JP6394746B2 - Label issuing device, label issuing system, and label issuing system program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a label issuance apparatus, a label issuance system, and a program for a label issuance system that issue a variable-length label in an issuance direction according to a printing amount, for example.

A printer that issues a label to be attached to a product is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Also, when printing and issuing labels, in order to reduce costs, label printers that simply delete blank lines for the entire label area, and blanks (margins) in front of or behind the labels to be issued are deleted. Label printers that perform this process are known.

JP2012-091412A

  However, if all blanks (margins) in the entire area of the label are simply deleted, the interval between the print lines is narrowed, and a label that is difficult to see for the consumer is issued, which may reduce the consumer's willingness to purchase. is there.

  In addition, as described above, a label printer that performs processing for deleting the blanks (margins) in front of and behind the label to be issued may issue a so-called clogged label, which reduces the printing balance of the entire label and makes it look good. Decrease, and the cost of the label may increase.

  In addition, when blanks (margins) are simply removed over the entire label, for example, the print line of the label print item provided to appeal to the consumer is clogged, and the entire label print is clogged, which seems complicated. Therefore, there is a possibility that problems such as inconspicuous print items to be appealed to consumers, and printed information not functioning as an eye catch.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. A label issuing apparatus and a label issuing device that can issue a label by deleting a blank in a desired arbitrary area from all areas of the label with a simple configuration. system, and to provide a program label printing system, it is possible to perform printing with good printing balance, and, the print item to be appealing to the consumer to act as eye-catching, reduction label issuing device labels cost It is intended to provide a label issuing system and a program for the label issuing system .

Label issuing device of the present invention, displays an operation screen for setting a print item layout to be printed on the label on the display unit, based on the set layout, a label issuing device for issuing a label, the The display unit summarizes a print format display layer composed of a print format that defines a print area that changes according to the data amount of the print item, and a print area wider than one adjacent print area displayed in the print format display layer. And an area setting display layer for setting the area to be displayed in association with each other, and by the operation input, the area displayed in the area setting display layer is specified and displayed in the print format display layer. Control means for deleting blank lines displayed in the print area is provided .
The label issuing system according to the present invention is a label issuing system for displaying an operation screen for setting a layout of a print item to be printed on a label on a display unit, and issuing a label based on the set layout. The display unit has a print format display layer comprising a print format that defines a print area that varies according to the data amount of the print item, and a print area wider than one adjacent print area displayed on the print format display layer. And an area setting display layer that sets the area to be displayed by associating them together.
It comprises control means for deleting a blank line displayed in the print area displayed in the print format display layer by specifying the area displayed in the area setting display layer by an operation input. To do.
The program of the label issuing system of the present invention displays an operation screen for setting the layout of print items to be printed on the label on the display unit, and the label issuing system for issuing a label based on the set layout. A print format display layer comprising a print format that defines a print area that varies according to the data amount of a print item, and one adjacent print area displayed on the print format display layer. An area setting display layer for setting an area to be displayed by associating a wider print area together, and specifying the area displayed in the area setting display layer by an operation input; Delete blank lines displayed in the print area displayed on the display layer. Characterized in that it comprises a control means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label issuance apparatus, a label issuance system, and a program for a label issuance system that issue a label by deleting a blank in a desired area among all areas of the label with a simple configuration it can. In addition, according to the present invention, a label issuing device, a label issuing system, which can perform printing with a good print balance and function as an eye catch for a print item to be appealed to consumers, thereby reducing label costs , And a label issuance system program can be provided.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mechanism of a label printer according to an embodiment of the invention. 1 is an electrical block diagram of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows an example of the information memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the label printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows an example of a printing format file, (b) is a figure which shows an example of an area | region setting file, (C) is a figure which shows an example of a merchandise information file. The figure which shows an example of the printing process of the label printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure which shows an example of the state which overlap | superposed the control layer and label format corresponding to an area | region setting file, (b) is printing The figure which shows an example of the made label. The figure which shows an example of the layer which shows the layer which shows the area | region setting file which shows the 1st arbitrary area | region, and the 2nd arbitrary area | region, and the label format in the label printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the label format of the label printer which concerns on embodiment of this invention, the area | region which deletes a blank, and the area | region which does not delete a blank, (a) is a blank line deletion area | region for the upper half, and a blank line is not deleted The figure which shows an example of the label format set to the area | region, (b) shows an example of the label format set by moving the boundary of the blank line deletion area | region and blank line non-deletion area | region shown to (a) to a predetermined direction. Figure. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for setting a blank line deletion area and a blank line non-deletion area of the label printer according to the embodiment of the invention. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printer according to the embodiment of the invention. 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the label printer according to the embodiment of the invention. The figure which shows an example of the label format which set the control code.

