WO2006070537A1

WO2006070537A1 - Printer

Info

Publication number: WO2006070537A1
Application number: PCT/JP2005/020935
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hidekazu Ishii; Tomoki Miyashita; Yoshitsugu Tomomatsu; Jun Itakura; Keiko Tsubota
Original assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2004-12-28
Filing date: 2005-11-15
Publication date: 2006-07-06
Also published as: JP2006181988A

Abstract

[PROBLEMS] To provide a printer having a copy printing mode which can be easily set. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] When a print key of a label printer is merely pressed for more than a predetermined time (in a long key press) during printing by the label printer (S26: YES), the mode of the label printer changes to a copy printing mode, and the preset number of labels to be printed can be increased one by one (S27). When a (long key press) state that the print key is pressed for more than a predetermined time is merely released (S28: NO), the increase of the preset number of labels to be printed is stopped, and the printing starts (S31). When the number of labels printed reaches the preset number of labels to be printed (S32), the printing ends.

Description

Specification

Printing device

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing apparatus having a copy printing mode for repeatedly printing print data on a print medium. Background art

Conventionally, there has been known a tape printing apparatus that prints characters and the like on a long tape having an adhesive and release paper on the back surface via a thermal head. This tape printing apparatus has also been proposed with a copy printing mode that repeatedly prints one piece of print data on a tape when a plurality of identical labels are produced (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the tape printer described in Patent Document 1, when setting the number of copies in the copy print mode, the menu key is pressed, the copy print mode is entered, and the up and down cursor keys are used. And set the number of copies. For example, when the up cursor key is pressed, the number of copies is counted up, and when the down cursor key is pressed, the number of copies is counted down.

Patent Document 1: JP-A-6-198979

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in order to shift to the copy printing mode in the conventional printing apparatus, it is necessary to perform a multi-step operation after pressing the menu key, and the setting of the copy printing mode is complicated. There was a problem of becoming.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a printing apparatus capable of easily setting a copy printing mode.

Means for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, a printing unit that prints print data on a printing medium, a printing control unit that controls the printing unit, and a one-time operation for the printing control unit. A print key for instructing to print the print data once by pressing; A printing apparatus comprising: a display unit that displays information related to printing by the printing unit, wherein the printing control unit is stored in the printing data storage unit that stores printing data and the printing data storage unit. A copy print mode control means for controlling a copy print mode for repeatedly printing print data on the print medium; and a long press judgment means for judging whether or not the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more. When the long press determining unit determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more, the control unit prints the print data stored in the print data storage unit once from the normal print mode to the copy print mode. Migrate to

[0006] The printing apparatus of the present invention further includes a copy print number storage unit that stores the number of sheets that are repeatedly printed in the copy print mode, and the copy print mode control unit further switches to the copy print mode. After the transition, while the press of the print key that triggered the transition to the copy print mode is continued, the number of sheets stored in the copy print number storage means is continuously counted up, and the print key is pressed. When the state force is released, the count-up may be stopped and the printing unit may be controlled to perform copy printing up to the number of copies stored in the copy print number storage unit.

[0007] Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention prints printing data by printing the printing data on a printing medium, printing control means for controlling the printing means, and pressing the printing control means once. A printing apparatus comprising: a print key for instructing to print data once; and a display means for displaying information relating to printing by the printing means, wherein the print control means is a print device for storing print data. Data storage means, copy print mode control means for controlling a copy print mode for repeatedly printing the print data stored in the print data storage means on the print medium, and the number of sheets to be repeatedly printed in the copy print mode are stored. Copy copy number storage means, wherein the copy print mode control means keeps the copy key while the print key is kept pressed for a predetermined time or more. It continued printing, when the print key is released the depressed state force, terminating the copy print.

