JP5447958B2 - Label creating apparatus, label creating method, and storage medium storing program relating to label creating method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label creating apparatus capable of printing a paste mark as a mark when printing a created label at an angle along with printing of a character string, and a label creating method for creating a label printed with the paste mark, The present invention also relates to a storage medium storing a program relating to the label producing method.

  A tape member formed by laminating a printing tape and a release tape is stored in a tape cassette, and this tape cassette is set in a housing and input from an input means such as a keyboard or output from another device. There is a label producing apparatus that can produce a unique label by printing a character or a pattern on a tape member.

  Conventionally, when a label created using such a label creating apparatus is pasted on various articles to be pasted, a wall, a window glass, or the like, along a predetermined reference direction in the pasting target or the reference direction Affixed along the direction orthogonal to. FIG. 13A shows a state where a horizontally written label 80 and a vertically written label 80 are pasted on the pasting target 100. As shown in the figure, when a horizontal label 80 is applied, if there is any standard shape or pattern that can be used to confirm the reference horizontal direction on the surface of the object 100 to be applied, it will be displayed on the horizontal reference line 111. Assuming that there is no such standard, an imaginary horizontal reference line 111 is assumed, and the label 80 is attached so as to be arranged along the horizontal reference line 111. Similarly, when the vertical label 80 is affixed, the label 80 is affixed so as to be arranged along the reference line 112 in the vertical direction. Note that the horizontal direction refers to the horizontal direction if, for example, the pasting target 100 is fixed like a show window, and the vertical direction is the one where the pasting target 100 is fixed. The vertical direction.

  In recent years, the number of types of tape members that can be used in label production apparatuses has increased, and large-sized labels can be produced. Although it is easy to apply a small label with a good balance in the direction of application to the object to be applied, the large label 80 is applied to the object 100 to be applied to the application object 100 in an appropriate amount, and it will be applied in the reference direction. However, the label 80 may be attached with the label 80 tilted with respect to the horizontal reference line 111 or the vertical reference line 112 against the intention of the operator. In particular, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), when a plurality of labels 80 are affixed to the same affixing target 100, the a plurality of labels 80 are affixed in the correct reference direction. Otherwise, the arrangement of the labels 80 between the plurality of labels 80 is conspicuous and the appearance is not good.

  Therefore, the applicant of the present application disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-170624 (Patent Document 1) between a printing tape having a strong adhesive surface on the back side of the printing surface and a peeling tape, with one side being a peeling surface and the other side being weak. A proposal is made for a tape member in which a second release tape as an adhesive surface is disposed. A label created using this tape member can be used to temporarily apply a label to the object to be applied using its weak adhesive surface. It can be adjusted before sticking the book. That is, first peel off the release tape, temporarily apply the label to the application target with the weak adhesive surface of the second release tape, and there is a problem in the application position and direction, such as not being parallel to the reference direction of the application target in the temporary application state. For example, after correcting the sticking position and sticking direction, the second peeling tape is peeled off to expose the strongly adhesive surface and perform the sticking.

JP-A-11-170624

  As described above, conventionally, consideration has been given to applying a label to an application target with the application direction aligned with the reference direction of the application object. However, there are cases where the created label is not always applied with the direction aligned in the horizontal or vertical direction to be applied. That is, as one of the uses of labels, when sticking labels on windows and walls, such as POP labels, etc., to get attention, to emphasize display contents, or to eliminate stiffness, etc. As a matter of fact, labels are often attached obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction.

  However, since the conventional label producing apparatus is not particularly considered for producing a label to be attached while being inclined obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction of the application target, a label suitable for such an application is used. It could not be created, and it relied solely on the labeling work performed by the label creator with an appropriate inclination angle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and a label producing apparatus capable of producing a label suitable for application in a state of being inclined with respect to the reference direction of the application target. An object of the present invention is to provide a label creating method for creating the label and a storage medium storing a program related to the label creating method.

The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus for producing a label that prints a character string on a tape member and attaches it to an object to be attached, a printing unit that performs printing on the tape member, and two reference directions orthogonal to the object to be attached. the definitive and tilt angle setting means for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction, to generate a character string print data for printing the character string to said printing means, said the label to the pasting target as a mark when in the case of attaching an inclination angle set by the tilt angle setting means, the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target and the orthogonal Ma for printing a patch mark in at least two places located on the reference line representing at least one direction in the two directions of the reference direction Print data generation means for generating print data, and print control means for controlling the printing means to perform printing on a tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the print data generation means And.

The label producing apparatus for producing a label that prints a character string on the tape member of the present invention and attaches it to the object to be attached includes a printing unit that performs printing on the tape member, and an inclination of the label with respect to a reference direction of the object to be attached. An inclination angle setting means for setting an angle, and each character of the character string for causing the printing means to print the character string is set to an angle set by the inclination angle setting means in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label. In the case where the character string print data is generated by rotating the same angle and the label is attached to the application target with the inclination angle set by the inclination angle setting means, the alignment with respect to the reference direction is performed. Print data generation means for generating mark print data for printing a paste mark to be used, and the character string generated by the print data generation means Characterized in that it comprises a printing control means for controlling said printing means to perform printing on the tape member, the based on the character data and the mark print data.

Furthermore, in the label producing apparatus according to the present invention, the print data generating means may use the two orthogonal directions as a mark when aligning with respect to at least one direction in two reference directions orthogonal to the pasting target. Mark print data is generated so as to print the pasted mark at at least two positions located on a reference line representing at least one direction in the reference direction .

In the label producing apparatus of the present invention, the print data generating means prints the character string print area for printing the character string and the sticking mark when generating the character string print data and the mark print data. A mark printing area is set .

