JP3948408B2 - Print control apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention controls a printing apparatus capable of printing a print medium while conveying the print medium in the longitudinal direction and capable of cutting the print medium with a cutter on the downstream side of the printing position. The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus and a program used for the printing.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the printing medium can be printed while being conveyed in the longitudinal direction, and used to control a printing apparatus that can cut the printing medium with a cutter downstream of the printing position. There is known a print control apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printing control apparatus described in the following Patent Document 1 is configured to be incorporated in a printing apparatus, and includes a cutting position input unit that inputs a cutting position with respect to a position where printing is performed on a tape (print medium); And a cutting execution position tape feeding means for causing the tape feeding mechanism to feed the tape so that the inputted cutting position reaches the tape cutting execution position. Thereby, as described in Patent Document 1 below, a determination is made according to the value of the interval between the print start position by the thermal head and the tape cutting execution position, and the interval length between the front end and the front cut end of the print is determined. It is controlled so that the tape cut is performed with a certain precut length at a desired value. The rear cut length, which is the distance between the rear end and the rear cut end of the print, is also controlled so that the tape is cut at a desired value.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-122660 (page 3-4, FIG. 5)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the interval between the print start position (print position) by the thermal head and the tape cutting execution position (cut position) (hereinafter referred to as “head-cutter distance”) is a restriction, the head-cutter is used as the previous cut length. Unless a value greater than the inter-distance is set, a tape cut process for removing useless margins is always necessary. That is, useless tape consumption occurs. Also, in normal label tape production work, there is actually little demand for setting a pre-cut length larger than the head-cutter distance, and wasteful tape consumption (useless print media consumption) frequently occurs. There is a problem of end.
[0005]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the case where unnecessary tape consumption occurs. First, a case where a label tape on which the character string “A” is printed is prepared, and then a label tape on which the character string “BC” is printed will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 13A, when the character string “A” is printed and conveyed in the direction of the arrow, the tape is printed by the distance between the head and the cutter, which is the distance between the printing position X1 and the cutting position X2. There are margins. When the above-mentioned previous cut length in the label of the character string “A” is smaller than the distance between the head and the cutter, when the printing of the character string “A” is finished, as shown in FIG. In addition, the useless blank portion W1 existing before the character string “A” is removed. Further, when the next character string “BC” is printed, and when the previous cut length in the label of the character string “BC” is smaller than the distance between the head and the cutter, the useless blank portion W2 shown in FIG. Will be removed.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even when a label with a margin smaller than the distance between the head and the cutter is created, it is possible to prevent wasteful printing medium consumption from occurring. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control apparatus and a program that can be used.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, the print control apparatus according to claim 1 is capable of printing a print medium while conveying the print medium in the longitudinal direction thereof, By print head A print control apparatus used for controlling a printing apparatus capable of cutting a print medium with a cutter downstream from a printing position, comprising: a print data storage means for storing print data; and a printing operation Reserved cut position storage means for storing a position where the print medium is cut along the way as a reserved cut position; When the length of the print medium when cut at the reserved cut position is shorter than the distance between the print position and the cutter, During the printing operation, when the reserved cutting position of the printing medium stored in the reserved cutting position storage means coincides with the cutting position of the printing medium by the cutter, the printing operation of the printing medium until the printing medium is cut and And a print conveyance control means for stopping conveyance of the print medium to the downstream side.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the reserved cut position storage means is a reserved full cut position where the print medium is fully cut and a position where the print medium is half cut. The reserved half-cut position is stored.