  A mountless label printer (linerless printer) as a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mechanism of a label printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the label printer 100.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a print format file, FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of an area setting file, and FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of a product information file. .

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the printing process of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the control layer corresponding to the region setting file and the label format are superimposed, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of the printed label. .

The label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention prints print data by a print unit 3 (thermal head or the like) based on a print format. The label printer 100 includes a first area (first arbitrary area) D1 (area) where blank lines are deleted and a second area (second arbitrary area) D2 (area) where blank lines are not deleted. It is configured so that it can be set in association with the print format.
Note that the setting area of the first area D1 and the second area D2 set in association with the print format may be any area or a predetermined area.
The print format defines, for example, the character size of each print item on the label, the print area of the print item, and the print data has data corresponding to each print item.

  In addition, when the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention prints print data by the printing unit 3 based on the print format, for example, when the amount of print data in the first region D1 in the print format is relatively small. For example, if it is determined that a blank line (blank line) occurs in the first area D1, the blank line (blank line) in the first area D1 is deleted and print data is printed by the printing unit 3. . In this way, by deleting the blank line in the set first area D1 and performing printing, a label having a short label length in the label issuing direction can be issued. For this reason, label cost can be reduced.

Further, in the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, when the amount of print data in the second area D2 in the print format is relatively small, a blank line (blank line) occurs in the second area D2. However, the printing unit 3 prints the print data without deleting the blank line (blank line) in the second area D2. As described above, the label printer 100 performs printing in a state where a blank line is provided in the second region D2.
For this reason, for example, when a print item that is easier to see without deleting a blank line is set in the second area D2, the print balance of the print items in the second area D2 is good, so The attached label is easy to see.
That is, a print item that is to be functioned as an eye catch provided in the second area D2 is printed with a desired blank line provided in the area, so that the print item in the second area D2 is printed. Is easy to see and functions as an eye catcher for consumers, and can correctly appeal to consumers the information that the store wants to convey.

  Specifically, in the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 10 generates image data in a state where the layer of the area setting file is superimposed on the layer of the print format. When the print image is a blank line (blank line) in the first region D1, the control unit 10 deletes the blank line to generate image data, shortens the label length in the label issuing direction, If there is a blank line in the area D2, print image data is generated with the blank line intact.

  Hereinafter, each component of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The label printer 100 may be connected to a measuring instrument that measures a product to which a label is attached, or may not be connected to a measuring instrument. Further, the label printer 100 may be a label printer used in a packaging apparatus that wraps an article to be packaged.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mountless label printer 100 removes the label sheet 1 from the label roll 2 in which the mountless label sheet 1 (label sheet) having a heat-sensitive color developing surface on the front surface and an adhesive surface on the back surface is wound in a roll shape. The label paper 1 is conveyed between the thermal head as the printing unit 3 and the platen roller 4 driven by the stepping motor, and the label paper 1 is heated and printed, and the printed label paper 1 is printed. It is configured to be cut with a cutter 5 and issued as a label 6.
The mount-less label sheet 1 (label sheet) is not limited to a sheet having a heat-sensitive coloring surface, and is a sheet-less label sheet (label sheet) having no heat-sensitive coloring surface that is thermally transferred via an ink ribbon. May be.

  The label printer 100 prints the corresponding print data for the print items such as product names, additives, messages, and raw materials at the position of the print items in the print range in the paper transport direction.

  The casing 22 of the label printer 100 is provided with a discharge port 23 through which the label 6 is discharged. A label receiver 24 (label holding unit) is provided on the downstream side of the label discharge of the discharge port 23. The label receiver 24 is provided with a detection unit 21. The detection unit 21 detects whether or not the printed label 6 remains in the label receiver 24 that holds the label 6.