The label producing apparatus of the present invention comprises a label length setting means for setting the length of the label, and a mark position calculation means for calculating the position to print the patch mark, the print data generating means, said The mark print area is set in a label, preferably the periphery of the character string print area in the label, and the mark print data is generated based on the information calculated by the mark position calculating means. Do

Note that, in the label producing apparatus of the present invention, said tape member includes a printing tape having an adhesive layer on the back surface, the release tape that is releasably laminated on the adhesive layer, is composed of the print data generating means, set the text print area on the label, and set at a position adjacent to the character string print area and the length direction before Symbol tape member said mark printing area, the label producing apparatus, the peeling tape A half-cut unit that cuts only the print tape in the width direction of the tape member in a left state, and the half-cut at the boundary between the character string print region and the mark print region during the printing operation by the print control unit. A cutting control means for operating the cutting means .

  Further, the label producing apparatus of the present invention includes an inclination angle storage unit in which a plurality of options relating to a numerical value of the label inclination angle with respect to a reference direction on the object to be pasted is stored in advance, and the inclination angle storage unit stores the selection. Display means for displaying a plurality of options relating to the numerical value of the inclination angle of the label, and the inclination angle setting means displays the inclination angle selected from the options relating to the numerical value of the inclination angle displayed on the display means. It is set as an inclination angle of the label.

  Furthermore, the label producing apparatus of the present invention includes an input unit for editing the character string or setting the tilt angle or the like, and the tilt angle setting unit is an arbitrary one input from the input unit. The tilt angle is set based on the tilt angle.

  Moreover, the label producing apparatus of the present invention may include pattern information storage means in which a plurality of types of pattern information relating to the pasting marks are stored in advance.

The present invention relates to a label producing method in the label creating apparatus for creating a label to be affixed Tilt pasting target prints the string to the tape member, definitive the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target a tilt angle setting processing for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction, to generate a character string print data for printing the character string to said printing means, said tilt angle the label to the pasting target in the case of sticking with a slope angle that is set by the setting processing, as a mark of time of the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target, two directions of the orthogonal mark printing for printing a patch mark in at least two places located on the reference line representing at least one direction in the reference direction Print data generation processing for generating data, and print processing for printing on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the print data generation processing. And

Furthermore, the present invention is a label creating method in a label creating apparatus for creating a label to be printed by printing a character string on a tape member and tilting to a sticking target, and setting an inclination angle of the label with respect to a reference direction of the sticking target And an angle equal to the angle set by the inclination angle setting means in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label. A paste mark used for positioning with respect to the reference direction when the label is pasted at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting process while the character string print data is generated by rotating the label. Print data generation processing for generating mark print data for printing, the character string print data generated by the print data generation processing, and A printing process for printing on the tape member on the basis of a serial mark printing data, characterized by the execution.

The present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the label creating apparatus for creating a label to be affixed Tilt pasting target prints the string to the tape member, onto the pasting target in the tilt angle setting processing for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction definitive the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions, and generates a character string print data for printing the character string to said printing means, in the case of sticking with a slope angle that is set by the tilt angle setting process the label to the pasting target, when the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target As a mark of at least 2 located on a reference line representing at least one direction in the two orthogonal reference directions Printing on the tape member on the basis of the character string print data and the mark print data and the print data generating process for generating a mark print data, generated by the print data generating process for printing a patch mark at A program for executing printing processing is stored.

Further, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a program to be executed by the label creating apparatus for creating a label to be affixed Tilt pasting target prints the string to the tape member, the sticking An inclination angle setting process for setting an inclination angle of the label with respect to a target reference direction , and each character of the character string for causing the printing unit to print the character string in the direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label The reference in the case where the rotation of the angle equal to the angle set by the tilt angle setting means is generated to generate character string print data and the label is pasted on the pasting target at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting process Print data generation processing for generating mark print data for printing a sticking mark used for alignment with a direction, and the printing Wherein the program for executing a printing process for printing on the tape member on the basis of the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the over data generation processing is stored.

  According to the present invention, a label creating apparatus capable of creating a label suitable for being stuck in a state of being tilted with respect to a reference direction to be pasted, a label creating method for creating the label, and this label creating method And a storage medium storing the program according to the above.

It is a top view of the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is the internal enlarged view of the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention, and the perspective view of a tape cassette. It is a functional block diagram of the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which affixed on the sticking object the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front schematic diagram of the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front schematic diagram of the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow in the mode which produces the label with a sticking mark in the label production apparatus of the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen in the case of producing the label with a sticking mark in the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control flow of the process which calculates the position of a sticking mark in the label production apparatus of the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the state which affixed on the sticking object the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a front schematic diagram of the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on the other Example of this invention. It is a front schematic diagram of the label produced with the label production apparatus which concerns on a further different Example of this invention. It is the figure which stuck the label produced with the conventional label production apparatus on the sticking object.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described. The label producing apparatus 1 of the present invention is a label producing apparatus 1 that produces a label 80 that prints a character string on a tape member 31 and affixes it to an application target 100. The label producing apparatus 1 includes a head drive circuit 51 and a thermal head 11 as printing means, and a control unit 40 that functions as an inclination angle setting means, print data generation means, and print control means.

  Then, when the control unit 40 as the tilt angle setting means creates the label 80 to be attached in a state of being inclined to the application target 100, the label 80 with respect to the reference lines 111, 112 in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction of the application target 100 Set the tilt angle θ. Further, the control unit 40 as the print data generation unit pastes the character string print data for causing the thermal head 11 to print the character string and the label 80 on the object 100 to be pasted at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting unit. In this case, mark print data for printing the attached mark 85 used for alignment with the reference lines 111 and 112 is generated. Further, the control unit 40 serving as a print control unit controls the thermal head 11 via the head drive circuit 51 so as to perform printing on the tape member 31 based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the print data generation unit. Control. Note that the horizontal and / or vertical reference lines 111 and 112 are virtual lines indicating the reference direction on the pasting target 100.