[0009]
The program according to claim 3 or 4 is a program capable of causing a computer to function as the tape printing control apparatus as described in claim 1 or 2, and has the same effect as that of claim 1 or 2. Play. The program described in each of claims 3 and 4 may be a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), an FD (Flexible Disk), or an MO (Magneto-Optic), or a hard disk. In addition to being able to be recorded on a fixed recording medium and distributed, it can also be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet by wired or wireless telecommunication means.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the present embodiment, an example of a tape printing control device (printing control device) used for controlling a tape printing device (printing device) that performs printing on a tape (tape-like printing medium) as a printing medium is taken as an example. I will explain to you. The application of the present invention is not limited to the case of a tape printing control device of a tape printing device in which the print medium is a tape. Used to control a printing apparatus capable of printing a print medium while conveying the print medium in the longitudinal direction and capable of cutting the tape print medium with a cutter downstream from the printing position. The present invention can be widely applied to any print control apparatus.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a state in which a tape printing control device (printing control device) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a tape printing device (printing device) 10, and FIG. 1 is an external view of a printing apparatus 10. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape printer 10 displays a keyboard 11 including a large number of keys such as character keys and control keys on the upper surface thereof, and an image of a label to be referred to when performing a label editing operation or the like. And a display 12. The tape printing apparatus 10 includes a tape printing control device 1, a tape drive printing mechanism, a tape cutting cutter, and the like, and draws a tape (printing medium) from a mounted tape cassette to a predetermined amount. While printing, it cuts with a cutter and discharges from the discharge port 13.
[0012]
FIG. 3 shows the tape cassette 14, the tape printing drive mechanism 15, and the cutter 16 that are mounted inside the tape printer 10. The tape cassette 14 includes a cassette case 17, a transparent tape roll 19, an ink ribbon roll 21, and an adhesive tape roll 23. A transparent tape 19A is wound around the transparent tape roll 19, an ink ribbon 21A is wound around the ink ribbon roll 21, and an adhesive tape 23A is wound around the adhesive tape roll 23. Each tape (19 </ b> A, 21 </ b> A, 23 </ b> A) is fed through the cassette case 17, printed by the tape printing drive mechanism 15, and then turned into a tape (label tape) 25 and discharged from the tape cassette 14.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3, the tape printing drive mechanism includes a thermal head 27, a platen 29, a tape feed roller 31, and an auxiliary roller 33. The tape printing drive mechanism 15 bonds the transparent tape 19A and the adhesive tape 23A with the tape feed roller 31 and the auxiliary roller 33, and conveys the tape 25 created by this bonding. The tape printing drive mechanism 15 presses the transparent tape 19A and the ink ribbon 21A against the thermal head 27 by the platen 29 and energizes the thermal head 27 to transfer the ink of the ink ribbon 21A to the transparent tape 19A by heat melting. A cutter 16 for cutting the tape 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the tape 25 being discharged from the tape cassette 14.
[0014]
As described above, in the tape printing apparatus 10, it is possible to print the tape (printing medium) while transporting the tape (printing medium) in the longitudinal direction, and more than the printing position X 1 that is the printing start position by the thermal head 27. The tape (printing medium) can be cut by the cutter 16 along the width direction at the downstream cutting position X2.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the tape printer 10. The tape printing apparatus 10 includes a tape printing control apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a printing unit 15, and a cutter 16. The operation unit 11 includes a keyboard 11, and data such as character strings, various settings, and the like are input by a user operating the keyboard. The display unit 12 is configured by a display 12 and appropriately displays data being edited by the user in accordance with processing in the tape printing control apparatus 1. The printing unit 15 is configured by a tape drive printing mechanism 15, and performs a predetermined printing process or the like on the tape according to the process in the tape printing control apparatus 1. The cutter 16 selectively performs a half-cut process for cutting only the portion of the transparent tape 19 in the tape 25 and a full-cut process for cutting all the tape 25, and according to the process in the tape printing control device 1, Full cut or half cut is performed at a predetermined position with respect to the tape.
[0016]
The tape printing control apparatus 1 is incorporated in the tape printing apparatus 10, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 35, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 36, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 37, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). 38) and an interface (I / F) 39. Each element of the tape printing control apparatus 1 is connected to each other via a bus 40.
