JPH08348U - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: When a character string data input assuming a wide label width is printed on a label having a narrow width in a printer, the printed character protrudes from the label and is defective in printing. The purpose is to prevent the occurrence of. A print length and a print width of a print target character string stored in a print data storage unit are determined by a print length / print width determination unit based on the character control code and stored in a data storage unit. , Label width detection switch 3
5, the print width error determining unit 47 determines whether or not the print width of the print target character string stored in the data storage unit 48 is smaller than the width of the adhesive label 23 detected by 5. When the label width is equal to or larger than the label width, the display unit 1 is passed from the layout display control unit 43 through the display control unit 44.
3 is configured to display an "Err" message.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the device belongs]

 The present invention relates to a printer used for printing desired print data on a print medium such as a strip-shaped label with an adhesive.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 For example, as a device for creating index labels for cassette tapes and index labels for video tapes, label printers that print out character string data that have been arbitrarily keyed in on strip-shaped labels with adhesive are being considered.

A label with an adhesive used in this label printer is stored by being wound around a cartridge in a reel shape, and is cut out from a fed portion according to the print length of the label. Depending on the purpose of use, for example, the label widths for the cassette tape and the video tape are different, so a plurality of cartridges in which labels with different widths are stored in advance are prepared.

In this case, for example, when printing character string data input assuming a label width for a cassette tape, a cartridge having a narrow width corresponding to the character string data is used, and a label for a video tape is used. When printing character string data that is supposed to have a width, it is necessary to replace and use cartridges that have labels with a wide width accordingly.

[0005]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the above conventional label printer, for example, when the character string data input assuming the wide label width is printed on a narrow label, the print character may be out of the label and a printing defect may occur. There is.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and when print data input assuming a widthwise dimension of a wide print medium is printed on a narrow print medium, the print data is It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer that can prevent printing defects from protruding out of the dimension width of the print medium in the width direction.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 That is, the printer according to the present invention comprises a data input means for inputting print data, a data storage means for storing print data, a width detecting means for detecting the dimension and width of a long print medium in the width direction, and Based on the dimension width detected by the width detection means and the print data stored in the data storage means, it is determined whether or not the print data can be printed within the width dimension of the long print-receiving medium. And a print width determining means for performing the print width determination.

According to the present invention, it is determined whether or not the print data input by the print width determination means can be printed within the widthwise dimension of the long print medium. If it is judged, the print data can be displayed by, for example, displaying an error and prompting to cancel the print, or by taking measures such as changing the print data for the protrusion in the width direction to the length direction of the print medium to print. It is possible to prevent the spillage from occurring.

[0009]

[Embodiment of device]

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a label printer to which the present invention is applied. The main body case 11 is composed of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped case that can be held by an adult's hand, and the surface of the main body case 11 is A key input unit 12 and a display unit 13 are provided, and a power switch 14 is provided on the right side surface.

The key input unit 12 includes a character input key, a kana / kanji conversion key, a next candidate key, and a character corresponding to a word processor function for creating character string data such as a label print name, headline, and index. In addition to the magnification setting key and execution key, the line feed key, the "stop" key for separating the boundary of each character string data for one label, the mode switching key for switching the character input mode and the printing mode, and the printing operation A print start key for starting the print job is provided.

On the display unit 13, character string data obtained by the above key input operation, layout data of a print format, and the like are displayed according to the corresponding processing. Further, on the lower surface of the main body case 11, a label discharge port 15 for discharging the adhesive label (not shown) after printing the character string data and a label discharged to the label discharge port 15 are cut out. The cutter button 16 is provided.

That is, after turning on the power switch 14, any character string data is created using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13, the print mode is set, and the print process is started. The character string to be printed is printed on the label and sequentially discharged from the label discharge port 15.

In this case, the character string to be printed is created by previously setting the character scale and line feed assuming the width and length of the label to be used. When it is output, the character string of the protruding portion is replaced and added in the print length direction and printed.

When the above-mentioned character string to be printed is printed on a label (not shown) and discharged from the label discharge port 15, the label is cut off by sliding the label cutter 16 in the direction shown by the arrow x. To be done.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the printing unit 21 of the label printer, and the ink tape cartridge 22 is mounted on the printing unit 21 for use. The ink tape cartridge 22 is provided with a label 23, which is a long medium to be printed with an adhesive, on which the character string to be printed is printed, and an ink ribbon 24 for printing on the label 23, and the label 23 is transferred. The section 25 is configured so as to be in parallel contact with the ink ribbon 24, proceed in parallel with each other, and be ejected from the ink tape cartridge 22.

