JPH08118742A - Label printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve input operability by conversationally inputting printing data setting data for setting the printing data of a label to desired content and printing data editing data for printing data on a label in a desired form from a touch panel device. CONSTITUTION: The image data stored in an ROM 24 is developed on a VRAM 27 as the image data of each operation screen by the control of a CPU 22 and displayed on the liquid crystal display part 20 of a touch panel device 13 as a sequential operation screen through a touch panel control part 29. The printing data stored in an SRAM 25 is developed on a DRAM 26 by the control of the CPU 22 and supplied to a thermal head 15 through a head control circuit 30. The CPU 22 supplies printing data to the thermal head 15 and drives a stepping motor 32 to print the printing data on the label transferred through the gap between a platen roller 16 and the thermal head 15.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in label printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a label printer 1 shown in FIG. 58 has been known as a label printer 1 for printing print data such as a price on a label of this type by a bar code. That is, the roll-shaped label continuum 3 held by the label printer main body 2 is transferred between the thermal head 4 and the platen roller 5 to print the print data such as price and barcode on the label 6. .

In the above conventional structure,
As a means for inputting print data to be printed to the label printer 1, a keyboard 7 is provided in the label printer main body 2. The print data to be printed is input from the keyboard 7 and the input result is input to the label printer main body 2. This is performed by confirming the display means by the liquid crystal display 8 provided.

[0004]

According to the print data input means in the label printer 1 having the above-mentioned conventional structure, when the print data such as the price and the product code is input,
In addition to the print data, print data editing information such as print position, size, rotation direction of the print data in the print area of the label and whether it is a bar code or normal character (human-readable character) is input from the keyboard 7 in the parameter format. Had to do.

However, the operation of setting the parameters of the print data and the print data edit information by the keyboard 7 has various print data, the number of parameters is large, and the setting procedure thereof is complicated. It had the drawback that the input operability of was poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and print data setting information for setting print data of a label to a desired content from a touch panel device and print data in a desired form at a desired position of the label. By configuring so that the print data edit information for printing can be input interactively, the print data setting information and the print data edit information can be easily and quickly printed when the desired print data is printed on the label in the desired form. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label printer capable of performing an input operation.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a label printer in which print data such as price is printed on a label, the label printer main body is provided with a touch panel device, and the touch panel device is provided. The print data setting information for setting the print data of the label to a desired content and the print data editing information for printing the print data on the label in a desired form can be interactively input.

[0008]

The print data setting information is input from the touch panel device to set the print data of the label to the desired content. Then, the print data edit information is input from the touch panel device, and the print data is set to be printed on the label in a desired form.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The label printer 10 is connected to a label printer main body 11 and the label printer main body 11 via an interface cable 12. And a touch panel device 13 that is operated.

FIG. 2 shows a lid 1 of the label printer body 11.
4 shows an opened state of the label printer main body 1
Inside the apparatus 1, a thermal head 15 and a platen roller 16 that cooperates with the thermal head 15 to perform printing are provided.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a roll-shaped label continuum rotatably attached to the rear portion of the label printer body 11,
A heat-sensitive label 19 is continuously and temporarily attached onto a strip-shaped mount 18, and the label continuum 17 has a thermal head 15
While being transferred between the platen roller 16 and the platen roller 16, the label 19 is printed with desired heat by the heat supplied from the thermal head 15.

The touch panel device 13 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display unit 20 for displaying the operation screen and the transparent touch screen 21 provided in close contact with the surface of the liquid crystal display unit 20 are included. Operator touch screen 2
When an arbitrary point on 1 is touched with a finger, the contact position is detected by the CPU 22, which will be described later, as X and Y coordinates.

Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the label printer 10. Central processing unit (hereinafter CPU2
2) via a bus 23, a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM 24), a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as SRAM 25) serving as a first memory including a static RAM, and a second including a dynamic RAM. Access memory (hereinafter referred to as DR
An AM 26), a video RAM (hereinafter referred to as VRAM 27), and a printer unit 28 are connected. VRA
A touch panel control unit 29 is connected to M27, and the touch panel control unit 29 is connected to the touch panel device 13 via the interface cable 12.

The printer section 28 includes a head control circuit 30 connected to the bus 23, a thermal head 15 connected to the head control circuit 30, a stepping motor drive circuit 31 connected to the bus 23, and a stepping motor driving circuit 31. The stepping motor 32 is connected to the motor drive circuit 31, and the platen roller 16 is connected to the stepping motor 32.

The ROM 24 includes MS-DOS (registered trademark) as an operating system, a printer unit 28, a touch panel device 13, an SRAM 25, and a DRAM.
A program for controlling the entire label printer 10 such as 26, and further the liquid crystal display unit 2 of the touch panel device 13.
0 stores image data such as various operation screen data displayed in a hierarchical structure.

The SRAM 25 is a memory for storing various data such as print data, print data parameters and print data editing parameters.

The DRAM 26 is a memory mainly as a work work area, and print data of the label 19 supplied to the thermal head 15 is developed in the form of a dot image under the control of the CPU 22.

The image data stored in the ROM 24 is expanded in the VRAM 27 as image data of each operation screen under the control of the CPU 22, and the image data is transmitted via the touch panel control unit 29 to the touch panel device 1.
The liquid crystal display unit 20 of No. 3 is sequentially displayed as an operation screen.

