WO2012150671A1

WO2012150671A1 - Printing device

Info

Publication number: WO2012150671A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/058212
Authority: WO
Inventors: 潤也河合
Original assignee: ブラザー工業株式会社
Priority date: 2011-05-02
Filing date: 2012-03-28
Publication date: 2012-11-08
Also published as: JP2012234388A

Abstract

[Problem] To enable an operator to reliably identify and recognize defective printing element setting information included in printing control information that has been output from an operation device when printing by means of the printing control information cannot be executed. [Solution] A printing instruction (Q) acquired from a barcode reader (200) is analyzed, multiple printing-related commands (TD) contained therein in a prescribed order are extracted, and the printing of printing data (PD) in a printing mode corresponding to a new printing instruction (Q) generated using the first printing-related command (TD1) of the multiple extracted printing-related commands (TD), as well as the printing of the text data of the printing-related command (TD1), are executed. Next, for each occurrence of a prescribed process continuation operation, the printing of printing data (PD) in a printing mode corresponding to new printing instructions (Q) generated by sequentially adding the subsequently ordered printing-related commands (TD2, TD3,...), as well as the printing of the text data of the printing-related commands (TD1, TD2, TD3,...), which includes the new additions, are performed.

Description

Printing device

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs desired printing on a substrate.

Printing apparatuses that perform printing based on information output from operating devices outside the apparatus are already known. At this time, for example, if the information from the operation device includes any deficiencies that are not compatible with the printing apparatus, printing is not executed.

Therefore, a printing apparatus that takes into consideration the cause of the above-described non-execution of printing is already known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, the printing apparatus (printer) executes desired printing corresponding to the printing control information by acquiring the printing control information (printing data) output from the operating device (host computer). At this time, when the print control information is received by the reception buffer, the data processing section sequentially reads the print control information in units of print element setting information (commands), and further interprets the read print element setting information. After being interpreted by the part, it is sequentially stored in the hard disk drive. As a result, it is possible to match the order of the print control information output from the operating device and the order of the print control information stored in the hard disk drive when printing is not executed.

JP 2008-165605 A

In the above prior art, since highly reproducible data is stored in the hard disk drive, the convenience for the operator to find defective print element setting information is improved. However, when the operator wants to specify which of the printing element setting information included in the printing control information is incomplete, the plurality of printing element setting information arranged in the correct order as described above is first displayed. It is necessary to check one by one in order, and it takes a lot of labor and time. As a result, it is difficult for the operator to reliably identify and recognize the defective printing element setting information.

It is an object of the present invention to reliably identify and recognize defective print element setting information included in the print control information when printing using the print control information output from the operating device is not executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can perform such a process.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information acquisition means for acquiring printing control information output from an operating device outside the apparatus, a transport means for transporting a substrate, and the transport means transported by the transport means. A printing device for performing desired printing corresponding to the print control information acquired by the information acquisition unit on the printing material, the print control acquired by the information acquisition unit An information extracting unit that analyzes information and extracts a plurality of print element setting information included in the print control information in a predetermined order; and a first print out of the plurality of print element setting information extracted by the information extracting unit Generate new print control information using the element setting information, print the print data in the print mode corresponding to the new print control information, and identification information of the first print element setting information The first control unit that controls the printing of the text data in cooperation with the transport unit and the printing unit and the first of the plurality of print element setting information each time a predetermined processing continuation instruction is input In addition to the print element setting information, the subsequent print element setting information is sequentially added to generate the new print control information, and printing of the print data in a print mode corresponding to the new print control information, at least And a second control unit that controls the printing of the text data of the identification information of the newly added print element setting information in cooperation with the transport unit and the printing unit.

In the printing apparatus of the present invention, printing is performed based on information from an operating device outside the apparatus. That is, the print control information output from the operation device is acquired by the information acquisition unit. Then, the printing unit executes desired printing corresponding to the printing control information on the substrate to be printed conveyed by the conveying unit.

At this time, the print control information includes a plurality of pieces of print element setting information. However, in any one of the print element setting information, any incompatibility (difference in the number of bits or information format that does not match the printing apparatus). If there are non-conformances, etc.), printing cannot be performed. The operator can recognize that there is the above-mentioned defect by the fact that printing by the printing means is not normally performed. However, the operator cannot know which of the plurality of print element setting information is incomplete (in other words, there was no problem in other cases) as it is.

Therefore, in the printing apparatus of the present invention, information extraction means, first control means, and second control means are provided. The information extraction unit analyzes the print control information and extracts a plurality of print element setting information. The first control means first generates new print control information using the first print element setting information in the predetermined order. Accordingly, the printing unit prints the print data on the conveyed printing material in a printing mode corresponding to the new print control information. If the print data at this time is not normally printed, the operator can know that the first print element setting information is incomplete. At this time, under the control of the first control means, the printing means also prints text data of identification information (for example, name and function) of the first print element setting information. As a result, the operator can reliably specify and recognize this print element setting information.