The label printer 100 may include one label issuing port (discharge port 23) or may include a plurality of label issuing ports (discharge ports 23) such as two. For example, when two label issuing ports (discharge ports 23) are provided, label rolls having different label widths are loaded in the label printer 100.
The label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention issues a mountless label, but is not limited to this. For example, the present invention also applies to a long fixed-length label with a mount. Control may be performed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the label printer 100 includes a control unit 10 (CPU), a flash memory 11 and a RAM 12 as a storage unit, an operation input unit 13 (operation unit), a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, an interface 16, The printer includes a printing unit 3 such as a thermal head, a stepping motor 18, a cutter 5 as a cutting means, and a detection unit 21.
The control unit 10 (CPU), the flash memory 11, the RAM 12, the operation input unit 13, the display unit 14, the communication unit 15, the interface 16, and the detection unit 21 are connected by a transmission path (bus) 20 so as to be able to transmit data. Yes.

  The control unit 10 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the label printer 100 by executing a program such as a control program on the flash memory 11.

  The flash memory 11 is a read-only memory that stores a control program, control data, and the like for the label printer 100.

  The RAM 12 has a work area for temporarily calling (reading) data for processing. The work area of the RAM 12 includes a dot expansion area for expanding print data into dot data, a call format area for calling and storing one format data from a format file, a call product data area for calling and storing product data, and the like. Further, the RAM 12 has a format file (see FIG. 3A) in which a label printing format is defined, a product file in which various product data for label printing are defined (see FIG. 3C), a font. Files (character generators) are stored. The RAM 12 is backed up by a battery so that product files, format files, and the like can be retained even when the power is off.

Further, the RAM 12 stores print data indicating print contents on the label, at least a print format that defines a print position, a label length, and the like in association with each other. This print format is linked to an area setting file (see FIG. 3B), and the area setting file is an area 1 (first area: designation) that specifies an arbitrary area of a specific print format file. An area D1 in which blank lines in the area are deleted, an area 2 (second area: an area D2 in which blank lines in the designated area are not deleted), and the like are defined.
Various programs relating to various modes (for example, a mode with a value, a setting mode, a report mode, and a maintenance mode) of the mountless label printer are stored in the RAM 12.

  The operation input unit 13 (operation unit) is an input device for operating the label printer, and includes a touch panel configured integrally with the display unit 14. The operation input unit 13 also functions as a setting unit that sets user identification information.

  The display unit 14 is a liquid crystal display that displays various menu screens and data. The communication unit 15 communicates with a host computer or the like as a higher management apparatus. The interface 16 inputs and outputs data between the control unit 10 and the like and each drive unit and motor.

  The printing unit 3 such as a thermal head heats and prints the paper 1 based on a command from the control unit 10. The stepping motor 18 rotationally drives the label roll 2 and the platen roller 4 so that the label sheet 1 is conveyed to a predetermined printing position or heating position based on a command from the control unit 10.

The cutter 5 cuts the printed paper 1 based on a command from the control unit 10. The detection unit 21 is provided in the vicinity of the discharge port 23 of the housing 22 of the label printer. The detection unit 21 detects whether or not the printed label 6 remains in the discharge port 23 that discharges the label 6.

  Further, when the control unit 10 of the label printer according to the embodiment of the present invention detects that the label 6 does not remain in the discharge port 23 by the detection unit 21, the control unit 10 stores the label 6 in the storage unit (flash memory 11, RAM 12, etc.). The printing data is printed by a thermal head as the printing unit 3 according to the printing format.

  The control part 10 implement | achieves the function which concerns on this invention in the label printer 100 which is a computer by running the program which concerns on this invention. The control unit 10 includes a setting unit 101, a print control unit 102, and the like.

  The setting unit 101 sets a first area D1 where a blank line of a label is deleted and a second area D2 where a blank line is not deleted, in association with the print format. Specifically, the setting unit 101 associates the region setting file indicating the first region D1 and the second region D2 with the print format and stores them in the storage unit.

  When printing the print data based on the print format, the print control unit 102 performs a process of deleting a blank line in the first area D1 which is a blank line deletion area and a second area which is a blank line non-deletion area. In the region D2, processing that does not delete blank lines is performed, and printing is performed by the printing unit 3.

  The print control unit 102 performs a process of deleting a blank line in the first area D1 from the layer indicating the print format in which the layer indicating the area setting file is superimposed and the image data generated based on the print data. Printing is performed by the printing unit 3 based on the deleted image data.