  Further, the control unit 40 as the print data generation means, when generating the character string print data and the mark print data, a character string print area 83 for printing the character string, a mark print area 87 for printing the pasting mark 85, Set. Further, the control unit 40 as the print data generating means sets the mark print area 87 in the label 80, preferably the periphery of the character string print area 83 in the label 80.

  Further, in the label producing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the control unit 40 also functions as a label length setting unit that sets the label length L and a mark position calculation unit that calculates the position where the sticking mark 85 is printed. Then, the control unit 40 generates mark print data as print data generation means based on the information calculated by the mark position calculation means.

  In addition, the label producing device 1 includes a display unit driving circuit 66 and a display unit 4 as display means for displaying setting information such as character string editing information and inclination when the label 80 is generated, and an input unit 3 as an input means. . Furthermore, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a ROM 41 as an inclination angle storage means in which a plurality of options relating to the value of the inclination angle θ of the label 80 with respect to the reference lines 111 and 112 in the horizontal direction and / or the vertical direction on the pasting object 100 are stored in advance. Prepare.

  Then, the control unit 40 as the tilt angle setting means sets the tilt angle θ selected from the options relating to the numerical value of the tilt angle θ displayed on the display unit 4 as the tilt angle θ of the label 80. The control unit 40 as the tilt angle setting means may set the tilt angle θ based on an arbitrary tilt angle θ input from the input unit 3.

  In addition, the control unit 40 as the print data generation means is at least in the two reference directions orthogonal to each other as a mark for alignment with at least one of the two reference directions orthogonal to the pasting target 100. Mark print data is generated so that the paste mark 85 is printed in at least two places located on the reference lines 111 and 112 representing one direction.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a label producing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external view of a tape cassette 21 used in the label producing apparatus 1 and an internal structure of the label producing apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the label producing apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the front surface refers to the surface located below the housing 2 in FIG. 1, and the back surface refers to the surface located above the housing 2 in FIG.

  This label producing apparatus 1 is a character string or the like on a tape member 31 formed by laminating a printing tape having a printing surface on the front surface and an adhesive surface on the back surface, and a peeling tape attached to the adhesion surface of the printing tape. Is a device that creates a label to be printed and attached to a target to be pasted. Then, the label producing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, when creating a label to be applied obliquely to the application target, sets the application mark as a mark when positioning with reference to the reference direction on the application object. It is a device that can print with printing. Hereinafter, the label producing apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the label producing apparatus 1 has a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2. The casing 2 is formed by fitting or fixing a box-shaped lower case and upper case with a screw or the like with the opening portions facing each other. The label producing apparatus 1 includes various keys and buttons as the input unit 3 from the center of the upper surface of the housing 2 to the vicinity of the front surface. Further, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a liquid crystal display device as the display unit 4 from the center on the top surface of the housing 2 to the vicinity of the back surface.

  Further, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a tape discharge port 7 through which the tape member 31 printed on the right side surface of the housing 2 is discharged out of the housing 2. Although not shown, the label producing apparatus 1 also includes an input terminal for connecting to an external device such as a personal computer, a power supply terminal to which a power cord is connected, and an insertion slot into which a storage medium such as a memory card is inserted. ing. Further, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a cassette loading unit 8 shown in FIG. 2 for attaching and detaching the tape cassette 21 to the bottom of the housing 2 and a lid that covers the opening of the cassette loading unit 8.

  The input unit 3 includes a character input key for inputting character data, a print key for instructing start of printing, a cursor key for moving the cursor on the display screen of the display unit 4, various types for performing print mode setting and various setting processes. Consists of control keys. Further, the display unit 4 displays characters based on the input character data, selection menus for various settings, messages regarding various processes, and the like.

  Next, the internal configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, a cassette loading unit 8 for loading a tape cassette 21 containing a tape member 31 and an ink ribbon 35 is formed inside the housing 2 of the label producing apparatus 1. The cassette loading unit 8 includes a printing mechanism 61 that performs printing on the tape member 31 and a platen roller 12 that transports the tape member 31 in the length direction of the tape member 31.

  Further, a cassette receiving portion 15 for supporting the tape cassette 21 at a predetermined position is formed in the cassette loading portion 8 of the label producing apparatus 1, and one end portion of the cassette loading portion 8 is attached to the outside of the housing 2. A tape discharge port 7 leading to is formed. The tape discharge port 7 incorporates a full-cut mechanism 17 that cuts both the print tape and the release tape of the tape member 31, and a half-cut mechanism 18 that cuts the print tape while leaving the release tape of the tape member 31. It is.

  The printing mechanism 61 includes a thermal head 11 that is a printing head, and a platen roller 12 that presses the tape member 31 and the ink ribbon 35 with the thermal head 11 interposed therebetween.

  Further, the tape cassette 21 includes a cassette case 22. Inside the cassette case 22, a tape core 23 around which a tape member 31 is wound, a ribbon supply core 24 around which an unused ink ribbon 35 is wound, used. Ribbon take-up cores 25 for taking up the used ink ribbon 35 are accommodated. The cassette case 22 of the tape cassette 21 is formed with a head placement portion 27 where the thermal head 11 is located when the tape cassette 21 is loaded in the cassette loading portion 8.

  In addition, an engaged portion 29 that is engaged with and supported by the cassette receiving portion 15 of the cassette loading portion 8 is formed at the corner of the cassette case 22. Further, the engaged portion 29 of the cassette case 22 is provided with a cassette identification portion (not shown) formed in a predetermined shape according to the type of the tape cassette 21. Further, the cassette receiving portion 15 of the cassette loading portion 8 is provided with a plurality of cassette discriminating switches 44 corresponding to the cassette identifying portion formed in the engaged portion 29 of the cassette case 22.

