JP6170329B2 - Duplex printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a double-sided printer, and more particularly to a double-sided printer that prints on a double-sided printing paper such as a double-sided label temporarily attached with labels each having a printing surface on the front and back surfaces.

  Conventionally, a double-sided printer is used to print on the front side label and the back side label of the double sided label in which the label is temporarily attached to both the front and back sides of the belt-like mount, and the printed front side label and back side label are printed. Various products and other pasted objects are pasted to display the price of the product and other necessary information.

  As such a double-sided printer, for example, a thermal printer for double-sided printing that can perform printing on both front and back sides of thermal printing paper is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

  This type of double-sided printer uses double-sided thermal paper with thermal layers formed on both sides of the base paper as the printing paper. The upstream side platen roller and the downstream side platen roller that can rotate in contact with the printing paper, An upstream thermal head and a downstream thermal head that can come into contact with the upstream platen roller and the downstream platen roller via the sheet, respectively, are configured.

  The upstream thermal head can print on either the back surface or the front surface of the printing paper by the thermal coloring method, and the downstream thermal head can heat the printing paper on either the front surface or the back surface. Printing is possible by the coloring method.

JP 2010-228324 A JP 2010-184360 A

  However, in a conventional double-sided printer, for example, when performing double-sided printing on a double-sided label having a configuration in which labels are temporarily attached to both front and back sides of a belt-like mount, the front and back sides are combined with the front side and the corresponding back side. Therefore, in order to execute a printing operation for printing one label, data for two surfaces of the front surface and the back surface is required.

  For this reason, usually, the print data generation unit of the double-sided printer generates the print data (drawing data) on the surface using the data first transmitted from the host computer as the data for the surface, and then transmits the data. The back side print data (drawing data) is generated using the back data as the back side data. Then, when the print data for both the front and back sides can be generated, a printing operation for performing double-sided printing on one double-sided label consisting of two front and back sides in the printing unit is executed.

  At this time, the data for one page out of the data for two pages transmitted from the host computer is, for example, a standard for a print layout for adjusting a print error caused by a command error or a printer difference. If print data cannot be generated at all due to the influence of the base point correction for correcting the point, there is no print data for the front or back corresponding to the one side, so the data for two sides is received. First, the printing data for the two front and back surfaces constituting one label cannot be generated, and the printing operation is not executed.

  For example, FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a state in which the front side label and the back side label of the double-sided label are arranged one above the other. As shown in FIG. 16, when a print error is not generated due to a command error or the like in the second back side data that should be the print data on the back side of the second label, Printing operation is not executed.

  However, after that, when the data for one normal page is transmitted, the print data for one page is normally generated, and the data for two pages are combined with the previously generated print data for one page. Thus, the printing operation is executed as one label.

  In the case of FIG. 16, when normal print data is generated from the third sheet surface data that comes next to the second sheet back surface data for which print data was not generated due to a command error or the like, a broken line in FIG. As shown by the arrow, the 3rd sheet surface data is used as the 2nd sheet back surface data, and the 2nd sheet surface data and the 3rd sheet surface data that have been generated previously are combined into a set of labels on the front and back 2 sheets. It will be printed.

  After that, as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 16, the print data is generated with the original third sheet back surface data as the third sheet front surface data, and the next fourth sheet surface data is the third sheet back surface data. The print data is generated as print data having a surface different from the originally intended surface (front surface data is the back surface and back surface data is the front surface).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, the second and subsequent labels are printed with the print data on the front and back sides different from the originally intended side. In FIG. 17, the second label has a set of labels in which the second sheet surface data is printed on the surface of the label and the third sheet surface data is printed on the back surface of the label. The third label is in a state where the label surface and the label back surface are reversed so that the third sheet back surface data is printed on the label surface and the fourth sheet surface data is printed on the label back surface. In this way, in the print control in the conventional double-sided printer, if some error occurs and the print data is not generated even though the data is sent, the print that is different from the originally intended surface is printed. There is a problem that the printing operation is executed as a double-sided label composed of data.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a double-sided printer, for any one of the front and back sides, print data has not been generated even though the data on that side has been transmitted. However, double-sided printing should be performed so that inconsistencies do not occur on the front and back sides of the side that will actually be printed by the data sent after that, and so that a pair of labels on the front and back sides do not become inconsistent. It is an object of the present invention to provide a double-sided printer capable of printing.