On the other hand, when printing of the print data according to the printing mode corresponding to the new print control information generated using the first print element setting information as described above is normally completed, the first print element setting information is incomplete. Therefore, there is a problem with other print element setting information. In this case, the second control means uses the printing element setting information next to the first printing element setting information (in this case, the second printing element setting information) along the predetermined order to newly add new printing control information. Generate. The printing unit prints the print data on the conveyed substrate in a print mode corresponding to the new print control information. If the print data at this time is not normally printed, the operator can know that the newly added second print element setting information is incomplete. At this time, as described above, under the control of the second control unit, the printing unit also prints at least text data of identification information of the second print element setting information. As a result, the operator can reliably specify and recognize this print element setting information.

Further, when printing of the print data according to the printing mode corresponding to the new print control information generated by adding the second print element setting information as described above is normally completed, the first print element setting information and the second print element setting information There is no defect in the printing element setting information, and there is a problem in the other printing element setting information after the third. Therefore, thereafter, in the same manner as described above, new new print control information is generated by the second control unit by sequentially accumulating and adding the third and subsequent print element setting information. Prints print data in a print mode corresponding to the new print control information and prints text data including at least identification information of the newly added print element setting information.

As described above, in the present invention, new print control information is sequentially generated while adding each print element setting information included in the original print control information one by one in order. Continue printing. Thus, when printing is not normally performed, the operator can surely recognize that the printing element setting information added immediately before the printing is incomplete. In particular, since the text data of the identification information of the printing element setting information in the order before the added printing element setting information is normally printed on the printed material at that time, the operator has the above-mentioned deficiencies. The print element setting information can be more reliably identified and recognized.

According to the present invention, when printing based on the print control information output from the operating device is not executed, the operator can reliably identify defective print element setting information included in the print control information. Can be recognized.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a printing system including a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing system in FIG. 1. It is a figure showing an example of the printed label produced. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the print label was produced normally by the printing command which does not contain a defect. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the printed label was not produced normally by the printing command containing a defect. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the 1st printed label was printed normally using the printing command containing the first printing related command. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the 2nd printed label was printed normally using the printing command containing the printing related command to the 2nd. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the 3rd printing label was printed normally using the printing command containing the printing related command to the 3rd. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the 4th print label was printed normally using the printing command containing the printing related command to the 4th. It is explanatory drawing showing the state by which the printing label of the 5th sheet was not normally printed using the printing command containing the printing related command to the 5th. It is a flowchart showing the control content which the control circuit of a label production apparatus performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of step S400. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where printing is normally performed by a print command including a first print-related command in a modification in which printing is repeatedly performed on the same print label. It is explanatory drawing showing the state in which printing was normally performed by the printing command containing the printing related command to the 2nd in the modification which prints repeatedly on the same printing label. It is explanatory drawing showing the state in which printing was normally performed by the printing command containing the printing related command to the 3rd in the modification which prints repeatedly on the same printing label. It is explanatory drawing showing the state in which printing was normally performed by the printing command containing the printing related command to the 4th in the modification which prints repeatedly on the same printing label.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A printing system including a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The printing system PS has a barcode reader 200 for reading a barcode BC printed on an appropriate barcode recording body L with an optical reading scanner or the like, and a desired print on the print-receiving tape 303 based on the read information. And a label producing apparatus 300 for producing the print label P. The label producing apparatus 300 and the barcode reader 200 are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive information via a connecting means 2 (for example, a USB cable or the like, or may be connected wirelessly), and the scanner unit 204 of the barcode reader 200 is connected to the barcode reader 200. A print command (details will be described later) generated by reading the code BC is output to the label producing apparatus 300 via the connecting means 2.

The barcode reader 200 performs information communication (serial communication, etc.) between the scanner unit 204 for optically reading the barcode BC and the label producing apparatus 300 via the connection means 2. Interface 205.

The label producing apparatus 300 includes a roll 304 around which the print-receiving tape 303 is wound (which is originally a spiral, but is simplified and shown as a concentric circle), and a print corresponding to the print-receiving tape 303 fed out from the roll 304. A thermal head 305 that performs predetermined printing in a region (see FIG. 3 described later), a conveyance roller 308 for conveying the print-receiving tape 303, and the print-receiving tape 303 that has finished printing are cut into a predetermined length. The cutter 307 for generating the print label P, the interface 309 for performing information communication via the bar code reader 200 and the connection means 2, and the above thermal head 305, cutter 307, transport roller 308 and the like are controlled. And a control circuit 311.