  In addition, when the print control unit 102 prints product information or the like as print data on a sheet based on a predetermined print format, a blank line extending in the width direction of the sheet is generated in the first area D1 of the print format. If it occurs, the blank line is deleted and the product information is printed by the printing unit 3, and in the second area D2 of the print format, a blank line extending in the width direction of the sheet is generated. The product information is printed by the printing unit 3 without deleting the blank line.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the print format file includes a label position, height, length, font for printing the product name, and a label position, height for printing the additive name for each format number. The length, length, font, etc. are stored in association with each other.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the area setting file stores a format number, data related to the first area D1, data related to the second area D2, and the like associated with each identification number. The data relating to the first area D1 (area) stores the position, height, length, information indicating that a blank line is to be deleted, and the like. The data relating to the second area D2 (area) stores the position, height, length, information indicating that a blank line is to be deleted, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the product information file includes, for example, a JAN code (product information), a product name, a place of origin name, a place of origin name, a price, a raw material name, and an additive name for each identification number. It is associated and remembered.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the layer (LD) of the area setting file having the first area D1 from which blanks are deleted and the second area D2 from which blanks are not deleted, and the layer (LR) of the print format By superimposing, the first area D1 and the second area D2 are associated with the label format.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a layer (LD) indicating an area setting file indicating the first area D1 and the second area D2 and a layer (LR) indicating a label format in the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label format, a region D1 where blanks are deleted, and a region D2 where blanks are not deleted. Specifically, FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a label format in which the upper half is set to a blank line deletion area D1, and the lower half is set to a blank line non-deletion area D2, and FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the label format set by moving the boundary of the blank line deletion area | region D1 and blank line non-deletion area | region D2 which were shown in (4) to the predetermined direction.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation for setting the blank line deletion area (first area D1) and the blank line non-deletion area (second area D2) of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. .

In step ST1, the setting unit 101 of the control unit 10 (CPU) performs processing for setting a blank line deletion area D1. Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line deletion area D1. Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the blank line deletion region D1 based on an operation signal according to an operation of the operation input unit 13 (an input device such as a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse) by the user.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an operation signal for moving to a desired position with the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line deletion region D1 selected. Is input from the operation input unit 13, the control unit 10 is configured to set the blank line deletion region D1 based on the operation signal.
For example, the height and length of the blank line deletion area D1 are calculated from the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line deletion area D1. The setting unit 101 of the control unit 10 stores the blank line deletion region D1 in the region setting file of the storage unit.

Next, in step ST3, the control unit 10 (CPU) performs processing for setting a blank line non-deletion region D2. Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line non-deletion area D2. Specifically, the control unit 10 sets the blank line deletion region D2 based on an operation signal according to the operation of the operation input unit 13 by the user.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, an operation signal for moving to a desired position with the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line deletion area D2 selected. Is input from the operation input unit 13, the control unit 10 is configured to set the blank line deletion region D2 based on an operation signal indicating a mouse operation or a touch panel operation.
For example, the height and length of the blank line non-deletion area D2 are calculated from the start position (start point) and end position (end point) of the blank line non-deletion area D2. The setting unit 101 of the control unit 10 stores the blank line non-deletion region D2 in the region setting file of the storage unit.

  In step ST5, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to end the setting of the blank line deletion area D1 and the blank line non-deletion area D2. If the setting is not ended, the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step ST1, and otherwise , The processing to finish the setting is performed. Specifically, for example, when it is detected that a setting end button or the like has been operated, the control unit 10 ends the setting process.

  The setting of the blank line deletion area D1 in step ST1 and the setting of the blank line non-deletion area D2 in step ST3 may be performed in the reverse order, or may be performed simultaneously, or only one of them may be performed. You may go.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The example illustrated in FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation for performing printing while generating a line print image of the label printer 100.

  In step ST11, the control unit 10 reads a product information file such as product information from a storage unit such as the flash memory 11 or the RAM 12 (see FIG. 3C).

  In step ST13, the control unit 10 reads the print format from the storage unit (see FIG. 3A).

  In step ST15, the control unit 10 reads the area setting file from the storage unit (see FIG. 3B).

  In step ST17, the control unit 10 generates a line print image based on the print format line, the product information file (print data), and the area setting file. This line print image is image data for each line of the label.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the control unit 10 superimposes the layer indicating the print format and the layer indicating the area setting file for each line. As shown in FIG. 4, the print format is associated with the first area D1 and the second area D2, and print data is incorporated for each print item to generate line print image data.

  In step ST21, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the print image exists within the area setting. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines whether or not a pixel having a non-blank pixel value exists in the line print image in the first region D1 or the second region D2, and the line print image is the region. If it is determined that the line print image exists within the setting, the process proceeds to step ST23. If it is determined that the line print image does not exist within the area setting, the process proceeds to step ST25.

