JP5621627B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a web server function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printers that perform printing on a print medium (for example, a tape) based on print data created by an information processing apparatus (for example, a PC) are known. In order to perform printing with such a printer, various dedicated programs must be installed in the PC in advance. Examples of the dedicated program include an application program for editing the print contents on the tape and a driver program for generating print data and transferring it to the printer. These dedicated programs are required to correspond to the type of PC to be installed and the type of operation system (OS) installed in the PC.

  Also, a printer having a built-in web server function is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such a printer, when the printer address is designated on the PC web browser, a web page is generated and displayed on the PC web browser. The user can browse printer status information and make print settings on a PC web browser.

JP 2008-217685 A

  However, even when the print contents can be edited on the web browser by the web server function of the printer, the print data used by the printer is generated on the PC side. For this reason, it is necessary to install a driver program corresponding to the PC or OS model in the PC in advance, as in the prior art. For this reason, it takes time to install an optimal driver program on the PC, which may impair user convenience.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of improving the convenience for a user by omitting the trouble of installing a dedicated program in an information processing apparatus. And

A printing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus provided with a web browser and a printing apparatus connectable via a network, in which a long tape is stored and an index unit is provided Is a cassette mounting part to be attached and detached, wherein the indicator part includes the cassette mounting part including a switch hole in a pattern according to the width of the tape, and a web page generating means for generating a web page that can be browsed by the web browser Web page transmission means for transmitting the web page generated by the web page generation means to the information processing apparatus, and content data indicating print contents edited on the web page from the information processing apparatus. Content receiving means for receiving, command data related to printing input on the web page, the information A command receiving means for receiving from the processing apparatus, a pattern detecting means for detecting a pattern of the switch holes that are included in the index portion of the cassette mounted on the cassette mount has been detected by said pattern detecting means and the Received by the content receiving means when the command data received by the command receiving means and the size specifying means for specifying the width of the tape based on the switch hole pattern are commands instructing printing start. Print data generation means for generating print data having a data format that can be printed by the printing device, based on the content data thus obtained and the width of the tape specified by the size specification means, and the print data generation on the basis of the print data generated by the means, the tape And a printing means for printing on.

According to this, the web page generated by the printing apparatus is displayed by the web browser of the information processing apparatus. In the information processing apparatus, content data indicating print contents is edited on a web page displayed by a web browser. In the printing apparatus, when a command to start printing is input on the web page, print data is generated based on the content data edited by the information processing apparatus and the tape width specified by the printing apparatus , Printing is performed on the tape based on the print data. Therefore, even if a dedicated program for printing is not installed in the information processing apparatus, the user can execute editing and printing of content data on the web page. As a result, the user's convenience can be improved by omitting the trouble of installing the dedicated program in the information processing apparatus. Since print data corresponding to the tape width detected by the printing apparatus is generated, the print size of the content data can be optimized.

  In the printing apparatus, the content data includes character data including at least one of a character, a number, and a symbol, and is received by the content receiving unit from a first storage device that stores font data that can be printed by the printing apparatus. Font reading means for reading out the font data suitable for printing the content data, and the print data generating means generates the print data based on the font data read by the font reading means. May be.

  In this case, content data including character data is converted into print data based on font data stored in the printing apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to print with font data suitable for the content data without storing font data that can be printed by the printing apparatus in the information processing apparatus.

In the printing apparatus, when the command data received by the command receiving unit is a command for instructing a preview of a print mode on the tape , a preview image generation that generates a preview image in which the print mode is imaged The web page generation unit may generate the web page that displays the preview image so as to be viewable when the preview image is generated by the preview image generation unit.

  In this case, when a print mode preview is instructed on the web page, a web page including a preview image generated by the printing apparatus is displayed on the web browser. Therefore, the user can view the preview image on the web browser without storing the program for generating the preview image in the information processing apparatus.

  In the printing apparatus, when the command data received by the command receiving unit is a command for instructing storage of the content data, the content data received by the content receiving unit is stored in a second storage device. Content reading means for reading out the content data stored in the second storage device when the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing reading of the content data And the web page generating unit generates the web page for selectively displaying the read content data when the content data is read by the content reading unit, and the content The receiving means is the front The content data that has been selected on the web page, may be received as a content data edited on the web page.

In this case, when reading of content data is instructed on the web page, the content data edited and saved in the past are displayed on the web page so as to be selectable. Then, print data is generated based on the content data selected on the web page. Therefore, the content data edited in the past can be printed without storing the content data edited on the web page in the information processing apparatus.
In the printing apparatus, the content data stored in the second storage device by the content storage means includes at least one of decoration contents of the character data and template data indicating a fixed format into which the character data is inserted. May be included. In this case, it is possible to store content data that can reproduce the decoration content and template data of character data edited in the past.

In the printing apparatus, when the command data received by the command receiving unit is a command indicating the decoration content of the character data , the decoration content is set in the content data received by the content receiving unit. The content decoration setting means may be provided, and the print data generation means may generate the print data based on the content data in which the decoration content is set by the content decoration setting means.

In this case, when the decoration content of the character data is instructed on the web page, the decoration content is set in the content data. Then, print data is generated based on the content data in which the decoration content is set. Thus, even without storing a program for decorating the character data to the information processing apparatus can freely decorate the character data.

  In the printing apparatus, when the content data includes template data indicating a fixed format into which the character data is inserted, and the command data received by the command receiving unit is a command requesting the template data. A template reading means for reading the template data stored in the third storage device, wherein the web page generating means reads the template read when the template data is read by the template reading means. Generating the web page to display data selectably, the print data generating means, based on the content data in which the character data is inserted into the template data selected on the web page, the print data Raw It may be.

  In this case, when reading of template data is instructed on the web page, the template data is displayed so as to be selectable on the web page. Then, print data is generated based on the content data in which the character data is inserted into the template data selected on the web page. Therefore, content data in which character data is inserted into template data can be printed without storing the template data in the information processing apparatus.

1 is an external view of a printing apparatus 20 and a tape cassette 30. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape cassette 30. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. It is a flowchart of the browser process of PC10. This is a specific example of the edit page 100. It is a flowchart of other screen browser processing. This is a specific example of the preview page 110. It is a flowchart of a memory page browser process. This is a specific example of the memory page 120. It is a flowchart of a template page browser process. This is a specific example of the template page 130. 4 is a flowchart of server processing of the printing apparatus 20. It is a flowchart of other screen server processing. It is a flowchart of a memory page server process. It is a flowchart of a template page server process. It is a flowchart of the browser process of PC10 based on a modification. It is a flowchart of the server process of the printing apparatus 20 based on a modification.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the drawings to be referred to are used for explaining the technical features that can be adopted by the present invention, and the configuration of the described apparatus is not intended to be limited thereto, but is merely an illustrative example. is there.

  A schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 20 and the tape cassette 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 20 is a tape printer that creates a label that can be pasted by printing on a long tape. The printing apparatus 20 is a type that can be connected to a network, and does not include a keyboard or a display.

  The printing apparatus 20 includes a main body 51 that is a box-shaped housing. On the upper surface of the main body 51, a cover 53 is provided for opening and closing a cassette mounting portion 52, which is an area where the tape cassette 30 is attached and detached. A discharge slit 54 for discharging the printed tape to the outside is provided on the side surface of the main body 51. A cut mechanism 55 that cuts the printed tape at a predetermined position is provided in front of the discharge slit 54 as viewed from the cassette mounting portion 52.

  The cassette mounting portion 52 includes a head holder 61 on which a print head (not shown) is mounted, a tape drive shaft 62 that rotates a tape drive roller 32 (see FIG. 2) described later, and a ribbon take-up spool 33 (see FIG. 2) described later. Ribbon take-up shaft 63 and the like are provided. Opposing to the head holder 61, an arm-shaped platen holder 64 is pivotally supported. A platen roller 65 and a movable conveyance roller 66 are rotatably supported on the platen holder 64. Further, the platen holder 64 is provided with a medium sensor 26 (see FIG. 3) that detects the type of tape stored in the tape cassette 30. In the present embodiment, at least the size of the tape (specifically, the tape width) is detected as the type of tape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tape cassette 30 is a so-called laminate type, and a transparent film tape 41, an ink ribbon 42, and a double-sided adhesive tape 43 are accommodated in a cassette case 31. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 43 is a double-sided tape having a release paper attached on one side, and is attached to the printed surface side of the printed film tape 41. Inside the cassette case 31, a tape drive roller 32 for conveying the double-sided adhesive tape 43 and a ribbon take-up spool 33 for taking up the used ink ribbon 42 are rotatably arranged. A space formed so as to penetrate the cassette case 31 in the vertical direction is a head insertion portion 34. The front surface of the tape cassette 30 is provided with an indicator portion 35 in which switch holes are formed in a pattern corresponding to the type of tape (the tape width in the present embodiment).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the tape cassette 30 is mounted on the cassette mounting portion 52, the head holder 61, the tape drive shaft 62, and the ribbon take-up shaft 63 are respectively connected to the head insertion portion 34 and the tape drive roller. 32 and ribbon take-up spool 33, respectively. When the cover 53 is closed in this state, the platen holder 64 rotates toward the head holder 61. As a result, the platen roller 65, the movable conveyance roller 66, and the medium sensor 26 (see FIG. 3) are urged against the print head (not shown), the tape drive roller 32, and the index unit 35, respectively. At this time, the medium sensor 26 detects the formation pattern of the switch holes in the indicator portion 35. The printing apparatus 20 specifies the type of tape (in this embodiment, the tape width) based on the detection pattern of the medium sensor 26.

  When printing is performed in the printing apparatus 20, the tape drive roller 32 that is rotationally driven via the tape drive shaft 62 pulls out the unused film tape 41 in cooperation with the movable conveyance roller 66. The ribbon take-up spool 33 that is rotationally driven via the ribbon take-up shaft 63 pulls out the unused ink ribbon 42 in synchronization with the printing speed. The drawn film tape 41 and the ink ribbon 42 are superimposed on the transport path and transported between the print head (not shown) and the platen roller 65. At this time, the print head (not shown) uses the ink ribbon 42 to print content data to be described later on the print surface of the film tape 41.

  Thereafter, the used ink ribbon 42 is peeled off from the printed film tape 41 and taken up on the ribbon take-up spool 33. On the other hand, the unused double-sided adhesive tape 43 is pulled out by the cooperation of the tape driving roller 32 and the movable conveying roller 66. The double-sided adhesive tape 43 is overlapped and adhered to the printed surface of the printed film tape 41 while being guided and wound between the tape driving roller 32 and the movable conveying roller 66. The printed film tape 41 (that is, the printed tape 49) to which the double-sided adhesive tape 43 is attached is cut by the cutting mechanism 55 and then discharged from the discharge slit 54. As a result, an attachable label on which the content data is printed is created.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment and the configuration of the printing system 1 will be described. The printing system 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 10 and a printing apparatus 20 are connected via the Internet 6. In the printing system 1, when the user edits the content data on the web browser of the PC 10, a label on which the content data is printed is created by the printing device 20. The content data is data indicating the content to be printed on the print medium. The content data of the present embodiment includes character data including at least one of letters, numbers, and symbols, template data indicating a fixed format in which character data is inserted, and the like.

  The PC 10 has the same configuration as a general-purpose personal computer, and includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, an HDD 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a communication interface (I / F) 17, and the like. The PC 10 is connected to the Internet 6 via the communication I / F 17. The HDD 14 stores at least a known web browser. The user can perform various operations on the web browser displayed on the display unit 16 by using the operation unit 15.

  The printing apparatus 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an EEPROM 24, a printing unit 25, a medium sensor 26, a communication interface (I / F) 27, and the like. The ROM 22 includes a program for realizing a web server function to be described later, a printer driver for generating print data that can be used by the printing apparatus 20, a program for controlling a printing operation, and controls necessary for these programs. Data is stored. A plurality of types of font data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 20 are also stored in the ROM 22. The print data is data obtained by converting content data to be printed into a data format that can be printed by the printing unit 25.

  In the EEPROM 24, the above-described template data is stored in advance, and a plurality of storage areas for storing texts to be described later are provided. The RAM 23 temporarily stores data transmitted to and received from the PC 10, print data output to the printing unit 25, and the like. The printing unit 25 is a mechanism that transports and prints the print medium in the printing apparatus 20, and includes the above-described print head (not shown), the tape drive shaft 62, the ribbon winding shaft 63, and the like. The PC 10 is connected to the Internet 6 via the communication I / F 27.

  Hereinafter, processing executed in the printing system 1 will be described. In the printing system 1, the processes described below are executed in the PC 10 and the printing apparatus 20, respectively.

  The browser processing of the PC 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. This processing is executed by the CPU 11 (see FIG. 3) when a web browser is activated on the PC 10 and displayed on the display unit 16 (see FIG. 3), and the printer 20 is instructed to connect to a unique IP address. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the browser processing of the PC 10, first, an edit page request (hereinafter referred to as an edit page RQ) that is a command for requesting an edit page is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S1). After execution of step S1, an edit page is received from the printing apparatus 20 (S3). The edit page received in step S3 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 (S5).

  In the present embodiment, the edit page 100 illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the web browser. The edit page 100 is a web page for editing content data, and includes a text input unit 101, a decoration button 102, a print button 103, and a screen transition button 104. The text input unit 101 is an area in which text (that is, one or a plurality of character data) can be input. The decoration button 102 is a button for instructing decoration contents (for example, bolding, slanting, underlining, etc.) of the character set in the text input to the text input unit 101. The print button 103 is a button for instructing execution of printing of content data edited on the edit page 100.

  The screen transition button 104 is a button for instructing transition from the edit page 100 to another web page. The screen transition button 104 includes a preview button 105 for transitioning to a preview page described later, a memory button 106 for transitioning to a memory page described later, and a template button 107 for transitioning to a template page described later. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the key value (“2” in FIG. 5) of the already selected template is displayed on the template button 107.

  Returning to FIG. Below, each process is demonstrated, referring the edit page 100 (FIG. 5) displayed on the web browser. First, it is determined whether or not the decoration button 102 has been input (S7). When the decoration button 102 is input (S7: YES), a decoration request (hereinafter referred to as decoration RQ) that is a command for requesting setting of the decoration content corresponding to the input decoration button 102 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20. (S9). For example, when the user clicks the “bold” decoration button 102, a decoration RQ requesting the setting of the decoration content “bold” is transmitted.

  When the decoration button 102 is not input (S7: NO), it is determined whether the print button 103 is input (S11). When the print button 103 is input (S11: YES), a print request (hereinafter referred to as “print RQ”), which is a command for requesting printing of the content data edited on the edit page 100, is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20. (S13). When the print button 103 is not input (S11: NO), it is determined whether or not text is input to the text input unit 101 (S15). When text is input to the text input unit 101 (S15: YES), the input text (that is, character data) is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S17).

  When no text is input to the text input unit 101 (S15: NO), it is determined whether or not the screen transition button 104 (that is, any one of the preview button 105, the memory button 106, and the template button 107) is input. (S19). When the screen transition button 104 is input (S19: YES), other screen browser processing described later is executed (S21). When the screen transition button 104 has not been input (S19: NO), it is determined whether an edit page has been received (S23). When the edit page is received (S23: YES), the received edit page is displayed on the web browser (S25). If the edit page has not been received (S23: NO), other processing (for example, function setting of the printing apparatus 20) according to the operation performed by the user on the edit page 100 is executed (S27). After executing any of steps S9, S13, S17, S21, S25, and S27, the process returns to step S7.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the other screen browser process (S21), it is first determined whether or not the input screen transition button 104 is the preview button 105 (S31). When the preview button 105 is input (S31: YES), a preview page request (hereinafter referred to as a preview page RQ) that is a command for requesting a preview page is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S33). After execution of step S33, a preview page is received from the printing apparatus 20 (S35). The preview page received in step S35 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 (S37).

  In the present embodiment, the preview page 110 illustrated in FIG. 7 is displayed on the web browser. The preview page 110 is a web page for browsing the content printed on the print medium based on the content data edited on the edit page 100 (that is, the printing mode), and includes a preview image 111 and a return button 112. . The preview image 111 is an image of the printing mode of the content data edited on the editing page 100. The return button 112 is a button for instructing transition to the original editing page 100. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the print mode of the content data edited on the edit page 100 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Specifically, the preview image 111 shows a printing mode of content data in which the text “Thank You” input to the text input unit 101 is inserted into the template data “2”.

  Returning to FIG. It is determined whether or not the return button 112 is input on the preview page 110 (FIG. 7) displayed on the web browser (S39). When the return button 112 is not input (S39: NO), step S39 is repeatedly executed. When the return button 112 is input (S39: YES), a return request (hereinafter referred to as a return RQ) that is a command requesting return to the edit page 100 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S41). .

  If the preview button 105 is not input in step S31 (S31: NO), it is determined whether or not the input screen transition button 104 is the memory button 106 (S43). When the memory button 106 is input (S43: YES), a memory page browser process described later is executed (S45). When the memory button 106 is not input (S43: NO), it is determined that the input screen transition button 104 is the template button 107, and a template page browser process described later is executed (S47).

  Even after execution of step S45 or S47, a return RQ is transmitted (S41). After execution of step S41, the process returns to the browser process (FIG. 4). When the RQ returned in step S41 is transmitted, the editing page 100 is received from the printing apparatus 20 and displayed on the web browser (S23: YES, S25). Thereby, the display content of the web browser returns to the edit page 100.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the memory page browser process (S45), a memory page request (hereinafter referred to as a memory page RQ) that is a command for requesting a memory page is first transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S51). After execution of step S51, a memory page is received from the printing apparatus 20 (S53). The memory page received in step S53 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 (S55).

  In this embodiment, the memory page 120 illustrated in FIG. 9 is displayed on the web browser. The memory page 120 is a web page for saving the text input to the text input unit 101 of the editing page 100 and reading the already saved text. The memory page 120 includes a memory selection unit 121, a save button 122, a call button 123, a memory content display unit 124, and a return button 112. The memory selection unit 121 includes a selection button for each area in order to select one of a plurality of storage areas provided in the EEPROM 24. Hereinafter, the storage area of the EEPRPOM 24 currently selected by the memory selection unit 121 is referred to as a target area.

  In the present embodiment, the EEPROM 24 includes storage areas of memory numbers “1” to “3”, and text can be stored and read from each storage area. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the memory selection unit 121 is provided with selection buttons “1” to “3” for the memory numbers “1” to “3”. Further, in the memory selection unit 121, the selection buttons for the target area (the selection button “1” in the example of FIG. 9) are the selection buttons (the selection buttons “2” and “3” in the example of FIG. 9). ) Are displayed in different colors. Therefore, in the state shown in FIG. 9, the text input to the text input unit 101 is stored in the storage area of the memory number “1” of the EEPROM 24 or the text stored in the storage area of the memory number “1” is stored. It can be read out to the text input unit 101.

  The memory content display unit 124 is an area for displaying the contents stored in the target area. In the example of FIG. 9, the text “Happy Holidays!” Stored in the storage area of the memory number “1” of the EEPROM 24 corresponding to the selection button “1” is displayed. The Save button 122 is a button for saving the text input to the text input unit 101 in the storage area selected by the memory selection unit 121. If no text is stored in the storage area of the EEPROM 24 selected by the selection button of the memory selection unit 121, the text input to the text input unit 101 is saved, and when some text is already stored. The existing text stored is erased, and the text newly input to the text input 101 is stored, so-called overwriting. The Call button 123 is a button for reading the text stored in the storage area of the EEPROM 24 selected by the memory selection unit 121 and overwriting the text input unit 101.

  Returning to FIG. Hereinafter, each process will be described with reference to the memory page 120 (FIG. 9) displayed on the web browser. First, it is determined whether or not the selection button of the memory selection unit 121 has been input (S57). When the selection button of the memory selection unit 121 is input (S57: YES), a selection request (hereinafter referred to as selection RQ) that is a command for designating a storage area corresponding to the input selection button as a target area is printed. It is transmitted to the device 20 (S59). For example, when the user clicks the selection button of the memory number “1”, a selection RQ designating the storage area of the memory number “1” is transmitted.

  When the selection button of the memory selection unit 121 is not input (S57: NO), it is determined whether or not the Save button 122 is input (S61). When the Save button 122 is input (S61: YES), a save request (hereinafter referred to as save RQ), which is a command requesting to save the text input in the text input unit 101 in the target area, is printed. It is transmitted to the device 20 (S63). When the Save button 122 is not input (S61: NO), it is determined whether or not the Call button 123 is input (S65). When the Call button 123 is input (S65: YES), a read request (hereinafter referred to as a read RQ) that is a command requesting that the text input unit 101 be overwritten with text stored in the target area is printed. It is transmitted to the device 20 (S67).

  If the Call button 123 has not been input (S65: NO), it is determined whether or not the memory page 120 has been received (S69). For example, when the user clicks the SAVE button 122 to store the text input in the text input unit 101 in the target area, the memory content display unit 124 is updated so that the text stored in the target area is displayed. The memory page 120 thus transmitted is transmitted from the printing apparatus 20. In such a case, the updated memory page 120 is received and displayed on the web browser (S69: YES, S71).

  If the memory page 120 has not been received (S69: NO), it is determined whether or not the return button 112 has been input (S73). When the return button 112 is input (S73: YES), the process returns to the other-screen browser process (FIG. 6). Note that after execution of any of steps S59, S63, S67, and S71, or when the return button 112 is not input (S73: NO), the process returns to step S57.

  In the memory page browser process of the present embodiment, when the memory page 120 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 in step S55 after the memory button 106 is input, the memory page browser process is always set as a default value. It is assumed that the selection button “1” of the selection unit 121 is displayed in different colors and the memory number “1” of the EEPROM 24 is selected as the target area. However, the selection state of the selection button immediately before returning from the memory page browser process to the other screen browser process (see FIG. 6) may be stored in the RAM 23 of the printing apparatus 20. In this case, when the memory page 120 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 in step S55 after the memory button 106 is input, the selection button stored in the RAM 23 is color-coded according to the selection state. Display may be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the template page browser process (S47), first, a template page request (hereinafter referred to as a template page RQ) that is a command for requesting a template page is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S81). After execution of step S81, a template page is received from the printing apparatus 20 (S83). The template page received in step S83 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 (S85).

  In the present embodiment, the template page 130 illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed on the web browser. The template page 130 is a web page for selecting a template into which the text of the text input unit 101 is inserted. The template page 130 includes a list display unit 131, a template selection unit 132, a confirmation button 133, a target template display unit 134, and a return button 112.

  The list display unit 131 is an area in which templates stored in the printing apparatus 20 are displayed as a list, and displays the key value, name, data size, update date, and the like of each template. The template selection unit 132 is an area for inputting a key value of a template to be used for printing among templates displayed on the list display unit 131. The confirm button 133 is a button for setting a template in which a key value is input by the template selection unit 132 as a template into which text of the text input unit 101 is inserted (hereinafter referred to as a target template). The target template display unit 134 is an area where the key value of the current target template is displayed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the key value “2” of the current target template is displayed on the target template display unit 134. The key value “6” is input to the template selection unit 132. When the confirm button 133 is clicked in this state, the target template is updated to a template having the key value “6”. Accordingly, the key value “6” is displayed on the target template display unit 134.

  Returning to FIG. Below, each process is demonstrated, referring the template page 130 (FIG. 11) displayed on the web browser. First, it is determined whether or not the confirm button 133 has been input (S87). If the confirm button 133 is input (S87: YES), a confirm request (hereinafter referred to as confirm RQ) that is a command for requesting setting of the target template is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S89). At this time, the key value input to the template selection unit 132 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S91).

  If the confirmation button 133 has not been input (S87: NO), it is determined whether or not the template page 130 has been received (S93). For example, when the target template is changed by operating the template selection unit 132 and the confirmation button 133, the template page 130 in which the target template display unit 134 is updated is transmitted from the printing apparatus 20. In such a case, the updated template page 130 is received and displayed on the web browser (S93: YES, S95).

  If the template page 130 has not been received (S93: NO), it is determined whether or not the return button 112 has been input (S97). When the return button 112 is input (S97: YES), the process returns to the other-screen browser process (FIG. 6). In addition, after execution of either step S91 or S95, or when the return button 112 is not input (S97: NO), the process returns to step S87.

  In the template page browser process of this embodiment, when the template page 130 is displayed on the web browser of the display unit 16 in step S85 after the template button 107 is input, the target value is always used as a default value. It is assumed that the key value “1” is displayed on the template display unit 134. However, the key value displayed on the target template display unit 134 may be stored in the RAM 23 of the printing apparatus 20 immediately before returning from the template page browser process to the other screen browser process (see FIG. 6). In this case, when the template page 130 is displayed on the web browser on the display unit 16 in step S85 after the template button 107 is input, the key value stored in the RAM 23 is displayed on the target template display unit 134. You may do it.

  A server process (that is, a web server function) of the printing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. This process is executed by the CPU 21 (see FIG. 3) when there is an access to a unique IP address of the printing apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the server process of the printing apparatus 20, it is first determined whether an edit page RQ has been received (S101). When the edit page RQ is received (S101: YES), the edit page 100 (see FIG. 5) is generated and transmitted to the access source PC 10 (S103). If the edit page RQ has not been received (S101: NO), the process returns to step S101.

  After execution of step S103, it is determined whether or not a decoration RQ has been received (S105). When the decoration RQ is received (S105: YES), the decoration content is set (S107). Specifically, the text received from the PC 10 is stored in the RAM 23 (see FIG. 4) as will be described later. In step S107, the decoration content (for example, “bold”) designated by the decoration RQ is set in the RAM 23 in association with the text received from the PC 10 (updated if the decoration content has already been set).

  When the decoration RQ is not received (S105: NO), it is determined whether or not the print RQ is received (S109). When the print RQ is received (S109: YES), the print medium set in the printing apparatus 20 is detected (S111). In the present embodiment, the tape width of the tape cassette 30 (see FIG. 1) is specified based on the switch hole formation pattern detected by the medium sensor 26 (see FIG. 3). The ROM 22 (see FIG. 3) stores a table that defines the correspondence between the switch hole formation pattern and the tape width. In step S111, the tape width may be specified with reference to this table.

  After execution of step S111, print data is created based on the content data edited on the edit page 100 (S113). Specifically, print-related information is read from the ROM 22 and print data is generated. The print-related information includes a program necessary for creating print data that can be used by the printing apparatus 20, and in this embodiment is a printer driver of the printing apparatus 20 (including print control data unique to the printing apparatus 20). Furthermore, font data suitable for text printing stored in the RAM 23 is selected from the font data stored in the ROM 22. As an example, font data designated by the user on the editing page 100 or the like is selected from the ROM 22.

  The printer driver converts the text stored in the RAM 23 into print data using the selected font data. At this time, if decoration contents are set in the RAM 23, print data for printing a text reflecting the set decoration contents is created. As will be described later, if the target template is set in the RAM 23, print data for printing the text inserted in the target template is created. Further, the print size of the print data is adjusted (enlarged or reduced) according to the tape width specified in step S111. After execution of step S113, printing is executed based on the print data created in step S113 (S115). In step S115, as described above, tape printing is executed by the printing unit 25 to create a label.

  Specifically, when the print button 103 is clicked on the edit page 100 shown in FIG. 5, the print data of the text “Thank You” inserted in the target template (the template with the key value “2”) is created. Then, it is printed on the tape (S109: YES to S115). As a result, a label on which the same content as the preview image 111 shown in FIG. 7 is printed is created.

  If the print RQ has not been received (S109: NO), it is determined whether or not text has been received (S117). When the text is received (S117: YES), the received text is stored in the RAM 23 (updated when the text is already stored) (S119). If no text has been received (S117: NO), it is determined whether a screen transition RQ has been received (S121). The screen transition RQ is a generic term for commands that request other screens, including the preview page RQ, the memory page RQ, and the template page RQ. When the screen transition RQ is received (S121: YES), other screen server processing described later is executed (S123). When the screen transition RQ is not received (S121: NO), other processing (for example, function setting of the printing apparatus 20) according to the operation performed by the user on the editing page 100 is executed (S125). After executing any of steps S107, S115, S119, S123, and S125, the process returns to step S103.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the other screen server process (S123), it is first determined whether or not the received screen transition RQ is a preview page RQ (S131). When the preview page RQ is received (S131: YES), the preview page 110 (see FIG. 7) is generated and transmitted to the PC 10 (S133). In step S133, a preview image 111 is generated based on the text, decoration content, and target template stored in the RAM 23, and a preview page 110 including the generated preview image 111 is generated. After execution of step S133, it is determined whether a return RQ has been received (S135). When the return RQ is received (S135: YES), the edit page 100 (see FIG. 5) is generated and transmitted (S137). If the return RQ has not been received (S135: NO), the process returns to step S135.

  When the preview page RQ is not received (S131: NO), it is determined whether or not the received screen transition RQ is a memory page RQ (S139). When the memory page RQ is received (S139: YES), a memory page server process described later is executed (S141). When the memory page RQ is not received (S139: NO), it is determined that the received screen transition RQ is the template page RQ, and a template page server process described later is executed (S143). Even after execution of step S141 or S143, the edit page 100 (see FIG. 5) is generated and transmitted (S137). After execution of step S137, the process returns to the server process (FIG. 12).

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the memory page server process (S141), first, a memory page 120 (see FIG. 9) is generated and transmitted to the PC 10 (S151). After execution of step S151, it is determined whether or not a selection RQ has been received (S153). When the selection RQ is received (S153: YES), the storage area of the memory number indicated by the selection RQ is set as the target area (S155).

  If the selection RQ has not been received (S153: NO), it is determined whether or not a saved RQ has been received (S157). When the save RQ is received (S157: YES), the text stored in the RAM 23 is saved in the target area set in step S155 (overwritten if the text is already stored) ( S159). If the saved RQ has not been received (S157: NO), it is determined whether or not a read RQ has been received (S161). When the read RQ is received (S161: YES), the text stored in the target area set in step S155 is read and overwritten on the text input unit 101 (S163).

  If the read RQ has not been received (S161: NO), it is determined whether a return RQ has been received (S165). When the return RQ is received (S165: YES), the process returns to the other screen server process (FIG. 13). In addition, after execution of any of step S155, S159, and S163, or when the return RQ is not received (S165: NO), a process returns to step S151.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the template page server process (S143), a template page 130 (see FIG. 11) is first generated and transmitted to the PC 10 (S171). In step S171, a template stored in the EEPROM 24 is read, and a template page 130 including a list display unit 131 in which the read templates are displayed as a list is generated.

  After execution of step S171, it is determined whether a confirmed RQ has been received (S173). When the confirmed RQ is received (S173: YES), the key value is further received (S175), and the target template is set (S177). In step S177, among the templates stored in the EEPROM 24, the key value template received in step S175 is set in the RAM 23 as a target template. After execution of step S177, the template page 130 in which the key value of the target template displayed on the target template display unit 134 is updated is transmitted to the PC 10 (S179).

  When the confirmed RQ has not been received (S173: NO), it is determined whether or not a return RQ has been received (S181). When the return RQ is received (S181: YES), the process returns to the other screen server process (FIG. 13). In addition, after execution of step S179 or when a return RQ is not received (S181: NO), the process returns to step S173.

  As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the web page generated by the printing apparatus 20 is displayed by the web browser of the PC 10. In the PC 10, content data indicating print contents is edited on an edit page 100 displayed by a web browser. In the printing apparatus 20, when a command to start printing is input on the editing page 100, the printing related information (printer driver) read from the ROM 22 and the content data edited on the editing page 100 are used. The print data is generated. Furthermore, printing is performed on the tape based on the generated print data.

  Therefore, even if a dedicated program for printing is not installed in the PC 10, the user can edit and print content data on the web page. As a result, the user's convenience can be improved by omitting the trouble of installing the dedicated program in the PC 10. Regardless of the type of information processing device (PC, smartphone, etc.) and the type of installed OS (Windows (registered trademark), MacOS, etc.), editing and printing of content data can be executed by various information processing devices.

  Further, content data including text (that is, character data) is converted into print data based on font data stored in the printing apparatus 20. Therefore, even if font data that can be printed by the printing apparatus 20 is not stored in the PC 10, it is possible to print with font data suitable for the content data.

  When the preview button 105 is clicked on the editing page 100, the preview page 110 including the preview image 111 generated by the printing apparatus 20 is displayed on the web browser. Therefore, the user can view the preview image on the web browser without storing the program for generating the preview image 111 in the PC 10.

  In addition, when the memory button 106 is clicked on the edit page 100, text that has been edited and saved in the past is displayed so as to be selectable on the memory page 120. Print data is generated based on the text selected on the memory page 120. Therefore, the text edited in the past can be printed without storing the text edited on the editing page 100 in the PC 10.

  When the decoration button 102 is clicked on the edit page 100, the decoration content is set to text. Print data is generated based on the text for which the decoration content is set. Therefore, the text can be freely decorated without storing a program for decorating the text in the PC 10.

  When the template button 107 is selected on the edit page 100, the template data stored in the printing apparatus 20 is displayed on the template page 130 so as to be selectable. Print data is generated based on the text inserted into the template data selected on the template page 130. Therefore, content data in which text is inserted into the template data can be printed without saving the template data in the PC 10.

  Furthermore, since the print data is generated with a print size corresponding to the tape width detected by the printing apparatus 20, the print size of the content data can be optimized.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 10 corresponds to the “information processing apparatus” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes steps S103, S133, S137, S151, S171, and S179 corresponds to the “web page generating unit” and the “web page transmitting unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S117 corresponds to the “content receiving unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes steps S105, S109, and S121 corresponds to the “command receiving unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S113 corresponds to the “print data generating unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S115 corresponds to the “printing unit” of the present invention.

  The CPU 21 executing step S113 corresponds to “font reading means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S133 corresponds to the “preview image generating means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S159 corresponds to the “content storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S163 corresponds to the “content reading unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S107 corresponds to the “content decoration setting unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing steps S171 and S179 corresponds to the “template reading unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S111 corresponds to the “medium detection unit” of the present invention.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the printing apparatus 20 is not limited to a tape printer, and may be a printing apparatus that performs printing on a printing medium other than a tape. However, in general, a small and lightweight printing apparatus that can be carried by a user is limited in hardware resources such as a CPU and a memory. When hardware resources are scarce, the processing capacity of the web server function provided by the printing apparatus is also reduced. In that respect, in the tape printer as in this embodiment, since the width of the tape that is the print medium is small, the size of the content data printed on the tape (that is, the data amount) is also small. Therefore, in a printing apparatus such as a tape printer, the web server function according to the present invention can be sufficiently exhibited even when hardware resources are limited.

  For example, the content data that can be edited on the editing page 100 may include only one of character data and template data, or may be image data. The plurality of storage areas stored in the EEPROM 24 may store information other than text. In this case, when the Save button 122 is clicked on the memory page 120, not only the text input to the text input unit 101 but also the decoration content set by the decoration button 102 and the current target set by the template page 130. A template may also be stored in the target area. In this case, the content data (text, decoration content, template) edited on the edit page 100 is stored in the target area, and the stored content data can be read by clicking the Call button 123.

  Further, some of the processes executed by the PC 10 and the printing apparatus 20 may be executed on another apparatus. Hereinafter, a modified example in which the creation of print data is executed by the PC 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17. In the following, the same processes as those in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof will be omitted, and differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described.

  In the browser process of the PC 10 shown in FIG. 16, when the decoration button 102 is input (S7: YES), the decoration content set by the decoration button 102 is stored in the RAM 12 of the PC 10 instead of step S9 (S201). ). When the print button 103 is input (S11: YES), after the print RQ is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S13), printing related information described later is received from the printing apparatus 20 (S203), and printing is performed as described later. Data is created (S205). The print data created in step S205 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 20 (S207), and the process returns to step S7. When text is input to the text input unit 101 (S15: YES), the input text is stored in the RAM 12 instead of step S17 (S209), and the process returns to step S7. Other processes are the same as the browser process (FIG. 5) of the above embodiment.

  In the server process of the printing apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 17, after execution of step S103, it is determined whether or not a print RQ has been received without executing steps S105 and S107 (S109). When the print RQ is received (S109: YES), the print medium is detected (S111). After execution of step S111, printing related information is transmitted to the PC 10 instead of steps S113 and S115 (S301), and the process returns to step S109.

  In addition to the printer driver of the printing apparatus 20 (including print control data unique to the printing apparatus 20), the printing-related information of this modification is stored in the printing apparatus 20 and the tape width detected in step S111. Font data. Further, when the target template is set on the template page 130, the target template is also included in the printing related information.

  If the print RQ has not been received (S109: NO), it is determined whether or not print data has been received instead of step S117 (S303). If print data has been received (S303: YES), printing is executed based on the received print data (S115), and the process returns to step S109. If print data has not been received (S303: NO), step S121 is executed. Other processing is the same as the browser processing (FIG. 12) of the above embodiment.

  In this modification, print data is created by the PC 10 (S205). In step S205, the text stored in the RAM 12 is converted into print data that can be used by the printing apparatus 20 by the printer driver included in the print-related information received in step S203. At this time, if the decoration content is set with the decoration button 102, the print data of the text set with the decoration content stored in the RAM 12 is created. When the target template is set on the template page 130, print data of text inserted in the target template included in the print related information is created. Further, the print size of the print data is adjusted (enlarged or reduced) according to the tape width specified in step S111.

  As described above, in this modification, print-related information (printer driver, tape width, font data, etc.) necessary for creating print data on the PC 10 is transmitted from the printing apparatus 20 in accordance with the print RQ (S301). ). Therefore, as in the above embodiment, even if a dedicated program for printing is not installed in the PC 10, the user can edit and print content data on a web page. As a result, the user's convenience can be improved by omitting the trouble of installing the dedicated program in the PC 10.

1 Printing system 6 Internet 10 PC
11 CPU
20 Printing device 21 CPU
22 ROM
23 RAM
24 EEPROM
25 Print section 26 Media sensor 30 Tape cassette 35 Index section 41 Film tape 100 Edit page 110 Preview page 120 Memory page 130 Template page

Claims (7)

An information processing apparatus equipped with a web browser and a printing apparatus connectable via a network,
A cassette mounting part in which a long tape is stored and a cassette provided with an index part is attached and detached, wherein the index part includes a switch hole in a pattern according to the width of the tape; and
Web page generating means for generating a web page viewable by the web browser;
Web page transmitting means for transmitting the web page generated by the web page generating means to the information processing apparatus;
Content receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, content data indicating print contents edited on the web page;
Command receiving means for receiving command data related to printing input on the web page from the information processing apparatus;
Pattern detecting means for detecting a pattern of the switch hole included in the indicator portion of the cassette mounted on the cassette mounting portion;
Based on the switch hole pattern detected by the pattern detection means, size specifying means for specifying the width of the tape;
When the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing to start printing, the content data received by the content receiving means, the width of the tape specified by the size specifying means, Print data generation means for generating print data having a data format that can be printed by the printing apparatus,
A printing apparatus comprising: a printing unit configured to print on the tape based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit. The content data includes character data including at least one of letters, numbers, and symbols,
Font reading means for reading out the font data suitable for printing the content data received by the content receiving means from a first storage device storing font data printable by the printing device;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation unit generates the print data based on the font data read by the font reading unit. When the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing a preview of a print mode on the tape , a preview image generation unit that generates a preview image that is an image of the print mode is provided,
The said web page production | generation means produces | generates the said web page which displays the said preview image so that browsing is possible, when the said preview image is produced | generated by the said preview image production | generation means. Printing device. Content storage means for storing the content data received by the content receiving means in a second storage device when the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing storage of the content data; ,
Content reading means for reading the content data stored in the second storage device when the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing reading of the content data;
The web page generation unit generates the web page for selectively displaying the read content data when the content data is read by the content reading unit,
The content receiving unit, the printing apparatus according to the content data selected on the web page, claim 2, characterized in that receiving by the content data edited on the web page. The content data stored in the second storage device by the content storage means includes at least one of decoration contents of the character data and template data indicating a fixed format into which the character data is inserted. The printing apparatus according to claim 4. Content decoration setting means for setting the decoration content in the content data received by the content receiving means when the command data received by the command receiving means is a command for instructing the decoration content of the character data With
The printing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the print data generation unit generates the print data based on the content data in which the decoration content is set by the content decoration setting unit. The content data includes template data indicating a fixed format into which the character data is inserted,
Template reading means for reading the template data stored in the third storage device when the command data received by the command receiving means is a command requesting the template data;
The web page generating means generates the web page for selectively displaying the read template data when the template data is read by the template reading means,
The print data generation unit generates the print data based on the content data in which the character data is inserted into the template data selected on the web page. Printing device.

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