Here, the ink tape cartridge 22 is selected and mounted with a label 23 and an ink ribbon 24 having different widths depending on, for example, a cassette tape label or a video tape label.

The ink tape cartridge 22 can be attached to and detached from the print section 21 by opening the case lid 26 of the main body case 11 having the key input section 12 and the display section 13 by one-sided opening. A spool shaft 28 is inserted into the label feeding spool 27 of the tape cartridge 22 and a ribbon winding shaft 30 is inserted into the ribbon winding spool 29 of the ink ribbon 24. The cartridge guide 32a and the cartridge pressing hook 32b are engaged with the recesses 31a and 31b on the opposite side surfaces respectively for positioning.

In this case, the platen roller 33 is positioned along the label 23 in the transfer section 25 of the ink tape cartridge 22, and the thermal print head 34 is positioned along the ink ribbon 24 in the transfer section 25. .

Here, the thermal print head 34 has, for example, 144 dots (8 dots / mm) in the width direction of the ink ribbon 24. That is, during the printing operation of the character string to be printed on the adhesive label 23, the label 23 and the ink ribbon 24 are moved at the same speed in the transfer section 25 by the rotation of the platen roller 33 and the ribbon winding shaft 30. The label 23 and the ink ribbon 24 are sandwiched between the thermal print head 34 and the platen roller 33, and the thermal transfer operation is performed, whereby the character strings to be printed are sequentially printed on the label 23 and the label discharge port 15 Will be paid out from.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 16 a denotes a cutter for cutting the label 23 by protruding to the label outlet 15 as the cutter button 16 slides. On the other hand, a label width detection switch 35 is provided at one end and an ink color detection switch 36 is provided at the other end on the upper surface of the mounting portion of the ink tape cartridge 22 in the printing portion 21.

FIG. 3 shows a structure for detecting the label width and the ink color in the print section 21 of the label printer. First, in the label width detection switch 35, the ink tape cartridge 22 is erected and scattered on the print section base 37. The width detection movable plate 35a, which is pushed down by the lower edge of the side surface of the ink tape cartridge 22 when it is mounted along the guide pins 37a to 37d, and the width detection position by the width detection movable plate 35a. It is composed of a variable resistor 35b for converting it into a voltage signal and a width detection signal output line 35c for deriving a voltage signal obtained by this variable resistor 35b, and a voltage of a level corresponding to the pushing down position of the width detection movable plate 35a. The width of the ink tape cartridge 22 depending on the signal, that is, the dimension of the label 23 with the adhesive and the ink ribbon 24 in the width direction Is detected.

In addition, the ink color detection switch 36 is provided on the side surface corresponding to the switch of the ink tape cartridge 22 in advance when the ink tape cartridge 22 is mounted on the printing unit 21 in the same manner as described above. A groove detection movable plate 36a that fits in a color identification groove 38 formed in a length corresponding to the color and moves up and down, and a groove detection position by the groove detection movable plate 36a is set in a stepwise electrical manner according to the detection position. The ink color of the ink tape cartridge 22 is detected by an electric signal having a level corresponding to the groove detection position of the groove detection movable plate 36a.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the label width and the ink color are detected in the printing section 21 of the label printer. FIG. 4A shows an ink tape cartridge containing a 9 mm wide label 23 for a cassette tape, for example. 22 shows the detection state, and FIG. 3B shows the detection state with respect to the ink tape cartridge 22 in which the label 23 of 18 mm width for video tape is stored.

In this case, the mounting height of each ink tape cartridge 22 with respect to the print unit 21 is regulated by the guide pins 37a to 37d provided upright on the print unit base 37, and the top plate is always set to the same height. As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the ink tape cartridge 22 having the label 23 with a width of 9 mm is mounted when the width detection movable plate 35a has a small descending amount. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the descending amount of the width detection movable plate 35a is large, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the label 23 of 18 mm width is mounted.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of an electronic circuit in the above label printer. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 41 is a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit of the circuit. The control unit 41 includes the key input unit 12 In addition, the print data storage unit 42 for storing the created character string to be printed is connected, and the display unit 13 is connected via the layout display control unit 43 and the display control unit 44.

