WO2016021295A1

WO2016021295A1 - Tape printing device and printing data-generating method

Info

Publication number: WO2016021295A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/066309
Authority: WO
Inventors: 昌広老田; 細川　豪; 彩子井上; 智子山田; 純平渡部
Original assignee: セイコーエプソン株式会社; 株式会社キングジム
Priority date: 2014-08-05
Filing date: 2015-06-05
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: TW201605652A; CN106660373B; JP2016036910A; CN106660373A; JP6423639B2; TWI671214B

Abstract

Provided is a tape printing device with which label length can be set without the user inputting the label length. The tape printing device is provided with: a unit length storage section for storing a measure length (Ls) as a standard unit length that serves as a standard for label length (La), which is the length of a label (A) to be applied on a grid calendar (Ca); a unit number-acquiring section for acquiring the period (P) to receive the label application as the number of standard units corresponding to the label length (La); a label length-setting section for setting the label length (La) on the basis of the stored measure length (Ls) and the acquired period (P) to receive the label application; and a feeding section for feeding the tape by the established label length (La).

Description

Tape printing apparatus and print data generation method

The present invention relates to a tape printing apparatus and a print data generation method for creating a label having a desired length from a tape.

Conventionally, an information input unit for inputting the number of partial labels constituting the patch panel label to be affixed to the patch panel, and the operation for selecting the length of the partial label from a plurality of length options on the length setting screen. There is known a label producing device including a constant length setting unit that is set based on the above (see Patent Document 1). Prior to the selection operation of the length of the partial label on the length setting screen, the user measures in advance the length of the portion where the partial label is pasted, that is, the length between adjacent terminals on the patch panel using a ruler or the like. It is necessary to keep it.

JP 2012-035543 A

The inventor has found the following problems.
When the tape printer is configured to set the label length based on the label length input operation, the user has to measure the length of the part to which the label is attached in advance, which is troublesome. .

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tape printer and a print data generation method that can set a label length without a user inputting the label length.

The tape printer of the present invention includes a unit length storage unit that stores the length of a reference unit that serves as a reference for a label length that is a length of a label that is attached to an object to be attached, and the number of reference units that correspond to the label length. A unit number acquisition unit for acquiring the label length, a label length setting unit for setting the label length based on the length of the stored reference unit, and the number of the acquired reference units, and the amount of the set label length, the tape And a feeding section for sending the message.

The print data generation method in the tape printer according to the present invention stores the length of a reference unit serving as a reference for the label length, which is the length of a label attached to a sticking object, and the number of reference units corresponding to the label length. The label length is set based on the length of the stored reference unit and the number of the acquired reference units, and the print data for sending the tape for the set label length is based on the label length. It is characterized by generating.

According to this configuration, if the number of reference units is acquired, the tape printer can set the label length based on the acquired number of reference units and the stored length of the reference unit. . Therefore, the tape printer can determine the label length to be created without the user inputting the label length.

In this case, the unit length storage unit stores the length of one section as the length of the reference unit that serves as a reference for the label length to be pasted on the object to be pasted in which a plurality of sections are arranged, and obtains the number of units. It is preferable that the unit obtains the number of sections to which labels are attached among the plurality of sections as the number of reference units.

According to this configuration, when the tape printing apparatus acquires the number of sections, the tape printer corresponds to the number of sections to which labels are attached based on the acquired number of sections and the stored section length. The label length can be set.

In this case, the number-of-units acquisition unit is the first notation in the section to which the label is affixed as the number of sections to which the label is affixed, among the plurality of sections each of which is represented in the first time unit. It is preferable to acquire the pasting target period from the start time which is the time to the end time which is the last notation time.

According to this configuration, if the tape printing apparatus acquires the pasting target period as the number of sections, the tape printing apparatus determines the section of the section to which the label is pasted based on the acquired pasting target period and the stored section length. A label length corresponding to the number can be set.

In this case, it is preferable that the unit number obtaining unit obtains the pasting target period based on an input operation of the pasting target period.

According to this configuration, the tape printer can acquire the pasting target period and any pasting target period based on the input operation.

In this case, it is preferable that the unit number acquisition unit calculates the pasting target period based on input operations at the start and end.

According to this configuration, the tape printer can acquire the pasting target period based on input operations at the start time and at the end time.

In this case, the cutting unit for cutting the tape and the pasting target period determine whether or not the plurality of sections span a plurality of section rows divided by a second time unit longer than the first time unit. When it is determined that the target period determination unit and the pasting target period span a plurality of partition rows, the target period determination unit further includes a partial pasting target period setting unit that sets a partial pasting target period for each partition row. The partial label length corresponding to each set partial application target period is set, and the feeding unit applies the tape to each partial label length so that the cutting section cuts the tape at each set partial label length. It is preferable to send.

According to this configuration, the tape printer can create a partial label having a partial label length corresponding to a partial pasting target period for each partition row (row) when the pasting target period extends over a plurality of partition rows. it can.

In this case, the image forming apparatus further includes a printing unit that prints an image on the tape, and the printing unit sequentially displays a frame image including the first character, the second character, and the third character along the length direction of the tape. When printing, it is preferable to change the number or length of the second character according to the set label length.

According to this configuration, the tape printer can print on the tape a frame image in which at least one of the number and the length of the second characters is different according to the set label length.

It is the perspective view which looked at the tape printer concerning one embodiment of the present invention from the front side. It is the perspective view which looked at the tape printer from the back side. It is a perspective view in the state where a lid of a tape printer was removed. It is a figure which shows the state by which the label produced by the label creation menu was affixed on the grid type | formula calendar | calender. (A) is a figure which shows the label on which the mark was printed as a pictogram, (b) is a figure which shows the label on which the frame image was printed as a pictogram. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of a tape printer. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the tape printer of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the setting menu of 1st Embodiment. It is a screen transition diagram in the setting menu of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart of the label creation menu of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the label creation menu of 1st Embodiment following FIG. It is a screen transition diagram in the label creation menu of the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart of print data generation processing. (A) is a diagram showing labels obtained when a frame image is set as a pictogram and the number of reference units is “1”, and (b) is a diagram showing a frame image set as a pictogram and the number of reference units It is a figure which shows the label obtained when is "2". It is a figure which shows the state which the partial label which has the partial label length corresponding to the partial sticking object period for every week was stuck on the grid type | formula calendar | calender. It is a figure which shows the function structural example of the tape printer of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows a day table. It is a flowchart of the setting menu of 2nd Embodiment. It is a screen transition figure in the setting menu of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the label creation menu of 2nd Embodiment. It is a screen transition diagram in the label creation menu of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart of a printing process. It is a figure which shows the state by which the vertical writing label produced by the label creation menu was affixed on the vertical calendar. It is a figure which shows the state by which the label produced by the label creation menu was affixed on the time schedule table. It is a figure which shows the state by which the label produced by the label creation menu was affixed on the tile wall.

Hereinafter, a tape printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the tape printer 1 includes an apparatus case 2, a lid 3, a platen roller 4, a print head 5, a tape cutter 6, and a cutter button 7.
The platen roller 4 is an example of a “feed unit”. The print head 5 is an example of a “printing unit”. The tape cutter 6 is an example of a “cutting part”.

The device case 2 forms the outer shell of the tape printer 1. A keyboard 8 and a display 9 are provided on the front side of the device case 2. The keyboard 8 receives an input operation by the user. The keyboard 8 is assigned with specific functions in addition to character keys for inputting characters / symbols, cursor keys for cursor movement and selection switching, selection keys for determining choices, and printing keys for executing printing. Various keys are provided. The display 9 displays an input result from the keyboard 8 and the like. The user inputs characters, symbols, etc. to be printed from the keyboard 8 while confirming the input result displayed on the display 9.

On the back side of the apparatus case 2, a roll mounting part 11, a battery housing part 12, and a feed path 13 are provided. Further, a tape discharge port 14 is provided on the side surface of the apparatus case 2.

A small tape roll R is mounted on the roll mounting portion 11. The tape roll R is configured by winding a long tape Tp in a roll shape so as to form a hole of a predetermined size in the axial center. The tape Tp has a tape body and a release tape. The tape body is composed of thermal paper. A plurality of tapes Tp having different colors and patterns on the surface of the tape body are prepared. The width of the tape Tp is not particularly limited, but is about 15 mm, for example.