[0017]
The ROM 37 is a read-only storage device, and stores various programs used for controlling the operation of the tape printing control apparatus 1. The EEPROM 38 is a readable / writable nonvolatile storage device, and is a program for causing a computer to function as the tape printing control device 1 (this program is recorded on a removable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, FD, or MO). And the like, which can be installed on an arbitrary computer). The EEPROM 38 also stores various data being edited. The CPU 35 performs various calculations and processes based on signals input from the operation unit 11 and various programs and data in the ROM 37, EEPROM 38, and RAM 36. Then, data is exchanged with the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the printing unit 15, and the cutter 16 through the interface 39. The RAM 36 is a readable / writable volatile storage device, and stores various calculation results in the CPU 35. The interface 39 enables communication between the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the printing unit 14, the cutter 16, and the tape printing control apparatus 1. By combining these hardware and software, later-described units (11, 15, 16, 41 to 44) are constructed in the tape printing control apparatus 1 (see FIG. 1).
[0018]
Returning again to FIG. 1, the configuration of the tape printing control apparatus 1 will be described in detail. The tape printing control apparatus 1 includes a print data storage unit (print data storage unit) 41, a reserved cut position storage unit (reserved cut position storage unit) 42, a print conveyance control unit (print conveyance control unit) 43, and a trigger generation. Section (trigger generating means) 44. In this embodiment, the print data storage unit 41 and the reserved cut position storage unit 42 are configured by the RAM 36 and the EEPROM 38, and the print transport control unit 43 and the trigger generation unit 44 are realized by the CPU 35.
[0019]
The print data storage unit 41 stores print data such as a character string input by the user via the operation unit 11. Note that even when the user wants to create a plurality of label tapes, the user can continuously input a character string to be printed over the plurality of label tapes, and is printed over the plurality of label tapes. A character string or the like to be stored is stored in the print data storage unit 41.
[0020]
The reserved cut position storage unit 42 stores, as a reserved cut position, a position at which the tape is cut during the printing operation (for example, in the middle of a character string to be printed or a tape feeding operation during printing). That is, while the user is editing a character string or the like, a position to be cut in the middle of the character string or the like is specified, and settings for cutting at the position are input. The setting of the reserved cut position is performed, for example, via a graphical user interface screen for setting a reserved cut (hereinafter referred to as “setting screen”) controlled to be displayed on the display unit 12 by the tape printing control apparatus 1. That is, the user sets the reserved cut position by moving the cursor to a position to be cut and inputting a cut command while confirming the character string being edited on the setting screen. In the reserved cut position storage unit 42 of the present embodiment, the reserved cut positions can be set not only in the middle of a character string or the like but also at the front and rear ends of the character string.
[0021]
The reserved cut position storage unit 42 stores a reserved full cut position where the tape is fully cut and a reserved half cut position where the tape is half cut. That is, when a user inputs a cut command at a predetermined position in the middle of a character string or the like and sets a reserved cut position, if the user wants to make a full cut at that position, he / she wants to half-cut the full cut command at that position. In this case, a reserved full cut position or a reserved half cut position is stored by inputting a half cut command (a cut for setting whether the reserved cut position is a reserved full cut position or a reserved half cut position). Information related to the type (cut type information) is stored in association with it).
[0022]
The trigger generator 44 generates a print trigger signal for the tape. That is, when the user inputs a print command for starting printing to the tape printer 10 via the operation unit 11, the trigger generation unit 44 generates a print trigger signal based on this operation. Note that, based on the print trigger signal, a print conveyance control unit 43 described later starts a print conveyance process for the tape.
[0023]
After the trigger generation unit 44 generates the print trigger signal, the print conveyance control unit 43 performs printing on the tape based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit 41 while the tape is conveyed downstream. To be applied. Then, during the printing operation (for example, during printing of a character string or the like), the reserved cut position of the tape stored in the reserved cut position storage unit coincides with the cut position X2 of the tape by the cutter 16 (see FIG. 3). Sometimes, the printing operation on the tape and the transport of the tape downstream are stopped until the tape is cut. When the reserved cut position coincides with the cut position X2 by the cutter 16, the print conveyance process is stopped as described above, and the cutter 16 is driven so that the tape is cut. Note that when the cutting process is performed by the cutter 16 based on the control of the print conveyance control unit 43, the cut type information stored in the cut position storage unit 42 (whether the reserved cut position is a reserved full cut position or a reserved half cut position). Full cut processing or half cut processing is performed in accordance with the setting information regarding whether the current position is a cut position.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram sequentially illustrating how the tape printer 10 performs each process of printing, conveying, and cutting on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control device 1. FIG. 5 exemplifies a case where the user creates a label tape of the character string “A” and a label tape of the character string “BC”. The reserved full cut positions (a, b) are set as three reserved cut positions. , C) are set (see FIG. 5A).