[0008] Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing unit that prints print data on a printing medium, a printing control unit that controls the printing unit, and printing by pressing the printing control unit once. A print key for instructing to print data once, and a mark on the printing means. A printing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying information relating to printing; wherein the printing control means repeats printing data stored in the printing data storage means and printing data storage means for storing printing data; A copy print mode control means for controlling a copy print mode for printing on a medium; and a long press determination means for determining whether or not the print key is pressed for a predetermined time or more. The copy print mode control means includes the long press When the determination unit determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more, the print data stored in the print data storage unit is shifted from the normal print mode for printing once to the copy print mode, and copy printing is performed. Even if the print key is released from the pressed state, the copy printing is continued, and the long press determination is performed during the copy print mode. If the unit determines that the print key is depressed for a predetermined time or more, and terminates the copy print.

In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when print data that changes with time is used as the print data, the copy print mode control means stores the print data when copy printing is started. The print data stored in the printing means is held in the locked state without being changed, and the lock state of the print data stored in the print data storage means is pressed when the unlocking key for releasing the locked state is pressed. May be released.

[0010] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when print data that changes with time is used as the print data, the copy print mode control means stores the print data when copy printing is started. The print data stored in the means is held in a locked state without being changed, copy printing is performed, and then the print data is stored when printing is performed in the normal print mode in which the print data is printed once. The lock state of the print data stored in the means may be released.

[0011] The printing apparatus of the present invention may further include a display control unit that displays a current print number and a set number of copy prints on the display unit when the copy print is started. Good.

[0012] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print medium may be a long tape, and the print data may include at least data of characters, symbols, and images.

[0013] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print data that changes with time may include time. The data shown may be used by capturing the timer force.

The invention's effect

[0014] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the print data is repeatedly printed on the print medium from the normal print mode in which the print data stored in the print data storage unit is printed once only by pressing the print key for a predetermined time or more. It is possible to shift to the copy printing mode. Therefore, it is possible to shift to the copy mode by a simple operation of pressing the print key for a predetermined time or more, and the complicated operation for shifting to the copy mode can be simplified.

[0015] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the copy print mode control means performs copy while the press of the print key that triggered the transition to the copy print mode is continued after the transition to the copy print mode. When the number of prints stored in the print number storage means continues to be counted up and the print key is released, the count up is stopped and the print means is controlled to copy up to the number stored in the copy print number storage means. Since printing is performed, the number of copies can be set simply by pressing the print key. Copy printing can be started simply by releasing the print key.

[0016] Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, the copy printing is continued while the print key is kept pressed for a predetermined time or more, and the copy printing is terminated when the press key is released. With this simple operation, you can print as many copies as you need.

[0017] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, the copy print mode control means stores the print data stored in the print data storage means when the long press determination means determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more. The normal printing mode in which printing is performed once is shifted to the copy printing mode, copy printing is started, and the copy printing is continued even when the press key is released. When it is determined that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more, the copy printing is terminated, so that the first long press can start the copy print, and the second long press can end the copy print. Easily perform multiple copy printing without having to hold down the key

[0018] Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, when print data that changes over time is used as print data, the copy print mode control means performs printing when copy printing is started. The print data stored in the print data storage means is held in the locked state without being changed, and the print data stored in the print data storage means when the unlock key for releasing the locked state is pressed. Since the lock status is released, even if the print data changes over time, such as when the print data is fetched from the timer device during printing, the same print data that changes over time is unlocked during copy printing. Until the key is pressed, you can copy and print repeatedly. Also, until the lock release key is pressed, it is possible to print with the same data over a plurality of times, such as once again interrupting or ending copy printing, and then copying again.

[0019] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when print data that changes with time is used as the print data, the copy print mode control means is configured to print data storage means when copy printing is started. The print data stored in the printer is kept in a locked state without being changed, and then copy printing is performed.Next, when printing is performed in the normal print mode in which the print data is printed once, the print data storage means The stored print data can be unlocked. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent printing data held in the locked state during printing in the normal mode from being printed.

[0020] Further, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, when copy printing is started, the current number of prints and the set number of copy prints are displayed on the display means. Can be notified to the user.

[0021] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, print data including at least any one of character, symbol, and image data can be copied and printed on a long tape as a print medium.

[0022] In the printing apparatus of the present invention, as print data that changes with time, data indicating time can be taken in from a timer and used.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given with reference to the drawings based on a first embodiment in which a printing apparatus according to the present invention is specifically designated as a label printer 1. The label printer 1 is connected to the computer device 2 and prints print data including data such as characters, symbols and images sent from the computer device 2 on the tape drawn out from the tape cassette, and then cuts it. The label is manufactured. This tape has an adhesive and release paper on the back. A long tape is wound. In addition, the label printer 1 has a copy mode for repeatedly printing the same print data and a normal print mode for printing one print data once.

First, a schematic configuration of the label printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram of the label printer 1 as viewed from the upper front side, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the label printer 1.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the casing of the label printer 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The keyboard 3 with various push buttons arranged on the right side of the front end side of the upper surface is arranged, and the liquid crystal is arranged on the left side. A display device 4 (hereinafter abbreviated as “LCD4”) is arranged. Further, a tape cassette storage section 5 for storing a tape cassette (not shown) on which a tape having a predetermined width (not shown) as a printing medium is wound is provided on the rear end side of the upper surface of the label printer 1. The cassette housing part 5 is covered with an openable / closable opening / closing cover 6 whose rear end part is pivotally supported.

Next, various keys arranged on the keyboard 3 will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, the keyboard 3 has a power key 31 for turning on / off the power of the label printer 1 and a print key 32 for instructing to print the print data once by one press. The menu key 35 for displaying the various operation menus of the label printer 1, the up key 33 for selecting menu items from the operation menu displayed on the LCD 4, the down key 34, and the selected menu. An OK key 37 for determination, a cancel key 36 for canceling the instruction, a feed key 38 for instructing to feed the tape, a cut key 39 for instructing cutting of the tape, and a force S are provided.

Next, the electrical configuration of the label printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The label printer 1 is provided with a main control board 10, and the main control board 10 is provided with a CPU 11 that controls the main control of the label printer 1. The CPU 11 stores graphic data such as characters and symbols. CGROM 12, ROM 13 storing a control program, RAM 14 for storing print data, other data and flags received from the computer apparatus 2 described later, timer 18 for generating date and time data, computer apparatus 2 Are connected via a communication data interface 17, an input / output interface 15, and a force data bus 17. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the input / output interface 15 of the label printer 1 has a force set sensor 22 for detecting the presence and type of the tape cassette stored in the tape cassette storage unit 5; A drive circuit 23 for driving the thermal head 19, a drive circuit 24 for driving the tape feed motor 20, a drive circuit 25 for driving the cutting motor 21 for operating the cutter blade for cutting the tape, and a drive for driving the LCD 4 The circuit 26 and the keyboard 3 having the various keys 31 to 39 are connected. The thermal head 19, the drive circuit 23, the tape feed motor 20 and the drive circuit 24 correspond to “printing means”, and the CPU 11 which performs printing processing corresponds to “printing control means”.

Next, the computer device 2 connected to the label printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the computer apparatus 2. The computer device 2 is a well-known personal computer and may be any of a desktop type, a notebook type, a tile type, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the computer apparatus 2 is provided with a CPU 41 that controls the main control of the computer apparatus 2. The CPU 41 includes a timer 40 for generating date and time data, a BI OS, ROM 42 that stores graphic data, RAM 43 that temporarily stores input data, input / output interface 44, modem 51, and communication interface 45 for communicating with label printer 1 are connected to data bus 52. Connected through.

[0031] The input / output interface 44 includes a hard disk controller 48 that controls a node disk 49 that stores various programs and data, an FD controller 46 that controls an FD drive 47, a keyboard 56, and a mouse 57. And a display device controller 50 for controlling the display device 58 and a CD-RZW drive 59 are connected. The input / output interface 44 can be connected to an image scanner (not shown). A flexible disk 55 storing various programs and data is inserted into the FD drive 47, and a CD-ROM 60, CD-R, CD-RW storing various programs and data are inserted into the CD-R / W drive 59. Etc. can be inserted.

Next, the storage area of the RAM 14 of the label printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 showing a conceptual diagram of the storage area of the RAM 14 of the label printer 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 14 includes a print data storage area 141 for storing print data, and a backup flag storage area. 142, a time data storage area 143, a print set number storage area 144, a print number storage area 145, a work area 146, and the like. The print data storage area 141 of the RAM 14 corresponds to “print data storage means”, and the print setting number storage area 144 corresponds to “copy print number storage means”.

Next, the operation of the label printer 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main control process of the label printer 1, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the subroutine of the initial setting process, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the printing process 1 as an example of the subroutine of the printing process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the menu item processing subroutine, FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the menu item determination processing subroutine, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the LCD 4. The programs shown in the above flowcharts are stored in the ROM 13 of the label printer 1 and executed by the CPU 11.

First, the main control process of the label printer 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the label printer 1 is not turned on and the power key 31 of the label printer 1 is pressed, the label printer 1 is turned on and the main control of the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed. In this main control process, an initial setting process S1 is first performed. In the initial setting process S1, as in the flowchart of the initial setting process subroutine shown in FIG. 6, first, the data in the RAM 14 is cleared and the system is initialized (Sl l). Next, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 of the label printer 1 is turned ON (S12). When the backup flag is ON, the date and time data at the start of the printing process is stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 in the printing process described later.

Next, returning to the main control process shown in FIG. 5, the main screen 71 shown in FIG. 10 (1) is displayed on the LCD 4 of the label printer 1 (S2). In this main screen display, as shown in the main screen 71 of FIG. 10, data indicating the date and time acquired from the timer 40 of the label printer 1 is displayed as “[P01] 14:02 2004Z12Z31J. [P01] After that, when print data is received from the computer device 2 to which the label printer 1 is connected (S3: YES), the received print data is stored in the print data storage area 141 of the RAM 14. (S4). If no print data is received from the computer device 2 (S3: NO), the main screen is displayed and the system waits.

Next, in the main control process, it is determined whether any key on the keyboard 3 of the label printer 1 is pressed (S5). For example, when the print key 32 is pressed (S5: Y ES, S6: YES), print processing (S7).

Next, the printing process will be described with reference to the flowchart of the printing process subroutine shown in FIG. In this printing process, first, when the backup flag is ON (S21: YES), the date and time data obtained from the timer 40 of the label printer 1 is stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 ( S22). Next, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned OFF (S23). The date data is now locked.

Next, the print set number stored in the print set number storage area 144 of the RAM 14 is set to 1, and the print set number stored in the print number stored area 145 of the RAM 14 is set to 0 (S24). Next, the date and time data stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 is reflected in the print data (S25). For example, if the print data is data representing the date of manufacture and time, it will be stored in the time data storage area 143 of 1 ^^ 114 as “Production date and time: 2004Z12Z31 14:02”. Data “2004Z12Z31 14: 0 2” of the current date and time is reflected in the text data of “Production date and time: * * * * z * * z * * * *: * *” stored in the print data storage area 141 of the RAM 14 .

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is being pressed long (S26). The CPU 11 monitors the pressed state of the print key 32 at intervals of 300 ms at intervals of 300 ms, and when the pressed state is detected continuously, it is determined that the long press is being performed (S26: YES ) If the button is being held down (S26: YES), the print setting number stored in the print setting number storage area 144 of the RAM 14 is increased by one (S27). Note that the CPU 11 that determines whether or not the button is being pressed is equivalent to the “long press determination unit”.

Next, the process proceeds to S28, and it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is still being pressed (S28). This determination is also performed in the same manner as the processing of S26. If the print key 32 of label printer 1 is being pressed long (S28: YES), the print setting number storage area 14 of RAM14 Increase the number of print settings stored in 4 by 1 (S27). If the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is no longer being pressed (S28: NO), that is, if the pressed state of the print key 32 is released, the process proceeds to S29 and the number of pages printed in the RAM 14 Increase the number of prints stored in storage area 145 by one (S29). Therefore, simply press and hold the print key 32 for a predetermined time or longer (long press) to enter the copy printing mode and increment the set number of prints by one, and keep pressing the print key 32 for a predetermined time or longer. (Press and hold) Counting up the set number of prints can be canceled simply by canceling the status. The CPU 11 that performs the processing of the above steps relating to the copy print mode corresponds to “copy print mode control means”.

[0041] Next, "number of printed sheets Z set number of printed sheets" is displayed on LCD 4 of label printer 1 (S30). For example, if the print setting number stored in the print setting number storage area 144 of the RAM 14 is “10”, “1 0? ^ 3 1Z10” is displayed on 1 ^ 04 as shown in Fig. 10 (2). Screen display 72 is displayed. The CPU 11 that performs the process of S30 corresponds to “display control means”.

[0042] Next, the CPU 11 of the label printer 1 controls the drive circuit 23 that drives the thermal head 19 and the drive circuit 24 that drives the tape feed motor 20, and executes printing of print data. When finished, the CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 25 that drives the cutting motor 21 to cut the tape (S31). Next, it is determined whether or not the number of prints and the set number are the same (S32). If the number of prints and the set number are not the same (S32: NO), the processes of S29 to S31 are performed again. When the number of printed sheets and the set number of sheets are the same (S32: YES), the process returns to the main control process shown in FIG.

[0043] If the print key 32 is not pressed for a long time in the determination process of S26 of the print process shown in FIG. 7 (S26: NO), that is, press the print key 32 for a moment to instruct printing once. In this case, the printing screen 73 with “PRINTING” (FIG. 10 (3)) indicating that printing is in progress on the LCD 4 is displayed (S33), and the CPU 11 of the label printer 1 drives the thermal head 19 to drive. The drive circuit 24 that drives the path 23 and the tape feed motor 20 is controlled to execute printing of the print data. When one print is completed, the CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 25 that drives the cutting motor 21. Then, the tape is cut (S34). That is, only one sheet is printed. And RA The backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of M14 is turned ON (S35), the date / time data lock state is released, and the process returns to the main control process shown in FIG.

Next, the case where the menu key 35 is pressed in the main control process shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of the menu item process shown in FIG. First, in the main control process, when the menu key 35 is pressed (Fig. 5, S5: YES, S6: NO, S8: YES), the main screen of the menu that displays various menus on the LCD 4 of the label printer 1 is displayed. (Fig. 8, S41). Next, it waits until any key is pressed (S42: NO, S41), when any key is pressed (S42: YES), and the pressed key is the up key 33 or the down key 34 If (S43: YES), change the menu item on the main screen of the menu displayed on the LCD4 (S44). That is, when the up key 33 is pressed, the menu item is scrolled up, and when the down key 34 is pressed, the menu item is scrolled down (S44).

[0045] If the pressed key is the up key 33 or the down key 34! / (S43: NO), it is determined whether or not the OK key 37 is pressed (S45). When the OK key 37 is pressed (S45: YES), menu item confirmation processing is performed (S46). If the OK key 37 is not pressed! / Other key is pressed (S45: NO), other processing corresponding to the key is performed (S47). For example, when the cancel key 36 or the menu key 35 is pressed.

Next, the menu item confirmation process will be described with reference to the flowchart of the menu item confirmation process subroutine shown in FIG. In this menu item confirmation process, first, when the OK key 37 is pressed, it is highlighted as a selected menu item on the LCD 4 to determine whether or not the item is a time unlocked item ( S51). In the case of the time unlocking item (S51: YES), the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned ON (S52). If it is not a time unlock item (S51: NO), other processing is performed according to that item (S53). The OK key 37 that is pressed when the menu item selected on the LCD 4 is highlighted and is the time unlock item corresponds to the “unlock key”.

[0047] When the backup flag is set to ON in the process of S52, the date and time data is stored at any time, and the timer 18 force is also stored in the time data storage area 143. When printing on a tape, the date and time at the time of printing is printed. Therefore, when creating a large number of labels, the time data will be different. On the contrary

If the knock-up flag is turned OFF (S23) after the time is backed up (S22), the date and time data is stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM14 at the start of the printing process, and copy printing continues thereafter. In this case, the date and time data backed up in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 is reflected in the print data and the same date and time are continuously printed. Therefore, even when a large number of labels are created, the time data is the same and does not differ.

As described above, in the label printer 1 according to the first embodiment, it is possible to shift to the copy printing mode by simply pressing the print key 32 for a predetermined time or longer (long pressing). While the print key 32 is pressed, the set number of prints can be incremented by one, and the count-up of the set number of prints can be canceled simply by releasing the long press of the print key 32. Thus, printing can be executed up to the set print setting number.

[0049] (Second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the mechanical configuration and the electrical configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the main control process is also the same. The only difference is the printing process. The control is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the printing process different from the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of the printing process 2 subroutine shown in FIG.

[0050] In this printing process 2, first, when this backup flag is ON (S6 1: YES), the date and time data obtained from the timer 40 of the label printer 1 is stored in the time data storage area of the RAM 14. It is stored in 143 (S62). Next, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned OFF (S63). The date data is now locked.

Next, the date and time data stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 is reflected in the print data (S64). For example, if the print data is data representing the date of manufacture and time, it will be stored in the time data storage area 143 of 1 ^^ 114 as “Production date and time: 2004Z12Z31 14:02”. Date data “2004Z12Z31 14:02 ”is stored in the print data storage area 141 of the RAM 14, and the“ manufacturing date and time: *

* *: * * Is reflected in the text data.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is being pressed for a long time (S65). The CPU 11 monitors the pressed state of the print key 32 at intervals of 300 ms at intervals of 300 ms. When the pressed state is detected continuously, it is determined that the long press is being performed (S65: YES ) If the button is being held down (S65: YES), the print screen 74 (Fig. 10 (4)) with “COPIES 1” indicating that printing is in progress is displayed on the LCD 4 (S66). The CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 23 that drives the thermal head 19 and the drive circuit 24 that drives the tape feed motor 20 to execute print data printing. When one print is completed, the CPU 11 The drive circuit 25 for driving 21 is controlled to cut the tape (S67).

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is still being pressed (S68). This determination is the same as S65. When the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is still pressed (S68: YES), the print screen display (S66) and the print screen 75 (Fig. 10 (5)) with "COPIES2" are displayed. Perform processing (S67). Hereinafter, while the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is being held down (S68: YES), the print screen display (S66) and print processing (S67) are performed while incrementing the numerical value following the character string “COPIES” on the print screen. repeat. If the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is no longer being pressed (S68: NO), that is, if the pressed state of the print key 32 is released, the printing process is terminated and the main shown in FIG. Return to control processing.

[0054] When the print key 32 is not pressed for a long time in the determination process of S65 of the print process shown in FIG. 11 (S65: NO), that is, when the print key 32 is pressed for a moment and printing is instructed once. In this case, the CPU 11 of the label printer 1 controls the drive circuit 23 that drives the thermal head 19 and the drive circuit 24 that drives the tape feed motor 20 to execute printing of the print data. The CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 25 that drives the cutting motor 21 to cut the tape (S69). That is, only one sheet is printed. Then, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned ON (S70), the date / time data lock state is released, and then the process returns to the main control process shown in FIG.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the print key 32 is kept pressed for a long time. If the print key has been pressed, the copy printing is continued for a long time, and the copy printing can be terminated when the long press of the print key 32 is released.

[0056] (Third embodiment)

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the third embodiment, the mechanical configuration and the electrical configuration are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, the main control process is the same, and the only difference is the printing process. The other controls are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. Therefore, a printing process different from the other embodiments will be described with reference to a flowchart of a subroutine of the printing process 3 shown in FIG.

[0057] In this print process 3, first, when the backup flag is ON (S8 1: YES), the date and time data obtained from the timer 40 of the label printer 1 is stored in the time data storage area of the RAM 14. It is stored in 143 (S82). Next, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned OFF (S83). The date data is now locked.

Next, the date and time data stored in the time data storage area 143 of the RAM 14 is reflected in the print data (S84). For example, if the print data is data representing the date of manufacture and time, it will be stored in the time data storage area 143 of 1 ^^ 114 as “Production date and time: 2004Z12Z31 14:02”. Date data “2004Z12Z31

14:02 ”is stored in the print data storage area 141 of the RAM 14, and the“ manufacturing date and time: *

* *: * * Is reflected in the text data.

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is being pressed for a long time (S85). The CPU 11 monitors the pressed state of the print key 32 at intervals of 300 ms at intervals of 300 ms. When the pressed state is detected continuously, it is determined that the long press is being performed (S85: YES ) If the button is being held down (S85: YES), the print screen 74 (Fig. 10 (4)) with “COPIES 1” indicating that printing is in progress is displayed on the LCD 4 (S86). The CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 23 that drives the thermal head 19 and the drive circuit 24 that drives the tape feed motor 20 to execute print data printing. When one print is completed, the CPU 11 The drive circuit 25 for driving 21 is controlled to cut the tape (S87).

Next, it is determined whether or not the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is pressed again for a long time ( S88). This determination is the same as S85. If the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is not pressed again for a long time (S88: NO), the print screen 75 (Fig. 10 (5)) is displayed (386). And print processing 87). Below, while the print key 32 of the label printer 1 is pressed again for a long time! (S88: NO), the print screen display (S86) and print processing are performed while incrementing the numerical value following the character string “COPIES” on the print screen. Repeat (S87). That is, copy printing is repeated even when the print key 32 is not pressed. If the print key 32 is pressed and held again (S88: YES). The print process ends and the process returns to the main control process shown in FIG.

[0061] In the determination process of S85 of the printing process shown in FIG. 12, when the print key 32 is not pressed for a long time (S85: NO), that is, when the print key 32 is pressed for a moment and printing is instructed once. Displays the printing screen 73 with “PRINTING” (FIG. 10 (3)) (S89), and the CPU 11 of the label printer 1 drives the drive circuit 23 that drives the thermal head 19 and the tape feed motor 20. The drive circuit 24 is controlled to print the print data, and when printing of one sheet is completed, the CPU 11 controls the drive circuit 25 that drives the cutting motor 21 to cut the tape (S90). ). That is, only one sheet is printed. Then, the backup flag stored in the backup flag storage area 142 of the RAM 14 is turned ON (S91), the date / time data lock state is released, and then the process returns to the main control process shown in FIG.

As described above, in the third embodiment, if the print key 32 is pressed for a long time, the copy printing is continued for a long time, and if the print key 32 is pressed for a long time, the copy printing is terminated. can do.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention may be applied to an apparatus that operates as a single force label printer described as an example of a printing apparatus in which the label printer 1 is connected to the computer apparatus 2. In that case, for example, a plurality of predetermined text data for printing may be stored as a template, and one selected from them may be printed. Furthermore, data that changes over time may be reflected in all or part of the text data. Also, the printing device is not provided with any keys, only the printing function is provided, and the print key 32 etc. is displayed on the screen of the computer device 2. Then, you may make it click with a mouse. Furthermore, an unlock key may be provided on the keyboard 3. In addition, the determination of whether or not the long pressing force is applied is not limited to being performed at intervals of 300 ms. In printing, in addition to cutting each time one sheet is printed, depending on the settings, when copying, only the last sheet may be cut and not cut halfway.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the label printer 1 as viewed from the upper front side.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the label printer 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the computer apparatus 2;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a storage area of the RAM 14 of the label printer 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of main control processing of the label printer 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a subroutine for initial setting processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a subroutine of print processing 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a menu item processing subroutine.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a subroutine for menu item confirmation processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on LCD4.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of print processing 2 subroutine.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a subroutine of print processing 3.

Explanation of symbols

[0065] 1 Label printer

2 Computer equipment

3 Keyboard

4 LCD

10 Main control board

11 CPU

13 ROM

14 RAM

15 person output interface Communication interface timer

Thermal head

Power key

Print key

Up key

Down key

Menu key

Cancel / Leeky

OK key

Feed key

Cut key

Timer

Print data storage area Knock-up flag storage area Time data storage area Print setting number storage area Print number storage area Work area

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] a printing means for printing the print data on a print medium;

Printing control means for controlling the printing means;

A print key for instructing the print control means to print the print data once with a single press;

A printing device comprising display means for displaying information relating to printing by the printing means,

The print control means includes

Print data storage means for storing print data;

A copy print mode control means for controlling a copy print mode for repeatedly printing the print data stored in the print data storage means on the print medium;

Long press determination means for determining whether or not the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more,

The copy print mode control means is a normal print mode force that prints the print data stored in the print data storage means once when the long press determination means determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more. A printer characterized by shifting to a copy printing mode.

[2] a copy print number storage means for storing the number of sheets to be repeatedly printed in the copy print mode;

The copy print mode control means stores the copy print number storage means while the press of the print key that triggered the shift to the copy print mode is continued after the shift to the copy print mode. When the print key is released and the pressing state is released, the count-up is stopped and the printing means is controlled to copy the number of copies to the number stored in the copy print number storage means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

[3] a printing means for printing the print data on a print medium;

Printing control means for controlling the printing means;

Printing data is printed once by pressing the print control unit once. A print key to instruct,

The print control means includes

Print data storage means for storing print data;

Copy copy number storage means for storing the number of sheets to be repeatedly printed in the copy print mode,

The copy print mode control means continues the copy printing as long as the print key is kept pressed for a predetermined time or more, and terminates the copy printing when the print key is released. Characteristic printing device.

Printing means for printing the print data on a print medium;

Printing control means for controlling the printing means;

The print control means includes

Print data storage means for storing print data;

The copy print mode control means is a normal print mode force that prints the print data stored in the print data storage means once when the long press determination means determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more. The printer enters the copy printing mode, starts copy printing, and continues printing even when the print key is released. The printing apparatus ends the copy printing when the long press determining means determines that the print key has been pressed for a predetermined time or more during the copy printing mode.

[5] When print data that changes with time is used as the print data, the copy print mode control means stores the print data stored in the print data storage means when copy printing is started. The locked state of the print data stored in the print data storage means is released when the lock release key for releasing the locked state is pressed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[6] When print data that changes with time is used as the print data, the copy print mode control means stores the print data stored in the print data storage means when copy printing is started. The print data stored in the print data storage means when the printing is performed in the normal print mode in which the print data is printed once and held in the locked state without changing The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the locked state is released.

7. The display control means for displaying the current print number and the set number of copy prints on the display means when the copy printing is started. A printing apparatus according to any one of the above.

[8] The print medium according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the print medium is a long tape, and the print data includes at least data of characters, symbols, and images. The printing device described.

[9] The printing apparatus according to [5] or [6], wherein as the print data that changes with time, data indicating time is used by taking in a timer force.