The print data stored in the SRAM 25 is developed in the DRAM 26 under the control of the CPU 22, and is supplied to the thermal head 15 via the head control circuit 30.

Further, the CPU 22 supplies the print data to the thermal head 15 and drives the stepping motor drive circuit 31 according to the program stored in the ROM 24 to drive the stepping motor 32.
As a result, the platen roller 16 is rotated and the above-mentioned print data is printed on the label 19 which is transported between the platen roller 16 and the thermal head 15.

Next, FIG. 5 shows data, which is a main part of the present invention.
The layout of the field parameter file 33 is shown. Data field parameter file 3
3 is a print data parameter area 35 for setting print data parameters as print data setting information,
The concept of a print field parameter area 37 for setting a print field parameter as print data editing information is shown. This data field parameter file 33 is a file in the MS-DOS file name FMXX.DAT (where XX valid value is 0).
1-99) and stored in the SRAM 25, the data field parameter file 33 of the format number FM01 shown in FIG.
1. DAT data field parameter file 3
3 is specified.

Therefore, with the format number FM01, the data field parameter file 33 (FM01.FM01.COM) including a print data parameter and a print field parameter corresponding to this print data parameter.
DAT) is a data field parameter file 33 (F) including other print data parameters and print field parameters corresponding to the print data parameters.
M02.DAT-FM99.DAT).

In this embodiment, the format number F
Although the data / field parameter file 33 (FM01.DAT-FM99.DAT) with M01-99 is formed, FIG. 5 shows the format number FM01 and the format number FM02. The structure of each data field parameter file 33 of -99 is the same as that of the format number FM01.

Next, the print data parameter area 35 is provided.
Are divided into sub-data parameter areas 38 specified by data numbers 01 to 30. Each sub-data parameter area 38 has the same configuration, and a data parameter setting area 39 of a predetermined byte in which a parameter for specifying the property of print data is set, and a heading indicating the content of print data is specified. For setting the title name parameter for setting the title name parameter setting area 40 and the predetermined byte for setting the parameter for setting the initial value (default value) of the specific print content to be printed on the label 19. Data initial value parameter setting area 41 of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the sub data parameter area 38 of the data number 01 in the print data parameter area 35.
It shows the details of.

As described above, each sub-data parameter area 38 comprises a data parameter setting area 39, a title name parameter setting area 40, and a data initial value parameter setting area 41. Further, each column includes an attribute column 42, a digit number column 5343, a type column 44, a processing condition column 45, and a state column 46. In the attribute field 42, when the label 19 is printed, the print data is newly input from the touch panel device 13 and changed, or the print data input immediately before is fixed and used. This is for setting a parameter that determines the mode, and by setting a predetermined numerical value in this field, either one of the two modes can be selected.

Similarly, the digit number column 43 is for setting a parameter for determining the maximum digit number of the print data initial value set in the data initial value parameter setting area 41.

In the type column 44, the print data set in the data initial value parameter setting area 41 is a numeral, AN
It is for setting a parameter for determining which is K, a symbol, or a kanji.

The processing condition column 45 is a mode for automatically judging whether or not the input value of the check digit from the touch panel device 13 is positive when the print data is a bar code, and In this case, the parameter is used to set a parameter for determining the type of barcode, for example, JAN 8 digit or JAN 13 digit.

The status column 46 shows the print data of a label 19 when the label 19 is issued to the next label 19.
The print data of the label 19 to be printed next is set, or the print data of the label 19 immediately before issuance of the label 19 having the print data cleared is set as the print data of the label 19 to be printed next. It is for.

Next, a title name parameter setting area 40
Is a parameter for specifying a heading indicating the content of the data to be printed, and is, for example, a heading such as a manufacturing date, a product name, a manufacturer, and a product code. It is displayed when the print data is input, and is for easily understanding what should be input as the data to be printed and for facilitating the input operation.

The data initial value parameter setting area 4
1 is the initial value (default value) of the print data printed on the label 19 such as the manufacturing date such as October 10, 1994, the product name such as chocolate, the seller such as ABC store, etc.
Parameters are set, and the setting contents are
Arbitrary contents are set within the range of the maximum digit number set in the digit number column 43.

FIG. 7 shows the concept of setting the print data of the label 19 shown in FIG. 8 in the print data parameter area 35. Label 19 shown in FIG.
Indicates a print field 01, a print field 02, and a print field 03 as areas (hereinafter referred to as print fields) in which print data such as numbers, characters, and bar codes are printed.
Print field 01
Chocolate is printed as print data, a bar code 47 is printed in the print field 02, and a comment character is printed in the print field 03. The chocolate represents a product name, and the commentary characters are composed of a flag maker code (4912345), a product code (67890) and a check digit (4). In FIG. 7, the print data initial value parameter set in the data initial value parameter setting area 40 of the sub data parameter area 38 specified by the data number 01 is “chocolate”, and the title name parameter is “product name”,
“Input” mode as the data attribute, “6 digits” as the number of digits of print data, and “kanji” as the data type are set as parameters.