[0025]
First, when the print trigger signal is generated, as shown in FIG. 5A, the tape T1 is transported in the direction of the arrow based on the control by the print transport control unit 43, and the character string “A” is printed at the print position X1. Is printed (the character string “BC” has not been printed yet). When the printing of the character string “A” is completed, the next character string “BC” is printed at the printing position X1, as shown in FIG. 5B. At this time, when the reserved full cut position a coincides with (becomes reached) the cut position X2, printing and transport processing on the tape T1 is stopped during the printing operation, and the cutter 16 performs full cut. When the cut process is performed, the reserved cut position is canceled (the stored contents relating to the reserved cut position at which the cut process is completed in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 are deleted).
[0026]
When the full cut at the reserved cut position a is completed, as shown in FIG. 5C, the printing and transporting process on the tape T1 is resumed, and the printing of the character string “BC” is performed to the end.
[0027]
As described above, the tape printing apparatus 10 is controlled by the tape printing control apparatus 1, so that the cutting operation is performed regardless of the state of the printing operation according to the reserved cutting position. In this case, it is possible to prevent useless tape feeding of a non-printed portion (no useless tape consumption occurs between the character string “A” and the character string “BC”). Therefore, even when a label tape having a margin smaller than the distance between the head and the cutter is produced, it is possible to prevent wasteful tape consumption.
[0028]
Note that various settings can be made for the conveyance of the tape T1 after the last character string “BC” is printed based on the user's operation. For example, (1) a setting for conveying only when the next character string or the like is printed (only when the next print trigger signal is generated), and (2) a character string or the like to be printed next is set. Even if not, it is possible to carry out various settings such as carrying until the reserved cut position c reaches the cut position X2 and performing a cut process when the reserved cut position c reaches the cut position X2. If the setting is made such that the sheet is not conveyed until the next print trigger signal is generated, the stored content of the reserved cut position that has not yet been cut is held without being released.
[0029]
FIG. 6 is a schematic view sequentially illustrating how the tape printing apparatus 10 performs printing, transporting, and cutting processes on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control apparatus 1, and is a short interval in the tape longitudinal direction. Shows a case where a reserved cut position is set. That is, FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the user creates a label tape on which each character of the character strings “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “E” is printed, The reserved full cut positions (d, e, f, g, h, i) are set as six reserved cut positions (see FIG. 6A).
[0030]
First, when a print trigger signal is generated, the transport of the tape T2 in the arrow direction is started based on the control by the print transport control unit 43, as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the tape T2 is transported, and the printing processes of the character strings “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D” are sequentially performed at the printing position X1. Go. At this time, every time the reserved full cut position reaches the cut position X2, printing and conveyance are temporarily stopped, and full cut processing is performed as shown in the reserved full cut positions d and e shown in FIG. 6B. . When each full cut process is completed, the print transport process is restarted each time. Further, each time the cut process is performed, the storage of the reserved cut position is cancelled.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 6C, the processing when all the character strings have been printed can be set to various settings based on the user's operation as in the case of the example of FIG. . That is, (1) a setting for conveying only when the next character string is printed (only when the next print trigger signal is generated), and (2) a character string to be printed next is set. Even if not, it is possible to set various settings such as carrying until the reserved cut position i reaches the cut position X2 and performing the cut process each time the reserved cut positions g, h, i reach the cut position X2. . In the case of the example of FIG. 5, in the case of the setting in which the sheet is not conveyed until the next print trigger signal is generated, the stored contents of the reserved cut position that has not yet been cut are retained without being released. It is the same.
[0032]
As described in the example of FIG. 6, since the tape printing apparatus 10 is controlled by the tape printing control apparatus 1, processing can be continuously performed even when the interval between adjacent reserved cut positions is short. Labels cut short in the longitudinal direction of the tape can be continuously produced without waste of the tape.
[0033]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram sequentially illustrating how the tape printing apparatus 10 performs printing, transport, and cutting processes on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control apparatus 1. This shows a case where half-cut positions are set together. That is, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the user creates label tapes on which the character strings “A”, “BC”, and “DE” are printed. The reserved full cut position (j, l) and the reserved half cut position (k, m) are set (see FIG. 7A).
[0034]
First, when the print trigger signal is generated, as shown in FIG. 7A, the tape T3 is transported in the direction of the arrow based on the control by the print transport control unit 43, and the character string “A” is printed at the print position X1. (In FIG. 7A, the character strings “BC” and “DE” have not yet been printed). When the printing of the character string “A” is completed, the character strings “BC” and “DE” are sequentially printed as shown in FIG. At this time, when the reserved full cut position j reaches the cut position X2, at that time, the print conveyance process is temporarily stopped and full cut is performed. After the full cut process is completed, the print transport process is resumed. When the next reserved half cut position k reaches the cut position X2, the print transport process is stopped and a half cut is performed. After the half-cut process is completed, the print transport process is resumed. When the next reserved full-cut position 1 reaches the cut position X2, the print transport process is stopped and a full cut is performed. When the full cut process ends, the print transport process is resumed. Other processes are the same as those described in the examples of FIGS.
[0035]
As described in the example of FIG. 7, the tape printing apparatus 10 is controlled by the tape printing control apparatus 1, so that unnecessary tape consumption is performed regardless of whether the type of cutting operation is full cut or half cut. Can be prevented.
[0036]
Next, a processing procedure by the tape printing control apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 8 shows an example of the main flow of processing in the tape printing control apparatus 1. By starting up the tape printing apparatus 10, the tape printing control apparatus 1 is also started up, and first, various initial settings (initial processing) are performed in step 101 (hereinafter abbreviated as "S101". The same applies to other steps). .
[0037]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 shows the procedure of the process in the initial process (S101). In the initial process, first, when information related to the reserved cut position is stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42, the stored content is erased (cleared) (S201). Then, the information regarding the cut type that sets whether the reserved cut position to be deleted is the reserved full cut position or the reserved half cut position is also deleted (cleared) (S202). When the erasure processing of the stored contents relating to the reserved cut position and reserved cut type remaining in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 at the time of starting the apparatus is completed, other initial processes in the tape printer 10 are performed (S203). When all the initial processes are completed, the process illustrated in FIG. 9 is terminated, and the process returns to the process illustrated in FIG.
[0038]
When the initial process (S101) is completed, it is determined whether or not the user has input various keys and various commands via the setting screen described above (S102). When an operation by the user is performed (S102, YES), it is then determined whether or not there is a text input by the user (S103). That is, it is determined whether or not input of print data such as a character string and various settings for controlling the character string, a reservation cut position setting, and the like has been performed by the operation of the operation unit 11 by the user.
[0039]
When it is determined that there has been a text input operation (S103, YES), the print data such as the input character string is stored in the print data storage unit 41, and in the above setting screen displayed on the display unit 12. An image of the print data is displayed (S104). Further, in the text input operation by the user, when the setting input of the reserved cut position is performed, the reserved cut position is stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 (information regarding the reserved cut position and the reserved cut type is stored). At the same time, the reserved cut position is displayed in the above-described setting screen displayed on the display unit 12 so that the user can visually recognize it on the screen. In the display of the reserved full cut position and the reserved half cut position, the user sets the reserved full cut position or the reserved half cut position by making the display forms of both different in the screen. Can be easily confirmed.
[0040]
When the processing in S104 is completed and when it is determined in S102 that the user has not performed an operation (S102, NO), it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation to input a power OFF command. (S105). When it is determined that a power OFF command has been input (S105, YES), a power OFF process is performed (S106). When it is determined that a power OFF command has not been input (S105, NO), the processing after S102 Is repeated.
[0041]
The flowchart shown in FIG. 10 shows a processing procedure in the power OFF processing (S105). In the power OFF process, first, various OFF setting processes in the tape printer 10 are performed (S302). At this time, the erasure processing of the stored contents related to the reserved cut position and the reserved cut type stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 is not performed.
[0042]
When the various OFF setting processes are finished, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to turn on the power (S303). That is, when a message confirming whether or not the power-off process can be completed is displayed to the user on the display unit 12 and there is no power-on input (when there is a confirmation input to turn off the power) Then, the power is cut off and the process is finished. On the other hand, when there is an input of power ON, the process returns to the process of FIG. 8 again, and the processes after S102 are repeated.
[0043]
If it is determined in S103 in FIG. 8 that there is no text input by the user (S103, NO), then whether or not to perform print processing, that is, whether or not the user has operated the print start key. Determination is made (S107). If it is determined that the print start operation has not been performed (S107, NO), it is then determined whether or not the user has set the cut type (S109). That is, when the user wants to change the type of the reserved cut position that has already been set, or to set a new reserved cut position for a character string or the like that is being edited or before being cut, It is determined whether or not a cut type setting command or the like has been input.
[0044]
If it is determined that the user does not set the cut type (no input of the cut type setting command) (S109, NO), other processing is performed (S111), and then the processing of S105 is performed. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the user sets the cut type (S109, YES), the cut type setting process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is performed (S110).
[0045]
In the cut type setting process shown in FIG. 11, a reservation is made for a predetermined position designated by a user operation in the middle of a character string or the like by an operation by the user via the operation unit 11 or the setting screen described above. It is determined whether or not to set the full cut position (S401). When it is determined that the position is set as the reserved full cut position (S401, YES), the position is set as the reserved full cut position (the cut type of the reserved cut position is set to full cut). Processing is performed (S402). On the other hand, when it is determined not to set the position as the reserved full cut position (S401, NO), the position is set as the reserved half cut position (the cut type of the reserved cut position is set to half cut). ) Is performed (S403).
[0046]
When the process for setting the position designated by the user as the reserved full cut position or the reserved half cut position is completed in S402 or S403, the position designated by the user is already set as the reserved cut position as the reserved cut position storage unit 42. It is determined whether it is stored in (S404). If already stored (YES in S404), the stored content is deleted, and a process for changing the reserved cut type based on the processing result in S402 or S403 is performed (S405). If the position designated by the user is not already stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 as the reserved cut position (NO in S404), the reserved cut position is set as a new reserved cut position based on the processing result of S402 or S403. Set up. When the cut type setting process ends, the process returns to the process of FIG. In the cut type setting process (S110), all reserved cut positions for which reserved cut positions have already been set may be designated at a time. In that case, it may be possible to set all the reserved cut types at once.
[0047]
If it is determined in S107 in FIG. 8 that the print process is to be performed (S107, YES), that is, if it is determined that the user has operated the print start key, the print process shown in the flowchart in FIG. (S108).
[0048]
In the print processing shown in FIG. 12, first, a print image is created based on the contents stored in the print data storage unit 41 (S501). That is, the bitmap data is developed in a predetermined storage area based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit 41. Then, it is determined whether or not a tape cut is performed next (S502). That is, it is determined whether or not information related to the reserved cut position is stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42.
[0049]
If it is determined that the tape is not cut (S502, NO), printing is started as it is (S507). On the other hand, when it is determined that the tape cut is to be performed (S502, YES), it is determined to perform the cut at the reserved cut position stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 (the reserved cut position is determined), and printing is performed. The registration is performed in the predetermined storage area by the transport control unit 43 (S503). In addition, when the registration of the reserved cut position registered at the time of the previous printing has already been left uncut (when the reserved cut position that has not been cut at the end of printing remains, When the print trigger signal is generated, the reserved cut position is newly registered in S503.