The feeding path 13 is provided between the roll mounting part 11 and the tape outlet 14. The tape Tp fed out from the roll mounting unit 11 passes through the feed path 13 and is discharged from the tape discharge port 14 to the outside of the apparatus.

The lid 3 is provided on the back side of the device case 2. The lid 3 opens and closes the roll mounting part 11, the battery housing part 12 and the feed path 13. The user opens and closes the lid 3 when the tape roll R is mounted or when the battery is replaced.

The platen roller 4 rotates using the feed motor 15 as a drive source. The platen roller 4 rotates and feeds the tape Tp sandwiched between the platen roller 4 and the print head 5. The print head 5 prints images such as characters, symbols and figures on the tape Tp. The print head 5 is provided so as to face the platen roller 4 with the feed path 13 interposed therebetween. The print head 5 is of a thermal type. When the print head 5 generates heat, an image is printed on the tape Tp sent through the feed path 13. Each image is represented as a bitmap font.

The tape cutter 6 is provided on the downstream side of the platen roller 4 and the print head 5. The tape cutter 6 performs a cutting operation for cutting the tape Tp in the width direction. The cutter button 7 is for cutting the tape cutter 6 by manual operation. When the tape cutter 6 performs a cutting operation, the printed portion of the tape Tp is cut off, and a label A (see FIG. 4) is created.
The tape printer 1 has a fixed-length printing function separately from a label creation menu described later. The fixed length printing function is for creating a label A having a length input from the keyboard 8 in units of millimeters, for example.

In the following description, a label creation menu, which is one of the print menus prepared in the tape printer 1, and a label A (schedule label) created by the print menu will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, the label A created by the label creation menu is attached to, for example, a square calendar Ca provided in the notebook. The label A displays contents such as an event and a period in the square calendar Ca.
In the square calendar Ca, a plurality of squares S are arranged vertically and horizontally. In a plurality of squares S arranged in the horizontal direction, consecutive dates E in “day” units are written. The mass length Ls, which is the length in the horizontal direction of the mass S, is substantially uniform among the plurality of masses S. The plurality of cells S are divided into a plurality of cell columns SS in units of “weeks”. That is, in each square row SS, a plurality of squares S are arranged in the horizontal direction.
The “day” unit is an example of “first time unit”. The date E is an example of “notation”. The cell S is an example of a “section”. The mass row SS is an example of a “partition row”.

For example, the tape printing apparatus 1 creates a label A having a label length La corresponding to three squares S and displaying “travel” as a label A that displays a trip of 3 days and 2 nights. The user attaches the created label A to the cell S from January 15 to January 17 of the cell calendar Ca. Thereby, in the square calendar Ca, it is possible to display that it is scheduled to go on a trip from January 15 to January 17 (or has gone on a trip).
From the start date Ea (the 15th day in the example of FIG. 4) to the end date Eb (the 17th day in the example of FIG. 4) which is the last date E in the square S to which the label A is attached. The period is referred to as a pasting target period P. In the example of FIG. 4, the pasting target period P is 3 days.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tape printer 1 prints the pictogram F, the first text T1, and the second text T2 in the label creation menu. The tape printer 1 can also print by omitting any one or more of the pictogram F, the first text T1, and the second text T2 (the label A shown in FIG. One of the first text T1 and the second text T2 is omitted).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5B, the tape printer 1 can also print a frame image Fa (line frame) as a kind of pictograph F. The frame image Fa includes a first character C1, a second character C2, and a third character C3 in order from the leading end side along the length direction of the tape Tp.

A hardware configuration example of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The tape printer 1 includes a controller 20 in addition to the print head 5, the keyboard 8, the display 9, and the feed motor 15.

The controller 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (not shown). The CPU of the controller 20 loads a program from the ROM and executes it using the RAM, and controls the overall operation of the tape printer 1.

A functional configuration example of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. At least a part of the functional units shown in FIG. 7 is realized by executing a predetermined program by the controller 20 of FIG.

The tape printer 1 includes a unit length storage unit 21, a unit number acquisition unit 22, a label length setting unit 23, a pictogram setting unit 24, a text setting unit 25, and a print data generation unit 26.

The unit length storage unit 21 stores the mass length Ls as the length of the reference unit serving as a reference for the label length La. That is, the unit length storage unit 21 stores the square length Ls based on the notebook frame width input operation received by the keyboard 8 on the notebook frame width input screen D2 of the setting menu described later.