In the print data storage unit 42, the print character string created corresponding to each label is stored by being separated by the stop code, and this print character string is set according to the print mode setting. The data is sequentially read by the control unit 41, and the print layout display control process is executed.

The layout display control unit 43 prints the printed character string, the maximum character size, the character print direction, the maximum print length, the label width used, and the print image together with the printed character string read from the print data storage unit 42. The format setting information is expanded and controlled at a preset position on a display buffer (not shown). The layout display control unit 43 lays out the character string to be printed on the display buffer and the setting information of the print format. Is displayed on the display unit 13 through the display control unit 44 by designating the start of printing.

Further, the control section 41 is supplied with the label width detection signal from the label width detection switch 35 via the A / D conversion section 35d and the color detection signal from the ink color detection switch 36. Further, in addition to the printing unit 45, the control unit 41 is connected to the printing length / printing width determination unit 46, the printing width error determination unit 47, and the data storage unit 48.

The printing unit 45 performs thermal processing in order to perform printing processing of the print target character string sequentially read from the print data storage unit 42 in accordance with the print format information preset in the layout display control unit 43. Since the printing operation of the print head 34 is controlled and the rotation operations of the ribbon take-up shaft 30 and the platen roller 33 are controlled, the printing length and the printing width of the character string to be printed are stored in the print data storage section 42. Every time the character data of the character string to be printed is read out, the print length / print width judgment unit 46 makes a judgment based on the character control code. Further, in accordance with the printing control operation of the printing unit 45, whether or not the printing width of the character string to be printed falls within the width of the label 23 is determined by reading the stop code from the printing data storage unit 42, that is, 1 The print width error determination unit 47 makes a determination each time the print character string for the label is read.

Then, the data storage unit 48 sequentially updates the maximum print length and print width in accordance with the print length / print width determination processing of the print character string in the print length / print width determination unit 46. At the same time, the maximum character size of each line in the character string to be printed is stored. Based on the print width data stored in the data storage unit 48 and the label width detection data obtained from the label width detection switch 35. The print width error determination unit 47 executes the error determination process, and the layout display control unit 43 executes the layout display control process of the print character string based on the maximum character size data and the maximum print length data. It

Next, the operation of the label printer having the above configuration will be described. For example, when a character string data is input using the key input unit 12 and the display unit 13 to create a label for a video tape, and a character string to be printed "ABC Co., Ltd. Development Department" is generated, The character string data is delimited by the stop code and stored in the print data storage unit 42.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing print layout display processing when the print mode of the label printer is set. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the five types of print layout display states in the label printer and the respective label print states in association with each other.

That is, the print data storage unit 42 stores the print character string “ABC Co., Ltd. Development”, which is a non-printed character string with “ABC Co., Ltd.” full-width characters and “Development Department” quadruple-width characters. Then, when the ink tape cartridge 22 having the wide label 23 with a width of 18 mm is attached to the print section 21 and the print mode is set by operating the mode switching key of the key input section 12, the first character of the print target character string is set. "A" is read from the print data storage unit 42 to the control unit 41, and the print character size "full width" (3 mm square) is determined based on the character control code (steps S1 to S3).

Then, based on the character size “full-width” of the print character data “A” determined by the control unit 41, the print length / print width determination unit 46 prints the print length (including the character pitch). Is determined and added to the print length register in the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction up to the last read character (none in this case) stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48. Is compared with the character size in the label width direction of the character "A" read this time, and the larger character size in the label width direction is updated and stored in the maximum character size register as a new maximum character size (step S4 to S6).

In this way, when the print length adding process and the maximum character size storing process in the label width direction are performed based on the print character size according to the read process of the first character “A” of the print character string, The character size judgment process, the print length addition process, and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction that accompany the print data read process for the second and subsequent characters “B” are repeated, and the print character string “ABC Co., Ltd. Development Department” 1 The print length data for the line (10 cm in this case) is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction (quadruple width in this case) is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48. (Steps S1 to S6).