  In step ST23, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the line print image currently being processed is the first region D1 from which a blank line is to be deleted. Proceed to the process, otherwise proceed to the process of step ST25.

  In step ST <b> 25, the control unit 10 performs a printing process on the sheet by the printing unit 3 such as a thermal head based on the line print image data, and issues a label by cutting the sheet by the cutter 5.

  In step ST27, the control unit 10 determines whether or not printing is finished. Specifically, the control unit 10 sequentially performs the above-described processing for all line print image data, determines whether or not the processing has been completed for the final line print image data. When the process proceeds to ST17 and it is determined that the process is finished, the series of processes is finished.

<Another operation example of the label printer 100>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the label printer 100 buffers all the label image data in the storage unit, and then performs processing related to the blank line deletion area D1 and the blank line non-deletion area D2.

  In step ST11, the control unit 10 reads a product information file such as product information from a storage unit such as the flash memory 11 or the RAM 12 (see FIG. 3C).

  In step ST13, the control unit 10 reads the print format from the storage unit (see FIG. 3A).

  In step ST15, the control unit 10 reads the area setting file from the storage unit (see FIG. 3B).

  In step ST17, the control unit 10 sequentially generates line print images for the entire label based on the print format line, the product information file (print data), and the region setting file, and stores the line print image in the storage unit. When the plurality of line print images are arranged side by side, a print image of the entire label is obtained. As will be described later, this print image has not been subjected to blank line deletion processing, and is subjected to blank line deletion processing in steps ST33 to ST37.

  In step ST31, for example, in order to generate line print image data, the control unit 10 determines whether there is print data or the like. If it is determined that there is no data, the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step ST41. If it is determined that there is, the process proceeds to step ST33.

  In step ST33, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the print image is within the region setting. If the print image is determined to be within the region setting, the control unit 10 proceeds to the process of step ST35 and the print image is within the region setting. If not, the process proceeds to step ST17.

  In step ST35, the control unit 10 processes each line image data in a predetermined order from all the line print images stored in the storage unit. Specifically, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the condition that the line image data being processed includes a blank line and is within the first area D1 satisfies the condition. Proceed to the process, and if the condition is not satisfied, proceed to the process of step ST17.

  In step ST37, the control unit 10 performs a process of deleting blank lines of the line image data being processed from the label print image.

  In step ST39, the control unit 10 ends predetermined processing such as blank line deletion processing for all line print images, determines whether or not to end generation of image data for the entire label, and determines to end. In this case, the process proceeds to step ST41. In other cases, the process proceeds to step ST17.

  In step ST41, the control unit 10 performs a printing process on the sheet by the printing unit 3 such as a thermal head based on the image data stored in the storage unit, and issues the label 6 by cutting the sheet by the cutter 5. To do.

<Other Embodiments of the Present Invention>
An example of a label printer 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

The setting unit 101 embeds a control code indicating the first region D1 or the second region D2 in the print format and stores it in the storage unit.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label format in which a control code (DELSP) indicating the first area D1 and a control code (NDELSP) indicating the second area D2 are embedded. For example, the control code (DELSP) has information such as the start position and the end position of the first area D1. The control code (NDELSP) has information such as the start position and end position of the second area D1.

  The print control unit 102 performs a blank line deletion process in the first area D1 or a blank line non-deletion process in the second area D2 based on the control code in the print format.

  In this way, by a simple process, based on the control code embedded in the print format, the blank line deletion process in the first area D1 is performed, and the blank line non-deletion process in the second area D2 is performed. It can be carried out.

As described above, the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention feeds a sheet, prints print data on the fed sheet by the printing unit 3 based on a predetermined print format, and forms a sheet-like label. Issue.
The label printer 100 includes a storage unit (flash memory 11 such as ROM or RAM 12) that stores a predetermined print format and print data, and a control unit 10. Based on an operation signal from the operation input unit 13, the control unit 10 sets a first area D1 for deleting a blank line of a label and a second area D2 for not deleting a blank line in association with the print format. 101, when printing the print data based on the print format, the print unit 3 performs a process of deleting a blank line in the first area D1 and a process of not deleting the blank line in the second area D2. And a print control unit 102 that performs printing.