  When the cassette case 22 is loaded into the cassette loading unit 8, a plurality of cassette identification units formed in the engaged portion 29 of the cassette case 22 and a plurality of cassette receiving units 15 provided in the cassette loading unit 8 are provided. The cassette discriminating switch 44 is engaged, and the cassette discriminating switch 44 is selectively turned on / off to discriminate the type of the tape cassette 21.

  In this label producing apparatus 1, when printing is instructed, the platen roller 12 is driven, and the tape member 31 and the ink ribbon 35 are fed out from the tape cassette 21 and conveyed to the print position of the thermal head 11. Is done. At the printing position, the thermal head 11 is driven to generate heat based on the print data, and the ink on the ink ribbon 35 is thermally transferred to the tape member 31 so that printing is performed on the tape member 31.

  When the printing on the tape member 31 is completed, the tape member 31 is further conveyed by driving the platen roller 12, and the printed part is discharged to the outside from the tape discharge port 7, and the printing tape and the release tape are discharged by the full cut mechanism 17. Are cut in the width direction, or only the print tape is cut in the width direction by the half-cut mechanism 18 while leaving the release tape.

  Next, the circuit configuration of the label producing apparatus 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the label producing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40 as control means. The controller 40 is connected with a ROM 41 and a RAM 42 as storage means. The control unit 40 is connected to the input unit 3 and a display unit driving circuit 66 that drives the display unit 4.

  Further, the control unit 40 includes a head drive circuit 51 for driving the thermal head 11, a transport motor drive circuit 52 for driving a transport motor 46 for driving the platen roller 12, and a cassette discrimination switch 44. It is connected. The control unit 40 is connected to a cutter motor drive circuit 53 that drives a cutter motor 48 that operates the full cut mechanism 17 and the half cut mechanism 18.

  The control unit 40 is a CPU, and is read from a system program stored in advance in the ROM 41, a control program stored in a memory card, or an external device in response to a key operation signal from the input unit 3. The control program is started, and the operation of each part of the circuit is controlled using the RAM 42 as a work memory.

  The ROM 41 stores a program for printing characters and the like input from the input unit 3, character fonts, paste mark patterns to be described later, and the like, and also functions as a storage medium storing a program readable by the control unit 40 To do. As the ROM 41, a writable ROM such as an EPROM may be used. When the EPROM is used, the ROM 41 also functions as an auxiliary storage device.

  The RAM 42 is an input data memory for storing key input characters, character spacing, format information such as vertical writing and horizontal writing, a print data memory for storing print pattern data in which the input print information is expanded, and a display unit. Each area such as a display data memory in which pattern data displayed in 4 is stored is secured, and a register, a counter, and the like that temporarily store data necessary for print processing and the like are provided.

  The cutter motor drive circuit 53 drives a cutter motor 48 that operates the full cut mechanism 17 as a full cut means and the half cut mechanism 18 as a half cut means. These full-cut mechanism 17 and half-cut mechanism 18 are driven by one cutter motor 48. For example, when the cutter motor 48 rotates normally, the full-cut mechanism 17 operates, and when the cutter motor 48 reverses, the half-cut mechanism 18 is configured to operate.

  The cassette discriminating switch 44 is a switch for discriminating the type of the tape cassette 21 loaded in the cassette loading unit 8 described above, and outputs a signal indicating the discrimination result of the loaded tape cassette 21 to the control unit 40.

  The label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having such a configuration, when producing a label 80 to be applied obliquely to the application target 100 shown in FIG. It is possible to print a sticking mark 85 that serves as a mark for positioning with respect to the reference direction.

  FIG. 5A shows a printing example of the horizontal writing label 80 in which the inclination angle is set to θ in the counterclockwise direction. In FIG. 5A, the label 80 has a reference point O at the center position, that is, at the intersection of the center line 103 passing through the center of the label width and the center line 104 passing through the center of the label length. It has been taken. Further, the label 80 has a first adjustment line 101 that passes through the reference point O and forms an angle θ clockwise with respect to the center line 103, and an angle θ that passes through the reference point O and rotates clockwise with respect to the center line 104. The second adjustment line 102 is set, and two sticky marks 85 are printed in the vicinity of the position where each of the adjustment lines 101 and 102 intersects the outer peripheral edge of the label 80.

  FIG. 5B shows a print example of the vertical writing label 80 in which the inclination angle is set clockwise as θ. In FIG. 5B, the label 80 has a reference point O at the intersection of the center line 103 passing through the center of the label width and the center line 104 passing through the center of the label length. A first adjustment line 101 that passes through O and forms an angle θ counterclockwise with respect to the center line 103 and a second adjustment line 102 that passes through the reference point O and forms an angle θ counterclockwise with respect to the center line 104 are set. Then, two sticky marks 85 are printed in the vicinity of the positions where the adjustment lines 101 and 102 intersect the outer peripheral edge of the label 80, respectively.

  The first adjustment line 101 and the second adjustment line 102 are used for adjusting the reference direction on the object 100 and the adjustment lines 101 and 102 to be parallel or perpendicular when the label 80 is applied to the object 100. It is a virtual line.

  That is, for example, when the horizontal writing label 80 shown in FIG. 5A is applied to the application target 100, two application marks 85 positioned on the first adjustment line 101 are shown in FIG. Adjustment is made so as to be positioned on the horizontal reference line 111, and adjustment is made so that the paste mark 85 located on the second adjustment line 102 is parallel to the vertical reference line 112 shown in FIG. Thus, the label 80 can be affixed at an angle inclined θ counterclockwise with respect to the reference direction of the affixing target 100.

  In addition, when the vertically written label 80 shown in FIG. 5B is pasted on the pasting target 100, two pasting marks 85 positioned on the first adjustment line 101 are shown on the pasting target 100 in FIG. And adjusting so that the paste mark 85 located on the second adjustment line 102 is located on the horizontal reference line 111 shown in FIG. Thus, the label 80 can be affixed at an angle inclined θ clockwise relative to the reference direction of the affixing target 100.

