Co., Ltd./Development Department", it is possible to know that 3-line printing according to the set format is not possible, and if this is printed,
The character string to be printed is 11 cm on the label 23 with adhesive of 9 mm width.
It can be known in advance on the display unit 13 that the horizontal writing will be performed with the print length of, and when the print start key is operated, the label printing process corresponding to this display message is performed by the printing unit 4.
5 will be done.

Therefore, according to the label printer having the above configuration, the print length and print width of the character string to be printed stored in the print data storage section 42 are determined by the print length / print width determination section 36 based on the character control code. It is determined and stored in the data storage unit 48, and whether or not the print width of the print target character string stored in the data storage unit 48 is smaller than the dimensional width of the label with adhesive 23 detected by the label width detection switch 35. The print width error determination unit 47 determines whether the print width is equal to or larger than the label width.
7 (D) and (E) of FIG. 7 configured to display the “Err” message 13c on the third label, it is necessary to confirm that the print width is too wide relative to the label width according to the setting format when the print target character string is created. Be able to know beforehand.

[0065]

According to the present invention as described above, according to the invention], and arbitrarily set the print size of the different sizes of print size setting means in the print data, optionally printing size setting means
Maximum size determining means for determining the maximum print size in each line of a print size set to a different size , the width of the print-receiving medium stored in the width storage means, and the line of print data input by the input means. In the print data for each line determined by the number and maximum size determination means.
A print determination unit that determines whether print data can be printed in the width direction of the print target medium based on the set maximum print size. It can be determined whether the print data can be printed in the width direction of the print-receiving medium. Further, in the printer and a print determining means and the printing size setting means and the maximum size determining means as described above, any different size printing size in the print data of each row is set by the example print size setting means Even if the printing is performed, the print data does not protrude from the width direction of the print medium and is printed, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of defective printing. Further, wasteful consumption of the print medium due to occurrence of defective printing can be reliably prevented. Also,
According to the invention of the present application, when the print determination unit determines that printing is possible, the notification unit that notifies that printing is not possible is provided, so that print data can be printed in the width direction of the print target medium. It is easy to know whether or not.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing unit of the label printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detection structure of a label width and an ink color in a printing unit of the label printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a detection state of a label width and an ink color in a printing unit of the label printer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit in the label printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print layout display processing when a print mode of the label printer is set.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing five types of print layout display states in the label printer in association with their respective label print states.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... body case, 12 ... key input part, 13 ... display part, 13a, 13b ... print image, 13c ... "Err" message, 14 ... power switch, 15 ... label discharge port, 16 ... cutter button, 16a ... cutter, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 ... Print part, 22 ... Ink tape cartridge, 23 ... Label with adhesive, 24 ... Ink ribbon, 25 ... Transfer part, 26 ... Case lid, 27 ... Label feeding spool, 28 ... Spool shaft, 29 ... Ribbon take-up spool , 30: ribbon winding shaft, 31a, 31b: recess of cartridge, 32a: cartridge guide, 32b: hook for holding cartridge, 33: platen roller, 34: thermal print head, 35: label width detection switch, 35a: width detection Movable plate, 35b ... variable resistor, 35c ... width Detection signal output line, 35d: A / D converter, 36: Ink color detection switch, 36a: Groove detection movable plate, 36b: Micro switch, 37: Print base body, 37a to 37d: Guide pin, 38: Color identification groove 41, a control unit, 42, a print data storage unit, 43, a layout display control unit, 44, a display control unit, 45, a print unit, 46, a print length / print width determination unit, 47, a print width error determination unit, 48 ... Data storage unit.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B41J 3/36 B41J 15/04 B41J 21/00 G09F 3/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. An apparatus main body, input means for inputting a plurality of lines of print data, and printing the print data input by the input means in a longitudinal direction of a long print medium provided in the apparatus main body. In a printer including a printing unit, a width storage unit that stores a width dimension of the print target medium in a width direction, a print size setting unit that can set an arbitrary different print size in the print data, A maximum size determination unit that determines a maximum print size in each line of a print size that is arbitrarily set to a different size by the print size setting unit; a width dimension of the print-receiving medium stored in the width storage unit;
The number of lines of print data input by the input means, and the number of lines before each line determined by the maximum size determination means.
Print determining means for determining whether or not the print data can be printed in the width direction of the print-receiving medium based on the maximum print size set in the print data; and And a notifying means for notifying that the printing is not possible when the judgment is made.