  In the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit such as the flash memory or the RAM 12 stores product information as print data. When the print control unit 102 prints product information as print data on a sheet based on a predetermined print format, a blank line extending in the width direction of the sheet occurs in the first area D1 of the print format. When the blank line is deleted and the product information is printed by the printing unit 3 and a blank line is generated in the width direction of the paper in the second area D2 of the print format, the blank line is generated. The product information is printed by the printing unit 3 without deleting.

  For this reason, it is possible to provide a label printer 100 capable of printing by deleting a blank line in a desired region (first region D1) from all regions of the label with a simple configuration. Further, it is possible to provide the label printer 100 that can reduce the label cost.

Also, for example, when a print item that is easier to see without deleting blank lines is set in the second area D2, the print balance of the print items in the second area D2 is good, and it is affixed to the product for the consumer of the product. The printed label is easy to see. The label printer 100 can issue a label that has a high eye-catching effect, a so-called eye catching effect. In addition, the information affixed to the merchandise can be used to correctly appeal to consumers.
That is, the label printer 100 can perform label printing that can appeal to consumers. In this way, it is possible to provide the label printer 100 that can perform printing with a good print balance on the entire label.

  Further, in the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit 101 sets the first area D1 and / or the second area D2 as print items for printing print data set in the print format. It is set so as to straddle (see FIG. 4), or set so as to cover a print item set in the print format with a desired area width in the label issuing direction. Here, the setting unit 101 sets the first area D1 and / or the second area D2 so as to cover the print item set in the print format with a desired area width in the label issuing direction. The first area D1 and / or the second area D2 is set to a part of an area of a predetermined print item. By doing so, the setting unit 101 can easily set the first region D1 and / or the second region D2 to a desired arbitrary region, and can perform printing with a good print balance.

Further, in the label printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit 101 is configured to print the region setting file indicating the first region D1 and the second region D2 based on the operation signal from the operation input unit 13, and the printing. The format is associated and stored in a storage unit (such as the flash memory 11 or the RAM 12). The print control unit 102 superimposes the layer indicating the area setting file and the layer indicating the print format, generates image data based on the superimposed layer and the print data, and uses the image data in the first area D1. The blank line is deleted, and printing processing is performed by the printing unit 3 based on the deleted image data.
As described above, since the area setting file having information indicating the first area D1 and the second area D2 is stored in the storage unit separately from the print format, the first area can be changed without changing the print format. Information about D1 and the second area D2 can be managed.
Also, by superimposing the layer indicating the area setting file and the layer indicating the print format, the first area D1 and the second area D2 can be easily set in association with the print format. Further, image data is generated based on the superimposed layer and print data, a process for deleting a blank line in the first area D1 from the image data is performed, and based on the image data subjected to the deletion process Since the printing process is performed by the printing unit 3, it is possible to easily delete a blank line in a desired area (first arbitrary area D1) out of the entire area of the label.

In the label printer 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit 101 embeds a control code indicating the first region D1 or the second region D2 in the print format and stores the control code in the storage unit. The print control unit 102 performs a blank line deletion process in the first area D1 or a blank line non-deletion process in the second area D2 based on the control code in the print format.
For this reason, it is possible to provide a label printer 100 capable of printing by deleting a blank line in a desired first area D1 by simple processing.