Then, when the stop code “stop” indicating the end of the print-target character string “ABC Co., Ltd. Development Department” is read from the print data storage unit 42, the maximum of the data storage unit 48 is read in Step S6. According to the maximum character size in the character string to be printed stored in the character size register, the print length / print width determination unit 46 determines the print width and adds it to the print width register of the data storage unit 48. , The corresponding print line and its maximum character size are associated and stored in the line number: character size register, and the maximum character size of the currently read print line stored in the maximum character size register is cleared ( Steps S1, S2 → S7 to S10).

Here, when the print character string for one label consists of a plurality of lines, the maximum print length up to the previously read print line stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 and the above step S4. In the print length register, the print length and print width stored in the print length register are compared and judged by the print length / print width determination unit 46, and the longer print length is updated and stored in the maximum print length register. At the same time, the print length of the currently read print line stored in the print length register is cleared (steps S11 to S13).

If the read print data of this time in step S 1 is the stop code “stop”, it means that the reading of the print character string for one label is completed, and the data storage unit 48 stores The print width data, the maximum character size data for each print line, and the maximum print length data for each print line are obtained (step S14).

Here, the label width detection data (in this case, 18 mm) of the adhesive label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained from the label width detection switch 35 via the A / D conversion section 35 d and the above step S 8 In the print width error determination unit 47, the print width data of the print character string (in this case, quadruple angle = 6 mm) stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 is compared in size. Since the print width of the character string to be printed (quadruple angle = 6 mm) is smaller than the label width (18 mm) of the label with agent 23, it is possible to print the label according to the set format when inputting the character string to be printed. The number of lines in the data storage unit 48: the maximum character size for each print line stored in the character size register (in this case, one line: quadruple) It is transferred to the out display control unit 43 (step S15, S16).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7A, the print image 13a (only one line in this case) is displayed at the upper right end of the display unit 13 where the character string to be printed "ABC Co., Ltd. Development" is displayed. Is displayed as a thin line, and the character size (1 × 1) corresponding to the cursor designation character (“A” in this case) from the upper left end of the display unit 13, the print direction of the print target character string (horizontal), the installed ink The label width (18 mm) of the tape cartridge 22 and the maximum print length (10 cm) of the print character string stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 in step S12 are displayed (step S17). ).

That is, the user sets the print mode after creating the print-target character string “ABC Co., Ltd. Development Department” so that the print-target character string including the double-width is 10 cm on the label 23 with adhesive having a width of 18 mm. It is possible to know in advance from the layout display on the display unit 13 that horizontal printing with the print length is performed, and the label printing process corresponding to this layout display can be performed by the printing unit 45 according to the operation of the print start key. become.

In addition, the print character string “ABC / developed by two lines” including “ABC” full-width characters on the first line, “Corporation” full-width characters on the second line, and “Development” quadruple-width characters “Part” is stored in the print data storage unit 42, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the wide label 23 of 18 mm width is attached to the print unit 21 and the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 is operated to print. When the mode is set, the first character "A" of the character string to be printed is read from the print data storage unit 42 to the control unit 41 in the same manner as above, and the print character size "full width" is determined based on the character control code. (Steps S1 to S3).

Then, based on the character size “full-width” of the print character data “A” determined by the control unit 41, the print length / print width determination unit 46 prints the print length (including the character pitch). Is determined and added to the print length register in the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction up to the last read character (none in this case) stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48. Is compared with the character size in the label width direction of the character "A" read this time, and the larger character size in the label width direction is updated and stored in the maximum character size register as a new maximum character size (step S4 to S6).

In this way, according to the reading process of the first character “A” of the character string to be printed, the print length addition process and the maximum character size storage process in the label width direction based on the print character size are performed. The character size determination process, print length addition process, and maximum character size storage process in the label width direction that accompany the print data read process for the second character "B" and thereafter are repeated to print the first line "ABC" of the printed character string. The long data is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction (full width in this case) is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 (steps S1 to S6). .

When the line feed code indicating the line feed of the first line “ABC” of the character string to be printed is read from the print data storage unit 42, it is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48 in step S6. The print width / print width determination unit 46 determines the print width according to the stored maximum character size (full width) in the first line, and the print width is added to the print width register of the data storage unit 48. Print line (1st line) and its maximum character size (full-width) are associated and stored in the number of lines: character size register. This time read-out print line (1st line) stored in the maximum character size register. The maximum character size of is cleared (steps S1, S2 → S7 to S10).