When the bar code reader 200 reads the bar code BC, the corresponding print command is generated in the scanner unit 204, for example, and input to the control circuit 311 of the label producing apparatus 300. Based on the print command, the control circuit 311 controls the thermal head 305, the cutter 307, the transport roller 308, and the like, thereby creating a print label P on which a print corresponding to the print command is formed.

An example of the printed label P produced as described above is shown in FIG. In this example, the print “12345” corresponding to the print data (in this example, the data having the text “12345”) is formed at the center of the print area R of the print label P.

In the above basic configuration, the feature of the present embodiment is that there is a defect in the print command when the print command from the barcode reader 200 is input and the printing performed by the label producing apparatus 300 is not performed normally. There is an analysis method to find out if there was. Hereinafter, the contents will be described in order.

<Operation example based on print command>
In the present embodiment, the print command Q generated by the scanner unit 204 of the barcode reader 200 is output to the label creating apparatus 300, and the label creating apparatus 300 executes the desired printing based on the print command Q.

As shown in FIG. 4, the print command Q includes a plurality of print-related commands TD that affect printing in a predetermined order. In this example, the print command Q includes a first command TD1 that is represented by “FSia 0 × 00” and executes a mode switching function to the ESC / P mode, and a print formation location that is represented by “FSiL 0 × 01”. A second command TD2 for executing a positioning (landscape) function, a third command TD3 for executing a horizontal position adjusting function of a print formation position represented by “FS $ 0 × FF 0 × 00”, and “FS (V 0 × Character size adjustment represented by the fourth command TD4, which is represented by “02 0 × 00 0 × 00 0 × 02”, and executes the vertical position adjustment function of the print formation location, and “FS X 0 × 00 0 × 64 0 × 00” A fifth command TD5 for executing a function and five print-related commands TD are included, and the print command Q includes print data PD (in the above example). "12345" is included).

In the example shown in FIG. 4, since all the five print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD2, TD3, TD4, and TD5 are included in the print command Q in the correct form, the control circuit 311 of the label producing apparatus 300 prints the print command. Q can be recognized correctly. As a result, under the control of the control circuit 311, positioning (horizontal position adjustment and vertical position adjustment) of the print formation position in the ESC / P mode is executed for the text “12345” which is the content of the print data PD. The character size to be printed is adjusted. As a result, an appropriate print label P in which the text “12345” with a desired character size is printed in the print label L in a mode that matches the intention of the creator of the barcode BC, that is, the label central region is created. The

On the other hand, some of the print-related commands TD do not conform to the use and performance of the label producing apparatus 300 due to, for example, some bit number difference or information format incompatibility due to, for example, a barcode BC creation error. It may be included. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the above five print related commands TD include an incorrect print related command TD ′ “FS X 0 × 64 0 × 00” (correctly “FS X 0 × 00 0 ×” 64 0 × 00 ”). In this case, the control circuit 311 of the label producing apparatus 300 cannot correctly recognize the entire print command Q ′. As a result, improper printing as shown in FIG. 5 is formed.

The operator can recognize that there is some deficiency in the print command Q ′, for example, by the fact that printing with the thermal head 305 is not normally performed as shown in FIG. However, the operator cannot know which of the plurality of print-related commands TD is defective (in other words, there was no problem in other cases) as it is.

<Outline of the method of the present invention>
Therefore, in the label producing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, the print command Q is analyzed by the control circuit 311 and a plurality of (in this example, five) print-related commands TD1, TD2, which are included in the print command Q in a predetermined order. TD3, TD4, and TD5 are extracted, respectively.

First, as shown in FIG. 6, a new print command Q1 is newly generated using the first print-related command TD1 and the print data PD in the predetermined order. Then, the control circuit 311 controls the thermal head 305 using this print command Q1, and an attempt is made to produce the print label P1. In the example of FIG. 6, normal printing (formation of printing “12345” at a printing position defined by default) is performed on the printing region Rs by the printing command Q1 including the first printing-related command TD1, and the printing label P1 has been created normally. At this time, the text data “FSia 0 × 00” serving as identification information indicating the name of the print-related command TD1 and the function of the print-related command TD1 are also displayed in a print area Rt different from the print area Rs. Is also printed with the text data “ESC / P mode” as the identification information indicating (the description relating to the printing of the text data in the print command Q1 is omitted). As a result, the operator can reliably specify the print-related command TD1 and recognize its function.

