Computer-readable storage medium and printer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium and a printer. A computer-readable storage medium stores a set of program instructions that is installed on a computer provided in a terminal device and executed by the computer. The program instruction set includes receiving a print start operation for starting the printing of an image represented by a first print data set and a second print data set. The first print data set represents a first print image associated with a first print medium type. The second print data set represents a second print image associated with a second print medium type. The program instruction set includes sending the first print data set to the printer and sending the second print data set. The second image is printed after the first image is printed. Sending the second print data set is performed before the printer completes printing the first print image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a print control program and a printer for printing a plurality of print images using a plurality of types of print media. Background Art

[0002] Tape printers for creating composite labels are known in the art.Tape printers print multiple labels that are overlapped to create a single composite label.

[0003] In this conventional technology, after generating multiple stripe-printed images using multiple editing screens displayed on an image display device connected to a printer, a composite image of the multiple stripe-printed images is displayed on the image display device. Thereafter, in response to a user pressing a print button, a check is performed to determine whether a cassette containing a stripe corresponding to the stripe-printed image is installed in the tape printer. When such a cassette is installed in the tape printer, the stripe-printed image is printed on the tape.

[0004] When printing the stripe print image on one editing screen is completed, a confirmation is made as to whether a cassette having the stripe corresponding to the next stripe print image on the next editing screen is installed on the tape printer. When such a cassette is installed on the tape printer, the stripe print image is printed on the tape.

[0005] In the above-mentioned conventional technology, after the user presses the print button, the following process is required to complete the printing of all multiple strip printing images: confirm the box corresponding to the first strip printing image → send the first printing data → print the first strip printing image → confirm the box corresponding to the second strip printing image → send the second printing data → print the second strip printing image →…

[0006] Therefore, after the user presses the print button, a long period of time according to the number of swaths to be overlapped is required to complete printing of all print images. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a printer and a print control program capable of reducing a period of time required to print a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of layers using a plurality of types of printing media.

[0008] To achieve the above and other objectives, the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions installed on a computer provided in a terminal device configured to be connected to a printer and executed by the computer. The program instructions include: performing an operation reception process for receiving, via an operation interface, a print start operation for starting printing of multiple print images, represented by respective print data in a plurality of print data sets, each of the plurality of print images to be printed using different print media in the printer, the plurality of print data sets including a first print data set and a second print data set, the first print data set representing a first print image associated with a first print medium type, and the second print data set representing a second print image associated with a second print medium type; performing a first data transmission process for transmitting the first print data set to the printer in response to receiving the print start operation in the operation reception process; and performing a second data transmission process for transmitting the second print data set to the printer, the second image based on the second print data set to be printed after the first image. The second data transmission process is performed before the printer completes printing of the first print image.

[0009] Preferably, the program instruction set further includes performing a command transmission process for transmitting a print start command to the printer for starting printing of a second image based on the second print data set after the second print data set is transmitted to the printer in the second data transmission process. The print start command is transmitted in the command transmission process after the printer completes printing of the first image.

[0010] Preferably, the program instruction set further includes a storage determination process for determining whether a buffer provided in the printer can store the second print data set. If the buffer is determined to be capable of storing the second print data set, a second data transmission process is performed to transmit the second print data set before the printer completes printing of the first print data set. If the buffer is determined to be unable to store the second print data set, the second transmission process is not performed. The program instruction set further includes, if the buffer is determined to be unable to store the second print data set, a third transmission process is performed to transmit the second print data set to the printer. The third transmission process is performed after the printer completes printing of the first print data set.

[0011] Preferably, when the number of multiple print data sets is greater than or equal to 3 and the printing order for printing multiple print images is determined after printing using the first print data set among the multiple print data sets is completed, the first sending process sends the unprinted print data set to the printer when only one print data set is left to be printed and before the printer completes printing of the print image based on the print data set last sent to the printer.

[0012] Preferably, the first sending process sends all print data sets including the first print data set and the second print data set to the printer before the printer completes printing the first print image.

[0013] Preferably, the program instruction set further includes: performing a first generation process for generating a first print data set; and performing a second generation process for generating a second print data set. In the first data transmission process, the first print data set generated in the first generation process is transmitted. In the second data transmission process, the second print data set generated in the second generation process is transmitted. The first generation process and the second generation process generate the first print data set and the second print data set, respectively, such that, by limiting at least one of the data size of the first print data set and the data size of the second print data set, the total data size of the first print data set and the second print data set is less than or equal to a specified data size.

[0014] Preferably, the program instruction set further includes performing a capacity designation process for designating the capacity of a memory of the printer that can be used during printing. The specified size is a size that can be stored in the capacity of the memory.

[0015] Preferably, the printer is configured to set a selective printing mode of a first printing mode and a second printing mode, wherein in the first printing mode, each of the plurality of print images corresponding to the plurality of layers is printed using a different print medium to create a plurality of printed products, and in the second printing mode, a single print image corresponding to a single layer is printed on the print medium to create a single printed product. A maximum length of one of the plurality of printed products created in the first printing mode is greater than a maximum length of one of the printed products created in the second printing mode.

[0016] According to another aspect, the present invention provides a printer. The printer includes an installation portion, a printing portion, and a controller. Print media can be installed in the installation portion. The printing portion is configured to print multiple print images represented by respective print data in a plurality of print data sets, each of the multiple print images to be printed using a different print media type in the printer. The multiple print data sets include a first print data set and a second print data set. The first print data set represents a first print image associated with a first print media type. The second print data set represents a second print image associated with a second print media type. The controller is configured to perform: a first data receiving process for receiving the first print data set from a terminal device; and a second data receiving process for receiving the second print data set from the terminal device, the second image based on the second print data set to be printed after printing the first image. The second data receiving process is performed before completing printing of the first print image.

[0017] Preferably, the controller is configured to perform a command receiving process for receiving a print start command for starting printing of a second image based on the second print data set after the second print data set is received in the second data receiving process. The print start command is received after printing of the first image is completed.

[0018] Preferably, the controller sets the print mode to a selective print mode of a cumulative print mode and a continuous print mode. In the cumulative print mode, the printing portion starts printing the print data set after receiving the entire print data set to be printed, and in the continuous print mode, even if the printer receives at least a portion of the print data set, the printer can start printing the print data set using at least a portion of the received print data set while receiving the remaining portion of the print data set. The controller is configured to perform a mode setting process. In the mode setting process, if the second print medium associated with the second print data set received in the second receiving process matches the type of print medium currently installed in the mounting portion, the controller sets the print mode to the continuous print mode. In the mode setting process, if the second print medium associated with the second print data set received in the second receiving process does not match the type of print medium currently installed in the mounting portion, the controller sets the print mode to the cumulative print mode.

[0019] Preferably, the printer further includes a memory configured to store a received print data set. The printing portion prints the received print data set when the cumulative printing mode is set in the mode setting process, the memory has stored the received print data set, and the print medium associated with the received print data set matches the type of the print medium currently installed in the installation portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Certain features and advantages of the present disclosure as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing system according to a first embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an operation terminal and a label printer;

[0023] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a cartridge and a cartridge holder;

[0024] Figures 4A to 4C are plan views illustrating a top label, a bottom label, and a composite label created by bonding the two labels, respectively;

[0025] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating control processes successively performed by the control terminal and the label printer according to the first embodiment;

[0026] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating control processes successively performed by the control terminal and the label printer according to modification (1-1);

[0027] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating control processes successively performed by the control terminal and the label printer according to modification (1-2);

[0028] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control process performed by an operation terminal according to the second embodiment;

[0029] Figure 9 It is an example Figure 8 Flowchart of the processing of S110 and S130 shown in FIG;

[0030] Figure 10 It is an example Figure 8 Flowchart of the process of S140 shown in FIG.

[0031] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control process performed by the label printer according to the second embodiment;

[0032] Figure 12 It is an example Figure 11 Flowchart of the process of S150 shown in FIG.

[0033] Figure 13 It is an example Figure 11Flowchart of the process of S180 shown in FIG.

[0034] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control process performed by a control terminal according to a variation in which data size is restricted; and

[0035] Figure 15A and Figure 15B is based on Figure 14 An example of an editing screen displayed on a display in the variation illustrated in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] First embodiment

[0038] First, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0039] Overall structure of the printing system

[0040] Figure 1 1 shows the overall structure of the printing system according to the embodiment. Figure 1 In the present invention, a printing system 1 includes an operation terminal 2, such as a common personal computer, and a label printer 3 connected to the operation terminal 2. The operation terminal 2 is connected to the label printer 3 so as to be able to exchange information with the label printer 3. The operation terminal 2 may also be a smartphone, a mobile information terminal, or the like. The label printer 3 creates printed labels L based on user operations performed on the operation terminal 2. The labels L are an example of printed products, and the label printer 3 is an example of a printer.

[0041] Operation terminal

[0042] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the operation terminal 2 is provided with a CPU 11, a memory 12, an operation interface 13, a display 14, a communication control interface 15, and a large-capacity memory 16. For example, the memory 12 is composed of a RAM 12a, a ROM 12b, etc. The CPU 11 is an example of a controller.

[0043] The user inputs instructions and information on the operation interface 13. The display 14 displays various information and messages. Note that the operation interface 13 and the display 14 may be configured as a touch screen having the functions of both the operation interface 13 and the display 14. The communication control interface 15 controls signal exchange with the label printer 3.

[0044] The large capacity memory 16 stores various programs and information. The ROM 12b of the memory 12 stores programs for controlling the CPU 11 to execute the programs described later. Figures 5 to 12 and Figure 14Alternatively, the print control program may be stored in the mass storage 16. Note that the mass storage 16 is not limited to a built-in memory, but may be an appropriate external memory such as an SD card.

[0045] The CPU 11 exchanges various signals with various processes and the label printer 3 using the temporary storage function of the RAM 12 a according to programs stored in advance in the ROM 12 b and the large-capacity memory 16 .

[0046] label printer

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, the label printer 3 has a control circuit 21, a cartridge holder 22, a cartridge sensor 31, a communication control interface 23, a print motor 32, a motor drive circuit 33, and a print drive circuit 34. The cartridge holder 22 is an example of a mounting portion.

[0048] The cartridge 101 is detachably mounted in the cartridge holder 22. A cartridge sensor 31 is provided in the cartridge holder 22 for detecting the type of the cartridge 101 according to a suitable method known in the art. The detection method may be mechanical detection or optical or magnetic detection.

[0049] The control circuit 21 is provided with a ROM 21a, a RAM 21b, and a CPU 21c. The RAM 21b is provided with a print buffer 21d. The label printer 3 can exchange information with the operation terminal 2 by connecting the control circuit 21 to the communication control interface 15 of the operation terminal 2 via the communication control interface 23. The CPU 21c is an example of a controller.

[0050] Boxes and box holders

[0051] Figure 3 The detailed structure of the cartridge 101 and the related structure of the cartridge holder 22 are shown. Figure 3 In FIG, the cassette 101 has a housing 101A, a first roller 103 , a second roller 105 , a ribbon supply roller 107 , a ribbon take-up roller 108 , and a ribbon feed roller 109 .

[0052] The first roller 103 includes a reel 103A rotatably supported in a housing 101A and a base tape 102 wound around the reel 103A. For example, the base tape 102 is configured from a bonding adhesive layer, a base layer, a mounting adhesive layer, and a release layer. These layers are sequentially laminated in the order described, starting from the inner side of the wound base tape 102 forming the first roller 103 toward the opposite side.

[0053] The second roller 105 includes a reel 105A rotatably supported in the housing 101A. The cover film 104 having the same width as the base tape 102 is wound around the reel 105A. Note that although depicted as concentric circles in the drawing for simplicity, the first roller 103 and the second roller 105 are actually wound in a spiral shape.

[0054] The cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 are examples of print media. As described above, by mounting the cartridge 101 in the cartridge holder 22 , the cover film 104 , the base tape 102 , and the like are indirectly mounted in the cartridge holder 22 .

[0055] The ribbon supply roller 107 feeds out the ink ribbon 106. The ribbon take-up roller 108 takes up the ink ribbon 106 that has been used for printing. Note that the ink ribbon 106 is not necessary when the cover film 104 is a heat-sensitive tape that produces a prescribed color when heated.

[0056] A tape supply roller 109 is rotatably supported near the tape discharge portion of the cassette 101. The tape supply roller 109 adheres the base tape 102 to the cover film 104 using pressure to form a printed label tape 110 while conveying the cover film 104. The cover film 104 is pressed by the tape supply roller 109 and the pressure roller 24 opposed to the tape supply roller 109.

[0057] A ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 27 and a tape supply roller drive shaft 28 are provided in the cassette holder 22. The ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 27 is provided for taking up the portion of the ink ribbon 106 that has been used for printing. The tape supply roller drive shaft 28 is provided for conveying the printed label tape 110 described above. The driving force of the print motor 32 is transmitted to the ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 27 and the tape supply roller drive shaft 28, and the ribbon take-up roller 108 and the tape supply roller 109 are driven to rotate in conjunction with the corresponding ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 27 and the tape supply roller drive shaft 28. The CPU 21c controls the driving of the print motor 32 via the motor drive circuit 33.

[0058] The cartridge holder 22 is also provided with a print head 29 that prints prescribed contents on the cover film 104 when the cover film 104 is conveyed. The print head 29 is an example of a printing portion.

[0059] The fixed blade 25 and the movable blade 26 are provided downstream of the tape supply roller 109 and the pressure roller 24 along the conveyance path of the printed label tape 110. In cooperation with the fixed blade 25, the movable blade 26 cuts through the printed label tape 110 in the thickness direction.

[0060] Overview of label printer operation

[0061] In the case where the label printer 3 has the above structure, when the cartridge 101 is installed in the cartridge holder 22, the cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 become interposed between the print head 29 and the platen roller 30 opposite to the print head 29. At the same time, the base tape 102 and the cover film 104 are interposed between the tape supply roller 109 and the pressure roller 24 opposite to the tape supply roller 109. When the ribbon take-up roller 108 and the tape supply roller 109 are driven to Figure 3 The pressure roller 24 and the platen roller 30 rotate while rotating synchronously in the directions indicated by the corresponding arrows B and C in FIG. The base tape 102 is fed from the first roller 103 and supplied to the tape supply roller 109. The cover film 104 is fed from the second roller 105, and the print drive circuit 34 energizes the multiple heating elements in the print head 29 to print on the cover film 104. The ribbon take-up roller drive shaft 27 drives the ribbon take-up roller 108 to take up the ink ribbon 106 for printing on the cover film 104.

[0062] The printed portion of the base tape 102 and the cover film 104 is integrally bonded between the tape supply roller 109 and the pressure roller 24 to form a printed label tape 110, and the printed label tape 110 is conveyed outside the cassette 101. By the cooperative operation of the fixed blade 25 and the movable blade 26, the portion of the printed label tape 110 conveyed outside the cassette 101 is cut, thereby producing a printed label L.

[0063] Composite Tags

[0064] In this embodiment, a plurality of unique and different printed labels L created by the label printer 3 overlap in the thickness direction and adhere to each other. The adhered labels are then fixed to a desired object. That is, different types of cartridges 101 are sequentially installed in the cartridge holder 22 of the label printer 3 to create unique and different printed labels L that are then overlapped with each other. At this time, for example, printed labels L with different colors can be created by selectively using different types of cartridges 101 provided with different types of base tapes 102 and cover films 104. Similarly, printed labels L can be created while changing the color printed by the print head 29 by selectively using different types of cartridges 101 with different types of ink ribbons 106. Note that if the ink ribbon 106 changes, at least one of the cover film 104 and the base tape 102 used to make the label may be common. Alternatively, if the base tape 102 changes, at least one of the cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 used to create the label may be common. These cases are included in the concept of using different types of print media. As an example of this, reference will be made to Figures 4A to 4C A case where three different types of printed labels L are bonded together will be described.

[0065] Figure 4AThe figure shows one printed label LA that will form the topmost layer when two printed labels overlap. In this example, prohibition marks M1 are formed on each longitudinal end of a printed label LA cut to a specified length from the printed label tape 110. Each prohibition mark M1 is a circle with a diagonal line passing through its interior area.

[0066] Figure 4B Another printed label LB, which will form the bottom layer when two printed labels overlap, is shown. In this example, a cigarette icon M2 is formed on each longitudinal end of a printed label LB cut to a specified length from printed label tape 110. Additionally, text T1 is formed in the longitudinal center of the cut printed label LB. Each cigarette icon M2 depicts smoking. Text T1 represents "No Smoking."

[0067] In this example, Figure 4A The printed label LA shown in FIG is transparent and may be colored. Therefore, by overlapping (bonding together) the printed label LA as the top label and the printed label LB as the bottom label, a printed label LA is produced. Figure 4C . Note that the printed labels LA and LB in this example have the same width and length. Hereinafter, the printed label LL in this embodiment will be referred to as the "composite label LL." Additionally, the printed label LA will be referred to as the "top label LA," while the printed label LB will be referred to as the "bottom label LB."

[0068] Due to the overlapping of the two printed labels, the prohibition mark M1 and the cigarette icon M2 on both longitudinal ends of the band portion overlap to configure a composite "No Smoking" symbol M12 on the composite label LL. In addition, the text T1 is arranged between the two "No Smoking" symbols M12.

[0069] In other words, a print data set for creating a composite label LL is set for each of the multiple layers to form multiple labels. In this example, a print data set is set for each of the two layers required to form the top label LA and the bottom label LB, and two corresponding printed images are formed in the corresponding layers.

[0070] Specifically, a print data set is set for printing a top label LA with a prohibition mark M1 on both ends of the top layer, or the first layer of the two layers; and a print data set is set for printing a middle label LB with a cigarette icon M2 and "No Smoking" text T1 on both ends of the top label LA, or the second layer of the two layers. Based on the print data set for the first layer, the prohibition mark M1 is formed on the top label LA as the print image for the first layer. Based on the print data set for the second layer, the cigarette icon M2 and "No Smoking" text T1 are formed on the middle label LB as the print image for the second layer.

[0071] Features of the embodiment

[0072] One feature of the embodiment having the above configuration is a method of exchanging information between the operation terminal 2 and the label printer 3 when forming a print image based on a plurality of print data sets to create a plurality of printed labels L using the label printer 3 as described above. Hereinafter, a case in which the top label LA and bottom label LB described above are created on the label printer 3 as a plurality of unique and different printed labels L will be described in sequence.

[0073] Control process

[0074] Will refer to Figure 5 The control process sequentially executed by the CPU 11 of the operator terminal 2 and the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 according to this embodiment is described using the sequence diagram in FIG. The control terminal portion of the print control process is executed by a print control program included in the programs stored in the ROM 12b. By executing this process, the CPU 11 implements the print control method described below. The label printer portion of the print control process is executed by the control program stored in the ROM 21a.

[0075] exist Figure 5 In S2 of the operation terminal 2, the CPU 11 generates a print data set for the top label LA. Figure 4A , the CPU 11 receives the editing operation of the prohibition mark M1 and generates a print data set for printing the prohibition mark M1 as a print image to be printed on the top label LA. The print data set for the top label LA is associated with the type of the ink ribbon 106 used to print the prohibition mark M1. In other words, the print data set for the top label LA (or the print image (mark M1) represented by the print data set) is associated with the type of the box 101 used to print the prohibition mark M1. In order to achieve this correlation, the type information of the box 101 can be included in the print data set, or the print data set or the print image corresponding to the print data set can be linked to the type information of the box 101 stored in an appropriate separate location by a suitable method.

[0076] At this time, the type of the cartridge 101 and the type of the ink ribbon 106 included in the cartridge 101 are examples of the first medium type. The prohibition mark M1 is an example of the first print image. The print data set is an example of the first print data. The process of S2 is an example of the first data generation process.

[0077] In S4, the CPU 11 generates a print data set for the bottom label LB. For example, Figure 4B1. In the bottom label LA shown in FIG. 1 , the CPU 11 receives an edit operation of the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1, and generates a print data set for printing the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1 as a print image to be printed on the bottom label LB. Similar to the top label LA, the print data set for the bottom label LB (or the print image (icon M2 and text T1) represented by the print data set) is associated with the type of ink ribbon 106 used to print the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1. In other words, the print data set for the bottom label LB is associated with the type of box 101 used to print the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1. In the following description, "first layer" and "second layer" may be used to designate the "top label" and "bottom label," respectively.

[0078] At this time, the type of the cartridge 101 and the type of the ink ribbon 106 included in the cartridge 101 are examples of the second medium type. The cigarette icon M2 and the text T1 are examples of the second print image. The print data set is an example of the second print data. The process of S4 is an example of the second data generation process.

[0079] In this example, a print data set for the top label LA and a print data set for the bottom label LB are generated in the order described. However, the plurality of labels L for the composite label LL may be generated in any order.

[0080] In S5, the CPU 11 receives a print start command for starting printing of the generated plurality of print data sets via the operation interface 13. In this case, the order of creating the labels L is predetermined so that the top label LA, which is the first layer, is created first, followed by the bottom label LB. The process of S5 is an operation reception process.

[0081] After S5, in S15, the CPU 11 transmits the print data set for the top label LA generated in S2 to the label printer 3. The process of S15 is an example of the first data transmission process. In S20, the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 receives the print data set for the top label LA transmitted in S15. The process of S20 is an example of the first data reception process.

[0082] Following S15, in S25, the CPU 11 of the operator terminal 2 sends a print execution command to the label printer 3 for executing printing of the top label LA using the print data set for the top label LA sent in S15. In S30, the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 receives the print execution command sent in S25 from the operator terminal 2. In response to receiving the print execution command, in S35, the CPU 21c drives the print motor 32 via the motor drive circuit 33 to convey the base tape 102, cover film 104, and printed label tape 110. Furthermore, the CPU 21c energizes the print head 29 via the print drive circuit 34 to print the top label LA. Hereinafter, conveying the base tape 102, cover film 104, and printed label tape 110 may be referred to as tape conveyance.

[0083] After sending the print execution command in S25, the CPU 11 sends the print data set for the bottom label LB generated in S4 to the label printer 3 in S45. The process of S45 is an example of the second data transmission process. In S50, the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 receives the print data set for the bottom label LB sent in S45 and stores the received print data set in the print buffer 21d. The process of S50 is an example of the second data acquisition process.

[0084] An important feature of this embodiment is that Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the sending and receiving of the print data set for the bottom label LB in S45 and S50 are performed at least before the printing of the print data set for the top label LA in S35 is completed. In addition, after the print data set for the bottom label LB is received in S50 and the printing of the top label LA is completed in S35, the CPU 21 c of the label printer 3 sends a print completion notification to the operation terminal 2 in S55, notifying that the printing of the top label LA has been completed.

[0085] Triggered by the receipt of the print completion notification transmitted in S55 , the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 displays a screen indicating that printing of the top label LA is completed on the display 14 in S60 .

[0086] As described above, the type of ink ribbon 106 used to print the top label LA is different from the type of ink ribbon 106 used to print the bottom label LB. Therefore, after S60, in S65, the CPU 11 determines whether the cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 as the print medium have been replaced, that is, whether the cartridge 101 has been replaced. This determination can be made by obtaining information from a detection sensor such as the cartridge sensor 31 provided in the label printer 3 or by receiving information from the user indicating whether the cartridge should be replaced. When it is determined that the cartridge should be replaced (S65: Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to S75. In S65, the CPU 11 waits for the cartridge 101 to be replaced, and makes a negative (NO) determination in S65.

[0087] In S75, the CPU 11 sends a print execution command to the label printer 3 for executing printing of the bottom label LB using the print data set for the bottom label LB sent in S45. This print execution command is an example of a print start command. The processing of S75 is an example of a command sending process. In S80, the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 receives the print execution command sent in S75 from the operation terminal 2. The processing of S80 is an example of a command receiving process. Figure 5 As shown in FIG, the sending and receiving of the print execution command in S75 and S80 are performed after the top label LA is printed in S35. In response to receiving the print execution command, in S85, the CPU 21c drives the print motor 32 for tape transport and energizes the print head 29 to print the bottom label LB.

[0088] After the printing of the bottom label LB is completed in S85, the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 transmits a print completion notification to the operation terminal 2 in S90, notifying that the printing of the bottom label LB is completed, and the process ends.

[0089] Triggered by the receipt of the print completion notification sent in S90 , the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 displays a screen indicating that the printing of the bottom label LB is completed on the display 14 in S95 , and the process ends.

[0090] Effects of the embodiment

[0091] As described in the embodiment, with respect to the print data set for the top label LA, the print image including the prohibition mark M1 is associated with the type of cartridge 101 to be used for printing the print image. With respect to the print data set for the bottom label LB, the print image including the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1 is associated with the type of cartridge 101 to be used for printing the print image.

[0092] In S15, the operator terminal 2 sends a print data set for the top label LA, and the label printer 3 starts printing the top label LA based on the print data set sent from the operator terminal 2. In S45, the operator terminal 2 sends a print data set for the bottom label LB, and in S50, the label printer 3 receives the sent print data set.

[0093] In this case, the sending and receiving of the print data set for the bottom label LB in S45 and S50 are performed at least before the printing of the print data set for the top label LA is completed by the label printer 3. The label printer 3 receives at least a portion of the print data set for the bottom label LB before the printing of the top label LA is completed. Therefore, compared to the case where the print data set for the bottom label LB is sent after the printing of the top label LA is completed by the label printer 3, the time period required to complete the printing of the top label LA and the bottom label LB can be reduced by the time period required to send and receive the print data set for the bottom label LB.

[0094] Specifically, in S75, the operation terminal 2 sends a print execution command for printing the bottom label LB based on the print data set for the bottom label LB, and in S80, the label printer 3 receives the print execution command. After receiving the print execution command, the label printer 3 starts printing the bottom label LB. Here, the print execution command is sent and received in S75 and S80 after the printing of the top label LA is completed. That is, the print data set for the bottom label LB is sent before the printing of the top label LA is completed, and the print execution command for printing the bottom label LB is sent after the printing of the top label LA is completed. Therefore, the time period required to complete the printing of the top label LA and the bottom label LB can be reduced by the time period in which the print data set for the bottom label LB is sent from the operation terminal 2 to the label printer 3.

[0095] Sending the print execution command for printing the bottom label LB after the printing of the top label LA is completed means sending the print execution command after waiting for the preparation for printing the bottom label LB to be completed in the label printer 3. Therefore, when the cartridge 101 for creating the top label LA is currently installed on the label printer 3, by using the cartridge 101 currently installed on the label printer 3, it is possible to prevent the cigarette icon M2 and the text T1 to be printed next from being erroneously printed on the label L.

[0096] Modification of the First Embodiment

[0097] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made herein without departing from the scope of the present invention. In the following description, the same parts and components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid repeated description.

[0098] (1-1) Considering the storage capacity of the print buffer in the label printer

[0099] When the label printer 3 receives the print data set for the bottom label LB while printing the top label LA, a relatively large storage capacity is required in the print buffer 21d to store both print data sets. In this variation (1-2), taking this into account, a determination is made as to whether a certain amount of storage capacity can be reserved in the print buffer 21d. If the storage capacity cannot be reserved, the operator terminal 2 sends the print data set for the bottom label LB to the label printer 3 after waiting for the top label La to be printed.

[0100] Will refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The control process successively executed by the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 and the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 according to this modification is described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. Figure 6 The process starts from S2 shown in FIG. 1 and branches from S12 to Figure 5 The processing of S15 and Figure 6 The process of S15 is shown in FIG.

[0101] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG, the CPU 11 is in Figure 5 The processing shown in proceeds to S12 after similarly executing the processing of S2, S4 and S5. In S12, the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 determines whether the print data set for the lower label LB can be continuously sent to the label printer 3 after sending the print data set for the top label LA based on the data size of the print data set for the top label LA. This determination can be made by determining whether the difference obtained by subtracting the data size of the print data set for the top label LA from the prescribed value is less than a prescribed threshold value. Here, the prescribed value is determined by considering (or depending on) the maximum storage capacity of the print buffer 21d. In other words, this determination is for determining whether the print data set for the lower label LB can be additionally stored in the print buffer 21d in which the print data set for the upper label LA is currently stored, and is therefore an example of storage judgment processing. In the case where the print data set for the bottom label LB can be sent (S12: Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to Figure 5shown in S15, and execute Figure 5 The subsequent processing shown in is as described above.

[0102] In the case where the print data set for the bottom label LB cannot be sent (S12: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to Figure 6 In S15 shown in FIG, processes S20, S25 and S30 are executed, and thereafter in S35, the top label LA is printed, similar to Figure 5 The process shown in .

[0103] Unlike the first embodiment, in this variation, the processes of S55 and S60 precede the processes of S45 and S50. Specifically, in this variation, after the printing of the top label LA is completed in S35, the CPU 21c transmits a print completion notification to the operator terminal 2 in S55, notifying the operator that printing of the top label LA has been completed. Triggered by receipt of the print completion notification, the CPU 11 of the operator terminal 2 displays a screen on the display 14 in S60 indicating that printing of the top label LA has been completed.

[0104] After the process of S60, the processes of S45 and S50 are executed. That is, in S45, the CPU 11 transmits the print data set for the bottom label LB generated in S4 to the label printer 3, and in S50, the label printer 3 receives the print data set for the bottom label LB from the operation terminal 2. The process of S45 is an example of the third transmission process.

[0105] and Figure 5 The processes shown in FIG are the same as those in FIG. , after the process of S45, the processes of S65 to S95 are executed by the operation terminal 2, and after the process of S50, the processes of S89 to S90 are executed by the label printer 3, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0106] The effect of this variant

[0107] In this variation, in S12, the label printer 3 basically determines whether the print buffer 21d of the label printer 3 can store the print data set for the bottom label Lb. If the print buffer 21d cannot store the print data set for the bottom label LB, after the label printer 3 completes printing of the top label LA, in S45, the print data set for the bottom label LB is sent to the label printer 3. Therefore, even if there is insufficient capacity in the print buffer 21d, the bottom label LB can be printed.

[0108] (1-2) Sending all print data sets at once

[0109] In the first embodiment, the print data set for the top label LA and the print data set for the bottom label LB are sent separately from the operator terminal 2 to the label printer 3. In this variation (1-2), all print data sets are sent from the operator terminal 2 to the label printer 3 at once.

[0110] Will refer to Figure 5 and Figure 7 1 and 2. The control process successively executed by the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 and the CPU 21c of the label printer 3 according to this modification will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

[0111] exist Figure 7 In the control process shown in FIG, the processing of S16 and S22 is executed instead of Figure 5 In the following description, "top labels and bottom labels" that designate both the top label LA and the bottom label LB will be referred to as "all layers" consistent with the "first layer" and "second layer" defined above.

[0112] In S16, all the generated print data sets (that is, in this example, the print data sets for the top label LA and the print data sets for the bottom label LB) are sent to the label printer 3 at once. The process of S16 is an example of the first data transmission process and an example of the second data transmission process. In S22, the CPU 2c of the label printer 3 receives the print data sets for the top label LA and the print data sets for the bottom label LB sent in S16 at once. The process of S22 is an example of the first reception process and an example of the second reception process.

[0113] After the processing of S16 and S22, the operation terminal 2 and the label printer 3 are connected. Figure 5 The control process shown in FIG. 1 is similar to the control process shown in FIG. 1 and executes the processing of S25, S30 and S35. After the printing of the top label LA is completed in S35, Figure 5 The control process shown in FIG. 1 is similar to the process of executing S55 and S60. Thereafter, the operation terminal 2 and the Figure 5 The control procedure shown in FIG. 5 similarly executes the process of S65 and the label printer 3 executes the processes of S80 to S90 , so a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0114] The effect of this variant

[0115] In this variation, in S16, all the print data sets for the top label LA and the print data sets for the top label LB are sent to the label printer 3 before the label printer 3 completes printing of the top label LA in S35. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, the time period required to complete printing of the top label LA and the bottom label LB can be reduced by the time period required to send and receive the print data sets for the bottom label LB, compared to the case where the print data sets for the bottom label LB are sent after printing of the top label LA is completed by the label printer 3. In this variation, the order in which the multiple printed labels (that is, in this example, the top label LA and the bottom label LB) are created does not have to be predetermined. Even in the case where such an order is not predetermined, the above-described effects can be obtained.

[0116] Second embodiment

[0117] In the second embodiment, the control process is an overall control that can cope with situations such as a situation where the order of creating printed labels is not predetermined and a situation where a normal label that is not a composite label is created. Figures 1 to 3 The configuration shown in is the same as that shown in , and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0118] Control process of the operation terminal

[0119] Will be referenced Figures 8 to 11 1 and 2. The control process executed by the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 will be described while referring to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0120] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG, in S105, the CPU 11 receives a print start command for starting printing of a plurality of print labels L via the operation interface 13. The process of S105 is an example of an operation reception process.

[0121] Next, in S107, the CPU 11 generates a print data set for a plurality of print labels to be created. This process of S107 is equivalent to Figure 5 106 is a combination of the processes S2 and S4 shown in FIG. As described in the first embodiment, each print data set (or print image data represented by the print data set) is associated with the type of the ink ribbon 106 (that is, the type of the cartridge 101 having the ink ribbon 106). The process of S107 is an example of the first data generation process and an example of the second data generation process.

[0122] In S110, the CPU 11 performs a print layer determination process. When creating a composite label LL by overlaying multiple print labels L, the multiple print data sets for the multiple print labels correspond to (or define) corresponding layers among the multiple layers. The print layer determination process determines the layer to be currently printed from among the multiple layers. Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a printing layer determination process is shown.

[0123] exist Figure 9 In S111, the CPU 11 determines whether the printing order of the plurality of print labels L is predetermined (or previously fixed). If the printing order is predetermined (S111: Yes), in S112, the CPU 11 refers to a print order list indicating the predetermined printing order, and in S113, determines the layer to be currently printed based on the print order list. Here, the print order list is generated using a prescribed method and is thereafter stored in an appropriate location such as the ROM 12b. On the other hand, if the printing order is not predetermined (S111: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S114.

[0124] In S114, the CPU 11 determines whether the number of unprinted layers at that time is 1 (or whether the number of unprinted print data sets at that time is 1). If the number of unprinted layers is 1 (S114: Yes), the CPU 11 proceeds to S113. In S113, the CPU 11 therefore determines that the unprinted layer is a printing target. On the other hand, if the number of unprinted layers is greater than or equal to 2 (S114: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S115.

[0125] In S115 , the CPU 11 acquires type information of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 via the communication control interface 23 and the communication control interface 15 based on the detection result of the cartridge sensor 31 of the label printer 3 .

[0126] Subsequently, in S116, the CPU 11 searches for a layer corresponding to the acquisition result (the type information of the currently installed cartridge 10). Specifically, the CPU 11 searches for a print data set related to the type information of the cartridge obtained in S115 from among a plurality of print data sets for all the plurality of print labels that have not been printed. In the case where the CPU 11 cannot find a print data set related to the type information of the cartridge obtained in S115 in S116, the CPU 11 can return to S115 and repeat the processing of S115 and S116. While repeating the processing of S115 and S116, the printer 3 completes the printing of the print data set that has been sent in S120, and the cartridge 101 in the printer 3 is replaced with another. In the case where another cartridge 101 has been replaced in the printer 3, in S115, the CPU 11 obtains the type information of the other cartridge 101, and in S116, searches for a print data set related to the newly obtained type information. In S113, the CPU 11 decides that the print data set found in the search is the layer to be printed (or the current print object).

[0127] After determining the layer in S113, the CPU 11 ends this routine and proceeds to Figure 8 . In S120, the CPU 11 sends a set of print data corresponding to the layer determined in S110 as a layer to be printed (or as a printing object). The process of S120 is an example of the first data transmission process and an example of the second data transmission process. Note that, in the case where the CPU 11 returns to the process of S120 after completing the print data transmission waiting process of S140 (described later) and executes the processes of S144 and S146 after making a "No" determination in S142, the process of S120 is not an example of the second data transmission process but an example of the third data transmission process.

[0128] After S120, the CPU 11 determines in S125 whether all the print labels L of the created objects have been printed, that is, whether all the layers have been printed. If all the layers have been printed (S125: Yes), the CPU 11 ends this processing flow. If at least one layer remains unprinted (S125: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S130.

[0129] In S130, the CPU 11 executes the same printing layer determination process as that of S110 to determine the layer to be printed next. After S130, in S140, the CPU 11 executes a print data transmission waiting process. Figure 10 : is a flowchart illustrating print data transmission waiting processing.

[0130] exist Figure 10In S142 of the present invention, the CPU 11 determines whether a print data set for the print label L to be printed next can be continuously sent to the label printer 3 after the print data set that has been sent to the label printer 3 at this time. As described above, this determination can be made by determining whether the difference obtained by subtracting the data size of the print data set sent at this time from the prescribed value is less than or equal to a prescribed threshold value. Here, the prescribed value is determined by taking into account the maximum storage capacity of the print buffer 21d. In the case where continuous sending of the print data set is possible (S142: Yes), the CPU 11 ends the process. Figure 10 The routine shown in and returns to Figure 8 The CPU 11 proceeds to S144 in step S142 to send a print data set. If no print data set has been sent at this time and the first print data set is to be sent, a "Yes" determination is made in S142. On the other hand, if continuous transmission of print data sets is not possible (S142: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S144. The processing of S142 is an example of storage determination processing similar to S122.

[0131] In S144, the CPU 11 accesses the label printer 3 via the communication control interface 15 and the communication control interface 23, and acquires status information indicating the status of the label printer 3 from the label printer 3. Specifically, the status information indicates whether the label printer 3 is currently performing printing.

[0132] After S144, in S146, the CPU 11 determines whether a print completion notification for notifying that printing of the printed label L has been completed is received from the label printer 3. In the case where the print completion notification is not received (S146: No), the CPU 11 returns to S144. In the case where the print completion notification is received (S146: Yes), the CPU 11 ends this routine and returns to Figure 8 When the status information received in S144 indicates that the label printer 3 is not currently performing printing, the CPU 11 may determine that a print completion notification is received.

[0133] Label printer control process

[0134] Will be referenced Figures 11 to 13 The control process executed by the label printer 3 will be described while referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the label printer 3 starts printing based on the acquired print data set without receiving a print start command.

[0135] Figure 11 The processing flow shown in FIG. 1 starts when the first print data set is received and stored in the print buffer 21d. Here, the first print data set is sent from the operation terminal 2. In S150, the CPU 11 executes a box authentication process.

[0136] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating the cartridge verification process. In S152, the CPU 21c obtains the cartridge type information included in or linked to the received print data set of the target print image stored in the print buffer 21d. In other words, the CPU 21c obtains the cartridge type information linked to the target print image represented by the received print data set stored in the print buffer 21d. The type of the cartridge 101 or the type of the ink ribbon set in the cartridge 101 is an example of the first media type.

[0137] After S152 , in S154 , the CPU 21 c acquires the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 based on the detection result of the cartridge sensor 31 .

[0138] In S156, the CPU 21c determines whether the cartridge type information acquired in S152 matches the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22. In a case where the type information does not match the type of the currently mounted cartridge 101 (S156: NO), the CPU 21c proceeds to S158.

[0139] In S158, the CPU 21c waits for the user to replace the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 with another cartridge 101. For example, in the case where it is detected by a conventional method that the currently mounted cartridge 101 is taken out of the cartridge holder 22 and another cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge holder 22, the CPU 21c returns from S158 to S152.

[0140] On the other hand, in the case where the type information of the cartridge acquired in S152 matches the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 (S156: YES), the CPU 21c ends this routine and returns to the process. Figure 11 S160 shown in FIG.

[0141] In S160, the CPU 21c begins driving the print motor 32 via the motor drive circuit 33 to initiate tape transport. Subsequently, in S165, while maintaining tape transport, the print drive circuit 34 energizes the heating element of the print head 29, thereby initiating printing of the target print image represented by the print data set stored in the print buffer 21d. Subsequently, in S170, the CPU 21c determines whether printing of the target print image has been completed. If printing of the target image has not been completed (S170: No), the CPU 21c waits to resume printing of the target print image. In the second embodiment, two situations are assumed in the state where printing of the target print image continues. One situation is that at least a portion of the next print data set for the next target print image has been received and stored in the print buffer 21d, and the other situation is that neither a portion nor the entire print data set has been received and, therefore, stored in the print buffer 21d. As described later, in S175, the CPU 21c makes a determination, and the result of the determination in S175 depends on the two situations described herein.

[0142] If printing of the target image has been completed ( S170 : YES), in S172 the CPU 21 c transmits a print completion notification to the operation terminal 2 , and the process proceeds to S175 .

[0143] In S175, the CPU 21c determines whether at least a portion of the print data set is stored in the print buffer 21d. If neither a portion nor the entire print data set is stored in the print buffer 21d (S175: No), the CPU 21c stops driving the print motor 32 in S197, terminating the process flow. If at least a portion of the print data set is stored in the print buffer 21d (S175: Yes), the CPU 21c proceeds to S180 and executes a mode determination process.

[0144] Figure 13 2 is a flowchart illustrating a mode determination process. In S182, the CPU 21c obtains the type information of the box included in or connected to the print data set for the next target print image similar to S152. In other words, the CPU 21c obtains the type information of the box linked to the next target print image represented by the print data set stored in the print buffer 21d. The print data set for the print image that has completed printing is an example of the first print data. The print data set for the next target print image is an example of the second print data. The type of the box 101 indicated by the box type information obtained in S182 or the type of the ink ribbon 106 set in the box 101 is an example of the second medium type.

[0145] Following S182 , in S184 , the CPU 21 c acquires the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 based on the detection result of the cartridge sensor 31 similarly to S154 .

[0146] In S184, the CPU 21c determines whether the type information of the cartridge acquired in S182 matches the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 detected in S184. In a case where the type information of the cartridge acquired in S182 matches the type of the cartridge 101 currently mounted in the cartridge holder 22 (S186: YES), in S188, the CPU 21c sets the print mode of the label printer 3 to the continuous print mode, and ends this routine, proceeding to the next step. Figure 11 In the continuous printing mode, printing of the portion of the received print data set for the next print object may be started while the remaining portion of the print data set for the next print object is received.

[0147] If the type information acquired in S182 does not match the type of the currently installed cartridge 101 (S186: No), in S189, the CPU 21c sets the print mode of the label printer 3 to the cumulative print mode, and ends this routine, returning to the Figure 11 In the cumulative printing mode, after receiving the entire print data set of the next print object, printing is started.

[0148] exist Figure 11 In S190, the CPU 21c determines whether the print mode is set to the cumulative print mode. If the print mode is set to the continuous print mode (S190: No), the CPU 21c returns to S165. If the print mode is set to the cumulative print mode (S190: Yes), in S195, the CPU 21c stops driving the print motor 32 started in S160 to stop the tape conveyance, waits for the receiving cassette 101 and another cassette, and waits for the remaining part of the print data set to be received. After S195, the CPU 21c returns to S150.

[0149] Effects of the Second Embodiment

[0150] The same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved in the second embodiment.

[0151] Specifically, in Figure 11 When the processing flow shown in FIG. 1 starts, in S120 the operation terminal 2 sends the Figure 8 The first print data set corresponding to the layer is first determined in S110, and the label printer 3 starts to receive the first print data set and stores it in the print buffer 21d.

[0152] In the case where a "yes" determination is made in S142, after the print data set for the first layer, the print data set for the next layer is also sent from the operation terminal 2 in S120. Figure 11 When the printing started in S165 is not completed and a “NO” determination is made in S170 , the label printer 3 receives at least part of the print data set for the next layer and stores it in the print buffer 21 .

[0153] That is, the Figure 5 Similarly to the control process shown in , the transmission of the print data set for the next layer from the operation terminal 2 and the reception of the print data set for the next layer by the label printer 3 are performed at least before the label printer 3 completes printing of the print data set for the first layer. Therefore, before the printing of the printed labels L corresponding to the first layer is completed, the label printer 3 receives at least a portion of the print data set for the next layer. Therefore, compared to a case where the print data set corresponding to the next layer is transmitted from the operation terminal 2 to the label printer 3 after the label printer 3 completes printing of the printed labels L corresponding to the first layer, the time period required to complete printing of the two labels corresponding to the first layer and the next layer can be reduced by the time period required to transmit and receive the print data set corresponding to the next layer.

[0154] In the second embodiment, the plurality of layers may include three or more layers. Note that the order of printing the plurality of layers is predetermined and thus Figure 9 In the case where a “Yes” determination is made in S111 , the printing method according to the second embodiment can be implemented and the above-described effects can be obtained.

[0155] Alternatively, even in a case where the printing order of the plurality of layers is not predetermined, if the number of unprinted layers is 1 and therefore a “Yes” determination is made in S114 , the above-described effects can be obtained.

[0156] Specifically, if the order of printing multiple layers depends on the cartridge 101 installed in the label printer 3 and multiple unprinted print data sets are stored in the label printer 3, the print data set for the next print target is not determined until the print data set associated with the type information acquired in step S115 is found. Here, in step S115, the type information of the cartridge 101 may be acquired after the cartridge 101 for the next target image is installed. Therefore, in step S116, after the type information of the cartridge 101 for the next print target is acquired and the print data set is determined to be the next print target, the determined print data set is sent to the label printer 3. However, if the number of unprinted data sets is one, the print data set for the next print target may be determined without performing steps S115 and S116.

[0157] To achieve this, a determination is made in S114. If the number of unprinted print data sets reaches 1, the unprinted print data set can be sent before the printing of the most recently sent print data set is completed. Therefore, the time period during which the label printer 3 prints labels L based on the most recently sent print data set overlaps at least partially with the time period during which the label printer 3 receives the next print data set. Therefore, the time period required to complete the printing of all printed labels L can be reduced due to this overlap.

[0158] like Figure 7 The method described in the variation (1-2) shown in the figure, in which all print data sets are sent from the operation terminal 2 to the label printer 3 at once, can be applied to the method in the second embodiment. In this case, the same effect can be achieved. In this case, even if the order in which the remaining print labels L to be printed after the first layer of print labels L are printed is not specifically determined, all print data sets are sent at once. Therefore, the time required to complete the printing of all labels L can be reduced.

[0159] In the second embodiment, the CPU 11 essentially determines whether the two print data sets for the two layers can be stored in the print buffer 21d of the label printer 3. In the case where the two print data sets cannot be stored (S142: No), in S146, the print data set for the next layer is sent after receiving the print completion notification for the print data set for the first layer of the two layers from the label printer 3, and a "Yes" determination is made in S146. Figure 6 Similar to the modified run (1-1) shown in FIG, even in a situation where there is not enough capacity in the print buffer 21d, print data sets for each layer can be printed.

[0160] On the other hand, in the case of composite label printing in which a composite label LL is created by overlapping and bonding a plurality of printed labels L, it is highly likely that the cartridge 101 will be replaced with another cartridge after printing the first printed label and before printing the next printed label L. In this case, since printing of the next printed label L can only be performed after the cartridge 101 is replaced with another cartridge, it is effective to complete receiving the remaining portion of the print data set for a layer while waiting for the cartridge to be replaced. On the other hand, in the case of normal label printing in which a single printed label for a layer to be used independently is printed, there is no need to wait for the cartridge 101 to be replaced.

[0161] Therefore, in the second embodiment, in the case where the type information of the cartridge acquired in S182 matches the type of the cartridge 101 detected in S184, it is determined that the current situation is a normal label printing situation rather than a composite label printing situation, and the printing mode is set to the continuous printing mode. Figure 11 Therefore, in the process of S165 executed next, even if the label printer 3 is currently receiving the remaining part of the print data set, the CPU 21c can quickly start printing the part of the print data set that has been received without stopping the print motor 32, thereby quickly executing the entire process.

[0162] On the other hand, in the case where the type information of the cartridge acquired in S182 does not match the type of the cartridge 101 detected in S184, it is determined that the current situation is a composite label printing situation requiring replacement of the cartridge 101, and thus the print mode is set to the cumulative print mode. Figure 11 In S190 of the embodiment, a "yes" determination is made, and in S195, the CPU 21c stops the print motor 32 to wait for the replacement of the cartridge 101 when the rest of the next print data set is received, thereby enhancing efficiency. In the conceivable case that the printing system 1 only supports ordinary label printing, an error will occur whenever the type information of the cartridge associated with the received print data set does not match the type of the cartridge 101 currently installed in the cartridge holder 22. In such a conceivable case, the user must perform a troublesome task to solve the problem associated with the error. On the other hand, in this embodiment, a continuous print mode and a cumulative print mode are set. In the case where the type information of the cartridge 101 associated with the print data set obtained in S182 does not match the type of the cartridge 101 detected in S184, the print mode is set to the cumulative print mode, thereby avoiding the occurrence of an error.

[0163] According to the second embodiment, appropriate printing can be performed both in the case where the user selects to print a label for a composite label and in the case where the user selects to print a normal label.

[0164] In the second embodiment, in the cumulative printing mode, Figure 11 The processing is executed in the following order: S175 → S180 → S190 → S195, after which the process returns to S150. In S150 (S156), when the type information of the cartridge 101 associated with the print data set that has been received and stored in the print buffer 21d matches the type of the currently installed cartridge 101, the CPU 21c makes a "yes" determination, and in S165, prints the received print data set after the processing of S160. Therefore, in the cumulative printing mode, the start of printing can be triggered by determining that the type information of the cartridge 101 associated with the print data set matches the type of the currently installed cartridge 101. In other words, printing can be started without independently receiving a print start command.

[0165] Variant for limiting the data size of print data

[0166] In the case where all print data sets are sent from the operation terminal 2 to the label printer 3 as described in the first and second embodiments, the storage capacity of the print buffer 21 d for storing data generally varies depending on the model of the label printer 3 .

[0167] In the case of creating a composite label from a plurality of printed labels L, its data size increases as the number of labels to be covered increases. In this variation, between S2 and S4 ( Figures 5 to 7 ) or S107( Figure 8 ) in the case where multiple print data sets are generated for multiple print labels L, the data size of each print data set is limited depending on the number of labels to be covered. Figure 14 The details of this configuration are described simultaneously with FIG. 15 .

[0168] Will refer to Figure 14 The simultaneous description in S2 and S4 ( Figures 5 to 7 ) or S107( Figure 8 ) is executed by the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 in this variation. The data size of the print data set used to create the print label L increases as the area increases. Here, the area is the product of the width of the print label and the length of the print label. In this example, the length of the print label L is set as a variable to limit the data size.

[0169] like Figure 14As shown, in S205, the CPU 11 of the operation terminal 2 accesses the label printer 3 via the communication control interface 15 and the communication control interface 23 to obtain the data capacity of the print buffer 21d. Specifically, the data capacity is expressed in the form of width W and length LEN. In this case, the data capacity of the print buffer 21d indicates the storage capacity available for printing labels L in the label printer 3, so the processing of S205 is an example of capacity designation processing.

[0170] After S205 , in S210 , the total number of covered labels is obtained. Here, the total number of covered labels is the number of multiple labels L that are to be covered by the composite label LL and edited at this time.

[0171] In S215, the CPU 11 acquires the width B of the composite label LL configured by the plurality of labels L edited at this time. The width B corresponds to the width of each printed label L constituting the composite label.

[0172] After S215 , in S220 , the CPU 11 determines whether the product n×B is smaller than the width W acquired in S205 . Here, the product n×B is the product of the total cover tag number n acquired in S210 and the width B acquired in S215 .

[0173] If the product n×B is less than or equal to the width W (n×B ≤ W) (S220: YES), the CPU 11 maintains (or does not change) the length limit value Lmax in S225 and proceeds to S235. Here, the length limit value Lmax is predetermined at this time and is used to limit the length of each print label L, so that the size of the print data set generated for each print label L is limited. Specifically, the length limit value Lmax is predetermined so that the total data size of the multiple print data sets generated for the multiple labels L constituting the composite label LL is less than or equal to a specified size. In this example, the specified size is the size of data that can be stored in the print buffer 21d.

[0174] On the other hand, if the product n×B is greater than the width W (n×B>W) (S220: No), the CPU 11 proceeds to S230. In S230, the CPU 11 changes the length limit value Lmax determined at this time so that the length limit value Lmax is reduced by using n, B, W and the length LEN acquired in S204 (hereinafter, Lmax=LEN×W / (n×B)). Therefore, the prescribed size is determined by (width W)×(length LEN) / (total number of cover tags n). The CPU 11 proceeds to S235.

[0175] In S235 , the CPU 11 acquires the length La of the print label L edited at this time.

[0176] After S235 , in S240 , the CPU 11 determines whether the length La acquired in S235 is less than or equal to the length limit value Lmax determined in S225 or S230 .

[0177] In the case where the length La is greater than the length limit value Lmax (La>Lmax) (S240: No), in S245, the CPU 11 generates a message notifying that the length of the label is greater than the maximum length, and displays it on the display 14. In the case where the user performs a check operation to reduce the length La in response to the displayed message via the operation interface 13, a "yes" determination is made in S250 executed next, and the processing turns to S235. On the other hand, in the case where the length La obtained in S235 is less than or equal to the length limit value Lmax (La≤Lmax) (S240: Yes), the CPU 11 ends the processing flow. While editing the print label L, you can repeatedly execute Figure 14 By limiting the length of each label L as described above, a plurality of print data sets for a plurality of labels L for a composite label LL are generated so that the total data size of the combination of the plurality of print data is less than or equal to the storage capacity of the label printer 3.

[0178] Figure 15A and Figure 15B Shown with Figure 14 14 is a display example of the operation terminal 2 related to a series of processes shown in FIG. Figure 15A An edit screen is shown with a label field 14e for editing Figure 4A The label LA shown in is used to generate a print data set for it. Figure 15B An edit screen is shown with a label field 14f for editing Figure 4B The bottom label LB shown in FIG. 14 is used to generate a print data set for the bottom label LB. The label fields 14e and 14f include a top label image IA representing the top label LA and a bottom label image IB representing the bottom label Lb, respectively. Figure 15A and Figure 15B Each of the editing screens shown includes a Figure 15A The tag field of 14e's "Tags" tab and is used to specify Figure 15B When the "Mark" tab or the "No Smoking" tab is operated, the display 14 is switched to display the corresponding label field (14e or 14f).

[0179] Figure 15A and Figure 15BEach of the editing screens shown in FIG200 includes a model display field 14a, a width display field 14b, and a length display field 14c. The model display field 14a is used to indicate, for example, the model name "PP-2000" of the label printer 3. The data capacity of the print buffer 21d is uniquely specified by the model displayed in the model display field 14a and is acquired in S205.

[0180] Figure 15A and Figure 15B The editing screen shown in FIG is generally provided with a “Mark” tab and a “No Smoking” tab. The number of tags is equivalent to the total number of covered tags n acquired in S210.

[0181] In this example, the width display field 14b displays the width of the currently edited printed label. In this example, a width of 24 mm is set for both the top label LA and the bottom label LB. The top label image IA and the bottom label image IB are displayed using a scale indicating the set width of 24 mm. This width of 24 mm corresponds to the width B of the composite label LL obtained in step S215.

[0182] The length display field 14c displays the length of the currently edited print label L. In this example, the length of 120 mm is set in the length display field 14c for both the top label LA and the bottom label LB. The top label image IA and the bottom label image IB are displayed using a scale indicating the set length of 120 mm. This length of 120 mm corresponds to the length La acquired in step S235.

[0183] In the top label image IA and the bottom label image IB, the range indicating the length limit value Lmax is displayed together with the top label LA and the bottom label LB. In this example, the length limit value Lmax is set to 100 mm. The value of 100 mm is equivalent to Figure 14 In this case, as a result of the determination of La>Lmax, a message “Warning! The size of the print pattern exceeds the maximum length.” is displayed in the message 14d in the top label image IA. Figure 15B The editing screen shown in FIG can also display the message 14d. Figure 14 Message 14d is generated in S245.

[0184] like Figure 15A and Figure 15BAs shown in the example, the sizes of all the multiple data sets used to form the composite label LL are restricted. Restricting the print data size for only at least one print data set may be sufficient, so it may not be necessary to restrict the size of all print data sets. Therefore, compared to creating all the multiple labels L without restricting the data size, the following effects can be achieved.

[0185] The effect of this variant

[0186] In this variation, when S2 and S4 ( Figures 5 to 7 ) or S107( Figure 8 ) when generating a plurality of print data sets for printing labels for forming a composite label, the data size of at least one print data set is limited. Specifically, Figures 5 to 7 When multiple data sets are generated in S2 and S4, the data size of at least one of the print data sets for the top label LA and the bottom label LB is limited. The data size limitation is performed so that the total data size of the multiple print data sets for the multiple labels constituting the composite label LL is less than or equal to a specified size. This limitation of the data size reduces the possibility of memory overflow due to an increase in the memory size consumed by the label printer 3 (such as the memory size consumed by the print buffer 21d).

[0187] This variant can be modified as follows. That is, Figure 8 In the case of S107, the label printer 3 can be set with two printing modes. One mode is the composite label mode, and the other mode is the normal mode. The composite label mode is used in the following case: each printed image based on one of the multiple layers is printed by the cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 in different boxes 101 to create a plurality of printed labels L for synthesizing the composite label to be used. The normal mode is used in the following case: the printed image for one layer is printed by the cover film 104 and the ink ribbon 106 of one box 101 to create one printed label L to be used alone. That is, when only a label composed of a single layer is used, the normal mode is set, and when a composite label composed of multiple layers is used, the composite label mode is set. The composite label mode is an example of the first printing mode, and the normal mode is an example of the second printing mode.

[0188] In this case, in composite label mode, the print data size is limited by limiting the maximum length of at least one of the multiple printed labels L according to the above method. In normal mode, the length is not limited. In other words, the maximum length of each of the multiple printed labels L in composite label mode is shorter than the maximum length of the printed labels L in normal mode.

[0189] The configuration provided with the composite label mode and the normal mode has the technical meaning described below. That is, in the composite label mode, because the label printer 3 needs to store multiple print data sets of multiple layers, the memory size to be consumed increases. Therefore, the maximum length of the print label L that can be created in the composite label mode is set to be shorter than the maximum length of the print label L in the normal mode. By limiting the length of at least one of the multiple print labels created in the composite label mode, the memory size consumed for at least one of the multiple print data sets is reduced, thereby reducing the memory size consumed by the multiple print data sets in the label printer 3 as a whole.

[0190] Other variants

[0191] In the above embodiment, printing is performed on a cover film 104 that is separate from the base tape 102, and then the cover film 104 is bonded to the base tape 102. However, the printing method is not limited to this. For example, printing can be performed on a printing tape layer provided in the base tape. In this case, the cover film need not be bonded to the base layer.

[0192] Figures 5 to 12 The processes shown in the sequence diagram and the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 15 are not limited thereto, and one or more processes may be added thereto and one or more processes may be deleted therefrom, and the order of processes may be modified without departing from the concept of the present invention.

[0193] The methods in the embodiments and their modifications may be combined.

[0194] Furthermore, although not independently illustrated, the present disclosure can be implemented with various modified forms without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A computer-readable storage medium storing a set of program instructions, wherein the set of program instructions is installed on and executed by a computer, wherein the computer is provided in a terminal device configured to be connected to a printer, the set of program instructions comprising: performing an operation receiving process for: receiving, via an operation interface, a print start operation for starting printing of a plurality of print images represented by respective print data sets of a plurality of print data sets, each of the plurality of print images to be printed in the printer using a different print medium, the plurality of print data sets including a first print data set and a second print data set, the first print data set representing a first print image associated with a first print medium type, and the second print data set representing a second print image associated with a second print medium type; performing a first data sending process, the first data sending process being configured to: send the first print data set to the printer in response to receiving the print start operation in the operation receiving process; as well as performing a second data sending process for sending the second print data set to the printer, wherein the second print image based on the second print data set is to be printed after the first print image is printed, The second data sending process is performed before the printer completes printing the first print image. The program instruction set further includes: performing a command sending process for sending a print start command for starting printing of the second print image based on the second print data set to the printer after the second print data set is sent to the printer in the second data sending process, The print start command is sent in the command sending process after the printer completes printing the first print image.

2. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein The program instruction set also includes: a storage determination process for determining whether a buffer provided in the printer can store the second print data set; wherein, if it is determined that the buffer can store the second print data set, the second data sending process sends the second print data set before the printer completes printing the first print data set; Wherein, if it is determined that the buffer cannot store the second print data set, the second data sending process is not performed. The program instruction set further includes performing a third data sending process, wherein the third data sending process is used to: send the second print data set to the printer when it is determined that the buffer cannot store the second print data set; The third data sending process is performed after the printer completes printing the first print data set.

3. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein In a case where the number of the multiple print data sets is greater than or equal to three, and the printing order for printing the multiple print images is determined after printing using the first print data set among the multiple print data sets is completed, when only one print data set is left unprinted and before the printer completes printing the print image based on the print data set last sent to the printer, the first data sending processing sends the unprinted print data set to the printer.

4. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein: The first data transmission process transmits the entire print data set including the first print data set and the second print data set to the printer before the printer completes printing of the first print image.

5. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 4, wherein: The program instruction set also includes: performing a first generation process for generating the first print data set; and performing a second generation process for generating the second print data set, wherein the first data sending process sends the first print data set generated in the first generating process; wherein the second data sending process sends the second print data set generated in the second generating process, and In which, the first generation processing and the second generation processing generate the first print data set and the second print data set respectively, so that by limiting at least one of the data size of the first print data set and the data size of the second print data set, the total data size of the first print data set and the second print data set is less than or equal to the specified data size.

6. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 5, wherein: The program instruction set also includes: performing a capacity designation process for designating a capacity of a memory of the printer that is usable during printing, The predetermined data size is a size of data that can be stored within the capacity of the memory.

7. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 4, wherein: The printer is configured to set a selective printing mode of a first printing mode in which each of the plurality of printing images corresponding to the plurality of layers is printed using a different printing medium to create a plurality of printed products, and a second printing mode in which one printing image corresponding to a single layer is printed on the printing medium to create one printed product. The maximum length of one of the plurality of printed products created in the first printing mode is greater than the maximum length of the one printed product created in the second printing mode.

8. A printer comprising: an installation portion in which a printing medium can be installed; a printing unit configured to print a plurality of print images represented by respective ones of a plurality of print data sets, each of the plurality of print images to be printed in the printer using a different print medium type, the plurality of print data sets including a first print data set representing a first print image associated with a first print medium type and a second print data set representing a second print image associated with a second print medium type; as well as A controller configured to: a first data receiving process for receiving the first print data set from a terminal device; as well as a second data receiving process for receiving a second print data set from the terminal device, wherein the second print image based on the second print data set is to be printed after the first print image is printed, The second data receiving process is performed before the first print image is printed. The controller is configured to perform a command receiving process, wherein the command receiving process is used to: after receiving the second print data set in the second data receiving process, receive a print start command for starting to print the second print image based on the second print data set; The print start command is received after printing of the first print image is completed.

9. The printer according to claim 8, wherein The controller sets the printing mode to a selective one of a cumulative printing mode and a continuous printing mode, wherein, in the cumulative printing mode, the printing unit starts printing the print data set after receiving the entire print data set to be printed, and in the continuous printing mode, even if the printer receives at least a portion of the print data set, the printer can start printing the print data set using the received at least a portion of the print data set while receiving the remaining portion of the print data set. Wherein, the controller is configured to perform mode setting processing, wherein, in the mode setting process, when the second print medium type associated with the second print data set received in the second data receiving process matches the type of the print medium currently installed in the installation portion, the controller sets the print mode to the continuous print mode, and Wherein, in the mode setting process, when the second printing medium type associated with the second printing data set received in the second data receiving process and the type of the printing medium currently installed in the installation portion do not match, the controller sets the printing mode to the cumulative printing mode.

10. The printer according to claim 9, further comprising: a memory configured to store the received print data set, Wherein, when the cumulative printing mode is set in the mode setting process, the printing unit prints the received print data set, the memory has stored the received print data set, and the print medium type related to the received print data set matches the type of the print medium currently installed in the installation unit.

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