Here, the maximum print length up to the previously read print line (“0” in this case) stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 and the current read stored in the print length register in step S 4 above. The print length of the print line (first line) is compared and judged by the print length / print width judgment unit 46, and the longer print length, in this case, the print length of the first line is updated in the maximum print length register. At the same time as being stored, the print length of the first line stored in the print length register is cleared (steps S11 to S13).

If the read print data of this time in step S1 is a line feed code, the print character string on the second line exists, and therefore the print character string on the second line “K.K. The print data of the "development department" is sequentially read out in the same manner as above, and the character size judgment processing, print length addition processing, and maximum character size storage processing in the label width direction are repeated, so that the second line of the printed character string " The print length data of "Development Co., Ltd." is stored in the print length register of the data storage unit 48, and the maximum character size in the label width direction (in this case, quadruple size) is stored in the maximum character size register of the data storage unit 48. (Steps S14 → S1 to S6).

When the stop code “stop” indicating the end of the printed character string “ABC / Development Co., Ltd.” consisting of the above two lines is read from the print data storage unit 42, the data storage unit in step S6 described above. The print width / print width determination unit 46 determines the print width according to the maximum character size (quadruple size) in the second line stored in the maximum character size register 48, and the print width of the data storage unit 48. It is added to the register as (double-byte + quadruple-width), and the corresponding print line (second line) and its maximum character size (quadruple-width) are associated and stored in the line number: character-size register. The maximum character size of the currently read print line (second line) stored in the size register is cleared (steps S1, S2 → S7 to S10).

Here, the maximum print length up to the previously read print line (in this case, the print length of the first line) stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 and the print length register in step S4 are stored. The print length of the read-out print line (second line) read this time is compared and judged by the print length / print width determination unit 46, and the longer print length, in this case, the print length of the second line is the maximum above. The print length is updated and stored in the print length register, and the print length of the second line stored in the print length register is cleared (steps S11 to S13).

If the read print data of this time in step S 1 is the stop code “stop”, it means that the reading of the print character string for one label is completed, and the data storage unit 48 stores The print width data (full-width + quadruple-width), maximum character size data for each print line (first line: full-width / 2nd line: quadruple-width), and maximum print-length data between each print line (printing of the second line) Long) is obtained (step S14).

Here, the label width detection data (18 mm in this case) of the adhesive label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained from the label width detection switch 35 via the A / D conversion unit 35 d and the above step S 8 In this case, the print width error determination unit 47 compares the print width data of the print character string stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 (in this case, full width + quadruple angle = 9 mm). Since the print width of the print character string (full width + quadruple angle = 9 mm) is smaller than the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with adhesive, it is possible to print the label according to the setting format when inputting the print character string. , Number of lines in the data storage unit 48 in step S9: Maximum character size for each print line stored in the character size register (first line: full-width / 2 lines : 4 double angle) is transferred to the layout display control unit 43 (step S15, S16).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first line is a thin line and the second line is on the right end of the upper part of the display unit 13 where the character string to be printed “ABC / Development Department” is displayed. Print images 13a and 13b with double-width lines as thick lines are displayed, and the character size (1x1) corresponding to the cursor designated character (in this case, the line feed target character "ABC") is displayed from the upper left edge of the display unit 13. , The printing direction (horizontal direction) of the printed character string, the label width (18 mm) of the mounted ink tape cartridge 22, and the printed character string stored in the maximum print length register of the data storage unit 48 in step S12. The maximum print length (7 cm) is displayed (step S17).

That is, the user sets the print mode after creating the print-target character string “ABC / Development Co., Ltd.” so that the print-target character string consisting of two lines including double-width is 18 mm. It can be known in advance from the layout display on the display unit 13 that horizontal printing with a printing length of 7 cm will be performed on the label 23 with adhesive of width, and the label printing processing corresponding to this layout display can be performed according to the operation of the print start key. The printing unit 45 is used.

Further, the first line is “ABC” full-width characters, the second line is “Corporation” full-width characters, and the third line is “Development Department” quadruple-width characters. Co., Ltd./development department "stored in the print data storage unit 42, the ink tape cartridge 22 having the wide label 23 with a width of 18 mm is attached to the print unit 21, and the mode of the key input unit 12 is switched. When the key is operated to set the print mode, the print character string “ABC / corporation / development department” is displayed as shown in FIG. 7C by going through steps S1 to S17. The print images 13a and 13b in which the first and second lines are thin lines and the third-row double-height line is a thick line are displayed at the upper right end of the display unit 13 which is displayed, and the cursor is designated from the upper left end of the display unit 13. Character (this place Character size (1 x 1) corresponding to the line feed target character "Corporation", printing direction (horizontal direction) of the printed character string, label width (18 mm) of the loaded ink tape cartridge 22, and maximum of the data storage unit 48 The maximum print length (4 cm) of the print character string stored in the print length register is displayed.