Further, the bar code data of the bar code 47 printed in the print field 02 of the label 19 shown in FIG. 8 includes a flag maker code, a product code and a check digit. The code data is divided and set in the sub data parameter area 38 specified by the data numbers 02 and 03 in FIG. That is, in the data initial value parameter setting area 40 of the sub data parameter area 38 of the data number 02, the flag maker code “49
12345 ”is set as a parameter,“ flag maker ”is set as the title name in the title name parameter setting area 40,“ fixed ”is set as the data attribute in the attribute column 42, and“ 7 digits ”is set as the number of digits in the number of digits column. 43, the data type "numeric" is set in the type column 44 as a parameter.

In the data initial value parameter setting area 40 of the sub data parameter area 38 of the data number 03 of FIG. 7, the product code 67890 in the bar code data of the label 19 shown in FIG. 8 is set as a parameter, and the title name. "Product code" in the title name parameter setting area 40, "Input" as the data attribute in the attribute column 42, and "5 digits" as the number of data digits in the digit number column 43
In addition, “numerical value” is set in the type column 44 as the data type.

In the label 19 of FIG. 8, the comment character 4912345678904 is printed as print data in the print field 03 below the bar code 47.
The print data 4912345678904 is set so that the print data of the print field 02 is copied to the print field 03 and set as the print data of the print field 03 by using the print field copy function described later. A parameter for designating the print data of itself is not set in the sub data parameter area 38 shown in FIG.

Next, returning to FIG. 5, in the layout of the data / field parameter file 33, the print field parameter area 37 as print data editing information is displayed.
Will be described.

This print field parameter area 37
Is for setting print data edit information in a parameter format that specifies in what form the print data to be printed on one label 19 is printed on the label 19.

The print field parameter area 37 has 3
It is divided into 0 sub print field parameter areas 48, and each sub print field parameter area 48 is formed.
Are assigned field numbers 01 to 30, respectively.

The field numbers 01 to 30 are areas where individual print data is printed on one label 19 when print data such as product name, price, manufacturer, and bar code is printed on the label 19. Respectively corresponding to the print fields 01-30 for specifying the.

Therefore, in the sub print field parameter area 48 specified by the print field number 01, print field parameters relating to the print form in the print field 01 of the label 19 are stored.

This sub print field parameter area 4
Details of 801-30 are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 shows that the print data to be printed in one field of the label 19 is character data, that is, the sub print field parameter area 48 in the character field. FIG. 10 shows the case where the print data printed in one field of the label 19 is a bar code, that is, the sub print field parameter area 4 in the bar code field.
8 is shown.

First, the sub print field parameter area 48 in the character field shown in FIG. 9 will be described. The character field sub print field parameter area 48 includes a print data type field 49 and a vertical position field 50.
And a horizontal position column 51, a print position column 52, a digit number column 53,
Pitch column 54, vertical magnification column 55 and horizontal magnification column 56, magnification column 57, direction column 58, function column 59, serial number column 60, start digit column 61, beam column 62, adjustment value column 63, and minimum range column. 64
And a maximum range column 65, a serial number function setting column 66, and a machining condition setting column 6 including a machining column 67 and a machining condition column 68.
9, a print data designation column 70. The print data designation column 70 is composed of a data specification column 71 and a block 1, a block 2, a block 3 and a block 4, and each block 1, 2, 3 and 4 is a data number column 72 and a start position column, respectively. 73 and the digit number column 74.

The print data type column 49 sets whether the sub print field parameter area 48 is a character field or a bar code field.
Further, in the case of setting in the character field, it is set whether the character type to be printed is S character, M character, OB character (OCR-B font), WL character, U character, Kanji 16 or Kanji 24. belongs to.

As shown in FIG. 11, the print position column 52 is for setting the print start position on the label 19 as the X and Y coordinates from the origin position. Digit number column 5
3 is for setting the maximum number of data digits of print data. The pitch column 54 is for setting the interval between characters to be printed. The magnification field 57 is for setting the vertical magnification and the horizontal magnification of the character to be printed.

The direction column 58 is for setting the printing direction of the print character, and is forward direction, 90 ° rotation, 180 ° rotation, 27 °.
The 0 degree rotation mode can be set.

In the serial number function setting field 66, it is possible to set whether or not the serial number is printed by the function field 59. When printing the serial number, the additional serial number is set in the serial number field 60. , The subtraction serial number is set, and the start position of the data to be serialized is set in the start digit number column 61, and the number of digits of the serialized data is set in the serial number column 62. The addition value or the subtraction value can be set in the addition / subtraction value field 63, the minimum range of the data to be serialized in the minimum range field 64, and the maximum range of the data to be serialized in the maximum range field 65. It has become like.

In the processing condition setting column 69, whether or not the symbol compensation is performed is set in the processing column 67, and at the same time, any of ¥, compensation, ¥ compensation and bar compensation can be set in the machining condition column 68. Has become.

The print data designation field 70 is a print field 01-30 designated by the print field number 01-30.
It is for specifying the print data to be printed in.

The data specification column 71 sets print data to the print data specified by the data numbers 01 to 30 in the sub data parameter area 38, or is specified in the sub print field parameter area 48 in which the print data has already been set. Either of the print data copy modes is set.

When the data specification column 71 is set to the mode for setting the print data specified by the data numbers 01-30 of the sub data parameter area 38, if the block 1 is designated, the data is printed in the data number column 72 in the block 1. Enter the data number where the data is stored in the start position column 7
By setting the start digit of the print data in 3 and the print digit of the print data in the digit number column 74, the print data to be printed in the print field can be specified.

Further, the data specification column 71 is set in the sub print field parameter area 48 in which print data is already set.
If the block 1 is specified when the mode for copying the print data specified in 1 is set, the field number in which the print data is stored in the data number column 72 in the block 1 and the start digit of the print data in the start position column 73 are specified. By setting the print digit number of the print data in the digit number column 74, the print data to be printed in the print field can be specified.

The functions of the data number column, the start position column, and the digit number column in blocks 2 and 3 are the same as those in block 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the sub print field parameter area 48 in the bar code field will be described with reference to FIG.
Will be described. The configuration of the sub print field parameter area 48 in this bar code field is substantially the same as that of the sub print field parameter area 48 in the character field, so only the different parts will be described. It is shown and its description is omitted.

That is, the print data type column 49 sets whether the sub print field parameter area 48 is a character field or a bar code field.
Furthermore, when set in the barcode field, the character types to be printed are JAN 8 digits, JAN 13 digits, UPC-E,
NW-7, shortened NW7, CODE39, ITF25, C
It is for setting which one of the ODE128.

The bar code top / bottom column 76 is for setting the vertical length of the bar code. The bar ratio column 77 is for setting the ratio of the thick bar and the thin bar in the bar code. The magnification field 78 is for setting how many times the barcode magnification is to be set.

In the processing condition setting column 79, whether or not the check digit is automatically calculated is set by the processing column 80, and the processing condition column 81 indicates JAN 8 digits, JAN 13
Any of the digit, the price C / D, and the modulus 43 can be set.

Next, FIG. 12 shows the label 1 shown in FIG.
9 shows the concept of the print field parameter setting area 37 in the print fields 01, 02 and 03 of 9.

First, the print data printed in the print field 01 of the label 19 of FIG. 8 is chocolate,
Sub print field parameter setting area 4 shown in FIG.
Data specification column 71 in the print data designation column 70 of 8
Is set to a data mode in which the print data specified by the data number 01 in the sub data parameter area 38 is set.

Next, as block 1, the print data (chocolate) specified by the data number 01 in the sub data parameter area 38 shown in FIG. 7 is printed in the sub print field area 48 with 6 digits from the start position 01. Has been identified as.

The blocks 2, 3 and 4 are not set, and therefore the print data other than the block 1 is not designated.

In the print data to be printed in the print field 01 designated by the field number 01, the kanji 24 is the print type, the vertical position 0272 is the print position, the horizontal position 224 is the print position, and the data digit number is 6 digits. 2 as the pitch
However, a vertical magnification of 1, a horizontal magnification of 1, and a direction of 0 degrees are used as field parameters, respectively, as a print data type column 49, a print position column 52, a data digit number column 53, and a pitch column 5.
4, a magnification field 57 and a direction field 58.

Next, the print field 02 shown in FIG.
The print data to be printed on is a JAN 13-digit bar code 47, and the print data set mode is set in the data specification column of the print data specification column in the sub print field parameter area 48 of the field number 02 shown in FIG. There is.

Further, the print data specified by the data number 02 of the sub data parameter area 38 as the block 1 in the print data designation column 70 (flag maker code 4
912345) is specified as the print data of the sub print field area 48 of the field number 02 with 7 digits from the start position 01. Further, as block 2 following block 1, print data specified by the data number 03 in the sub data parameter area 38 (product code 67890)
Is specified as the print data of the sub print field area 48 of the field number 02 with the number of digits of 5 from the start position 01. No print data is designated in blocks 3 and 4.
Therefore, the print data of field 1 is
(491234567890).

In the print data designated by the field number 02, JAN 13 digits as the print type, vertical position 0336 and horizontal position 228 as the print position, 13 digits as the data digit number, and 2 as the magnification are directional. 0 degree as
072 as the top and bottom of the bar, JAN13 as the processing setting,
The check check automatic generation uses the print data type column 49, the print position column 52, the data digit number column 53, the magnification column 78, the direction column 58, and the bar top and bottom column 7 as the field parameters.
6, the processing setting field 79 is set.

Next, the print data printed in the print field 03 of the label 19 shown in FIG.
12345678904, and this print data 491
2345678904 is composed of the same code as the print data (bar code 47) in the print field 02.

Therefore, in the data specification column 71 in the print data designation column 70 shown in FIG. 12, the print field copy mode is set, and the field number 02 as the block 1 is 13 digits from the start position 01. As a result, the print data in the print field 03 is the same code as the print data in the print field 02 (4912345687904). Further, in the print data of the field number 03, M characters as the print type, vertical position 0424 and horizontal position 232 as the print position, 13 digits as the data digit number, 1 as the pitch, 1 vertical magnification and 1 horizontal magnification 1 is set as a direction and 0 degree is set as a field parameter in the print data type column 49, the print position column 52, the data digit number column 53, the pitch column 54, the magnification column 57, and the direction column 58, respectively.

FIG. 13 shows the layout of the print data file. This file layout is stored in the SRAM 25 as an MS-DOS file. In each file, the number of prints, format number FM01-99, sub data parameter area 3
The print data designated by the data numbers 01-30 of No. 8 is stored.

In the above file, the CPU 22 reads the data initial value parameter in each data initial value parameter setting area 41 in the print data parameter area 35, and prints the data initial value parameter designated by the data number 01-30. When converted to data,
This is created when the print data initial value is changed at the time of issuing a label 19 described later and the print data initial value is corrected by the control of the CPU 22 to create new print data.

Next, the label issuing operation of the label printer 10 having the above structure will be described.

First, the outline of the label issuing operation will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

When the power switch (not shown) is turned on while pressing the FEED key (not shown) in step 1, the utility mode screen is displayed on the touch panel device 13 in step 2. When a predetermined display area is sequentially touched on the utility mode screen, the data parameter setting screen is displayed in step 3. From this data parameter setting screen, predetermined data parameters such as data number, title name, data attribute, number of data digits, data type and data are set.

Next, in step 4, the field parameter setting screen is displayed and the field number, print position, number of data digits, pitch, magnification, direction, bar ratio, bar top and bottom,
Set predetermined print field parameters such as processing settings, function settings, and data specifications.

When the power is turned off and turned on again in step 5, the print mode screen is displayed on the touch panel device 13 in step 6.

When a predetermined display area is touched on the print mode screen to select the manual issuing mode and the format number, input data, and the number of issued sheets are sequentially input in step 7, a predetermined number of labels having a predetermined printing form are displayed. 19 is issued.

Details of the label issuing operation in the case of issuing the label 19 shown in FIG. 8 in the label printer 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 57.

First, the operation of setting the print data parameter as the print data setting information and the print field parameter as the print data editing information will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 49.

To set print data parameters, use F
When the power is turned on while pressing the EED button, the CPU
22 indicates R based on the program stored in the ROM 24.
The utility mode operation screen data stored in the OM 24 is expanded in the VRAM 27, and the touch panel control unit 29 displays the utility mode screen shown in screen 1 on the liquid crystal display unit 20 of the touch panel device 13 (see FIG. 15).

When the operator touches the print parameter setting area of the touch screen 21, the CPU 22
Detects the touched position and stores it in ROM2 in advance.
In accordance with the program stored in No. 4, the next operation screen data is read from the ROM 24 and expanded in the VRAM 27, and the print parameter setting screen shown in screen 2 is displayed on the touch panel device 13 (see FIG. 16).

Next, when the operator touches the "parameter setting" area of the print parameter setting screen 2,
In the same manner as above, the CPU 22 sets the next operation screen data to R
It is read from the OM 24 and the parameter setting screen shown on the screen 3 is displayed on the touch panel device 13 (see FIG. 17).

When the "data parameter setting" area is touched on the parameter setting screen 3, the CPU 2
2 reads the next operation screen data from the ROM 24 and displays the format number input screen shown on the screen 4 on the touch panel device 13 (see FIG. 18).

When the format number 01 is input on the format number input screen 4 and the "OK" area is touched, the CPU 22 displays the data number input screen shown on the screen 5 on the touch panel device 13 (see FIG. 19).
Enter the data number 01 on the data number input screen 5,
When the “decision” area is touched, the CPU 22 causes the screen 6
A title name input screen indicated by is displayed (see FIG. 20).

When a predetermined touch area "code designation", "selection designation", or "word" on the title name input screen 6 is touched, a product name is input as a title name, and then a "decision" area is touched, the CPU 22 , A data attribute input screen shown on screen 7 is displayed (see FIG. 21).

When the "input" area is selected on the data attribute input screen 7 and the "decision" area is touched, the CPU
22 displays the data digit number input screen shown on the screen 8 (see FIG. 22). When the number of data digits 06 is input from the data digit number input screen 8 and the "decision" area is touched, the CPU 22 displays the data type input screen shown in the screen 9 (see FIG. 23). After selecting the "Kanji" area on the data type input screen 9 and touching the "OK" area, the print data initial value input screen shown on the screen 10 is displayed (see FIG. 24).

After selecting the "selection designation" area from the print data initial value input screen 10 and inputting the print data initial value "chocolate" on the selection designation print data input screen 11 (see FIG. 25), "decision" When the area is touched, the screen returns to the print data initial value input screen 10 again.
When the "determination" area is touched on the print data initial value input screen 10, the screen 12 shifts to the post-issue data clear selection screen (see FIG. 26). When a predetermined selection is made on the post-issue data clear selection screen 12 and the “decision” area is touched, the setting operation of the print data parameter in the sub data parameter area 38 specified by the data number 01 in FIG. 7 is completed.

Here, the post-issue data clear selection screen 12
When the decision area of is touched, the final field confirmation screen of the data parameter of the screen 13 is displayed (see FIG. 2).
7), and touching the “No” area, the screen returns to the data number input screen shown in screen 5 again (see FIG. 19). Therefore, by the same operation as above, the sub-data parameter area 38 of the data numbers 02 and 03 shown in FIG.
Set the print data parameter of. The setting operation of the print data parameter in the sub data parameter area 38 of the data numbers 02 and 03 can be understood more easily than the setting operation of the print data parameter in the sub data parameter area 38 of the data number 01. The description is omitted.

When the setting operation of the print data parameter in the sub data parameter area 38 of the data number 03 is completed and the "Yes" area is touched in the final field confirmation screen of the data parameter of the screen 13, the format number input screen is displayed. 4 (see FIG. 18).
From the format number input screen 4, print data parameters for a predetermined number of format numbers 02-99 are set in the same manner as above. Note that the label 19 in FIG.
For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that only the print data parameter related to the format number 01 is created.

After setting the print data parameters for all the format numbers 01 to 99, by touching the "previous screen" area on the format number input screen 4, the screen returns to the parameter setting screen of the screen 3 (Fig. 17).

By touching the "field parameter setting" area on the parameter setting screen 3, the field parameter setting screen 14 is displayed, and the print field parameter setting operation is started (see FIG. 28).

After inputting the format number 01 on the field parameter setting screen 14, when the "OK" area is touched, the field number setting screen 15 is displayed (see FIG. 29). After inputting the field number 01 on the field number setting screen 15, if the "OK" area is touched, the screen is shifted to the field parameter setting initial screen of the screen 16 (see FIG. 30). When the "print type: no print" area is touched on the field parameter setting initial screen 16, the character field setting screen 17 is displayed (see FIG. 31). When the "character" area and the "decision" area are touched in this character field setting screen 17, the character type selection screen 18 is displayed (see FIG. 32).

After selecting the "Kanji 24" area on the character type selection screen 18, if the "OK" area is touched, the screen shifts to the character field setting screen 17 (see FIG. 31). Touch the "print position" area on the character field setting screen 17 to move to the print position input screen 19 and set the vertical position to 0.
Input 272 and lateral position 224 (see FIG. 33).

Similarly, by touching the "digit number" area on the character field setting screen 17, the print data digit number input screen 2 is displayed.
The number of print data digits 06 is input at 0 (see FIG. 34).
Further, the "pitch" area is touched on the character field setting screen 17 and the character pitch 2 is input on the pitch input screen 21 (see FIG. 35).

Further, the "magnification" area is touched on the character field setting screen 17 and the vertical magnification 1 and the horizontal magnification 1 are input on the character magnification input screen 22 (see FIG. 36).

Then, the "forward direction" area is touched on the character field setting screen 17 and the forward direction is input on the print direction input screen 23 (see FIG. 37).

When the "data specification" area is touched on the character field setting screen 17, the data specification selection screen 24 is displayed (see FIG. 38), and the "data" area and "decision" area are displayed on the data specification selection screen 24. When is sequentially touched, the data block setting screen 25 is displayed (see FIG. 39). When block 1 is selected on the data block setting screen 25, the data initial value setting screen 26 is displayed (see FIG. 40). When the data number 01, the start digit 01, and the digit number 06 are input on the data initial value setting screen 26 and the "decision" area is touched, "chocolate" is designated as the print data, and the data block setting screen 25 (See FIG. 39). When the "end" area is touched on the data block setting screen 25, the data specification selection screen 24 is displayed, and when the "determination" area is touched, the field number setting screen 15 is restored (see FIG. 29).

After inputting the field number 02 on the field number setting screen 15, when the decision area is touched,
The screen moves to the character field setting screen 17 (see FIG. 31). When you touch the "Print type: Character" area on the character field setting screen 17, the print data type selection screen 27
Is displayed and the “bar code” area is touched, the screen moves to the bar code type selection screen 28 (see FIGS. 41 and 42).
When "JAN 13 digits" is selected on the bar code type selection screen 28, the bar code field setting screen 29 is displayed (see FIG. 43). Barcode field setting screen 2
9, the "print position" area is touched to display the print position input screen 19, and the vertical position 0336 and the horizontal position 22 are displayed.
Enter 8 (see FIG. 33).

Similarly, the bar code field setting screen 2
Touch the "Number of digits" area in 9 to display the print data digit number input screen 20 and enter 13 digits (see FIG. 34), and touch the "Bar magnification" area in the barcode field setting screen 29 to touch the bar. Display the code magnification screen 30 and input "2" (see FIG. 44), touch the "ratio" area on the bar code field setting screen 29 to display the bar code ratio screen 31 and input "1". (Refer to FIG. 45), Bar code field setting screen 2
9, the "normal direction" area is touched to display the print direction input screen 23 and "normal direction" is selected (see FIG. 37), and the "bar top and bottom" area is touched on the bar code field setting screen 29 to read the barcode. The upside-down screen 32 is displayed and 072 is input (see FIG. 46). Further, in the bar code field setting screen 29, "Processing setting"
Touch the area to display the processing condition setting screen 33, select the “C / D calculation” area (see FIG. 47), and then touch the “JAN13 generation” area on the check digit selection screen 34 to display the bar. The screen returns to the code field setting screen 29 (see FIGS. 48 and 43).

When the "data specification" area is touched on the bar code field setting screen 29, the data specification selection screen 24 is displayed (see FIG. 38). When the "data" area is touched on the data specification selection screen 24, the data block setting screen 25 is displayed (see FIG. 39). When the "block 1" area is determined on this data block setting screen 25, the data initial value setting screen is displayed. 26 (see FIG. 40), the data number 02,
When the start line 01 and the number of data digits 07 are input and the “decision” area is touched, the screen returns to the data block setting screen 25 (see FIG. 39).

When the "block 2" area is selected on the data block setting screen 25, the data initial value setting screen 26 is displayed again (see FIG. 40), and the data number 03, data digit is displayed on the data initial value setting screen 26. When the number 05 and the start line 01 are input and the “determination” area is touched, the screen returns to the data block setting screen 25 (see FIG. 39). When the “end” area is touched on the data block setting screen 25, the bar code field setting screen 29 is displayed (see FIG. 43). Touching the “OK” area on the barcode field setting screen 29 returns to the field number setting screen 15 (see FIG. 29).

After inputting the field number 03 on the field number setting screen 15, if the "OK" area is touched, the screen moves to the bar code field setting screen 29 (see FIG. 43). When the "print type: bar" area is touched on the barcode field setting screen 29, the print data type selection screen 27 is displayed, and when the "character" area is touched, the screen shifts to the character type selection screen 18 (see FIG. 32). When "M character" is selected on the character type selection screen 18, the screen moves to the character field setting screen 17 (see FIG. 31).

From the character field setting screen 17, in the same manner as the field parameter input operation for the field number 01, the "print position" area is touched to display the print position input screen 19 and the vertical position 0424,
The horizontal position 232 is set (see FIG. 33), and further, on the character field setting screen 17, touch the “digit number” area to display the print data digit number input screen 20 and print data digit number 13
(See Fig. 34), and enter the character field setting screen 17
Touch the "Pitch" area to enter the pitch input screen 2
1 to input the character-to-character pitch 1 (see FIG. 35), and touch the “magnification” area on the character field setting screen 17 to input the vertical magnification 1 and horizontal magnification 1 on the character magnification input screen 22 (see FIG. 36), and then the character field setting screen 1
7 is touched in the "forward direction" area, and the "forward direction" is input on the print direction input screen 23 (see FIG. 37).

When the "data specification" area is selected from the character field setting screen 17, the data specification selection screen 24 is displayed. When the "copy" area and the "decision" area are touched on the data specification selection screen 24, The copy block setting screen 35 is displayed (see FIG. 49).
When block 1 is selected on the copy block setting screen 35, the screen shifts to the data initial value setting screen 26 (see FIG. 40). Field number 0 on the data initial value setting screen 26
2. Input the start digit 01 and the digit number 13 and touch the “OK” area, which means that the print data “491234567890” specified by the field number 02 is specified as the print data, and the copy block setting screen 35 is displayed. It returns (see FIG. 49). Copy block setting screen 35
When the "end" area is touched at, the character field setting screen 17 is displayed. When the "format number" area is touched, the field number setting screen 15 is restored (see FIG. 29).

By selecting "format number" on the character field setting screen 17, the print data parameters and print field parameters described above are stored in the SRAM with the file name FM01.DAT as the data field parameter file 33 of the format number 01.
It is stored in 25 predetermined addresses.

Next, the label issuing operation of the label 19 of FIG. 8 of the label printer 10 based on the print parameters set above will be described with reference to FIGS. 50 to 57.

When the label printer body 11 is turned on, the print mode selection screen 36 is displayed on the touch panel device 13 under the control of the CPU 22 (see FIG. 50). When the "print" area is selected on the print mode selection screen 36, the print selection screen 37 is displayed (see FIG. 51), and when the "manual input issue" area is touched, the screen shifts to the manual input issue screen 38 (see FIG. 52). ). When the format number 01 is determined on the manual input screen 38, the CPU 22 determines whether the data attribute of the data parameter of the data number 01 in the data field parameter file 33 of the format number 01 is input or fixed, and FIG. Since it is set to "input" as shown in, the data type is determined next. When the CPU 22 recognizes that the data type is "Kanji", it inputs the predetermined image data stored in the ROM 24 to the touch panel device 13, and the data initial value display screen 39 is displayed (see FIG. 53).

On the data initial value display screen 39, "commodity name" is displayed as the title name, and "chocolate" is displayed as the data initial value.

When changing "chocolate" as the print data initial value, the data initial value display screen 39 is displayed.
Touch the "Selection designation" area and select designation screen 40
Then, a predetermined input operation is performed (see FIG. 54).

When it is not necessary to change the print data initial value "chocolate" on the data initial value display screen 39, when the "decision" area is touched, the CPU 22
It is determined whether the data attribute of the data parameter of the data number 02 in the data field parameter file 33 of the format number 01 is "input" or "fixed", and it is set to "fixed" as shown in FIG. Therefore, the CPU 22 sets the data number 0 in the data field parameter file 33 of the format number 01.
It is determined whether the data attribute of the data parameter of No. 3 is "input" or "fixed". Since it is set to "input" as shown in FIG. 7, the data type is next determined.

When the CPU 22 recognizes that the data type is "numeric", it inputs the predetermined image data stored in the ROM 24 to the touch panel device 13, and the data initial value display screen 41 is displayed. On the data initial value display screen 41, "product code" is displayed as the title name, and "678904" is displayed as the data initial value.

The data initial value is "67890".
When changing "4", a predetermined numerical value is touched and input from the data initial value display screen 41.

On the screen 41, the print data initial value "67
When the “decision” area is touched when the change of “8904” is not required, the CPU 22 determines whether or not the data number 03 is the final number, and since it is the final number in the data parameter of FIG. The manual input issuing screen 42 which is the operation screen is displayed (see FIG. 56). In the manual input issuance screen 42, when the number of issuance 1 of the label 19 is input and the “decision” area is touched, the CPU 2
2 displays a print issue confirmation screen 43 (see FIG. 57).

When the "OK" area is touched on the print issue confirmation screen 43, the CPU 22 causes the format number 0
Each data number 01-03 in a manner specified by each parameter of the data field parameter file 33 of No. 1
Of the print data is developed as image data in the work area of the DRAM 26, and the image data is supplied to the thermal head 15 of the printer unit 28.
The stepping motor 32 is driven to drive the platen roller 16
The result is that the label 19 shown in FIG.
One sheet is printed.

Thus, the label printer 10 having the above structure
According to the print data parameter, the touch panel device 1
The print data on the label 19 can be set to any content by inputting the print data on the label 19, and the print data can be printed on the label 19 in any form by inputting the print data editing parameter from the touch panel device 13. The print data having various contents can be printed on the label 19 in a desired form. In addition, the print data parameter and the print data edit parameter are set by the touch panel device 1
Since it is input by 3, it can be performed quickly and easily.

In the above embodiment, the label printer main body 11 and the touch panel device 13 are provided separately, and the label printer main body 11 and the touch panel device 13 are connected by the interface cable 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this, and the touch panel device 13 may be provided integrally with the label printer body 11, and other configurations can be variously modified without changing the gist of the present invention.

[0116]

As described above, according to the present invention, since print data setting information and print data editing information can be interactively input from the touch panel device, desired print data in a desired form can be obtained in the label printer. When printing on a label, it is possible to easily and quickly input the print data and the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a label printer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the label printer of the present invention in a state where a lid is opened.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section of the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the layout of a data field parameter file of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a sub data parameter area of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a print data parameter area of the label of FIG. 8 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a label printed by setting print data parameters and print data editing parameters of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram when the sub print field parameter area of the present invention is a character field.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram when the sub print field parameter area of the present invention is a bar code field.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an image of a label printing position.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a print field parameter area of the label of FIG. 8 according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram of a file layout of print data according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an outline of a label issuing operation of the label printer of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a utility mode screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a print parameter setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a parameter setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a format number input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a data number input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a title name input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a data attribute input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a data digit number input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a data type input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a print data initial value input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a selection designation print data input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a post-issuance data clear selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a final field confirmation screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a field parameter setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a field number setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a field parameter setting initial screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a character field setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a character type selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a print position input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a print data digit number input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a pitch input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a character magnification input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing a print direction input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing a data specification selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a data block setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a data initial value setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a print data type selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a barcode type selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a bar code field setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing a bar code magnification screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a bar code ratio screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing a barcode top and bottom screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a processing condition setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing a check digit screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a copy block setting screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a print mode selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a print selection screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a manual input screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a data initial value display screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a selection designation screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a data initial value display screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a manual input issuing screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a print issue confirmation screen in the touch panel device of the present invention.

FIG. 58 is an external perspective view in which a part of a conventional label printer is cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Label printer main body 13 ... Touch panel device 20 ... Liquid crystal display 21 ... Touch screen 33 ... Data / field parameter file 35 ... Print data parameter area 37 ... Print field parameter Area 38 ... Sub data parameter area 39 ... Data parameter area 41 ... Data initial value parameter setting area 48 ... Sub print field parameter area 70 ... Print data designation field

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A label printer in which print data such as price is printed on a label, a touch panel device is provided in the label printer main body, and print data setting for setting label print data to desired contents from the touch panel device. A label printer characterized in that information and print data editing information for printing print data on a label in a desired form can be interactively input. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the print data information and the print data editing information can be arbitrarily set by a touch panel device in the form of parameters, respectively. 3. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data setting information relates to a print data input method. 4. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data setting information relates to the type of print character of print data. 5. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data setting information relates to automatic calculation of a check digit when the print data is a bar code. 6. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data setting information sets an initial value of print data. 7. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data edit information is for designating the content of print data to be printed. 8. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data editing information relates to a print data type of print data. 9. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data editing information relates to a print position of the print data. 10. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data editing information relates to the number of print digits of the print data. 11. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the print data edit information relates to a space between characters of the print data. 12. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the print data editing information relates to a magnification of print data. 13. The label printer according to claim 12, wherein the magnification of the print data relates to a vertical magnification. 14. The label printer according to claim 12, wherein the magnification of the print data relates to a lateral magnification. 15. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the parameter relating to the print data editing information is information relating to the print direction of the print data. 16. The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the print data editing information is information regarding a character type of print data. 17. The label printer according to claim 16, wherein the character type is a human readable character. 18. The label printer according to claim 16, wherein the character type is a bar code. 19. The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the print data setting information and the print data editing information are input from an operation screen displayed on the display screen of the touch panel device. 20. The label printer according to claim 19, wherein the operation screen is sequentially switched to a display screen of the touch panel device and displayed in a hierarchical structure.