  Note that the horizontal reference line 111 and the vertical reference line 112 shown in FIG. 4 are virtual lines for clarifying the reference direction in the pasting target 100. For example, the pasting target 100 is a show window or the like. If fixed, a virtual line extending in the horizontal direction becomes the horizontal reference line 111, and a virtual line extending in the vertical direction becomes the vertical reference line 112. Further, if the object to be attached 100 is movable and has a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 4, a virtual line extending in one direction parallel to the outer peripheral edge of the object to be attached 100 is set as a horizontal reference line 111, A virtual line extending in a direction orthogonal to the direction reference line 111 may be the vertical reference line 112.

  5A and 5B, the sticking mark 85 is a triangle whose tip is located at a point where each of the adjustment lines 101 and 102 and the outer peripheral edge of the label 80 intersect, but is limited to this shape. However, the present invention is not limited to this as long as it is a mark that can clearly represent the point where the adjustment lines 101 and 102 and the outer peripheral edge of the label 80 intersect. That is, the ROM 41 stores a plurality of types of pattern information related to the pasting mark 85 in advance, and the ROM 41 functions as a pattern information storage unit.

  Next, a control flow of a label creation method for creating such a label 80 will be described. 6 is a schematic front view showing an example of a label 80 created by the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow according to the label producing method of the present embodiment. These are figures which show the example of a display screen.

  In the following description, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sticking mark 85 positioned on the first adjustment line 101 is referred to as a first sticking mark 85a, which is orthogonal to this, that is, the second adjustment line 102. The pasting mark 85 positioned above is referred to as a second pasting mark 85b. Further, in the label 80, the side located at the left end of the front view in FIG. 5A with the length W is the left side, the side facing the left side is the right side, and the length located on the upper side in the front view in FIG. Is the upper side and the side opposite the upper side is the lower side.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 7, the control unit 40 first causes the display unit 4 to display a screen for allowing the user to select whether to perform normal printing or printing with a sticking mark, as shown in FIG. A print mode determination process (step S101) for determining the selected print mode is executed. In the print mode determination process (step S101), when the normal print mode is selected, the control unit 40 executes a normal label print process (step S195). In this normal label printing process (step S195), when the user gives an instruction to print a character string input from the input unit 3, the control unit 40 generates print data for the character string. Printing is performed on the tape member 31 in accordance with the character string print data. Finally, the tape member 31 is fully cut to create a label 80, and the process ends.

  In the printing mode determination process (step S101), when the printing mode with sticky mark is selected, the control unit 40 uses the information from the cassette determination switch 44 to set the tape cassette set in the label producing apparatus 1 The tape width reading process (step S105) for reading the width W of the tape member 31 in 21 is executed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the control unit 40 displays a screen for setting the rotation direction on the display unit 4, and rotates to set the direction of tilting when the label is attached to the pasting target 100 by tilting. A direction setting process (step S110) is executed. Further, the control unit 40 displays the screen for setting the tilt angle θ as shown in FIG. 8C on the display unit 4 as the tilt angle setting means, and the tilt angle setting for allowing the user to select the tilt angle θ. A process (step S115) is executed.

  In this tilt angle setting process (step S115), as shown in FIG. 8C, options such as “20 degrees”, “30 degrees”, “35 degrees”, and “free” are displayed on the display unit 4. The user can set the inclination angle of the label 80 to be created by selecting one from among these by operating the input unit 3. That is, the ROM 41 described above functions as an inclination angle storage unit in which options of the inclination angle θ are stored in advance, and the control unit 40 inclines the angle selected by the user from the options displayed on the display unit 4. Set as angle θ. Further, when the user selects “free” displayed on the display unit 4, by operating the input unit 3, it is possible to set an arbitrary angle desired by the user, the control unit 40, The input angle is set as the tilt angle θ.

  Note that there is no need to specifically limit the angle that can be set, but the label 80 corresponding to the horizontal reference line 111 and the vertical reference line 112 in the pasting object 100, that is, the label 80 on which the pasting mark 85 corresponding to two directions is printed. May be set as an allowable range from 0 degrees to 45 degrees (including 0 degrees and 45 degrees). This is because if the angle exceeds 45 degrees, the reference lines 111 and 112 that are to be aligned using the respective paste marks 85 can be exchanged so that the paste can be made at any angle.

  In addition, after the user inputs the direction in which the label 80 is tilted in the rotation direction setting process (step S110), the tilt angle θ is set in the tilt angle setting process (step S115). By inputting with a minus sign, the tilt angle θ and the information on the rotation direction may be input at the same time. In this case, as for the sign added to the inclination angle θ, the plus sign means left rotation (counterclockwise), and the minus sign means right rotation (clockwise).

  After the tilt angle setting process (step S115), the control unit 40 causes the display unit 4 to display a screen for selecting the number N of labels 80 to be created as shown in FIG. By operating No. 3, a label number setting process (step S120) for setting the number N of labels 80 to be created is executed.

  After the label number setting process (step S120), the control unit 40 is a screen for inputting the length L of the label 80 to be created on the display unit 4, as shown in FIG. And a label length setting process (step S125) for setting the label length L is executed.

  In this label length setting process (step S125), as shown in FIG. 8E, a screen on which options “automatic” and “fixed” are displayed is displayed on the display unit 4, and the user selects “automatic”. Is selected, the length L determined in accordance with the number of characters of the character string to be printed, the character size, the character spacing, the margin size, etc. is automatically set as the label length. When the user selects “fixed”, the length L input by the user himself / herself from the input unit 3 is set as the label length.

  After the label length setting process (step S125), the control unit 40 displays a screen for editing a character string as shown in FIG. 8F on the display unit 4, and allows the user to edit a character string or the like ( Step S130) is executed. In the process of editing the character string (step S130), the character string is edited, and settings such as vertical writing or horizontal writing, or a format such as font, decorative character, and character size are simultaneously performed. When “automatic” is selected in the label length setting process (step S125), the length L of the label 80 is determined by the process of editing the character string (step S130).

  After the process of editing the character string (step S130), the control unit 40 executes a mark position calculation process (step S135) for calculating a position where the pasted mark 85 is printed as a mark position calculation unit. In the mark position calculation process (step S135), the tape width W is already set by the tape width reading process (step S105), the inclination angle θ is set by the inclination angle setting process (step S115), and the label length is set. Since the label length L is set by the process (step S125) or the process of editing the character string (step S130), the position where the paste mark 85 is printed can be calculated based on the reference point O.

  Therefore, in the mark position calculation process (step S135), the length d in the tape width direction from the two first pasted marks 85a and 85a to the reference point O printed in the vicinity of the left side and the right side, respectively, in the vicinity of the upper side and the right side. The lengths a in the tape length direction from the second sticking marks 85b and 85b to be printed to the reference point O are calculated. In the mark position calculation process (step S135), as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first pasted marks 85a and 85a that should be printed near the left side and the right side are related to θ. In the case of printing near the upper side or the lower side instead of the left side and the right side, the length d ′ in the length direction from the first pasting marks 85a, 85a to the reference point O is calculated instead of d, and similarly When the two pasting marks 85b and 85b are printed near the left side and the right side, the length a ′ in the width direction from the second pasting mark 85b to the reference point O is calculated.

  Hereinafter, the mark position calculation process (step S135) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the mark position calculation process. In the mark position calculation process, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 40 performs a process (step S200) for determining whether (L / 2) tan θ ≦ W / 2, that is, L · tan θ ≦ W. Run. This process (step S200) is a process of determining whether or not the first pasting mark 85a can be printed on the left side and the right side. That is, d is represented by (L / 2) tan θ, but depending on the value of θ and the ratio of L and W, d> W / 2, and as shown in FIG. Cannot be printed on the left side or the right side, but is printed on the upper side or the lower side. In the process of determining whether or not L · tan θ ≦ W (step S200), it is determined whether or not this situation occurs.

  In the process of determining whether or not L · tan θ ≦ W (step S200), if L · tan θ ≦ W, the control unit 40, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, d = (L / 2) tan θ is set (step S205). On the other hand, in the process of determining whether or not L · tan θ ≦ W (step S200), if L · tan θ> W, the control unit 40 sets d ′ = as shown in FIG. (W / 2) A process of setting cot θ (step S210) is executed.

  After the process of setting d = (L / 2) tan θ or d ′ = (W / 2) cot θ (step S205, step S210), the control unit 40 (W / 2) tan θ ≦ L / 2, that is, A process of determining whether or not W · tan θ ≦ L is executed (step S215). This process (step S215) is a process for determining whether or not the second pasting mark 85b can be printed in the upper side and the lower side.

  In the process of determining whether or not W · tan θ ≦ L (step S215), if W · tan θ ≦ L, the control unit 40, as shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b), = (W / 2) tan θ is set (step S220). On the other hand, in the process of determining whether or not W · tan θ ≦ L (step S215), if W · tan θ> L, the control unit 40, as shown in FIG. (L / 2) A process of setting cot θ (step S225) is executed. When the control unit 40 completes the process of setting a = (W / 2) tan θ or a ′ = (L / 2) cot θ (steps S220 and S225), the control unit 40 ends the mark position calculation process (step S135). To do.

  After the mark position calculation process (step S135), when the user is instructed to execute printing by performing an operation such as pressing the print key, the control unit 40 uses the user as print data creation means. Generates character string print data for printing a character string in accordance with the character string and format edited by the user, and executes print data generation processing (step S140) for generating mark print data for printing the paste mark 85. .

  Further, in the print data generation process (step S140), the control unit 40 sets the character string print area 83 of the label 80 shown in FIG. 5 for printing the character string, and at the periphery of the character string print area 83. A process for setting the mark print area 87 is executed, and mark print data is generated so that the paste mark 85 is printed at the position calculated in the mark position calculation process (step S135) in the mark print area 87. Although it is preferable to set the mark print area 87 at the periphery of the character string print area 83 in this way, the mark print area 87 may be set in the label 80 to be created.

  After the print data generation process (step S140), the control unit 40 controls the head drive circuit 51, which is a print control means, and drives the thermal head 11 according to the print data to execute printing on the tape member 31. A process (step S145) is executed. In addition, after the printing process (step S145) is completed, the control unit 40 controls the cutter motor drive circuit 53 as a cutter motor control unit, and executes a full cut process (step S150) for fully cutting the end of the label 80. .

  After completion of the full cut process (step S150), the control unit 40 decrements the counter value in which the value of the number N of labels to be created is set by 1, and updates the value to the value of N = N−1. Processing (step S155) is performed, and whether or not N = 0, that is, print end determination processing (step S160) is executed. If printing has not ended in this print end determination process (step S160), the control unit 40 repeatedly performs print processing (step S145) until N = 0 in the print end determination process (step S160). If it becomes 0, the process is terminated.

  If a plurality of labels 80 are to be created and labels 80 having different label lengths L are included, the number of labels of the same type to be created is set as N and the same according to the flow shown in FIG. After creating N types of labels 80, other types of labels 80 are created in the same flow, whereby labels 80 having different label lengths L can be created.

  Further, when creating a plurality of labels 80 having different label lengths L, in the label length setting process (step S125) and the process of editing the character string (step S130), setting and character strings are set for all the labels 80 to be created. The print data is generated for all the labels 80 by the print data generation process (step S140), the generated print data is temporarily stored in the RAM 42, and the print process (step S145) is sequentially performed. It is good also as composition to go.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the label 80 created in this way has the paste mark 85 printed on the periphery of the character string print area 83, so that the paste mark 85 that is opposed to each of the reference lines is displayed. The labels 80 can be pasted on the pasting object 100 at a desired inclination angle θ by aligning them so as to be positioned on the 111 and 112 and pasting them on the pasting target 100. When a plurality of labels 80 are created, as shown in FIG. 10, the created plurality of labels 80 can be affixed to the object 100 in a balanced manner in parallel.

  In this embodiment, four paste marks 85 are printed on the periphery of the character string print area 83. However, there are at least two paste marks 85 positioned on at least one reference line 111, 112 in each reference line 111, 112. For example, the label 80 can be pasted on the pasting target 100 in accordance with the corresponding reference lines 111 and 112. Therefore, it is not always necessary to print the four sticky marks 85, and two sticky marks 85 may be printed.

  Further, in this embodiment, the reference point O is set at the center position of the label 80. However, if it is possible to secure a space for printing the pasting mark 85 between the reference point O and the outer edge of the label 80, the center point of the label 80 is used. It may be set at an arbitrary position within the deviated label area.

  According to the label producing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when creating the label 80 to be attached while being inclined to the application target 100, the inclination angle of the label 80 with respect to the reference direction of the application target 100 is set, and the application is performed at this angle. By printing the pasting mark 85 together with the character string so that it can be pasted on the target 100, a label 80 that can be pasted on the pasting target 100 at a desired angle can be created.

  In addition, when print data is generated, the character string print area 83 and the mark print area 87 are set in the label 80 and printed, so that a major label (a memory for displaying the length is stored) for alignment. There is no need to print a printed label), and the consumption of the tape member 31 can be reduced. Furthermore, by setting the mark print area 87 at the periphery of the character string print area 83, it is possible to prevent the character string from being difficult to read due to the sticking mark 85 being applied to the character printed on the label 80.

  Then, by calculating in advance the position for printing the paste mark 85 before editing the character string, etc., and generating mark print data based on this calculated information, the character string print area 83 and the mark print area 87 In addition, the sticking mark 85 can be printed at an accurate position and the label 80 can be stuck to the sticking target 100 with the correct inclination. It is also easy to automatically set the font of the character to be printed.

  Further, when setting the inclination angle θ of the label 80, the user can easily set the inclination angle θ by storing a plurality of options relating to the numerical value of the inclination angle θ in the ROM 41 in advance. Even a person who uses the creation device 1 for the first time can easily create the label 80 with the sticking mark 85. On the other hand, by setting the tilt angle θ based on an arbitrary tilt angle input from the input unit 3, the user's angle selection range can be expanded.

  Furthermore, by storing in advance in the ROM 41 a plurality of types of pattern information related to the sticking mark 85, a label 80 on which the sticking mark 85 according to the user's preference is printed can be created.

  In this embodiment, the mark print area 87 is set at the periphery of the character string print area 83. However, as shown in FIG. 11, only the character string print area 83 is provided in the label 80, and the length direction In this case, a mark printing area 87 may be provided outside the label 80, that is, outside the label 80, and the paste mark 85 may be printed on the mark printing area 87. Since the mark printing area 87 is set outside the label 80 and the pasting mark 85 is printed outside the label 80, the pasting mark 85 is not printed on the label 80 pasted on the pasting target 100. The label 80 which looks good can be created.

  When generating such a label 80, the control unit 40 drives the half-cut mechanism 18 via the cutter motor drive circuit 53 as a cutting control means, and between the character string print area 83 and the mark print area 87. Half cut 88 may be put. In this way, by inserting the half cut 88 between the character string print area 83 and the mark print area 87, only the label 80 can be easily peeled off from the peeling tape, and the mark print area 87 is printed on the pasting target 100. It is possible to perform a sticking method in which positioning is performed using the sticking mark 85, and after the position is fixed, the peeling tape and the mark printing area 87 are removed from the label 80 and the label 80 is stuck.

  Furthermore, when creating a label 80 for attaching the label 80 to the pasting target 100 at an angle, as shown in FIG. 12, the characters printed in the character string print area 83 are displayed on the reference lines 111 and 112 of the pasting target 100. Labels so that the characters are parallel to the vertical reference line 112 for the horizontal writing label 80, and so that the characters are parallel to the horizontal reference line 111 for the vertical writing label 80. A configuration may also be adopted in which each character is rotated by θ rotation in a direction opposite to the direction in which 80 is inclined. By rotating and printing the characters in this way, the contents described in the character string can be easily read even with the label 80 attached with an inclination.

  The processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 9 is applied to various apparatuses as a program that can be realized by a computer, for example, written in a storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or It is also possible to apply to various devices by transmitting through a communication medium. As described above, by storing each processing described in the present embodiment in a desired storage medium and causing the program to be executed by another computer or the like, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as in the case of using the apparatus of the present embodiment. Note that the computer is not limited to the computer built in the label producing apparatus 1, and is capable of reading a program stored in a storage medium and performing a control operation according to the read program, such as a CPU. Including any computer that has.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be freely changed and improved without departing from the gist of the invention.

1 Label making device 2 Enclosure
3 Input section 4 Display section
7 Tape outlet 8 Cassette loading section
11 Thermal head 12 Platen roller
15 Cassette receiver 17 Full cut mechanism
18 Half-cut mechanism 21 Tape cassette
22 Cassette case 23 Tape core
24 Ribbon supply core 25 Ribbon take-up core
27 Head placement part 29 Engaged part
31 Tape member 35 Ink ribbon
40 Control unit 41 ROM
42 RAM 44 Cassette discrimination switch
46 Conveyor motor 48 Cutter motor
51 Head drive circuit 52 Transport motor drive circuit
53 Cutter motor drive circuit 61 Printing mechanism
66 Display drive circuit 80 Label
83 Character string printing area 85 Paste mark
85a First affix mark 85b Second affix mark
87 Mark printing area 88 Half cut
100 Target 101 101 First adjustment line
102 Second adjustment line 103 Center line (label width direction)
104 Center line (label length direction) 111 Horizontal reference line
112 Vertical reference line

Claims (13)

In a label production device that creates a label that prints a character string on a tape member and affixes it to a subject of application
Printing means for performing printing on the tape member;
An inclination angle setting means for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction definitive the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target,
The character string print data for causing the printing means to print the character string is generated, and the label is attached to the sticking target at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting means on the sticking target. as a mark when the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions, affixed to at least two positions located on the reference line representing at least one direction in the reference direction of the two directions the orthogonal Print data generating means for generating mark print data for printing a mark;
Print control means for controlling the printing means to print on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the print data generation means;
A label producing apparatus comprising: In a label production device that creates a label that prints a character string on a tape member and affixes it to an object to be affixed,
Printing means for performing printing on the tape member;
An inclination angle setting means for setting an inclination angle of the label with respect to a reference direction of the application target;
Each character of the character string for causing the printing means to print the character string is rotated by an angle equal to the angle set by the inclination angle setting means in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label. Mark printing for generating data and printing a pasting mark used for alignment with the reference direction when the label is pasted to the pasting target at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting unit Print data generation means for generating data;
Print control means for controlling the printing means to print on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated by the print data generation means;
A label producing apparatus comprising: The print data generation means is a reference representing at least one direction in the two orthogonal reference directions as a mark when positioning with respect to at least one direction in the two orthogonal reference directions on the pasting target 3. The label producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mark print data is generated so as to print the pasted mark at at least two positions located on a line. The print data generation unit sets a character string print area for printing the character string and a mark print area for printing the paste mark when generating the character string print data and the mark print data. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein: Label length setting means for setting the label length;
Mark position calculating means for calculating a position for printing the sticking mark,
The print data generation means sets the mark print area in the label, preferably the periphery of the character string print area in the label, and prints the mark based on the information calculated by the mark position calculation means. Generate data,
The label producing apparatus according to claim 4 . The tape member is composed of a printing tape having an adhesive layer on the back surface, and a release tape laminated on the adhesive layer in a peelable manner,
The print data generating means, said character string print area is set to the label, and set at a position adjacent to the character string print area and the length direction before Symbol tape member said mark printing area,
The label producing device is
Half-cut means for cutting only the printing tape in the width direction of the tape member with the release tape remaining;
Cutting control means for operating the half-cut means at the boundary between the character string printing area and the mark printing area in the middle of the printing operation by the printing control means;
Comprising
The label producing apparatus according to claim 4 . A tilt angle storage means in which a plurality of options relating to the value of the tilt angle of the label with respect to the reference direction on the pasting target is stored in advance;
Display means for displaying a plurality of options relating to the numerical value of the inclination angle of the label stored in the inclination angle storage means;
The inclination angle setting means of claim 1 to claim 6, characterized in that to set the inclination angle selected in the options on Numerical tilt angle displayed on the display means as a tilt angle of the label The label production apparatus in any one. Input means for editing the character string or setting the tilt angle, etc.
The inclination angle setting means, the label creating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that to set the tilt angle based on any inclination angle inputted from the input means. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising pattern information storage means in which a plurality of types of pattern information related to the sticking mark is stored in advance. It is a label creation method in a label creation device that creates a label that is printed on a tape member with a character string and tilted to be pasted.
A tilt angle setting processing for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction definitive the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target,
To generate a text print data for printing the character string to said printing means, in the case of sticking with a slope angle that is set by the tilt angle setting process the label to the pasting target, orthogonal on said pasting target affixed mark in at least two places as a mark, which is located on the reference line representing at least one direction in the reference direction of the two directions said orthogonal when the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two directions Print data generation processing for generating mark print data for printing
A printing process for printing on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated in the print data generation process;
A method for producing a label, characterized in that It is a label creation method in a label creation device that creates a label that is printed on a tape member with a character string and tilted to be pasted.
An inclination angle setting process for setting an inclination angle of the label with respect to a reference direction of the application target;
Each character of the character string for causing the printing means to print the character string is rotated by an angle equal to the angle set by the inclination angle setting means in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label. Mark printing data for generating data and printing a pasting mark used for alignment with the reference direction when the label is pasted on the pasting target at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting process Print data generation processing for generating
A printing process for printing on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated in the print data generation process;
Label creation method characterized by the execution. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a label producing apparatus to print a character string on a tape member and to create a label to be attached to the object to be attached.
A tilt angle setting processing for setting the tilt angle of the label against the at least one direction definitive the reference direction of the two orthogonal directions on the pasting target,
To generate a text print data for printing the character string to said printing means, in the case of sticking with a slope angle that is set by the tilt angle setting process the label to the pasting target, orthogonal on said pasting target affixed mark in at least two places as a mark, which is located on the reference line representing at least one direction in the reference direction of the two directions said orthogonal when the position adjustment for the at least one direction definitive in the reference direction of the two directions Print data generation processing for generating mark print data for printing
A printing process for printing on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated in the print data generation process;
A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for executing the program is stored. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a label producing apparatus to print a character string on a tape member and to create a label to be attached to the object to be attached.
An inclination angle setting process for setting an inclination angle of the label with respect to a reference direction of the application target;
Each character of the character string for causing the printing means to print the character string is rotated by an angle equal to the angle set by the inclination angle setting means in a direction opposite to the inclination direction of the label. Mark printing data for generating data and printing a pasting mark used for alignment with the reference direction when the label is pasted on the pasting target at the tilt angle set by the tilt angle setting process Print data generation processing for generating
A printing process for printing on the tape member based on the character string print data and the mark print data generated in the print data generation process;
A computer-readable storage medium in which a program for executing the program is stored .

Images