In the printing and issuing of the linerless label, the first area D1 in which at least blank lines are deleted and the second area D2 in which blank lines are not deleted are provided at arbitrary positions in the print format. If there is a blank line (blank line), the blank line is deleted, and even if there is a blank line in the second area D2, the label is printed and issued without being deleted.
For this reason, if there is a blank line (blank line) in the first area D1, the blank line is deleted to shorten the label length in the label issuing direction, so that the label cost can be reduced.
Further, since the print item that is desired to function as an eye catch provided in the second area D2 is printed with the desired blank line provided in the area, the print item in the second area D2 is printed. Is easy to see and functions as an eye catcher for consumers, and can correctly appeal to consumers the information that the store wants to convey.
In this embodiment, if there is a blank line (blank line) in the first area D1, the blank line is deleted, and even if there is a blank line in the second area D2, a label is printed without being deleted. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if there is a blank (blank) in the first region D1, a method of deleting all the blank (margin) may be used.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, some or all of embodiment of this invention is described as the following additional remarks.
[Appendix 1]
A label printer that feeds out paper, prints print data on the fed-out paper based on a predetermined print format by the printing unit, and issues a sheet-like label,
A storage unit for storing a predetermined print format and print data;
A setting unit for setting a first area for deleting a blank in the print area of the label and a second area for not deleting a blank in association with the print format;
When printing the print data based on the print format, a controller that performs blanking deletion in the first area and printing control that does not delete blanks in the second area;
A label printer.
[Appendix 2]
The setting unit sets the first area and / or the second area so as to straddle a print item that is set in the print format, prints the print data, or issues the label The label printer according to appendix 1, wherein the label printer is set so as to cover the print item set in the print format with a desired area width in a direction.
[Appendix 3]
The setting unit associates an area setting file indicating the first area and the second area with the print format and stores the association in the storage unit,
The print control unit performs a process of deleting a blank in the first area from the layer indicating the print format on which the layer indicating the area setting file is superimposed and the image data generated based on the print data. The label printer according to appendix 1 or appendix 2, wherein printing is performed by the printing unit based on the image data subjected to the deletion process.
[Appendix 4]
The setting unit embeds a control code indicating the first region or the second region in the print format and stores it in the storage unit,
The print control unit performs a blank deletion process in the first area or a non-delete process in the second area based on the control code in the print format. The label printer according to 1 or 2
[Appendix 5]
The storage unit stores product information as the print data,
When the product information as the print data is printed on the paper based on the predetermined print format, the print control unit extends in the width direction of the paper in the first area of the print format. When a blank is generated, the blank is deleted and the product information is printed by the printing unit. In the second area of the print format,
5. The apparatus according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 4, wherein when the blank in the width direction of the paper is generated, the product information is printed by the printing unit without deleting the blank. Label printer.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and there are design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is included in the present invention.
Further, the embodiments described in the above drawings can be combined with each other as long as there is no particular contradiction or problem in the purpose and configuration.
Moreover, the description content of each figure can become independent embodiment, respectively, and embodiment of this invention is not limited to one embodiment which combined each figure.

1 Label paper 2 Label roll 3 Thermal head (printing part)
4 Platen roller (printing part)
5 Cutter (cutting means)
6 Label 10 Control unit (CPU)
11 Flash memory (storage unit)
12 RAM (storage unit)
13 Operation input part (setting part)
14 Display unit 15 Communication unit 16 Interface 18 Stepping motor (printing unit)
20 Transmission path (bus)
21 Detection Unit 22 Label Printer Case 23 Ejection Port (Label Issue Port)
24 Label receiver (label holder)
100 Label printer (mountless printer)
101 Setting unit 102 Print control unit D1 First area (blank line deletion area)
D2 Second area (blank line non-deletion area)
Da, Db Blank line deletion area Dc, Dd Blank line non-deletion area LD Layer setting layer Layer indicating LR label format

Claims (4)

An operation screen for setting a layout of a print item to be printed on a label is displayed on a display unit, and a label issuing device issues a label based on the set layout ,
The display section includes a print format display layer having a print format that defines a print area that varies according to the data amount of a print item, and a print area wider than one adjacent print area displayed on the print format display layer. Display the area setting display layer that sets the area to be displayed in an overlapping manner together,
It comprises control means for deleting a blank line displayed in the print area displayed in the print format display layer by specifying the area displayed in the area setting display layer by an operation input. Label issuing device . The said control means is provided with the operation input means to which it moves to a desired position in the state which selected the start position and end position which identify the area | region displayed on the said area | region setting display layer . Label issuing device . An operation screen for setting a layout of a print item to be printed on a label is displayed on a display unit, and the label issuance system issues a label based on the set layout,
The display section includes a print format display layer having a print format that defines a print area that varies according to the data amount of a print item, and a print area wider than one adjacent print area displayed on the print format display layer. Display the area setting display layer that sets the area to be displayed in an overlapping manner together,
It comprises control means for deleting a blank line displayed in the print area displayed in the print format display layer by specifying the area displayed in the area setting display layer by an operation input. Label issuing system. A program for a label issuing system for displaying an operation screen for setting a layout of a print item to be printed on a label on a display unit and issuing a label based on the set layout,
The display section includes a print format display layer having a print format that defines a print area that varies according to the data amount of a print item, and a print area wider than one adjacent print area displayed on the print format display layer. Display the area setting display layer that sets the area to be displayed in an overlapping manner together,
It comprises control means for deleting a blank line displayed in the print area displayed in the print format display layer by specifying the area displayed in the area setting display layer by an operation input. Program for label issuing system.

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