When the print label P1 for abnormal printing is created by the print command Q1 (or the print label P1 may not be created; the same applies hereinafter), the first print-related command TD1 is incomplete. Is surely recognized by the operator. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the normal print label P1 is created by the print command Q1, the first print-related command TD1 is not incomplete and any of the other print-related commands TD2 to TD5 is used. There was a problem with. That is, the operator can surely recognize that the print-related command TD1 is not incomplete because the print label P1 for normal printing has been created by the above operations.

Therefore, in this case, in response to an operation by the operator (described later), the next order in the predetermined order, that is, the second print related command TD2 (in this example, a command not related to printing in the middle). A new print command Q2 is generated using the added print-related commands TD1 and TD2 (with the “FS @” in between) and the print data PD. Using this print command Q2, an attempt is made to create a print label P2 as described above. In the example of FIG. 7, normal printing is performed by the print command Q2 including the print-related commands TD1 and TD2 (formation of print “12345” at a print position positioned at a predetermined position (in this example, the upper left corner)). Is executed, and the print label P2 is normally created. At this time, the text data “FSiL 0 × 01” representing the print-related command TD2 is printed together with the aforementioned “FSia 0 × 00” in the print region Rt. In the print area Rt, text data “Landscape ON” representing the function of the print-related command TD2 is printed together with the “ESC / P mode” described above (printing of the text data in the print command Q2). The description of the part related to is omitted). As a result, the operator can reliably specify the print-related command TD2 and recognize its function.

When the print label P2 for abnormal printing is created by the print command Q2, the operator can surely recognize that the second print-related command TD2 is defective. On the other hand, when the normal print label P2 is created as shown in FIG. 7, there is a problem with any of the other print-related commands TD3 to TD5. That is, the operator can surely recognize that the print-related commands TD1 and TD2 were not incomplete because the print label P2 for normal printing was created.

Therefore, in this case, in the same manner as described above, the next third print-related command TD3 (in this example, the command “FS (C 0 × 02 which is not related to printing in the middle) is triggered by an operation (described later) by the operator. A new print command Q3 is generated using the added print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD3 and the print data PD (with 0x00 0x00 0x04 in between). In the example of Fig. 8, normal printing (positioned at the horizontal center position) is performed by the print command Q3 including the print related commands TD1, TD2, and TD3. In this case, the print label P3 is normally created, and the above-described “FSia 0 × 00” and “FSi” are formed in the print region Rt. The text data “FS $ 0 × FF 0 × 00” representing the above printing-related command TD3 is also printed together with “L 0 × 01”, and the above-mentioned “ESC / P mode” “ Along with “Landscape ON”, text data “horizontal position adjustment” representing the function of the print-related command TD3 is also printed (the description of the print command Q3 relating to printing of the text data is omitted). Thus, the operator can reliably specify the print-related command TD3 and recognize its function.

When the print label P3 for abnormal printing is created by the print command Q3, the operator can surely recognize that the third print-related command TD3 is defective. On the other hand, when the normal print label P3 is created as shown in FIG. 8, there is a problem with any of the other print-related commands TD4 and TD5. That is, the operator can surely recognize that the print-related commands TD1, TD2, and TD3 were not incomplete because the print label P3 for normal printing was created.

Therefore, in this case, similarly to the above, triggered by an operation (described later) by the operator, the print related commands TD1, TD2, TD3, TD4 to which the next fourth print related command TD4 is added and the print data PD are obtained. The new print command Q4 used is newly generated. Using this print command Q4, an attempt is made to create a print label P4 as described above. In the example of FIG. 9, normal printing (formation of printing “12345” at the printing position positioned at the vertical center position) is executed by the printing command Q4 including the printing related commands TD1, TD2, TD3, and TD4. The print label P4 is normally created. At this time, the text data “FS (V 0 ×) representing the print-related command TD4 is included in the print area Rt, together with the aforementioned“ FSia 0 × 00 ”,“ FSiL 0 × 01 ”,“ FS $ 0 × FF 0 × 00 ”. 02 0x00 0x00 0x02 "is also printed in the print area Rt, together with the above-mentioned" ESC / P mode "," Landscape ON "," Horizontal position adjustment ", and the above printing related command TD3. The text data “vertical position adjustment” representing the function of the printing is also printed (the description relating to the printing of the text data in the print command Q4 is omitted). It is possible to reliably identify TD4 and recognize its function.

When the print label P4 for abnormal printing is created by the print command Q4, the operator can surely recognize that the fourth print-related command TD4 is defective. become. On the other hand, when the print label P4 for normal printing is created as shown in FIG. 9, there is a problem with another print-related command TD5. That is, the operator can surely recognize that the print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD3, and TD4 were not incomplete because the print label P4 for normal printing was created.

Therefore, in this case, similarly to the above, triggered by an operation (described later) by the operator, the print related commands TD1, TD2, TD3, TD4, TD5 ′ to which the next fifth print related command TD5 ′ is added, and the above print A new print command Q5 is newly generated using the data PD. Using this print command Q5, an attempt is made to create a print label P5 as described above. In the example of FIG. 10, the print label P5 in which the abnormal print is formed in the print region Rs by the print command Q5 in which the print related command TD5 ′ is added in addition to the print related commands TD1, TD2, TD3, and TD4. Has been created. As a result, the operator can surely recognize that the fifth print-related command TD5 is defective.

In order to execute the method described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, in the label producing apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, a button (or switch) (not shown) capable of mode switching operation for analyzing the print command Q is available. , A key or the like may be provided. When this button is operated, from the normal mode (details will be described later) in which only the normal print label P is created without analyzing the print-related command TD shown in FIGS. Is switched to a command check mode (details will be described later) in which print labels P1, P2,... Further, after switching to the command check mode, every time an operation instruction is input with this button, as described above, in addition to the first print related command TD1, the subsequent print related commands TD2, TD3,. A new print command Q is sequentially added, and print labels P2, P3, P4,... Are created.

<Control details>
A control procedure executed by the control circuit 311 of the label producing apparatus 300 in order to realize the above method will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.

First, in step S5, the control circuit 311 determines whether or not the print command Q based on the barcode BC is input from the scanner unit 204 of the barcode reader 200. While the print command Q is not input, the determination is not satisfied and the process stands by in a loop. When the print command Q is input, the determination is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S400A.

In step S400A, the control circuit 311 controls the thermal head 305, the cutter 307, the transport roller 308, and the like based on the print command Q acquired in step S5, and performs print processing for creating the print label P (for details, see FIG. (See FIG. 12 described later). Step S5 and step S400A correspond to processing in the normal mode that is not the command check mode.

In step S10, it is determined whether or not the above-described button has been operated by the operator to switch to the command check mode. If there is no switching operation, the determination in step S10 is not satisfied, and the flow is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if there is an operation for switching to the command check mode, the determination in step S10 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S15.

In step S15, the control circuit 311 analyzes a command included in the print command Q. That is, as described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 and the like, the print command Q includes a plurality of print-related commands TD (along with commands not related to printing). In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 described above, one line is displayed for each command for the sake of clarity and understanding. In practice, however, each command is labeled from the barcode reader 200 as continuous serial data, for example. Input to the creation device 300. Each command includes a command body and parameters in detail. In the above example, the command represented by “FSia 0 × 00” is composed of a command body represented by “FSia” and a parameter represented by “0x00”. Therefore, in this step S20, the print command Q in the serial data format as described above is sequentially extracted and analyzed by the control circuit 311 in predetermined byte units. That is, it is interpreted whether a command is included in the print command Q up to the divided portion, and what command is included if the command is included.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S20, and the control circuit 311 determines whether or not the command extracted and analyzed in step S15 is a command related to printing, that is, a print-related command TD. If it is not the above printing-related command TD, the determination in step S20 is not satisfied, and the process returns to step S15 to repeat the same procedure. If it is a print-related command TD, the determination at step S20 is satisfied, and the routine goes to step S25. As a result, each time step S15 or step S20 is repeated and executed as appropriate, a plurality of print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD3,. It will be extracted.

In step S25, the control circuit 311 detects when the determination in step S20 is satisfied, that is, when the print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD3,... Included in the print command Q input in step S5 are sequentially extracted. Thus, using the serial data of the print command Q up to the print-related command TD and the print data PD (“12345” in the above example) included at the end of the print command Q, the print trial described above is performed. New print commands Q1, Q2, Q3,. Note that after a new print command is created in step S25, the control circuit 311 may determine whether or not printing can be normally performed by the new print command by an appropriate known method. In this case, when it is determined that normal printing is impossible (or printing is impossible), the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to appropriate notification means, and performs appropriate error processing such as display of an error message or alarm. You may make it perform.

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S30, and the control circuit 311 generates text data representing the name and function of each print-related command TD included in the new print command Q generated in step S25.

Thereafter, in step S400B, as in step S400A described above, the control circuit 311 determines the thermal head 305, the cutter based on the new print command Q generated and acquired in step S25 and the text data generated in step S30. 307, control of the conveying roller 308, etc., and print processing for creating print labels P1, P2,... Is performed (refer to FIG. 12 described later for details).

Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S35, and it is determined whether or not there has been an operation for continuing processing by the operator via the above-described button. If there is an operation with a button, the determination is satisfied, and the process returns to step S15 and the same procedure is repeated. If there is no operation by the button, this flow is finished as it is.

The steps S15, S20, S25, S30, S400B, and S35 correspond to processing in the command check mode that is not the normal mode.

Details of the printing process in steps S400A and S400B will be described with reference to FIG. These steps S400A and S400B are procedures with substantially the same contents as described below.

First, in step S410, the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to a conveyance motor (not shown) that drives the conveyance roller 308. As a result, the conveyance roller 308 is driven by the driving force of the conveyance motor, and the print-receiving tape 303 is fed out from the roll 304 to start conveyance.

Thereafter, in step S420, the control circuit 311 determines whether or not the print-receiving tape 303 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a transport distance that allows the thermal head 305 to reach a position that substantially opposes the front end of the print area R (or Rs, Rt) of the print-receiving tape 303. This conveyance distance determination may be performed by an appropriate known method. For example, the marking provided on the print-receiving tape 303 may be detected by a known tape sensor (not shown), or pulse signals to the above-described transport motor that is a stepping motor may be counted. Until the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination is not satisfied and the apparatus stands by in a loop. When the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S420 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S430.

In step S430, the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to the thermal head 305. Thereby, in step S430 in step S400A, the thermal head 305 starts printing on the print region R of the tape to be printed 303 based on the print command Q input in step S5 of FIG. In step S430 in step S400B, the thermal head 305 performs printing on the print region Rs of the tape to be printed 303 based on the print command Q generated in step S25 in FIG. 11, and in step S335 in FIG. Printing on the print area Rt of the tape to be printed 303 based on the generated text data is started.

In step S440, the control circuit 311 confirms whether or not printing for the print region R (or Rs, Rt) of the print-receiving tape 303 has been completed. Specifically, for example, it is determined whether the energization of the thermal head 305 corresponding to the print data PD of the print command Q or the text data is completed. Until the printing is completed, the determination is not satisfied and the loop stands by. If the printing is completed, the determination in step S440 is satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S450.

In step S450, the control circuit 311 further conveys the print-receiving tape 303 by a predetermined amount (for example, a conveyance distance by which all the print areas R, Rs, and Rt exceed the cutter 307 by a predetermined length (margin amount)). Determine whether it was done. For example, the conveyance distance determination at this time may be the same as in step S420. Until the predetermined amount of conveyance is completed, the determination is not satisfied and the apparatus stands by in a loop. When the predetermined amount of conveyance is completed and the determination in step S450 is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S460.

In step S460, the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to the conveyance motor. As a result, the driving of the conveyance roller 308 is stopped, and the feeding and conveyance of the print-receiving tape 303 from the roll 304 are stopped.

Thereafter, in step S470, the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to a solenoid drive circuit (not shown) to drive a cutter solenoid (not shown). Thereby, the cutter 307 cuts the print-receiving tape 303. As described above, all of the print-receiving tape 303 including the print region R (or Rt, Rs) sufficiently exceeds the cutter 307 at this time, and the print label P (or P1, P2) is cut by cutting the cutter 307. , ...) is generated.

In step S480, the control circuit 311 outputs a control signal to a discharge motor (not shown) that drives a separately provided discharge roller (not shown). As a result, the print label P (or P1, P2,...) Printed in step S470 is discharged out of the label producing apparatus 300. If the print label P (or P1, P2,...) Can be discharged out of the apparatus by manual operation without a discharge motor, step S480 may be omitted. Thus, this flow is finished.

As described above, in the label producing apparatus 300 of the present embodiment, the printing related commands TD1, TD2, TD3,... Included in the original printing command Q are newly added one by one in order. The print command Q is sequentially generated, and each time the print command Q is generated, the print heads P1, P2, P3,. Thereby, when printing is not normally performed, the operator can surely recognize that the print-related command TD added immediately before is incomplete. In particular, at that time, the names and functions of the print related commands TD in the order before the added print related command TD are normally printed in the print area Rt of the immediately preceding print labels P1, P2,. The operator can more reliably specify and recognize the print-related command TD having the above-mentioned defect.

In the present embodiment, in particular, every time an operation instruction is input by the above button as a process continuation instruction, in addition to the first print-related command TD1, the subsequent print-related commands TD2, TD3,. An added new print command Q is generated and an attempt is made to create print labels P2, P3, P4,. As a result, the operator performs printing by the thermal head 305 with the printing-related command TD added one by one each time the button itself as a processing continuation instruction is operated, and the print labels P2, P3, P4,. Can be made. As a result, the operator can more reliably identify and recognize the defective print-related command TD.

At this time, in particular, in the present embodiment, each time the operator operates the button, different print labels P1, P2, P3,. That is, while the new print command Q is generated while accumulating normal print-related commands TD until the order of the defective print-related commands TD comes, the same number as the number of normal print-related commands TD. Print labels P1, P2, P3,. As a result, the operator can more easily identify and recognize which of the defective print-related commands TD, for example, by counting the generated print labels P or individually checking them. .