[0050]
When the reserved cut position is determined and registered (S503), it is determined whether or not the reserved cut type is a full cut (S504). That is, it is determined whether or not the reserved cut position stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 is the reserved full cut position. If it is determined that it is a full cut (S504, YES), the reserved cut type of the registered reserved cut position is registered (or additionally registered) as a full cut (S505). On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not a full cut (S504, NO), the reserved cut type of the registered reserved cut position is registered as a half cut (or additionally registered) (S506). When registration of the reserved cut position is completed (S505, S506), printing is started (S507).
[0051]
When printing is started (S507), it is first determined whether printing is completed (S508). That is, it is determined whether or not printing of the print image created in S501 has been completed. If it is determined that printing has been completed (S508, YES), the printing process in FIG. 12 is terminated, and the process returns to the process in FIG. If it is determined that printing has not ended (S508, NO), printing processing is subsequently performed (S509). In other words, the printing unit 15 is driven by the print conveyance control unit 43, and the print image created in S501 is printed on the tape while the tape is conveyed downstream.
[0052]
When the printing process (S509) starts, it is next determined whether or not there is a reserved cut position (S510). That is, it is determined whether there is a registered reserved cut position. If it is not determined that there is a reserved cut position (NO in S510) (NO in S510), the print processing is performed unless it is determined again that the print has been completed through the print end determination (S508). Repeat (S509). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a registered reserved cut position (S510, YES), it is then determined whether or not the reserved cut position has reached the cut position X2 (S511).
[0053]
In S511, if it is not determined that the reserved cut position has reached the cut position X2 (determined that it has not yet reached) (S511, NO), the print end determination (S508) is performed again. Unless it is determined that the printing has been completed, the printing process (S509) is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reserved cut position has reached the cut position X2 (S511, YES), it is subsequently determined whether or not the registered reserved cut type at the reserved cut position is a full cut. (S512).
[0054]
If it is determined that the registered reserved cut type is a full cut (S512, YES), the full cut process is performed as it is (S513). As a result, a full cut is performed at the reserved full cut position. After completion of the full cut (S513), the reserved cut position and reserved cut type are canceled (S514). In other words, the registration is canceled and the stored content related to the reserved cut position stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 is erased.
[0055]
On the other hand, when it is not determined that the registered reserved cut type is a full cut (S512, NO), since the reserved cut type is a half cut, the half cut process is performed as it is (S515). Thereby, a half cut is performed at the reserved half cut position. After the half cut (S515) is completed, the reserved cut position and the reserved cut type are canceled (S516). In other words, the registration is canceled and the stored content related to the reserved cut position stored in the reserved cut position storage unit 42 is erased.
[0056]
When one reserved full-cut position or one reserved half-cut position is canceled (S514, S516), the end of printing is determined again (S508). Then, the processes from S508 to S516 are repeated until the printing is completed, and when the printing is completed (S508, YES), the process of FIG. 12 is terminated and the process returns to the process of FIG.
[0057]
As described above, in the process shown in FIG. 8, the processes such as the text input by the user, the cut type setting process, and the print process are repeated, and the function as the tape printing control apparatus 1 is performed.
[0058]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made as long as they are described in the claims. . For example, the following modifications can be made.
[0059]
(1) The print control apparatus may not include a printing unit for printing on a print medium. For example, it may be configured as a personal computer or the like, and connected to a printing apparatus or the like so that predetermined printing is performed through the printing apparatus.
[0060]
(2) The print control apparatus may not include a trigger generation unit. In this case, for example, printing is started after developing a plurality of print jobs in the image buffer, and the print interruption at the reserved cut position is performed by stopping the transfer to the line buffer immediately before the print head. May be.
[0061]
(3) After the trigger generation unit generates the print trigger signal, the print conveyance control unit applies the print medium to the print medium based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit while being conveyed downstream. So that the printing medium is not conveyed downstream until the trigger generation unit generates a subsequent printing trigger signal after the printing on the printing medium due to one printing trigger signal is completed. As an operation to be performed, an initial setting may be performed when the print control apparatus is started up.
[0062]
(4) In the initial process, the stored contents regarding the reserved cut position and the reserved cut type may not be released. That is, when the print control apparatus is started up, the stored contents stored in the reserved cut position storage unit may be held as they are.
[0063]
(5) The reserved cut position storage unit may store only the reserved full cut position as the reserved cut position.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, when the reserved cutting position coincides with the cutting position of the cutter during the printing operation, the printing operation to the printing medium and the printing medium to the downstream side are cut until the cutting is performed. The transportation is stopped. For this reason, the cutting operation is performed regardless of the state of the printing operation according to the reserved cutting position, and when the printing process is continuously performed, a wasteful printing medium is fed in a portion that is not printed. Can be prevented. Therefore, even when a margin label smaller than the distance between the head and the cutter is created, it is possible to prevent wasteful printing medium consumption. In addition, even when the interval between adjacent reserved cut positions is short, it can be processed continuously, so that a label cut short in the longitudinal direction of the print medium can be continuously formed without waste of the print medium.
[0065]
According to the second and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to prevent wasteful printing medium consumption from occurring regardless of whether the type of the cutting operation is full cut or half cut.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a state in which a tape printing control apparatus (printing control apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a tape printing apparatus (printing apparatus).
FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printer shown in FIG.
3 shows a tape cassette, a tape printing drive mechanism, and a cutter mounted in the tape printing apparatus shown in FIG.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the tape printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
5 is a schematic view sequentially illustrating how the tape printing apparatus performs printing, transporting, and cutting processes on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG.
6 is a schematic view sequentially illustrating the manner in which the tape printer performs printing, conveying, and cutting processes on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
7 is a schematic view sequentially illustrating the manner in which the tape printing apparatus performs each process of printing, conveying, and cutting on the tape based on the control of the tape printing control apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a main flow of processing in the tape printing control apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the initial processing shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the power OFF processing shown in FIG. 8;
11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the cut type setting process shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure in the print processing illustrated in FIG. 8;
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which wasteful tape consumption occurs in a conventional tape printing control apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Tape printing control device (printing control device)
10 Tape printer (printer)
16 cutter
41 Print Data Storage Unit (Print Data Storage Unit)
42 Reserved cut position storage unit (reserved cut position storage means)
43 Print transport control unit (print transport control means)
T1, T2, T3 tape (print medium)
X1 print position
X2 cutting position

Claims (4)

To control a printing apparatus capable of printing a print medium while conveying the print medium in the longitudinal direction and capable of cutting the print medium with a cutter on the downstream side of the print position by the print head A printing control device used,
Print data storage means for storing print data;
A reserved cut position storage means for storing a position where the print medium is cut during the printing operation as a reserved cut position;
When the length of the printing medium when cut at the reserved cut position is shorter than the distance between the print position and the cutter, it is stored in the reserved cut position storage means during the printing operation. When the reserved cut position of the printed medium coincides with the cut position of the print medium by the cutter, the print conveyance control means for stopping the printing operation of the print medium and the conveyance of the print medium downstream until the print medium is cut And a printing control apparatus.   2. The reserved cut position storage unit stores a reserved full cut position where a print medium is fully cut and a reserved half cut position where a print medium is half cut. The printing control apparatus according to 1. A printing apparatus capable of printing a print medium while conveying the print medium in the longitudinal direction and capable of cutting the print medium with a cutter on the downstream side of the print position by the print head ,
Print data storage means for storing print data;
A reserved cut position storage means for storing a position where the print medium is cut during the printing operation as a reserved cut position; and
When the length of the printing medium when cut at the reserved cut position is shorter than the distance between the print position and the cutter, it is stored in the reserved cut position storage means during the printing operation. When the reserved cut position of the printed medium coincides with the cut position of the print medium by the cutter, the print conveyance control means for stopping the printing operation of the print medium and the conveyance of the print medium downstream until the print medium is cut , A program characterized by functioning as   4. The reserved cut position storage means stores a reserved full cut position that is a position at which the print medium is fully cut and a reserved half cut position that is a position at which the print medium is half cut. The program described in.

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