According to the present invention, as printing paper that can be printed on both sides is transferred, printing that prints double-sided printing data such that the front side and the back side form a set at corresponding positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper. A double-sided printer having a receiving unit for receiving at least one set of double-sided data serving as print data on the front side and the back side, and receiving the received double-sided data Print data generation means for generating a set of double-sided print data consisting of the front side and the back side, and dummy data generation means for generating dummy print data when the print data is not generated, Control means for controlling the print data generation means, the dummy data generation means, and the printing unit, the control means, despite receiving the data on both sides, The character data generation means can generate print data for either one of the front side or the back side, but the print data cannot be generated when print data cannot be generated for the other side. For the other side, dummy print data is generated by the dummy data generating means, and the print unit is controlled to print as a set of double-sided print data together with the one side for which the print data was generated. This is a double-sided printing printer.
As a result, dummy print data is also generated on the surface for which no print data has been generated, and is printed together with the surface for which print data has been correctly generated. It is possible to prevent inconsistency between the front and back surfaces. Also, in the case of a double-sided label, it is possible to perform double-sided printing so that a pair of front and back labels do not become inconsistent.
The dummy print data is preferably plain white data.
By generating the white plain data on the surface on which no print data has been generated and outputting it as blank paper, the occurrence of an error can be notified easily and efficiently.
Further, in the double-sided printer, in addition, even when the print data generating unit has received the double-sided print data, the print data cannot be generated on both the front side and the back side. It is preferable that the control unit controls the printing unit so as not to perform printing on the front side and the back side.
If print data is not generated for both sides, the subsequent data will not be shifted even if printing on both sides is stopped. Therefore, waste of resources can be prevented by not performing the printing operation itself.
In addition, the present invention prints double-sided print data such that the front side and the back side are a pair at corresponding positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper as the printing paper that can be printed on both sides is transferred. Receiving means for receiving at least one or more sets of duplex data constituting the print data on the front side and the back side together with the number of prints for printing the print data on both sides A print data generating means for receiving the received double-sided data and generating a set of double-sided print data composed of the front side and the back side from the double-sided data, and when the print data is not generated Further comprising: dummy data generation means for generating dummy print data; and control means for controlling the print data generation means, the dummy data generation means and the printing unit. The means could not generate the print data when the print data generation means could not generate the print data on either the front side or the back side despite receiving the data on both sides. When blank data is generated by dummy data generation means for a surface and the surface is blank, and there is print data on both sides for the front side and the back side, including when one side is blank. Prints the double-sided print data on both sides of the printing paper by the number of prints received by the receiving means, and both the front side and the back side, despite receiving the double-sided print data, If the print data cannot be generated and the print data does not exist, the print unit is controlled not to print on both sides where the print data does not exist. It is a double-sided printing printer according to claim.
As a result, even for the surface on which no print data was generated, dummy white plain print data is generated and printed together with the surface on which the print data was correctly generated. It is possible to prevent inconsistency between the front and back surfaces during printing, and when print data is not generated on both sides, waste of resources can be saved by not performing the printing operation itself.
Further, in the case where either the front side or the back side is blank, the control unit determines that either the front side or the back side is blank regardless of the number of printed sheets received by the receiving unit. It is preferable to reset the number of printed double-sided print data to 1.
As a result, it is possible to prevent a waste of resources by outputting a large number of printed materials whose one side is blank.
In addition, the present invention prints double-sided print data such that the front side and the back side are a pair at corresponding positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper as the printing paper that can be printed on both sides is transferred. A double-sided printer having a printing unit that receives at least one set of double-sided data as print data on the front side and the back side, and receives the received double-sided data; Print data generating means for generating a set of double-sided print data consisting of the front side and the back side from the data, the print data generating means, and a control means for controlling the printing unit, Although the control means has received the data on both sides, the print data generation means has been able to generate print data for either the front side or the back side. If the print data can not be generated for, for other surface indicia character data can not be produced a double-sided printing printer, wherein the controller controls the printing unit so as not to perform printing.
As a result, for the surface on which no print data was generated, dummy data was not generated, the surface on which no print data was generated was not printed, and the surface on which print data was generated correctly Can print. Therefore, in the subsequent data printing, it is possible to prevent inconsistency between the front and back surfaces in actual printing. Even in the case of a double-sided label, it is possible to perform printing so that a pair of front and back labels do not become inconsistent. Further, since printing is not performed on the surface on which no print data has been generated, the occurrence of an error can be notified easily and efficiently.
In addition, when the control unit does not print on either the front side or the back side, it prints on either the front side or the back side regardless of the number of printed sheets received by the receiving unit. It is desirable to reset the number of prints of print data that is not performed to 1.
Thereby, it is possible to prevent waste of resources by outputting a large number of printed materials on which one side is not printed.
The printing paper is preferably a double-sided label having a front side label and a back side label on both sides.
In particular, when the printing paper is a double-sided label, it is possible to perform double-sided printing so that a pair of front and back labels do not become inconsistent. Moreover, a double-sided label can be issued efficiently without waste, and for example, a great effect can be exhibited in merchandise management in a supermarket or the like.

  In the double-sided printer according to the present invention, dummy print data is generated even on the surface on which no print data is generated, and is printed together with the surface on which the print data is correctly generated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconsistency between the front and back surfaces in actual printing. In addition, it is possible to print the double-sided label so that a pair of front and back labels do not become inconsistent.

1 is a side view of a double-sided printer 1 according to an embodiment. It is a top view of a double-sided label. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a circuit block diagram of a control part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the whole process of the printing control method in the double-sided printer which concerns on a present Example. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of print data generation processing in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows the process of command <A>. It is a flowchart which shows each command analysis process which produces | generates print data. It is a flowchart which shows each command edit process. It is a flowchart which shows the process of command <Q>. It is a flowchart which shows the process of command <Z>. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the function A in the process of command <Z>. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the function B in the process of command <Z>. It is a flowchart which shows the process of command <Z> in 2nd Example. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the function A2 in the process of command <Z>. It is explanatory drawing which shows the problem in the printing control of the conventional double-sided printer. It is explanatory drawing which similarly shows the problem in the printing control of the conventional double-sided printer.