In the present embodiment, in particular, the normal mode in which only the normal print label P is created without analyzing the print-related command TD or the like by the above button operation, and the print-related commands TD1, TD2 according to FIGS. ,... Can be switched to a command check mode for performing analysis or the like (see step S10 in FIG. 11). As a result, the operator normally performs label creation in the normal mode, and switches to the command check mode when some trouble occurs such as normal printing is not performed (or printing itself is not performed). , It is possible to identify defective print-related commands TD1, TD2,.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified without departing from the spirit and technical idea thereof. Hereinafter, such modifications will be described.

(1) When repeatedly printing on the same print label In the above embodiment, each time a new print command Q1, Q2,. Although the print labels P1, P2,... By Q1, Q2,. That is, printing may be performed on the same print label P0 so as to be repeatedly repeated each time a new print command Q1, Q2,. In this case, the conveyance roller 308 is configured to be reversely rotated by the control of the control circuit 311, and is configured to be capable of conveying the print-receiving tape 303 in the reverse direction. Then, after switching to the command check mode, one print label P0 is created by the print command Q1 including the first print-related command TD1 as described above (however, it is only exposed outside the apparatus in an uncut state). Thereafter, when the button is operated, the print label 303 formed in an uncut state on the front end side of the print-receiving tape 303 is transported in the reverse direction, and the print label P0 is more than the thermal head 308. It is conveyed in the reverse direction to the upstream side in the conveyance direction. Thereafter, as described above, based on the new print command Q2 to which the second print-related command TD2 is added, printing is performed so as to overlap the print label P0 after being conveyed in the reverse direction.

By such a method, repeated superposition printing is performed on the same print label P0 as shown in FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 corresponding to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9, respectively. The That is, in the print area Rs on the left side of the print label P0, the print “12345” is formed at the print location determined by default when printing is performed according to the print command Q1, and then at a predetermined position when printing is performed according to the print command Q2. A print “12345” is additionally formed at the print location positioned at the upper left corner in this example, and after that, when printing is performed according to the print command Q3, the print “12345 at the print location positioned at the horizontal center position is formed. "Is added, and then printing" 12345 "is additionally formed at the printing position positioned at the center position in the vertical direction at the time of printing according to the print command Q4.

Similarly, “FSia 0 × 00” and “ESC / P mode” representing the name and function of the print-related command TD1 are printed in the print area Rt on the right side of the print label P0 in the figure when printing is performed according to the print command Q1, and then printing is performed. When printing according to the command Q2, “FSil 0 × 01” and “Landscape ON” indicating the name and function of the printing-related command TD2 are additionally printed, and after printing according to the printing command Q3, the name and function indicating the printing-related command TD3 are displayed. "FS $ 0xFF 0x00" and "Horizontal position adjustment" are added and then printed, and when printing by the print command Q4, "FS (V 0x02 0x00 0x" indicates the name and function of the print related command TD4. "00 0x02" "Vertical position adjustment" is added and printed.

In this modification, new print commands Q1, Q2, Q3,... Are accumulated while normal print-related commands TD1, TD2, TD3,. While it is being generated, printing is repeatedly performed on one print label P0. As a result, as in the above-described embodiment, compared to the case where separate print labels P1, P2, P3 are created each time a new print command Q1, Q2, Q3,. The number of print tapes 303 and print labels can be greatly reduced.

(2) When switching mode automatically In other words, in the above, in step S15 in FIG. 11, the switch from the normal mode to the command check mode was executed by the above-described manual button operation by the operator. Not limited. That is, a determination procedure similar to that described above is provided between step S5 and step S400A in FIG. 11, and the control circuit 311 determines whether normal printing is possible based on the print command Q acquired in step S5. You may do it. In this case, when it is determined that normal printing cannot be performed, the mode automatically shifts to the command check mode, and the above-described steps S15, S20, S25, S30, S400B, and S35 are executed.

In this modified example, when printing is not possible in the normal mode, when printing becomes impossible, the mode is automatically switched to the command check mode, and the defective print-related command TD is specified. As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

(3) Others Although the above description has been made with respect to a print label producing apparatus that creates a print label by performing desired printing on a print-receiving tape, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, as an example of a printing apparatus, the present invention is applied to a printer that forms an image or prints characters on a normal printing paper such as A4, A3, B4, or B5 size, or a portable printer that is driven by a battery power source. You may apply. In this case, the same effect is obtained.

In the above, the arrows shown in each figure show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

In addition, the flowcharts shown in the drawings do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above-described flow, and procedures may be added or deleted or the order may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. Good.