The unit number acquisition unit 22 acquires the pasting target period P as the number of reference units. That is, the unit number acquisition unit 22 displays a period selection screen D11 described later on the display 9. The unit number acquisition unit 22 acquires the pasting target period P based on the selection operation of the number of days received by the keyboard 8 on the period selection screen D11.

The label length setting unit 23 determines the label length La based on the cell length Ls stored in the unit length storage unit 21 and the pasting target period P (number of cells S) acquired by the unit number acquisition unit 22. Set. That is, the label length setting unit 23 calculates the product of the cell length Ls and the pasting target period P, and sets the calculated product as the label length La.

The pictogram setting unit 24 displays a frame image selection screen D13, a mark selection screen D14, and the like, which will be described later, on the display 9. The pictograph setting unit 24 sets the pictograph F based on the selection operation received by the keyboard 8 on the frame image selection screen D13 and the mark selection screen D14.

The text setting unit 25 displays a first text input screen D15 and a second text input screen D16, which will be described later, on the display 9. The text setting unit 25 sets the first text T1 and the second text T2 on the first text input screen D15 and the second text input screen D16 based on the text input operation accepted by the keyboard 8.

The print data generation unit 26 generates print data based on the set label length La, pictograph F, first text T1, and second text T2. Based on the generated print data, the platen roller 4 sends the tape Tp by the length corresponding to the label length La, and the print head 5 sends the pictogram F, the first text T1, and the second text T2 to the tape Tp. Print on. As a result, a label A having a length corresponding to the set label length La and printed with the set pictogram F, the first text T1, and the second text T2 is obtained.

The setting menu will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. In the setting menu, various parameters and conditions are set, including the setting of the mass length Ls.
When a setting menu is called by a predetermined key operation, the tape printer 1 displays a setting screen D1 on the display 9 (S1). When “notebook frame width” is selected on the setting screen D1 (S2; Yes, S3; notebook frame width), the tape printer 1 displays a notebook frame width input screen D2 on the display 9 (S4). The tape printer 1 performs a setting process according to the selection (S5, Yes, S3: rear margin adjustment or battery type) when a setting other than “notebook frame width” is selected on the setting screen D1 (S5, Yes). S6) After that, the setting menu is terminated.

The user measures the grid length Ls of the grid calendar Ca to which the label A is pasted in advance, and inputs the measurement result as the notebook frame width on the notebook frame width input screen D2. In the notebook frame width input screen D2, it is possible to select a notebook frame width from the displayed options by using the cursor key and also to input a numerical value of the notebook frame width from the character key. When the notebook frame width is input (S7; Yes), the unit length storage unit 21 stores the input notebook frame width as the square length Ls (S8). Thereafter, the tape printer 1 ends the setting menu.

The label creation menu will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 10 and FIG.
When the label creation menu is started by a predetermined key operation, the unit number acquisition unit 22 displays a period selection screen D11 on the display 9 (S11). The user selects the number of days of the pasting target period P (3 days in the example shown in FIG. 4) from the options displayed on the period selection screen D11. When the number of days is selected (S12; Yes), the unit number acquisition unit 22 acquires the selected number of days as the pasting target period P (S13).

Subsequently, the pictogram setting unit 24 displays the pictogram selection screen D12 on the display 9 (S14). When “line frame” is selected on the pictograph selection screen D12 (S15; Yes, S16; line frame), the pictograph setting unit 24 displays the frame image selection screen D13 on the display 9 (S17). In the frame image selection screen D13, the user selects the frame image Fa from the displayed options by using the cursor key, or can select the frame image Fa by inputting the number of the frame image Fa from the numeric keys. It is possible. When the frame image Fa is selected (S18; Yes), the pictograph setting unit 24 sets the selected frame image Fa as the pictograph F (S19). After step S19, the process proceeds to step S23.

On the other hand, when “outing” is selected on the pictogram selection screen D12 (S15; Yes, S16; outing), the pictogram setting unit 24 displays the mark selection screen D14 on the display 9 (S20). The user selects a mark of a desired design from the options. In addition, as for the choices of the mark, those representing the destinations such as the supermarket shown in FIG. 5A are prepared. When a mark is selected (S21; Yes), the pictograph setting unit 24 sets the selected mark as a pictograph F (S22). After step S22, the process proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the text setting unit 25 displays the first text input screen D15 on the display 9. When the text input is completed on the first text input screen D15 (S24; Yes), the text setting unit 25 sets the input text as the first text T1 (S25). Subsequently, the text setting unit 25 displays the second text input screen D16 on the display 9 (S26). When the text input is completed on the second text input screen D16 (S27; Yes), the text setting unit 25 sets the input text as the second text T2 (S28).

Subsequently, when the print key is operated (S29; Yes), the label length setting unit 23 calculates the product of the stored square length Ls and the pasting target period P selected on the period selection screen D11. The calculated product is set as the label length La (S30). When “not specified” is selected on the period selection screen D11, the label length setting unit 23 sets the label length La according to the lengths of the first text T1 and the second text T2.

Subsequently, the print data generation unit 26 executes a print data generation process to be described later (S31). The tape printer 1 performs printing for the set label length La based on the print data generated by the print data generation process (S32). After executing printing, the tape printer 1 ends the label creation menu.

The print data generation process will be described with reference to FIG. When the print data generation process is started, the print data generation unit 26 determines whether or not the set pictograph F is a frame image Fa (S41). When the print data generation unit 26 determines that the set pictograph F is not the frame image Fa (S41; No), the process proceeds to step S43. On the other hand, when the print data generation unit 26 determines that the set pictogram F is the frame image Fa (S41; Yes), the number of second characters C2 of the frame image Fa according to the set label length La. Is set (S42), and the process proceeds to step S43. Note that the print data generation unit 26 may set the length of the second character C2 according to the label length La, or may set both the number and the length of the second character C2.

In step S43, the print data generation unit 26 determines whether or not the acquired pasting target period P is “1”. When the print data generation unit 26 determines that the acquired pasting target period P is “1” (S43; Yes), the allocation of the first text T1 and the second text T2 is set to “centering” ( After that, the process proceeds to step S46. When the print data generation unit 26 determines that the acquired pasting target period P is not “1” (S43; No), the assignment of the first text T1 and the second text T2 is set to “advanced” ( After that, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S46, print data is generated based on these settings.
After the print data generation unit 26 generates print data, the display returns to the label creation menu.

FIG. 14A shows the label A obtained when the frame image Fa is set as the pictograph F and the pasting target period P is “1”. FIG. 14B shows the label A obtained when the frame image Fa is set as the pictograph F and the pasting target period P is “2” or more. As described above, the print head 5 prints the frame images Fa having different numbers of the second characters C2 according to the label length La. In FIG. 14, the second character C2, which is a bitmap font, is virtually indicated by a rectangular two-dot chain line.

When the pasting target period P is “1”, that is, when the number of cells S to which the label A is pasted is “1”, the allocation of the first text T1 and the second text T2 is “medium”. It will be ‘closed’. On the other hand, when the pasting target period P is “2” or more, that is, when the number of cells S to which the label A is pasted is “2” or more, the first text T1 and the second text T2 are assigned. It will be “advanced”. Therefore, according to the pasting target period P, the first text T1 and the second text T2 can be arranged with a good balance with respect to the cell S of the cell-type calendar Ca. That is, when the number of squares S to which the label A is attached is “1”, the first text T1 and the second text T2 can be arranged in the approximate center of the square S. When the number of squares S to which the label A is attached is “2” or more, the first text T1 and the second text T2 can be arranged on the square S on the first day.

As described above, if the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment acquires the pasting target period P as the number of reference units, the tape printing apparatus 1 that has acquired the pasting target period P and the length of the stored reference unit. Based on the length Ls, the label length La can be set. Therefore, the tape printer 1 can set the label length La without the user inputting the label length La. In other words, it is only necessary for the user to measure the grid length Ls of the grid calendar Ca such as a notebook he / she owns and store the grid length Ls. Then, each time the label A is created, it is not necessary to measure the total length of the mass S to which the label A is affixed. A label A having a label length La corresponding to the number of cells S can be obtained.
When the square length Ls of the square calendar Ca changes due to, for example, changing the notebook, the user may change the square length Ls in the above setting menu.

(Second Embodiment)
In the following description, a label creation menu in the tape printer 1 of the second embodiment and a label A (schedule label) created by the print menu will be described.
Unless otherwise specified, the matters described for the tape printer 1 of the first embodiment are similarly applicable to the tape printer 1 of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the tape printing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has a weekly partial pasting target period when the pasting target period P extends over a plurality of square columns SS (two or more weeks) in the label creation menu. A partial label Ap having a partial label length Lp corresponding to Pp can be created.

A functional configuration example of the tape printer 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In addition to the unit length storage unit 21, the unit number acquisition unit 22, the label length setting unit 23, the pictogram setting unit 24, the text setting unit 25, and the print data generation unit 26, the tape printer includes a calendar. A style storage unit 31, a day of week acquisition unit 32, a day of week table storage unit 33, a pasting target period determination unit 34, and a partial pasting target period setting unit 35 are provided.

The calendar style storage unit 31 stores a calendar style. The calendar style indicates what day of the week the grid calendar Ca starts. The calendar style storage unit 31 stores the calendar style based on the notebook type selection operation received by the keyboard 8 on the notebook type selection screen D3 described later.

The day of week acquisition unit 32 acquires the day of the week of the start date Ea of the pasting target period P. The day of week acquisition unit 32 displays a day of the week selection screen D21 described later on the display 9. The day-of-week acquisition unit 32 acquires the day of the week on the start date Ea based on the day-of-week selection operation accepted by the keyboard 8 on the day-of-week selection screen D21.

As shown in FIG. 17, the day-of-week table storage unit 33 stores a day-of-week table in which each day of the week is associated with an integer from 1 to 7 for each calendar style.

The pasting target period determination unit 34 determines whether or not the pasting target period P extends over a plurality of square rows SS based on the stored calendar style and day table, the day of the week of the acquired start date Ea, and the pasting target period P. Judging.

The partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets the partial pasting target period Pp for each square row SS when it is determined that the pasting target period P extends over a plurality of square rows SS.

Referring to FIG. 19, the setting menu will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, when the setting menu is called, the tape printer 1 displays the setting screen D1 on the display 9 (S1). When “notebook type” is selected on the setting screen D1 (S2; Yes, S3; notebook type), the tape printer 1 displays a notebook type selection screen D3 on the display 9 (S51). The user selects the notebook type of the grid-type calendar Ca (starting on Sunday in the example shown in FIG. 15) from the options displayed on the notebook type selection screen D3. When the notebook type is selected (S52; Yes), the calendar style storage unit 31 stores the selected notebook type as a calendar style (S53). Thereafter, the tape printer 1 ends the setting menu.

The label creation menu will be described with reference to FIG. 21 and FIG.
When the label creation menu is started by a predetermined key operation, the day of week acquisition unit 32 displays the day of week selection screen D21 on the display 9 (S61). When a day of the week is selected on the day of week selection screen D21 (S62; Yes), the day of week acquisition unit 32 acquires the selected day of the week as the day of the start date Ea (S63). Subsequently, the tape printer 1 performs the processing from step S11 to step S31 described above, as in the first embodiment. The tape printer 1 executes a printing process described later (S64), and then ends the label creation menu. In the following, the value of the pasting target period P is assumed to be a variable Y.

The printing process will be described with reference to FIG. When the printing process is started, the pasting target period determination unit 34 sets a value determined from the stored calendar style and the day of the week of the start date Ea in the variable X according to the day of week table (S71). Subsequently, the pasting target period determination unit 34 determines whether or not the variable A, which is a difference obtained by subtracting the variable X from the variable Y, is 0 or less (S72). When it is determined that the variable A is equal to or less than 0 (S72; Yes), it is determined that the pasting target period P does not extend over the plurality of square rows SS, and the tape printer 1 uses the label length La. Is printed (S84), and then the label creation menu is displayed again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the variable A is not 0 or less (S72; No), it is determined that the pasting target period P extends over a plurality of square rows SS, and the process proceeds to step S73.

In step S73, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets a variable X as the partial pasting target period Pp of the partial label Ap. Subsequently, the label length setting unit 23 calculates the product of the square length Ls and the set partial pasting target period Pp, and sets the calculated product as the partial label length Lp of the partial label Ap (S74). . Subsequently, the tape printer 1 executes printing for the partial label length Lp (S75), and then temporarily stops printing (S76). In addition, after pausing printing, the tape printer 1 preferably displays on the display 9 a message that prompts the user to operate the cutter button 7.

When the cutter button 7 is operated in a state where printing is paused, a partial label Ap is obtained. Thereafter, when the print key is operated (S77; Yes), the tape printing apparatus 1 increments a variable Z representing the number of times the cut has been performed (S78). Note that the tape printing apparatus 1 may increment the number of times the cut has been performed using the detection of the cutting operation of the tape cutter 6 as a trigger instead of operating the print key.

Subsequently, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 determines whether or not the variable Z is equal to the sum of the variable B and 1 (S79). Note that the variable B is a quotient obtained by dividing the variable A by the number of days in one week, that is, 7. When determining that the variable Z is not equal to the sum of the variables B and 1 (S79; No), the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets “7” as the partial pasting target period Pp of the partial label Ap (S80). ), And then returns to step S74.

On the other hand, when the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 determines that the variable Z is equal to the sum of the variable B and 1 (S79; Yes), the variable A is divided by 7 as the partial pasting target period Pp of the partial label Ap. A variable C, which is the remainder when the error occurs, is set (S81). Subsequently, the label length setting unit 23 calculates the product of the square length Ls and the variable C that is the set partial pasting target period Pp, and sets the calculated product as the partial label length Lp of the partial label Ap. (S82). Subsequently, the tape printer 1 performs printing for the partial label length Lp (S83), and then returns to the label creation menu.

The partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets the variable X (X days) as the partial pasting target period Pp of the first partial label Ap by executing the above-described processing, and sets the final partial partial label Ap. The variable C (C day) is set as the partial pasting target period Pp, and “7” (7 days) is set as the partial label length Lp of the other partial labels Ap.

More specifically, “Sunday start” is stored as a calendar format in step S53, “Friday” is acquired as a day of the start date Ea in step S63, and “pasting target period P is set as“ pasting target period P ”in step S13. The case where “14th” is acquired will be described as an example. In this case, in step S71, the pasting target period determination unit 34 sets “2” as the variable X (see FIG. 17). In step S72, the pasting target period determination unit 34 determines that the variable A (= Y−X = 14-2−12) is not less than or equal to 0, and proceeds to step S73. In step S73, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets “2” that is the value of the variable X as the partial pasting target period Pp of the first partial label Ap.

In the first step S79, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 determines that the variable Z (= 1) is not equal to the sum (= 2) of the variable B (= 1) and 1, and proceeds to step S80. In step S80, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets “7” as the partial pasting target period Pp of the second partial label Ap, and the process returns to step S74. In the second step S79, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 determines that the variable Z (= 2) is equal to the sum of the variable B (= 1) and 1 (= 2), and proceeds to step S81. In step S81, the partial pasting target period setting unit 35 sets “5” as the value of the variable C as the partial pasting target period Pp of the third partial label Ap. In this way, as shown in FIG. 15, the tape printer 1 has the first partial label Ap whose partial pasting target period Pp is for two days and the partial pasting target period Pp for seven days. The second partial label Ap and the third partial label Ap whose partial pasting target period Pp is five days can be created.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment can be changed into the following forms.

The tape printer 1 may receive various information such as the pasting target period P, the pictogram F, the first text T1 and the second text T2 from an external device, for example, without using the input operation from the keyboard 8.

The unit number acquisition unit 22 may acquire the pasting target period P based on the input operation of the start date Ea and the end date Eb. For example, the unit number acquisition unit 22 may calculate the pasting target period P as 3 days when January 15 is input as the start date Ea and January 17 is input as the end date Eb.

The day-of-week acquisition unit 32 may acquire the date of the start date Ea based on the acquired date of the start date Ea and a table in which the date and date are associated with each other.

The tape printing apparatus 1 includes a drive source such as a motor for cutting the tape cutter 6 and automatically cuts the tape Tp when the printing process is completed or when the printing process is temporarily stopped. Good.

The tape printer 1 may be one that mounts a tape cartridge. The feeding unit of the tape printer 1 may rotate a platen roller accommodated in the tape cartridge.

23, the tape printer 1 may create a label A on which the first text T1 and the second text T2 are printed vertically. When attaching the label A to the vertical calendar Cb, it is convenient that such vertical writing is possible. In this case, for example, the tape printer 1 can create the monthly partial label Ap by acquiring the month and day of the start date Ea and the end date Eb and setting the partial pasting target period Pp for each month. It is.

The “first time unit” in the present invention is not limited to days, but is a concept including, for example, year, month, week, hour, minute, second, and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, a time schedule table Cc in which a plurality of cells S are displayed with time G continuous in “time” units may be used as the pasting target. In this case, the unit number acquisition part 22 should just acquire the sticking object period P based on the input operation of the number of hours. The tape printer 1 stores, for example, the time schedule table Cc format (from what time to what time), acquires the date and time at the start and end, and sets the partial pasting target period Pp for each day. By setting, it is possible to create a daily partial label Ap.

The section in the present invention is not limited to the one in which the date E or the like is written, but is a concept including tiles T arranged vertically and horizontally on the tile wall W, for example, as shown in FIG. In this case, the tape printer 1 stores the tile length Lt which is the length of the tile T (strictly speaking, the arrangement pitch of the tile T) as the length of the reference unit. It is possible to set the label length La corresponding to the number of tiles T to which the label A is pasted.

The reference unit in the present invention is not limited to a section, and is a concept including, for example, 1 inch and 1 foot. For example, when the user wants to obtain a label A having a label length La of 3 inches, the user may input 25.4 × 3≈76 mm as the label length La using a known fixed length printing function. Each time a label A having a length in inches is created, it is necessary to input a numerical value obtained by converting inches to millimeters as the label length La, which is troublesome. On the other hand, if the tape printing apparatus 1 of this configuration stores 25.4 mm as the length of the reference unit, the acquired number of inches can be converted to millimeters only by acquiring the number of inches as the number of reference units. The converted label length La can be set.

1: Tape printing device 4: Platen roller 21: Unit length storage unit 22: Unit number acquisition unit 23: Label length setting unit A: Label Ca: Square calendar Cb: Vertical calendar Cc: Time schedule table La: Label length Tp: Tape

Claims

A unit length storage unit for storing the length of a reference unit serving as a reference for the label length, which is the length of the label to be attached to the object to be applied;
A unit number acquisition unit for acquiring the number of reference units corresponding to the label length;
A label length setting unit that sets the label length based on the length of the stored reference unit and the number of the acquired reference units;
A tape printing apparatus comprising: a feeding unit that feeds a tape corresponding to the set label length.
The unit length storage unit stores the length of one section as the length of the reference unit serving as a reference for the label length to be pasted on the pasting object provided with a plurality of sections arranged in a row,
The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit number acquisition unit acquires the number of the sections to which the label is attached among the plurality of sections as the number of the reference units.
The unit number acquisition unit includes the number of the sections to which the label is affixed among the plurality of sections in which the continuous notation time is expressed in the first time unit, in the section to which the label is affixed. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a pasting target period from a start time at the time of the first notation to an end time at the time of the last notation is acquired.
4. The tape printer according to claim 3, wherein the unit number acquisition unit acquires the pasting target period based on an input operation of the pasting target period.
4. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unit number acquisition unit calculates the pasting target period based on input operations at the start time and the end time.
A cutting section for cutting the tape;
A pasting target period determining unit that determines whether the pasting target period is a plurality of section rows divided by a second time unit in which the plurality of sections are longer than the first time unit;
A partial pasting target period setting unit that sets a partial pasting target period for each section row, when it is determined that the pasting target period spans the plurality of section rows;
The label length setting unit sets a partial label length corresponding to the set partial pasting target period,
6. The feed part according to claim 3, wherein the feeding part feeds the tape by each partial label length so that the tape is cut by the cutting part at each set partial label length. A tape printer according to claim 1.
A printing unit that prints an image on the tape;
The printing unit prints a frame image including the first character, the second character, and the third character in order along the length direction of the tape according to the set label length. The tape printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number or length of the second characters is changed.
Memorize the length of the reference unit that serves as a reference for the label length, which is the length of the label attached to the object to be applied,
Obtaining the number of reference units corresponding to the label length;
Based on the stored length of the reference unit and the number of acquired reference units, the label length is set,
A print data generation method in a tape printer, wherein print data for feeding a tape is generated based on the label length for the set label length.