  In the double-sided printer, when printing on both the front and back sides of the printing paper, the data for one of the front and back sides is transmitted from the host computer due to the effect of command error or base point correction. Even when the print data for that side is not generated at all, inconsistency between the front and back sides in actual printing, including data sent after that and data for which print data was not generated The print control is performed so as not to occur and to prevent a pair of front and back labels from becoming inconsistent in the double-sided label.

  Hereinafter, a double-sided printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, taking as an example a case where double-sided printing is performed on a double-sided label in which labels are temporarily attached to both front and back sides of a belt-like mount. The printing paper of the present invention is not limited to a double-sided label having such a mount, but may be a so-called mountless label in which there is no mount and two labels are bonded together.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a double-sided printer 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the double-sided printer 1 mainly includes a supply unit 3 for a double-sided label 2, a transfer path 4, a paper sensor 5, and printing units (a front side printing unit 7 and a back side printing unit 8). An input display unit 9, a control unit 10, and a host computer 11.

  Here, the double-sided label 2 used in the double-sided printer 1 of this embodiment will be described. 2 is a plan view of the double-sided label 2, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the double-sided label 2 taken along the line III-III in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the double-sided label 2 has a strip 12 extending in a strip shape in the length direction in which it is transferred in the double-sided printer 1 (the transfer direction of the double-sided label 2 is indicated by an arrow in FIGS. 2 and 3). (Release paper), a front side label 13 temporarily attached to the front side of the mount 12, and a back side label 14 temporarily attached to the back side of the mount 12.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an adhesive layer 15 is formed on the back surface of each of the front side label 13 and the back side label 14, and the surface is provided via a release agent layer (not shown) provided on the front and back sides of the mount 12. The side label 13 and the back side label 14 can be temporarily attached to the mount 12.

  A plurality of front side labels 13 and back side labels 14 are temporarily attached at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mount 12. A position detection mark (not shown) may be provided in the vicinity of the end of the base 12 where the back side label is not temporarily attached.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the double-sided label 2 described above can be made into a fan-folded type as shown in FIG. 1, or it is rolled up as shown in phantom lines in the figure. Therefore, the supply unit 3 for the double-sided label 2 allows the double-sided label 2 to be fed into a folded shape or a roll shape, and to be fed out to the transfer path 4.

  The paper sensor 5 is provided on the upstream side of the printing unit (the front side printing unit 7 and the back side printing unit 8), and transmits the interval portion where the double-sided label 2 is not temporarily attached and the portion where the double-sided label is temporarily attached. A light transmissive sensor is provided that can detect the relative position of the double-sided label 2 based on the difference in rate. Further, the paper sensor 5 may be a light reflection type sensor that can detect the relative position of the double-sided label 2 that detects the position detection mark when the double-sided label is provided with a position detection mark.

  The front side printing unit 7 and the back side printing unit 8 are controlled by a printing control unit (a front side printing control unit and a back side printing control unit to be described later) in the control unit 10, and the front side label with the transfer of the double-sided label 2. The print data of each surface is printed on 13 (front surface side label piece 17) and back side label 14 (back side label piece 19).

  The front side printing unit 7 includes a front thermal head 28, a front platen roller 29, and a driving stepping motor 30. The double-sided label 2 is sandwiched between the front thermal head 28 and the front platen roller 29, The front platen roller 29 is rotationally driven by the driving stepping motor 30 and printed on the front side label 13 side by the front thermal head 28.

  The back side printing unit 8 includes a back side thermal head 31, a back side platen roller 32, and a driving stepping motor 30. The double sided label 2 is sandwiched between the back side thermal head 31 and the back side platen roller 32, The back platen roller 32 is rotationally driven by the driving stepping motor 30 and printed on the back side label 14 side by the back side thermal head 31.

  The input display unit 9 includes an input key for setting operation of the double-sided printer 1 and an LCD for displaying information input by the input key. Various errors can be displayed on the LCD.

  FIG. 4 shows a circuit block diagram of the control unit 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 is connected to the CPU 33, ROM 34, RAM 35, motor control unit 36, front side print control unit 37, back side print control unit 38, and input display unit 9. An internal interface unit 39, an external interface unit 40 serving as a receiving unit connected to the host computer 11 and receiving data, and a position control unit 41 connected to the paper sensor 5.

  The control unit 10 receives a command (data) transmitted from the host computer 11 via the external interface unit 40, generates print data (drawing data) for the double-sided label 2, and transfers the double-sided label 2 to the front side. The printing control unit 37 and the back side printing control unit 38 control printing on the front side label 13 and the back side label 14 by the printing unit (the front side printing unit 7 and the back side printing unit 8). At this time, based on the detection signal of the paper sensor 5, the printing position on the front side label piece 17 and the back side label piece 19 is controlled by the position control unit 41.

  The host computer 11 can be provided as an external device as needed, and supplies necessary data and commands to the front side printing unit 7, the back side printing unit 8, the control unit 10, and the like.

  In this embodiment, when the double-sided printer 1 configured as described above performs printing on both front and back label pieces of a double-sided label, data for one side of the front and back is transmitted from the host computer. Regardless, even if the print data of the surface is not generated at all due to the influence of command error or base point correction, including the data sent after that and the data for which the print data was not generated, Printing control is performed so that no mismatch occurs between the front and back surfaces on the surface that is actually printed, and so that a pair of front and back labels are not mismatched in the double-sided label.