In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

Other than that, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

200 Barcode reader 300 Label production device 303 Tape to be printed 305 Thermal head 308 Conveying roller 311 Control circuit P Print label P0 Print label P1 to 5 Print label R Print area Rs Print area Rt Print area Q Print command Q1 to 5 Print command TD1 ~ TD5 Printing related command PD Print data

Claims

Information acquisition means (S5) for acquiring print control information (Q) output from the operating device (200) outside the apparatus;
Conveying means (308) for conveying the printing material (303; 303, P0);
In order to perform desired printing corresponding to the print control information (Q) acquired by the information acquisition unit (S5) on the substrate (303; 303, P0) conveyed by the conveyance unit (308). Printing means (305),
A printing apparatus (300) comprising:
The print control information (Q) acquired by the information acquisition means (S5) is analyzed, and a plurality of print element setting information (TD1 to TD5) included in the print control information (Q) in a predetermined order is extracted. Information extraction means (S15, S20);
New print control information (Q1) is generated using first print element setting information (TD1) among the plurality of print element setting information (TD1 to TD5) extracted by the information extracting means (S15, S20), Printing of print data in a printing mode corresponding to the new print control information (Q1) and printing of text data of identification information of the first print element setting information (TD1) are performed by the transport unit (308) and the First control means (S30, S400B) for controlling the printing means (305) in cooperation with each other;
Each time a predetermined process continuation instruction is input, in addition to the first print element setting information (TD1) among the plurality of print element setting information (TD1 to TD5), the subsequent print element setting information (TD2) To TD5) are sequentially added to generate the new print control information (Q2 to Q5), print the print data in the print mode corresponding to the new print control information (Q2 to Q5), and at least the new Second control means (S30, S30) for controlling printing of text data of identification information of the added print element setting information (TD2 to TD5) in cooperation with the conveying means (308) and the printing means (305). S400B)
A printing apparatus (300) comprising:
The printing apparatus according to claim 1.
Having an operation means that can be instructed by an operator;
The second control means (S30, S400B)
Each time the operation instruction is input through the operation means as the processing continuation instruction, the first printing element setting information (TD1) and the subsequent printing element setting information (TD2 to TD5) are added. Are sequentially added to generate the new print control information (Q2 to Q5).
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The first control means (S30, S400B)
By controlling the conveying means (308) and the printing means (305) in cooperation,
New print control information (Q1) is generated using the first print element setting information (TD1), printing of print data in a printing mode corresponding to the new print control information (Q1), and the first print element Printing the text data of the identification information of the setting information (TD1) is performed on one of the printed materials (303),
The second control means (S30, S400B)
By controlling the conveying means (308) and the printing means (305) in cooperation,
The new print control information (Q2 to Q5) is generated by sequentially adding the print element setting information (TD2 to TD5) in the subsequent order in addition to the first print element setting information (TD1), and the new print control information is generated. Printing of the print data in a print mode corresponding to (Q2 to Q5) and text data of identification information of all the print element setting information (TD1 to TD5) included in the new print control information (Q2 to Q5) The printing apparatus (300) is characterized in that the printing is sequentially performed on each substrate (303) conveyed subsequent to the one substrate (303).
The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The first control means (S30, S400B)
By controlling the conveying means (308) and the printing means (305) in cooperation,
New print control information (Q1) is generated using the first print element setting information (TD1), printing of print data in a printing mode corresponding to the new print control information (Q1), and the first print element Printing the text data of the identification information of the setting information (TD1) is performed on one specific printed material (303, P0),
The second control means (S30, S400B)
By controlling the conveying means (308) and the printing means (305) in cooperation,
The new print control information (Q2 to Q5) is generated by sequentially adding the print element setting information (TD2 to TD5) in the subsequent order in addition to the first print element setting information (TD1), and the new print control information is generated. Printing the print data in a print mode corresponding to (Q2 to Q5) and printing text data of identification information of the newly added print element setting information (TD2 to TD5). A printing apparatus (300), wherein the two printing objects (P0) are overlapped from the same position.
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
A first mode in which conveyance by the conveyance unit (308) and printing by the printing unit (305) are executed based on the control of the first control unit (S30, S400B) and the second control unit (S30, S400B). When,
The conveyance by the conveyance means (308) and the printing by the printing means (305) are executed without being based on the control of the first control means (S30, S400B) and the second control means (S30, S400B). Two modes,
A printing apparatus (300) characterized by comprising:
The printing apparatus according to claim 5.
Determination means for determining whether printing by the printing means (305) in the second mode is possible;
Mode switching means for switching from the second mode to the first mode when the determination means determines that printing is impossible;
A printing apparatus (300) comprising: