JP5728511B2 - Label printing apparatus and control program therefor - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a label printing apparatus and a control program thereof.

  It is common practice to affix a label on a product to convey information about the product to consumers. Items shown on the label include the product name, place of origin, storage method, storage temperature, processing date, additive (food additive), expiration date, unit price, quantity, or price.

  Bitmap fonts are widely used in label printing apparatuses that print labels as described above.

  This type of label printing apparatus stores a plurality of types of bitmap fonts, each having a different size, in a storage device, and selectively uses these types of bitmap fonts for printing. ing. Furthermore, this type of label printing apparatus can print characters of a larger size by enlarging or reducing the bitmap font at a printing magnification specified by the user.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-130029

  In recent years, there are cases where the character size on a label is limited to a specified size or more, and the specified size may be determined by the number of points. Specifically, the size of characters for representing additives is determined by the Food Sanitation Law and the Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) to be 8 points or more in principle.

  In the above label printing device, the size of the character to be actually printed is determined by the size of the bitmap font and the printing magnification, but the size of the bitmap font is conventionally based on mm and the number of dots, and the printing magnification is based on the multiplier. Since it is common to represent it, it is difficult for the user to intuitively recognize the size of characters actually printed as the number of points.

  Under such circumstances, it has been desired that the user can easily recognize the number of points of characters to be printed.

The label printing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a printing device, a storage device, a selection unit, a determination unit, a print control unit, a calculation unit, a generation unit, and a display device. The printing device prints on the label. The storage device stores a plurality of types of bitmap fonts having different sizes. The selection means selects one of a plurality of types of bitmap fonts based on an operation by the user . The determination unit determines the print magnification based on an operation by the user . The print control means controls the printing device so that the character to be printed is printed on the label by using the type of bitmap font selected by the selection means and enlarged or reduced at the print magnification determined by the determination means. The calculating means calculates the size of characters printed by the printing device as the number of points. The generating unit selects an image for accepting a user operation for selecting a bitmap font by the selecting unit and determining a printing magnification by the determining unit, and selects a bitmap font being selected from a plurality of types of bitmap fonts. Only the print magnification determined by the determination means and the number of points calculated by the calculation means are generated. The display device displays the image generated by the generation unit.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the label printing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. The schematic diagram of the information described in the regulation number file. The flowchart of CPU regarding the format edit process for setting the format of the label in a label printing apparatus. The flowchart of CPU regarding the format edit process for setting the format of the label in a label printing apparatus. The figure which shows the GUI image as an example. The figure which shows the GUI image as an example.

  Hereinafter, an example of the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a label printing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The label printer 1 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, a clock unit 14, a communication interface (communication I / F) 15, a keyboard 16, a touch panel 17, A printing device 18, a meter 19 and a system bus 20 are included. The system bus 20 connects the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the clock unit 14, and the communication interface 15. The system bus 20 connects the CPU 11 to the keyboard 16, the touch panel 17, the printing device 18, and the measuring device 19 through an input / output circuit (not shown).

  The CPU 11 corresponding to the central part of the computer executes various information calculation processes according to the program.

  The ROM 12 corresponding to the storage portion of the computer stores fixed data such as the program. One of the programs stored in the ROM 12 is a format editing program describing format editing processing described later. The format editing process is a process for controlling the operation of the label printing apparatus 1. Therefore, the format editing program is one of the control programs. Some of the data stored in the ROM 12 are bitmap fonts having different sizes. One of the data stored in the ROM 12 is a specified number file 12a.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of information described in the specified number file 12a.

  The specified number file 12a includes at least one data record that describes an item name and a specified number of points in association with each other. The item name is a name for identifying one of the items shown on the label. The specified number of points is the minimum number of points when an item identified by the associated item name is printed on a label.

  Similarly, the RAM 13 corresponding to the storage portion of the computer stores variable data such as label print data.

  The clock unit 14 measures the current date and time.

  The communication interface 15 performs processing for communication via a network (not shown) such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The keyboard 16 is an array of various keys necessary for label issuance, such as a numeric keypad, a clear key, and an execution key, and inputs instructions from the user.

  The touch panel 17 includes a display device 17a and a touch sensor 17b. The display device 17a displays an arbitrary image such as a graphical user interface (GUI) image. The touch sensor 17b is arranged so as to overlap the display surface of the display device 17a. The touch sensor 17b inputs a user instruction based on the GUI.

  The printing device 18 prints label data on a label. Specifically, the printing device 18 conveys a label sheet in which labels are arranged at equal intervals on a belt-like mount via an adhesive layer. A print head and a platen are disposed opposite each other with the label paper interposed in the middle of the label paper conveyance path. The print head prints label data on the label. The label on which the label data is printed is peeled off from the mount on the downstream side of the print head and discharged from the label issuing port.

  The measuring device 19 measures the weight of the product. There are two types of products: fixed-price products that have a fixed price regardless of the content, and unfixed products that change in price according to the content. A measuring instrument 19 is used to obtain information for calculating a price for an unfixed amount product.

  Transfer of the label printing apparatus 1 configured as described above is generally performed in a state where the format editing program is stored in the ROM 12. However, the label printing apparatus 1 and the format editing program in a state where the format editing program is not stored in the ROM 12 may be individually transferred. A format editing program may be written in the ROM 12 of the label printing apparatus 1 in accordance with an operation by a user or the like. The format editing program can be transferred to a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or via a network.

  Note that a rewritable nonvolatile storage device such as an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) may be provided in the label printing apparatus 1, and the format editing program may be stored in the storage device.

  Next, the operation of the label printing apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, in the label printing apparatus 1, a plurality of types of bitmap fonts are appropriately used in accordance with instructions from the user, and characters that are enlarged or reduced at a printing magnification determined by the user's designation are printed on the label. As described above, the basic printing operation is achieved by the CPU 11 controlling the printing device 18. That is, the CPU 11 has functions as selection means, determination means, and print control means.

  Since this printing operation may be the same as that in a conventional printing apparatus of the same type, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts of the CPU 11 relating to the format editing process for setting the format of the label to be printed by the label printing apparatus 1.

  When the user requests the start of the format editing process by a predetermined operation on the keyboard 16 or the touch panel 17, the CPU 11 starts the format editing process according to the format editing program stored in the ROM 12. Note that the content of the processing described below is an example, and various processing that can obtain the same result can be used as appropriate.

  In step Sa1, the CPU 11 initializes the print items to be set for formatting and the setting contents. For example, “product name” is set as the print item. When there are character type, character magnification, character angle, and arrangement / number of characters as setting items, for example, “Kanji (4.0 mm)”, “Vertical: 1.0 times, Horizontal: 1.0 times”, “0 °” , Horizontal writing "," automatic line feed, 26 characters ", respectively. The character type is a type of bitmap font. The character magnification is an enlargement or reduction magnification (multiplier) of the print character with respect to the bitmap font. The character angle is the rotation angle of the print character with respect to the bitmap font and the basic orientation. The arrangement / number of characters is the arrangement of the character string and the number of characters that are the contents of the print item. The specific setting of the default setting may be determined in advance by a designer or the like.

  In step Sa2, the CPU 11 checks whether or not there is a restriction on the character size for the item set as the print item. Specifically, the CPU 11 checks whether or not the item name of the item set as the print item is described in the specified number file 12a. If the corresponding item name is included in the specified number file 12a, the CPU 11 determines YES in step Sa2, and proceeds to step Sa3. When the corresponding item name is not included in the specified number file 12a, the CPU 11 determines NO in step Sa2, and proceeds to step Sa4.

  In step Sa3, the CPU 11 sets the specified number of points associated with the above item name in the specified number file 12a in the variable J. Thereafter, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa5.

  In step Sa4, the CPU 11 sets a predetermined minimum number of points Pmin in the variable J. The minimum point number Pmin is determined as a value smaller than the point number of the minimum character to be printed by the printing device 18. That is, if there is no restriction on the character size for the selected print item, the minimum number of points Pmin is set in the variable J. Thereafter, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa5.

  In step Sa5, the CPU 11 calculates the number of points Pv in the vertical direction and the number of points Ph in the horizontal direction of the characters printed with the current settings. Specifically, since one point is 1/72 inch, the lengths of the selected bitmap font in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are expressed as Lv [mm] and Lh [mm], respectively. If the respective magnifications in the direction are expressed as Rv [times] and Rh [times], the number of points Pv and Ph can be obtained by the following equations, respectively.

Pv = Lv × Rv × 72 ÷ 25.4
Ph = Lh × Rh × 72 ÷ 25.4
Thus, the CPU 11 functions as a calculation unit. Note that the decimals of the point numbers Pv and Ph are processed according to a predetermined rule. For example, if the value obtained by the above equation is less than 10, the second decimal place is rounded down, and if it is 10 or more, the decimal place is rounded down.

  In step Sa6, the CPU 11 checks whether or not the point number Pv is equal to or greater than the variable J. If the CPU 11 determines YES because the point number Pv is greater than or equal to the variable J, the process proceeds to step Sa7. If the CPU 11 determines NO because the point number Pv is less than the variable J, the process proceeds to step Sa8. If there is no limit on the character size for the selected print item, if the minimum number of points Pmin is set as the value of the variable J, the number of points Pv will not exceed the variable J, and the CPU 11 In step Sa6, YES is determined.

  In step Sa7, the CPU 11 sets a standard color as the first display color. The first display color is a character display color representing the number of points in the vertical direction in a GUI image to be described later. The standard color is a standard color as a display color of characters included in a GUI image described later, for example. The standard color is typically black, but may be arbitrarily determined by a designer or the like.

  In step Sa8, the CPU 11 sets a warning color as the first display color. The warning color is a color different from the standard color. The warning color is typically red, but may be arbitrarily determined by a designer or the like.

  In other words, the CPU 11 sets a standard color as the display color of characters representing the number of points in the vertical direction in a GUI image to be described later if the point number Pv is equal to or greater than the specified point number, but the point number Pv is less than the specified point number. If so, set a warning color. If the first display color is set in step Sa7 or step Sa8 as described above, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa9.

  In step Sa9, the CPU 11 checks whether or not the number of points Ph is greater than or equal to the variable J. If the CPU 11 determines YES because the point number Ph is greater than or equal to the variable J, the process proceeds to step Sa10. If the CPU 11 determines NO because the point number Ph is less than the variable J, the process proceeds to step Sa11. If the minimum number of points Pmin is set as the value of the variable J because there is no restriction on the character size for the selected print item, the number of points Ph will not exceed the variable J, and the CPU 11 It will be determined as YES in Step Sa9.

  In step Sa10, the CPU 11 sets a standard color as the second display color. The second display color is a character display color representing the number of points in the horizontal direction in a GUI image to be described later.

  In step Sa8, the CPU 11 sets a warning color as the second display color.

  In other words, the CPU 11 sets a standard color as the display color of characters representing the number of points in the horizontal direction in a GUI image to be described later if the point number Ph is equal to or greater than the specified number of points, but the point number Ph is less than the specified number of points. If so, set a warning color. If the second display color is set in step Sa10 or step Sa11 as described above, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa12.

  In step Sa12, the CPU 11 generates a GUI image for format setting and controls the display device 17a to display the GUI image.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a GUI image 50 as an example.

  The GUI image 50 is based on the initial setting in step Sa1. Since the character type is “Kanji (4.0 mm)” and the character magnification is “Vertical: 1.0 times, Horizontal: 1.0 times”, the number of points Pv and Ph are both 11 points. Therefore, in the GUI image 50, character strings “(11Pt)” and “(11Pt)” are arranged below character strings “vertical: 1.0” and “horizontal: 1.0” representing character magnification. Represents the number of points. The number of points Pv and Ph are both 11 points, which is equal to or greater than the specified number of points. Therefore, the display colors of the two character strings “(11Pt)” are both standard colors.

  In a state where the display device 17a displays the GUI image, the CPU 11 shifts to a standby state in step Sa13 shown in FIG.

  In the standby state of step Sa13, the CPU 11 waits for some operation by the user. If any operation is performed with the keyboard 16 or the touch sensor 17b, it is determined as YES, and the process proceeds to Step Sa14.

  In step Sa14, the CPU 11 confirms whether or not the above operation is an operation requesting to change the print item. If YES is determined, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa15.

  In step Sa15, the CPU 11 determines a print item to be newly set based on an operation by the user, and sets this print item. After that, the CPU 11 repeats the processing after step Sa2 in the same manner as described above.

  Thus, when the print item is reset according to the user's instruction, the CPU 11 checks whether or not there is a limit on the character size for the item newly set as the print item, and if there is a limit. The specified number of points associated with the above item name in the specified number file 12a is reset to the variable J. And CPU11 repeats the process after step Sa5 similarly to the above on this.

  By the way, if it is determined NO in step Sa14 because the above operation is not an operation requesting to change the print item, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa16.

  In step Sa16, the CPU 11 confirms whether or not the above operation is an operation requesting to change the character type. If YES is determined, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa17.

  In step Sa17, the CPU 11 determines a character type to be newly set based on an operation by the user, and sets the character type. After that, the CPU 11 repeats the processing after step Sa5 in the same manner as described above.

  On the other hand, if the above operation is not an operation requesting that the character type be changed, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa18 if NO is determined in step Sa16.

  In step Sa18, the CPU 11 confirms whether or not the above operation is an operation requesting to change the character magnification. If the determination is YES because the operation requires changing the character magnification, the CPU 11 proceeds to step Sa19.

  In step Sa19, the CPU 11 determines a character magnification to be newly set based on an operation by the user, and sets the character magnification. After that, the CPU 11 repeats the processing after step Sa5 in the same manner as described above.

  Thus, when the character type or the character magnification is reset, the CPU 11 recalculates the point numbers Pv and Ph in step Sa5, and then performs steps Sa6 to Sa12 again.

  Since it is not an operation that requires changing the character magnification, if it is determined NO in step Sa18, the CPU 11 proceeds to other processing. The other processing is processing specified by an operation, and includes, for example, printing on a label.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a GUI image 60 as an example.

  The GUI image 60 is based on the setting changed according to the operation by the user from the initial setting in step Sa1. Since the character type is “Kanji (2.0 mm)” and the character magnification is “Vertical: 1.0 times, Horizontal: 1.5 times”, the point number Pv is 5.6 points and the point number Ph is 8.5 points. It is. Therefore, the GUI image 50 includes characters “(5.6 Pt)” and “(8.5 Pt)” under a character string “vertical: 1.0” and “horizontal: 1.5” representing character magnification. Arrange the columns to represent the number of points. Since the number of points Ph is 8.5 points, which is equal to or greater than the specified number of points, the display color of the character string “(8.5Pt)” is a standard color. Since the point number Pv is 5.6 points, which is less than the specified point number, the display color of the character string “(5.6 Pt)” is a warning color.

  Thus, according to the label printing apparatus 1, the size of the character printed with the current setting is displayed in the number of points. Therefore, when the limit value of the character size is defined by the number of points, the limit value and the current value are displayed. The user can easily compare the size of characters printed by setting. That is, the operation of displaying the GUI image is an example of the notification operation, and the CPU 11 having a function of generating the GUI image corresponds to the generation unit, and the CPU 11 and the display device 17a realize the notification unit.

  Further, according to the label printing apparatus 1, the number of points Pv and Ph in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are calculated separately, and the number of points Pv and Ph are displayed respectively. As a result, when only one of the point numbers Pv and Ph is in a setting state in which the number is less than the specified point number, the user can be recognized accurately.

  Further, according to the label printing apparatus 1, there is a character size limitation for the selected print item, and if the size of the character printed with the current setting is less than the specified number of points, the corresponding number of points is set. The display color of the character string to be represented is a warning color different from the standard color. This makes it possible for the user to reliably recognize that the character size limitation is not satisfied with the current settings.

  Further, according to the label printing apparatus 1, the points Pv and Ph are displayed as GUI images such as the GUI images 50 and 60 shown in FIGS. This allows the user to recognize the size of characters printed with the current settings as part of the setting operation by the user. Therefore, when the setting is inappropriate, the user may continue the operation in the GUI as it is to correct the setting.

  This embodiment can be variously modified as follows.

  Currently, the font size is limited only for additives. Therefore, instead of the prescribed number file 12a, the prescribed point number may be stored in the ROM 12 as it is.

  The specified number of points may be described directly in the format editing program, and the specified number file 12a may not be referred to.

  A rewritable nonvolatile storage device such as an EEPROM may be provided in the label printing apparatus 1, and the specified number file 12a may be stored in the storage device. In this case, the association between the item name and the prescribed point number can be changed as appropriate by updating the prescribed number file 12a. Alternatively, the prescribed number file 12a or the prescribed number may be stored in a server or the like that can communicate via the network by the communication interface 15.

  If all of the multiple bitmap fonts have the same length in the vertical and horizontal directions and can be enlarged or reduced only at the same magnification in the vertical and horizontal directions, Since the number of points in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is always the same, there is no need to separately calculate and display the number of points for each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  The display form of the number of points may be arbitrary. For example, the number of points may be displayed in a position different from the display position in the GUI images 50 and 60 in the GUI image. Alternatively, a window different from the GUI image may be displayed instead of the GUI image or superimposed on the GUI image. Further, a display device different from the display device 17a may be provided, and the number of points may be displayed on this other display device.

  The display colors may be the same regardless of whether the number of points is equal to or greater than the specified number of points.

  Whether or not the number of points is greater than or equal to the specified number of points can be distinguished by various other methods such as changing the size of the character that represents it or blinking the character that represents the number of points that is less than the specified number of points. It is also good.

  The number of points may be notified to the user by a notification operation other than display such as output of a voice message.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of the original claims of the present application will be added below.
[1] A printing device for printing on a label;
A storage device for storing multiple types of bitmap fonts of different sizes;
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of types of bitmap fonts;
A determination means for determining a print magnification;
Print control means for controlling the printing device to print characters on the label by using the bitmap font of the type selected by the selection means and enlarging or reducing at a print magnification determined by the determination means When,
Calculating means for calculating the size of characters printed by the printing device as the number of points;
A label printing apparatus comprising: notifying means for performing a notifying operation for notifying a user of the number of points calculated by the calculating means.
[2] The label printing apparatus according to [1], wherein the calculation unit calculates the vertical and horizontal sizes of characters printed by the printing device.
[3] Generation means for generating an image for accepting the user's operation for selection of the bitmap font by the selection means and determination of the print magnification by the determination means;
A display device for displaying the image generated by the generation unit;
A function as the notification unit is realized by the generation unit and the display device by displaying the image generated by the generation unit on the display device so as to represent the number of points calculated by the calculation unit. The label printer according to [1] or [2].
[4] The label printing apparatus according to [3], further including a touch sensor disposed on a display surface of the display device and receiving the operation.
[5] When the point number calculated by the calculating unit is smaller than a predetermined point number associated with a print item in which a character printed by the printing device is used, the notification unit notifies the user that this is the case. The label printing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the notification operation is performed so as to enable recognition.
[6] A printing device for printing on the label;
A storage device for storing multiple types of bitmap fonts of different sizes;
A notification device for performing a notification operation to a user;
A control program for a label printing apparatus comprising a computer,
The computer,
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of types of bitmap fonts;
A determination means for determining a print magnification;
Print control means for controlling the printing device to print characters on the label by using the bitmap font of the type selected by the selection means and enlarging or reducing at a print magnification determined by the determination means When,
Calculating means for calculating the size of characters printed by the printing device as the number of points;
A control program for causing each of the notification devices to control the notification device so as to perform the notification operation as notifying the user of the number of points calculated by the calculation unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Label printer, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 12a ... Specified number file, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... Clock part, 15 ... Communication interface, 16 ... Keyboard, 17 ... Touch panel, 17b ... Touch sensor, 17a ... Display Device, 18 ... printing device, 19 ... meter.

Claims (6)

A printing device for printing on the label;
A storage device for storing multiple types of bitmap fonts of different sizes;
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of types of bitmap fonts based on an operation by a user ;
Determining means for determining a printing magnification based on an operation by the user ;
Print control means for controlling the printing device to print characters on the label by using the bitmap font of the type selected by the selection means and enlarging or reducing at a print magnification determined by the determination means When,
Calculating means for calculating the size of characters printed by the printing device as the number of points;
An image for accepting a user's operation for selecting the bitmap font by the selection unit and determining the print magnification by the determination unit is selected from the plurality of types of bitmap fonts. Generating means for generating only the font and only the print magnification determined by the determining means and the number of points calculated by the calculating means;
A label printing apparatus comprising: a display device that displays the image generated by the generation unit.   The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the calculation unit calculates the vertical and horizontal sizes of characters printed by the printing device.   3. The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates the image as a print magnification determined by the determination unit and the number of points calculated by the calculation unit arranged side by side.   The label printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a touch sensor disposed on a display surface of the display device for receiving the operation.   The generating means can recognize the fact that the user can recognize when the number of points calculated by the calculating means is smaller than a specified number of points associated with a print item in which a character printed by the printing device is used. The label printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image is generated as described above. A printing device for printing on the label;
A storage device for storing multiple types of bitmap fonts of different sizes;
A display device;
A control program for a label printing apparatus comprising a computer,
The computer,
Selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of types of bitmap fonts based on an operation by a user ;
Determining means for determining a printing magnification based on an operation by the user ;
Print control means for controlling the printing device to print characters on the label by using the bitmap font of the type selected by the selection means and enlarging or reducing at a print magnification determined by the determination means When,
Calculating means for calculating the size of characters printed by the printing device as the number of points;
An image to be displayed on the display device in order to accept a user operation for selecting the bitmap font by the selection unit and determining the print magnification by the determination unit is selected from the plurality of types of bitmap fonts. A control program for causing each of the generating unit to generate only the selected bitmap font, only the print magnification determined by the determining unit, and the number of points calculated by the calculating unit.

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