  Hereinafter, the print control method of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 5 shows a rough flow of the entire processing of the print control method in the double-sided printer according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when double-sided printing is performed on the double-sided label 2 with the double-sided printer 1 of the present embodiment, data necessary for the double-sided label to be created is input as a command (step S10). The printer 1 generates print data for each side of the front and back sides from the input command (data), further edits it as data for one label consisting of two sides of the front and back sides (step S12), and prints the required number of sheets for each double-sided label. (Step S14).

  First, in step S10, the operator inputs a command (data) necessary for creating the double-sided label 2 from an input means (not shown) attached to the host computer 11.

  As commands to be input, there are <A> to <Z> for the front and back surfaces, respectively. The <A> command indicates the start of data for one page. Each command from the <B> command to the <Y> command is a command for generating print data, and each command corresponds to "ruled line", "character", "barcode", etc. Yes. In particular, the <Q> command is a command for designating the number of printed sheets for how many double-sided labels 2 are to be issued. The last <Z> command indicates the end of data for one page.

  When inputting a command (data), commands <A> to <Z> are input for the front and back surfaces. At this time, input of the <A> command and the <Z> command is indispensable, but it is not always necessary to input all of the commands <B> to <Y>, and data necessary for printing the front and back surfaces, respectively. You only need to enter For example, a <Q> command for designating the number of printed sheets is overwritten with the number of printed sheets input by the <Q> command for the back side even when the data for the front side is input, and <Q> for the front side Since the command is ignored, the <Q> command is not input when the front side command is input, and the number of sheets may be input with the <Q> command in the back side command input.

  As described above, when the commands <A> to <Z> are input for the front surface and the commands <A> to <Z> are input for the back surface, the data of the double-sided label 2 in a set of two sheets is prepared for both the front and back surfaces. Accordingly, the set of print data of the double-sided label 2 is collectively sent to the external interface unit 40 in accordance with an instruction from the operator.

  When a plurality of types of double-sided labels 2 having different contents are created between each set of double-sided labels 2, data for both sides is transmitted for each of the plurality of types of double-sided labels 2.

  Next, in step S12, the input command (data) is received, and print data (drawing data) for the double-sided label 2 is generated and edited based on the received command (data). The flow of the print data generation process in step S12 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, in the print data generation process, first, in step S20, the input display unit 9 performs commands <A> to <Z> for the front surface and commands for the back surface relating to one double-sided label 2. When <A> to <Z> are received, they are displayed and transmitted to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 stores the commands <A> to <Z> for these front and back surfaces in a memory. As described above, when printing a plurality of types of double-sided labels having different print data, a single-sided double-sided label command (data) is received for each type and sequentially stored in the memory of the control unit 10. Is done.

  In the next step S22, the control unit 10 first performs analysis processing of the commands <A> to <Z> for the front surface, and then performs analysis processing of the commands <A> to <Z> for the back surface. That is, for each double-sided label, the control unit 10 sequentially takes out the front and back commands one by one for each set of double-sided labels, and analyzes the contents of the commands. The flag is turned ON / OFF, print data is generated, the number of prints is set by the <Q> command for the back side, and the like.

  In step S24, the print data for the front and back surfaces generated based on these commands (data) is edited as print data for one double-sided label. The edited print data of one double-sided label is stored in a memory in the control unit 10. Then, at the time of printing in step S14 of FIG. 5, the stored print data is read from the memory in the control unit 10 and a printing operation is performed in the printing unit.

  Hereinafter, each command processing performed by the control unit 10 by reading the front and back commands <A> to <Z> stored in the memory of the control unit 10 will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows the processing (analysis processing) of the command <A>. In the command processing for the surface, the control unit 10 first receives the command <A>. At this time, the command <A> indicates the start of the surface data, and the surface flag is turned OFF as shown in FIG. When the control unit 10 receives the command <A> in the command processing for the back side, the command <A> indicates the start of the back side data. In this case, the back side flag is turned OFF.

  FIG. 8 shows processing (analysis processing) of each command following the command <B>. The control unit 10 generates print data such as ruled lines, characters, barcodes, etc. when the front side processing or the back side processing receives other commands after the command <B> following the command <A>. If it is a command, as shown in FIG. 8, the front or back flag is turned ON. Based on the result of analyzing each command, print data such as ruled lines, characters, and barcodes is generated.

  On the other hand, if no other commands after the command <B> are received, the front or back flag remains turned off in the process of the command <A>. Therefore, when the front or back flag is ON, it indicates that the data for generating the front or back print data has been received, and when the front or back flag is OFF, the front or back data is displayed. Indicates that the message could not be received due to some mistake or trouble.

  FIG. 9 shows the editing process for each command. Here, for each command below the command <B>, the processing of the command is executed every time one command is received, and editing processing is performed for each command following the analysis of each command, and print data is generated. .

  FIG. 10 shows the processing of the command <Q>. The command <Q> is a special command and does not indicate print data, but is a command for setting the number of prints indicating how many double-sided labels 2 are issued. The number of prints designated by the command <Q> is stored in a predetermined memory of the control unit 10 in association with the double-sided label 2. In the command for the front surface, this command <Q> does not need to be specified. Even if the specified number is stored in the memory of the control unit 10, the command processing for the next back surface is performed. The number of prints stored in the memory is replaced by the number of prints designated by the command <Q> in FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows the processing of the command <Z>. The command <Z> is a command indicating the end of the data on the front surface and the back surface. When the command <Z> is received, the processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

  In step S30 of FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the back surface. First, if the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the front surface, it is not the process of <Z> on the back surface, so it is determined No and this process is immediately terminated.

  If the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the reverse side, it is determined Yes and the function A is processed in the next step S32, and then the function B is performed in step S34. Is called. As will be described in detail later, the processing of the function A is simply described. When the print data for the surface is not generated even though the command is received, the blank plain blank data is generated and printing is not performed. This is a process of issuing the surface with blank paper. In addition, the processing of the function B is simply. When data is generated on both sides including the case where one side is plain white, an instruction is issued to issue the label, and data is generated on both sides. This is a process for preventing the label from being issued as an error process when both sides are blank.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the function A, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the function B. As described above, the processing of the function A and the function B is performed in the processing of the command <Z> for the back surface.

  When processing the command <Z> for the back side, all the front and back side data are received, the front and back side print data are generated, the print data of the double-sided label 2 for one sheet is edited, and the double-sided label 2 The preparation for issuing is complete.

  Here, even if data for one side (commands <A> to <Z> for the front or back side) for which print data is supposed to be generated is received, the print data is affected by a command error or base point correction. May not be generated. In this embodiment, even when a command is received and print data is not generated, it does not affect another print data that has been normally generated (so that the front and back order to be printed does not change). Print control is performed. Therefore, when processing the command <Z> for the back surface, the following four methods are conceivable.

  That is, when data is received for both sides, first, first, when print data is normally generated for both sides, second, second, when print data is not generated only for the front side, then third. In addition, when print data is not generated only on the back side, there are four possible cases. Finally, print data is not generated on both sides. Hereinafter, the processing of the function A and the function B in the processing of the command <Z> on the back surface will be described for each of the four types.

  First, a normal case in which data is received on both sides and print data is normally generated on both sides will be described. In step S40 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not “only surface data is generated and the surface flag is ON”. However, since the print data for the current surface has been generated normally, in step S40. The determination is No, and the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, it is determined whether or not “only the back side data is generated and the back side flag is ON”. However, since data has been generated normally for the back side as well, it is also determined No in step S46, and the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, it is determined whether "data is not generated on both sides and the flag is ON for both sides". Since data has been normally generated on both sides now, it is also determined No in this determination of step S52, and the process proceeds to step S58.

  In step S58, the “processing result A” that is the value of the function when returning from the function A (return value A) is set to “no change”, and the processing of the function A ends. “Processing result A” is set to “no change” because the print data is normally generated on both the front and back surfaces, so that the double-sided label 2 is issued based on the data, without changing the print data. It means to use as it is.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where print data is not generated only on the front surface even though data is received on both sides. In step S40 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not “surface only data is not generated and whether or not the surface flag is ON”. In this case, print data is not generated only for the surface, and the data Since the surface flag is ON, the determination in step S40 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, print data is not generated only for the front surface even though the data is received, so white blank dummy data is generated for the front surface to make the front surface blank. At this time, it is preferable to reset the number of prints designated by the command <Q> to one so that the back side is correct print data but the front side does not issue many blank labels. The operator can recognize a print data defect on the surface label by visually observing the double-sided label with only a white surface to be issued later.

  In the next step S44, the function value (return value A) at the time of exiting the process of the function A is set to “process result A” is set to “blank table”, and the process of the function A is ended. To do.

  Next, a description will be given of a third case where print data is not generated only on the back side even though data is received on both sides. In step S40 in FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not “data only on the surface is not generated and the flag on the surface is ON”. In this case, the print data is generated for the surface. Determination is made and the process proceeds to step S46.

  In step S46, it is determined whether or not “only the back side data is generated and the back side flag is ON”. In this case, since the data is received, the back side flag is ON, but only the back side is printed. Since no data has been generated, it is determined Yes and the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, print data is not generated only for the back side even though the data has been received. Therefore, blank data on the back side is generated and the back side is blank. At this time, it is preferable to reset the number of prints designated by the command <Q> to one so that the front side is correct print data but the back side is not issued many blank labels. The operator can visually recognize a double-sided label that is printed only on the back side, which will be issued later, and recognize print data defects on the front side label. Then, in the next step S50, the function value (return value A) at the time of exiting the function A process is set to “process result A” “blank on the back”, and the function A process is terminated. To do.

  Next, a description will be given of a fourth case where print data is not generated on both sides even though data is received on both sides.

  In this case, since print data is not generated for both sides, neither “front side data is generated” nor “back side data is not generated” does not correspond, so the determination in step S40 and step S46 is any No, and the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, it is determined whether "data is not generated on both sides and the flag is ON for both sides". Since data has been received on both sides now, the flag is ON for both sides, and no data has been generated for both sides. Therefore, the determination in step S52 is Yes, and the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S54, since data has not been generated on both sides, various drawing control information on the front and back sides are cleared so that printing is not performed and the double-sided label 2 is not issued. Here, the various drawing control information refers to management information of the print data (drawing data) memory area and print number management information.

  The management information of the print data memory area is management information indicating in which area of the print data memory area for eight pages secured in the printer the received print item data should be expanded. In addition, as for the print number management information, there are eight print number information associated with each print item in relation to the above, but in the same way as above, the print number information of the next received print item is assigned to which area. This is management information indicating whether or not to expand.

  Next, in step S56, the “processing result A” that is the value of the function when returning from the function A (return value A) is set to “blank on both sides”, and the function A processing ends.

  Thus, in the above four cases, the “processing result A” of each function A is “no change” in the normal case where the print data is normally generated on both the first and second surfaces, and the second surface. If the print data is not generated only, the “front page is blank”, if the print data is not generated only on the third back side, “back is blank”, and both sides of the fourth side If the print data is not generated, “Both sides are blank” is set.

  FIG. 13 shows processing of the function B. The function B uses the return value A that is the result of the function A as an argument B. As described above, there are four values for the argument B: “no change”, “blank front”, “blank back”, and “blank both sides”.

  In the process of the function B, first, in step S60 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the argument B of the function B is other than “blank on both sides” among the above four types. In this determination, if it is other than “blank on both sides”, that is, if the argument B is any of “no change”, “blank on the front”, or “blank on the back”, step S62. Proceed to Note that in the three cases of “no change”, “front page blank”, and “back blank page”, print data is generated on both sides, including the case of blank blank print data on one side. It is a case.

  In step S62, when print data is generated on both sides including the case where one side is blank, a print control unit (front side print control unit 37) is used to print and issue the double-sided label 2. Various information for the back side print control unit 38) is adjusted, and an issuing instruction is issued.

  In the adjustment of various information in step S62, the double-sided label 2 is issued in this case, so the management information and print number management information of the print data (drawing data) memory area are moved one area after the currently used area. (Especially, if the current position is the final position, go back to the beginning).

  If the determination in step S60 is No, that is, it is determined that “both sides are blank”, the process proceeds to step S64, and the print control unit (surface Various information for the side print control unit 37 and the back side print control unit 38) is adjusted.

  In the adjustment of various information in step S64, the double-sided label 2 is not issued in this case, so the management information and print count management information for the print data (drawing data) memory area are set to the area before the currently used area (currently). If is the first position, go back to the end).

  In this way, in step S12 of FIG. 5, when the print data is normally generated for both sides of the double-sided label 2, the print data is printed, or the print data is not generated only on the front side. Prints data for each side so that the front side is printed as white paper, or if the back side only print data is not generated, the back side is printed as white paper. If not, printing (issue) or no printing (no issue) is set so that printing is not performed. Further, when there is no printing, an error may be notified by the input display unit 9.

  In step S14 of FIG. 5, in the case where the double-sided label 2 is printed with the above preparation, the front side print control unit 37 and the back side print control unit 38 of the control unit 10 print the print unit (front side print unit 7). Then, the printing operation is executed by controlling the back side printing unit 8), and the double-sided label 2 is printed and issued by the double-sided printing data edited in step S12 by the number set by the command <Q>. However, for the double-sided label 2 with one side blank, it is preferable to reset the number of printed sheets to one and issue only one as described above. As a result, the error content can be confirmed, and it is possible to prevent wastefully issuing a double-sided label with one side blank.

  As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to recognize that the data is to be generated, and to prevent the print data on the front and back surfaces from deviating from the original data to cause inconsistency. It is possible.

  In this embodiment, when the command processing for the items for the back side is completed, that is, in the processing of the command <Z> for the back side, the print data is received for either the front side or the back side despite receiving data. If it has not been generated, white blank dummy print data is generated and printed on white paper, and if no print data is generated on both the front and back surfaces, the label itself is issued. I try not to.

  In the above embodiment, when the print data cannot be generated for either the front surface or the back surface, white blank dummy print data is generated for the surface, and the surface is blank. The dummy print data is not necessarily limited to white plain color, and an error message indicating that the print data could not be generated for some reason may be generated and printed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the double-sided printer, even if print data is not generated for one of the front and back sides even though the data on that side has been transmitted, it is transmitted thereafter. It is possible to perform double-sided printing so that no mismatch occurs between the incoming data and the surface to be actually printed.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The double-sided printer of the second embodiment has the same effect as that of the first embodiment without generating dummy data, and is the same as that of the first embodiment except that part of the processing operation is different. It has a form. Therefore, here, only the processing peculiar to the second embodiment will be described, and parts having the same functions as those of the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals and redundant description will be given. Are omitted as appropriate.

The description up to FIG. 10 of the first embodiment is the same as in the second embodiment. Therefore, hereinafter, the processing after the command <Z> will be described.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the processing of the command <Z> in the second embodiment.
The command <Z> is a command indicating the end of data on the front and back surfaces. When the command <Z> is received, the processing shown in FIG. 14 is executed.

  In step S230 of FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the back surface. First, if the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the front surface, it is not the process of <Z> on the back surface, so it is determined No and this process is immediately terminated.

  If the process of the current command <Z> is the process of <Z> on the reverse side, it is determined Yes, and after the process of the function A2 is performed in the next step S232, the process is terminated. As will be described in detail later, the processing of the function A2 in the second embodiment is simply described. When the print data for the surface is not generated even though the command is received, the corresponding surface is printed. It is a process to set so that there is no. In the second embodiment, processing corresponding to the function B in the first embodiment is not performed.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the process of the function A2 in the process of the command <Z>. As described above, the process of the function A2 is performed in the process of the command <Z> for the back surface.

  When processing the command <Z> for the back side, all the front and back side data are received, the front and back side print data are generated, the print data of the double-sided label 2 for one sheet is edited, and the double-sided label 2 The preparation for issuing is complete.

  Here, even if data for one side (commands <A> to <Z> for the front or back side) for which print data is supposed to be generated is received, the print data is affected by a command error or base point correction. May not be generated. In the second embodiment, even when a command is received and print data is not generated, it does not affect other print data that can be generated normally (so that the front and back order to be printed does not change). The printing control is performed by a method different from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, when processing the command <Z> for the back surface, the following four methods are conceivable as in the case of the first embodiment.

  That is, when data is received for both sides, first, first, when print data is normally generated for both sides, second, second, when print data is not generated only for the front side, then third. In addition, when print data is not generated only on the back side, there are four possible cases. Finally, print data is not generated on both sides. Hereinafter, the processing of the function A and the function B in the processing of the command <Z> on the back surface will be described for each of the four types.

  First, a normal case in which data is received on both sides and print data is normally generated on both sides will be described. In step S240 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not “surface only data is not generated and the surface flag is ON”. However, since the print data for the current surface is normally generated, the process of step S240 is performed. The determination is No, and the process proceeds to step S244.

  In step S244, it is determined whether or not “only the back side data is generated and the back side flag is ON”. However, since data has been generated normally for the back side as well, the determination in step S244 is also No, and the process proceeds to step S248.

  In step S248, it is determined whether "data is not generated on both sides and the flag is ON for both sides". Since data has been normally generated on both sides now, it is also determined No in this determination of step S248, and the process proceeds to step S252.

  In step S252, the function value (return value A2) when exiting the process of the function A2 is set to “processing result A2” as “front side print flag: on, back side print flag: on”, and the process of the function A2 is performed. finish. “Processing result A2” is set to “front side printing flag: on, back side printing flag: on” because the print data is normally generated on both the front side and the back side. This is because the print data is used as it is without being changed, and printing is performed on both sides.

  Next, a description will be given of a case where print data is not generated only on the front surface even though data is received on both sides. In step S240 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not “surface data is not generated and the surface flag is ON”. In this case, print data is not generated only for the surface, and the data Since the surface flag is ON, the determination in step S240 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S242.

  In step S242, print data is not generated only for the front surface even though the data is received. Therefore, the front surface is not printed and only the back surface is printed. Therefore, the function value (return value A2) “processing result A2” when exiting the function A2 is set to “front side print flag: off, back side print flag: on”, and the process of the function A2 ends. To do. At this time, it is preferable to reset the number of prints designated by the command <Q> to one so that the back side is correct print data but the front side does not issue many blank labels. The operator can visually recognize a double-sided label on which only the surface to be issued later is not printed, and recognize a print data defect on the surface label.

  Next, a description will be given of a third case where print data is not generated only on the back side even though data is received on both sides. In step S240 of FIG. 15, it is determined whether or not “surface only data is not generated and the surface flag is ON”. However, in this case, since the print data is generated for the surface, No is determined. The determination is made and the process proceeds to step S244.

  In step S244, it is determined whether or not “only the back side data is generated and the back side flag is ON”. In this case, since the data is received, the back side flag is ON, but only the back side is printed. Since data is not generated, it is determined Yes and the process proceeds to step S246.

  In step S246, print data is not generated only for the back side even though the data has been received. Therefore, the front side is printed and the back side is not printed. Therefore, the function value (return value A2) “processing result A2” when exiting the function A2 is set to “front side print flag: on, back side print flag: off”, and the process of the function A2 is terminated. To do. At this time, it is preferable to reset the number of prints designated by the command <Q> to one so that the front side is correct print data but the back side is not issued many blank labels. The operator can visually recognize a double-sided label that is printed only on the back side, which will be issued later, and recognize print data defects on the back side label.

  Next, a description will be given of a fourth case where print data is not generated on both sides even though data is received on both sides.

  In this case, since the print data is not generated for both sides, neither “front side data is generated” nor “back side data is generated” is applicable, so the determination in step S240 and step S244 is any No, and the process proceeds to step S248.

  In step S248, it is determined whether “data is not generated on both sides and the flag is ON on both sides”. Since data has been received for both sides now, both sides of the flag is ON, and no data has been generated for both sides. Therefore, the determination at step S248 is Yes, and processing proceeds to step S250.

  In step S250, since data has not been generated on both sides, printing is not performed and the double-sided label 2 is not issued. Therefore, the function value (return value A2) “processing result A2” when exiting the function A2 processing is set to “front surface printing flag: off, back surface printing flag: off”, and the processing of the function A2 ends. To do. Note that, as in the first embodiment, various drawing control information on the front and back surfaces may be cleared.

  As described above, in the above four cases, the “processing result A2” of each function A2 is “front side print flag: on, back side print flag in the normal case where the print data is normally generated on both first sides. : On ”, when print data is not generated only for the second front surface, when“ front surface print flag: off, back surface print flag: on ”is not generated, print data is not generated only for the third back surface. If “front side print flag: on, back side print flag: off” and no print data is generated on both sides of the fourth side, “front side print flag: off, back side print flag: off” is set.

  In this way, in step S12 of FIG. 5, when the print data is normally generated for both sides of the double-sided label 2, the print data is printed, or the print data is not generated only on the front side. Is set so that the front side is not printed, and when the print data is not generated only on the back side, the back side is not printed. On the other hand, when print data is not generated for both sides, setting is made so that printing is not performed on both sides. Further, when there is no printing, an error may be notified by the input display unit 9.

  In step S14 of FIG. 5, when the double-sided label 2 is printed with the above preparation, the front side print control unit 37 and the back side print of the control unit 10 are set according to the settings of the front side print flag and the back side print flag. The control unit 38 controls the printing unit (front side printing unit 7, back side printing unit 8) to execute the printing operation, and print data on both sides edited in step S 12 by the number set by the command <Q>. Thus, the double-sided label 2 is printed and issued. However, for the double-sided label 2 that does not print on only one side, as described above, it is preferable to reset the number of prints to one and issue only one. As a result, the error content can be confirmed, and it is possible to prevent wastefully issuing a double-sided label with one side blank.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, it is possible to recognize that the data is to be generated, and to prevent the print data on the front and back sides from deviating from the original data to cause inconsistency. Making it possible.

  In the second embodiment, at the time when the command processing for the item for the back side is completed, that is, in the processing of the command <Z> for the back side, printing is performed for either the front side or the back side regardless of receiving data. If no data has been generated, it is set not to print the surface.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, in the double-sided printer, even if print data is not generated for one of the front and back sides even though the data on that side has been transmitted, It is possible to perform double-sided printing so that no mismatch occurs between the transmitted data and the actually printed surface.

  In each of the above embodiments, each time a command is received, the command is processed in units of commands, and print data is generated in parallel with the reception of the command. The commands for one sheet (<A> to <Z> for the front side and <A> to <Z> for the back side) are collectively received and stored in the memory, and then the commands are taken out one by one from this memory. You may make it process.

  As mentioned above, although the printing control method in the double-sided printer of the present invention has been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course it is also good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Double-sided printer 2 Double-sided label 3 Supply part 4 Transfer path 5 Paper sensor 7 Front side printing part 8 Back side printing part 9 Input display part 10 Control part 11 Host computer 12 Mount 13 Front side label 14 Back side label 15 Adhesive layer 17 Front side label piece 19 Back side label piece 28 Thermal head for surface 29 Platen roller for surface 30 Stepping motor for driving 31 Thermal head for back surface 32 Platen roller for back surface 33 CPU
34 ROM
35 RAM
36 Motor control unit 37 Front side print control unit 38 Back side print control unit 39 Internal interface unit 40 External interface unit 41 Position control unit

Claims (4)

Along with the transfer of printing paper that can be printed on both sides, a printing unit is provided for printing double-sided printing data such that the front side and the back side are a pair at corresponding positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper. A duplex printer,
Receiving means for receiving at least one set of double-sided data constituting the print data on the front side and the back side together with the number of prints for printing the print data on each side;
Print data generating means for receiving the received double-sided data and generating a set of double-sided print data consisting of the front side and the back side from the double-sided data;
Dummy data generating means for generating dummy print data when the print data is not generated;
Control means for controlling the print data generating means, the dummy data generating means, and the printing unit;
And the control means receives the print data when the print data generation means cannot generate print data on either the front side or the back side despite receiving the data on both sides. The blank data is generated by the dummy data generation means for the surface that could not be generated and the surface is blank, and the print data for both sides of the front side and the back side is also included, including the case where one side is blank. The double-sided print data is printed on both sides of the printing paper by the number of prints received by the receiving unit, and the front side and the double-sided print data are received despite receiving the double-sided print data. If the print data cannot be generated on both sides of the back side and the print data does not exist, the above-mentioned both sides are not printed. Duplex printing printer and controls the shaped portion. When either the front side or the back side is white paper, the control means has either side of the front side or the back side as white paper, regardless of the number of printed sheets received by the receiving means. The double-sided printer according to claim 1, wherein the number of prints of the print data is reset to 1. Along with the transfer of printing paper that can be printed on both sides, a printing unit is provided for printing double-sided printing data such that the front side and the back side are a pair at corresponding positions on the front and back sides of the printing paper. A duplex printer,
Receiving means for receiving at least one set of double-sided data serving as print data on the front side and the back side;
Print data generating means for receiving the received double-sided data and generating a set of double-sided print data consisting of the front side and the back side from the double-sided data;
The print data generating means, and a control means for controlling the printing unit;
The control means is capable of generating print data for either one of the front side or the back side, although the print data generation means has received the data on both sides, If the print data cannot be generated for the other surface, the print unit is controlled not to print the other surface for which the print data could not be generated , and the number of prints received by the receiving means is set. Regardless of the case, the duplex printing printer is characterized in that the number of printed sheets is reset to 1 . The double-sided printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing paper is a double-sided label having a front side label and a back side label on both sides thereof.

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