That is, the user sets the print mode after creating the print-target character string “ABC / Corporation / Development Department” so that the print-target character string consisting of three lines including double-width is 18 mm wide. It is possible to know in advance by the layout display on the display unit 13 that the label 23 with adhesive is printed horizontally with a print length of 4 cm, and the label printing process corresponding to this layout display is performed according to the operation of the print start key. The printing unit 45 is used.

Further, “ABC” full-width characters are used on the first line, “Corporation” full-width characters are used on the second line, “Open” quadruple-width characters are used on the third line, and “Starting part” quadruple-width characters are used on the fourth line. An ink tape cartridge having a wide label 23 having a width of 18 mm with respect to the print portion 21 in a state where the print character string “ABC / Corporation / Open / Start portion” consisting of four lines is stored in the print data storage portion 42. When the print mode is set by operating the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 while mounting 22, the processes of steps S1 to S14 are executed in the same manner as described above.

Then, when the read print data of this time in step S1 is the stop code “stop”, the reading of the printable character string “ABC / corporation / open / issue part” for one label is completed. The print width data (full-width + full-width + 4-fold double-width + 4-double-width) and maximum character size data for each print line (first line: full-width / 2: full-width / 3 line) are stored in the data storage unit 48. This means that the maximum print length data (print length of the second line) between the print lines is obtained (step: S4).

Here, the label width detection data (18 mm in this case) of the adhesive label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained from the label width detection switch 35 via the A / D conversion unit 35 d and the above step S 8 In the print width error determination unit 47, the print width error determination unit 47 compares the print width data of the print character string stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 with the print width data (in this case, full width + full width + quadruple angle + quadruple angle = 18 mm). In this case, the print width (full width + full width + 4 double width + 4 double width = 18 mm) of the print character string is not smaller than the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with adhesive, so when inputting the print character string It is impossible to print four lines according to the set format, and as shown in FIG. 7D, the display unit 13 on which the print character string “ABC / Corporation / Open / Publish” is displayed. An “Err” message 13c indicating that four lines cannot be printed is displayed at the upper right end of the upper line, and the character size (2 X2), the print direction of the print character string (horizontal), the label width (18 mm) of the ink tape cartridge 22 being installed, and the non-breakable line of the print character string of the 4th line "starting part" in the print length direction. The added maximum print length (5 cm) is displayed respectively (steps S15 → S18).

That is, the user knows that the four-line printing according to the set format cannot be performed by setting the print mode after creating the print target character string “ABC / Corporation / Open / Starting part”. In addition, it is possible to know in advance on the display unit 13 that when printing this, the character string to be printed is printed horizontally on the label 23 with an adhesive of 18 mm width with a printing length of 5 cm. When the start key is operated, the label printing process corresponding to this display message is performed by the printing unit 45.

On the other hand, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 7C, the first line is “ABC” full-width characters, the second line is “Corporation” full-width characters, and the third line is “development department”. With the printable character string “ABC / Corporation / Development Department” consisting of three lines of quadruple-width characters stored in the print data storage unit 42, the print label 21 has a narrow label 23 with a width of 9 mm. When the print mode is set by operating the mode switching key of the key input unit 12 when the tape cartridge 22 is mounted, the processes of steps S1 to S14 are first executed in the same manner as above.

If the current read print data in step S1 is the stop code “stop”, the reading of the printable character string “ABC / corporation / development department” for one label has been completed. The print width data (full-width + full-width + quadruple-width) and maximum character size data for each print line (first line: full-width / 2nd line: full-width / 3rd line: quadruple-width) are stored in the data storage unit 48. ) And the maximum print length data (print length of the third line) between the print lines are obtained (step S14).

Here, the label width detection data (9 mm in this case) of the adhesive label 23 in the ink tape cartridge 22 obtained from the label width detection switch 35 via the A / D conversion section 35 d and the above step S 8 In the print width error determination unit 47, the print width data of the character string to be printed stored in the print width register of the data storage unit 48 (in this case, full-width + full-width + quadruple-angle = 12 mm) is compared. In this case, the print width (full-width + full-width + 4 double-width = 12 mm) of the print character string is larger than the label width (18 mm) of the label 23 with adhesive. Printing is impossible, and as shown in FIG. 7 (E), three lines are printed at the upper right end of the display unit 13 where the print character string "ABC / Corporation / Development Department" is displayed. The “Err” message 13c indicating “OK” is displayed, and the character size (2 × 2) corresponding to the cursor designated character (in this case, “open”) from the upper left end of the display unit 13 and the printing direction of the print target character string ( Width), the label width (9 mm) of the loaded ink tape cartridge 22, and the maximum print length (11 cm) in which the printable character string "Development Department" on the third line that cannot be fed is added in the print length direction is displayed. (Steps S15 → S18).

That is, the user can know that three-line printing according to the set format cannot be performed by setting the print mode after creating the print target character string “ABC / Corporation / Development Department”. At the same time, when this is printed, it can be foreseen on the display 13 that the printed character string will be printed horizontally on the adhesive label 23 with a width of 9 mm with a printing length of 11 cm. When the key is operated, the label printing process corresponding to this display message is performed by the printing unit 45.

Therefore, according to the label printer having the above configuration, the print length and print width of the print target character string stored in the print data storage unit 42 are determined based on the character control code. The print width of the print target character string stored in the data storage unit 48 is smaller than the dimension width of the adhesive label 23 detected by the label width detection switch 35. The print width error determination unit 47 determines whether or not the print width is greater than or equal to the label width. The layout display control unit 43 causes the display control unit 44 to display the "Err" message 13c on the display unit 13. Because of the configured "Figs. 7 (D) and (E)", the print width is too wide for the label width according to the setting format used when creating the character string to be printed. You will be able to know things in advance.

[0065]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, data input means for inputting print data, data storage means for storing print data, width detection means for detecting the width dimension of a long print medium, Based on the dimension width detected by the width detection means and the print data stored in the data storage means, it is determined whether the print data can be printed within the width dimension of the long print medium. Since the print width judging means for judging is provided, if it is judged that the print data cannot be printed, it is possible to take a measure such as displaying an error and urging the printing to be stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the print data from running off the print medium and causing printing defects.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external configuration of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a print unit of the label printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure for detecting a label width and an ink color in a print unit of the label printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a label width and an ink color are detected in a print section of the label printer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit in the label printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a print layout display process when the print mode of the label printer is set.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing five types of print layout display states in the label printer and their respective label print states in association with each other.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... Main body case, 12 ... Key input part, 13 ... Display part, 13a, 13b ... Print image, 13c ... "Err" message, 14 ... Power switch, 15 ... Label discharge port, 16 ... Cutter button, 16a ... Cutter, 21 ... Print part, 22 ... Ink tape cartridge, 23 ... Label with adhesive, 24 ... Ink ribbon, 25 ... Transfer part, 26 ... Case lid, 27 ... Label feeding spool, 28 ... Spool shaft, 29 ... Ribbon take-up spool , 30 ... Ribbon winding shaft, 31a, 31b ... Indentation of cartridge, 32a ... Cartridge guide, 32b ... Hook for holding cartridge, 33 ... Platen roller, 34 ... Thermal print head, 35 ... Label width detection switch, 35a ... Width detection Movable plate, 35b ... Variable resistor, 35c ... Width Detection signal output line, 35d ... A / D conversion section, 36 ... Ink color detection switch, 36a ... Groove detection movable plate, 36b ... Micro switch, 37 ... Print section substrate, 37a-37d ... Guide pin, 38 ... Color identification groove , 41 ... control unit, 42 ... print data storage unit, 43 ... layout display control unit, 44 ... display control unit, 45 ... print unit, 46 ... print length / print width determination unit, 47 ... print width error determination unit, 48 ... data storage section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A data input unit for inputting print data, a data storage unit for storing print data, a width detecting unit for detecting a dimension width of a long print-receiving medium in the width direction, and a width detecting unit. A print width determination means for determining whether or not the print data can be printed within the widthwise dimension of the long print medium based on the detected dimension width and the print data stored in the data storage means. A printer comprising: