Printing method, program, and printing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a printing method capable of efficiently editing the print contents of a plurality of labels. The printing method is a method performed by a printing device (100) that performs printing on a label sheet (LS) on which a plurality of labels (L) are arranged, and includes the following steps: a step (S1-S4) of editing a first label among the plurality of labels (L); and a step (S8-S10) of, when a second label operation of starting editing of a second label that is a label next to the first label exists, copying the edited contents of the first label to the second label.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing method performed by a printing apparatus for printing on a label sheet having multiple labels, a program for executing the printing method by a computer, and a printing apparatus for executing the printing method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, printing apparatuses are known for printing on label sheets with multiple labels (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such printing apparatuses, when editing the printing content of multiple labels, after editing a specific label, a "label switching operation" is performed to begin editing the other labels.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4330359 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In existing printing devices, after a label change operation, regardless of the content of the next label, the editing of the next label starts from the beginning. That is, even if you want to use the same content as the previous label in the next label, the editing work performed on the previous label needs to be repeatedly executed when editing the next label. Furthermore, since label editing requires multiple operations, in this case, multiple operations that are the same as those performed when editing the previous label need to be repeatedly executed when editing the next label. As a result, it is inefficient to edit multiple labels.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to enable efficient editing of the printing content of multiple labels in a printing apparatus that prints on label sheets configured with multiple labels.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a printing method performed by a printing device that prints on label sheets configured with multiple labels, comprising the following steps.

[0007] ◎Steps to edit the first tag among multiple tags.

[0008] ◎When a tag-changing operation occurs where editing begins on a second tag following the first tag, the step is to copy the edited content of the first tag to the second tag. Here, "edited content" refers to the text entered into the tag, as well as the print layout, including character size, configuration, and decoration types.

[0009] In the above printing method, when a label-swapping operation is performed after editing the first label, the edited content of the first label is copied to the second label. Therefore, when the same printed content as the first label is used for the second label, the job of reflecting the printed content of the first label onto the second label can be easily performed through a single "label-swapping operation." As a result, the workload for editing multiple labels is reduced, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple labels.

[0010] Alternatively, in the step of copying the edited content of the first tag to the second tag, the character content entered into the first tag can be copied to the second tag. This eliminates the need to input the characters to be printed in the second tag, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple tags.

[0011] Alternatively, the print layout of the first label can be copied to the second label during the step of copying the edited content of the first label to the second label. This eliminates the need to specify the print layout of the second label, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple labels.

[0012] The process may also include displaying a preview screen showing the printing status of the labels as the edited content is printed. In this case, the number of labels to be printed can be set in the preview screen. This allows for easy setting of the number of labels to be printed.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to perform the above-described printing method.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints on a label sheet having multiple labels. The printing apparatus includes a control unit that, after editing a first label among the multiple labels, copies the edited content of the first label to the second label when a label-changing operation occurs to begin editing the next second label after the first label.

[0015] In the aforementioned printing apparatus, when a label-changing operation is performed after editing the first label, the control unit copies the edited content of the first label to the second label. Therefore, when the same printed content as the first label is used for the second label, the operation of reflecting the printed content of the first label onto the second label can be easily performed with a single "label-changing operation." As a result, the workload for editing multiple labels can be reduced, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple labels.

[0016] This invention enables efficient editing of the printing content of multiple labels configured on a label sheet. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of the label.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a 3D view of the printing device.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a top view of the printing device.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the control structure of the printing device.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of the input screen.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the label printing process.

[0023] Figure 7 This is an image showing the layout selection screen.

[0024] Figure 8 This is an example of the changes to the input screen when the second label-changing operation is performed.

[0025] Symbol Explanation

[0026] 100…Printing device; 1…Display unit; 3…Input unit; 3a…Character input key; 3b…Execute key; 3c…Label change key; 3d…Cursor key; 3e…Print key; 3f…Tab switch key; 3g…Function switch key; 3h…Preview key; 5…Sheet feed port; 5a…Paper guide; 7…Printing unit; 7a…Printing mechanism; 7b…Sheet conveying mechanism; 9…Control unit; 9a…CPU; 9b…Storage device; 9c…Input / output interface; B…Main body; UI…Input screen; T1…First tab; T2…Second tab; IA1…First character input area; IA2…Second character input area Character input area; D1…Label type indicator; D2…Label number indicator; D3…Superscript / subscript indicator; D4…Character configuration indicator; D5…Character decoration indicator; D6…Character size indicator; D7…Font indicator; D8…Input conversion indicator; D9…Print direction indicator; D10…Battery level indicator; LO…Layout selection screen; LO1~LO8…Print layout; CU1, CU2…Cursor; LS…Label; L…Label; La…First print sub-area; La1…First print area outline; Lb…Second print sub-area; Lb1…Second print area outline. Detailed Implementation

[0027] 1. First Implementation Method

[0028] (1) Structure of the printing device

[0029] The printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will now be described. The printing apparatus 100 is capable of printing... Figure 1 The apparatus shown is for printing characters on multiple labels L arranged in a way that divides each other on the same side of the label sheet LS. Figure 1 Each label L of the label sheet LS shown has a first printing sub-region La and a second printing sub-region Lb. The first printing sub-region La is located at the top of the label L and is surrounded by a first printing area frame line La1. The second printing sub-regions Lb are arranged below the first printing sub-region La and are surrounded by a second printing area frame line Lb1. The printing device 100 is capable of printing characters independently in the first printing sub-region La and the second printing sub-region Lb of the label L. Furthermore, the label L having the above structure is referred to as an "index label". Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of the label.

[0030] Each label L can be detached from the label sheet LS. The label L detached from the label sheet LS can be affixed to the desired location where the label L is to be used.

[0031] Furthermore, the label sheets that can be printed by the printing device 100 are not limited to... Figure 1 The "index label" shown. As a label sheet that can be printed by the printing device 100, there are, for example, label sheets where each label has only one printing area. Furthermore, there are various sizes of labels and / or printing areas (vertical width, horizontal width). Additionally, there are labels without printing area borders.

[0032] Furthermore, the printing device 100 is not limited to general characters such as kana, kanji, and letters, but can print "characters" managed by various character codes, such as alphanumeric numbers, Arabic numerals, and various symbols (e.g., symbols with numbers written inside a circle), in the print sub-area.

[0033] The printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment can set different printing layouts for each of the multiple labels L of the label sheet LS, and can print different character content. Therefore, in the printing apparatus 100 of this embodiment, the printing layout is set and the character content to be printed is input for each label L. In the printing apparatus 100, after the printing layout is set and the character content is input for one label L, a "label change operation" is performed, thereby enabling the setting of the printing layout and the input of the character content for the next label L.

[0034] Here, "character content" refers to the character content printed on label L itself, and does not imply the size, arrangement, or type of decoration of the characters when printing on label L. On the other hand, "print layout" refers to the size, arrangement, and type of decoration of the characters when printing on label L.

[0035] The following uses Figures 2-4 The structure of the printing device 100 will be described. Figure 2 It is a 3D view of the printing device. Figure 3 This is a top view of the printing device. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the control structure of the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 1, an input unit 3, a sheet feed port 5, a printing unit 7, and a control unit 9.

[0036] Display unit 1 is located at the upper part of the main body B of the printing device 100. Display unit 1 displays an operation screen for operating the printing device 100. As explained below, when characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area La and the second sub-printing area Lb of the label L are entered, the display unit 1 displays an input screen UI that mimics the label L. Figure 5 (This is used as the operation screen.) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the display unit 1 has a rectangular display area, but it also has a certain size not only in the left and right directions, but also in the up and down directions, thus having a larger display area than the prior art. The display unit 1 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or other display device.

[0037] The input unit 3 is located in the main body B below the display unit 1, and receives operations from the printing device 100. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the input unit 3 consists of multiple buttons. Specifically, the input unit 3 mainly has a character input key 3a for inputting characters and other operation keys. As operation keys, the input unit 3 mainly has an execution key 3b for confirming and executing command operations, a label changing key 3c for changing labels, a cursor key 3d for moving the cursor, a print key 3e for printing the label LS, a tab switching key 3f for switching tabs in the input screen UI, i.e., switching the character input area that allows character input, a function switching key 3g, and a preview key 3h for displaying a print preview. In addition, as operation keys, the input unit 3 also has buttons for commanding other functions that can be executed by the printing device 100.

[0038] The sheet supply port 5 is located in the lower part of the input section 3 within the main body B. Label sheets LS, to be printed, are supplied to the sheet supply port 5. A pair of paper guides 5a are provided at the sheet supply port 5. The spacing between the pair of paper guides 5a can be adjusted by separating or bringing them closer together. Therefore, the sheet supply port 5 can supply label sheets LS of various sizes.

[0039] The printing unit 7 prints on the label L of the label sheet LS. The printing unit 7 has a printing mechanism 7a and a sheet conveying mechanism 7b. The printing mechanism 7a is, for example, a mechanism that prints on the label L by thermal transfer. The sheet conveying mechanism 7b conveys the label sheet LS supplied to the sheet supply port 5 to the printing mechanism 7a, and discharges the label sheet LS printed by the printing mechanism 7a to the outside.

[0040] The control unit 9 includes a CPU 9a, a storage device 9b such as RAM and ROM, and an input / output interface 9c, which controls the printing device 100. The CPU 9a performs various information processing operations. The storage device 9b stores programs executed by the CPU 9a, character data, and parameters required for controlling the printing device 100. The input / output interface 9c allows for the input and output of signals and data between the CPU 9a, the storage device 9b, the display unit 1, the input unit 3, and the printing unit 7. The control unit 9 controls the printing device 100 by executing the program stored in the storage device 9b through the CPU 9a. Furthermore, a portion of the control of the printing device 100 can also be implemented by the hardware constituting the control unit 9.

[0041] The control unit 9 can be implemented by a computer system with a CPU 9a, a storage device 9b and an input / output interface 9c as separate devices, or by a SoC (System on Chip) that integrates these structures into a single chip.

[0042] (2) Input screen

[0043] Next, use Figure 5 The structure of the input screen UI displayed on the display unit 1 when the character to be printed on label L is entered will be explained. Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of the input screen. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the input screen UI mimics the appearance of the label L. Furthermore, within the input screen UI, it is easy to identify which printed sub-area of ​​the positive label L is used for character input. Specifically, the input screen UI has a first character input area IA1, a second character input area IA2, a first tab T1, and a second tab T2.

[0044] The first character input area IA1 receives and displays the input of the character to be printed in the first print sub-area La. The second character input area IA2 receives and displays the input of the character to be printed in the second print sub-area Lb.

[0045] The first tab T1 is configured on the side of the first character input area IA1, connected to it. The first tab T1 is labeled with the characters "A Screen Input". The first tab T1 is activated when character input to the first character input area IA1 is permitted. The second tab T2 is configured on the side of the second character input area IA2, connected to it. The second tab T2 is labeled with the characters "B Screen Input". The second tab T2 is activated when character input to the second character input area IA2 is permitted.

[0046] In this embodiment, if a tab is "activated," then, for example, the borders of the characters attached to the tab and the character input areas connected to the tab are displayed in a darker color and / or thicker. Figure 5 In the example shown, the first tab T1 is active. The cursor CU1 is displayed in the character input area where character input is allowed. Alternatively, the characters attached to the tab and the border of the character input area connected to the tab can be displayed in different colors depending on whether the tab is active. For example, when the tab is active, the characters attached to the tab and the border of the character input area connected to the tab can be displayed in blue, and when the tab is inactive, the characters attached to the tab and the border of the character input area connected to the tab can be displayed in gray.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the status of the printing device 100 is displayed on the side of the input screen UI. Specifically, the input screen UI displays a label type indicator D1, a label number indicator D2, a superscript / subscript indicator D3, a character configuration indicator D4, a character decoration indicator D5, a character size indicator D6, a font indicator D7, an input conversion indicator D8, a print orientation indicator D9, and a battery level indicator D10.

[0048] Label Type Indicator D1 indicates the type of label LS to be printed. Label Number Indicator D2 indicates the number of the label L currently being entered. Superscript / Subscript Indicator D3 indicates whether the entered character is a superscript or subscript. Character Configuration Indicator D4 indicates the configuration status of characters in the print sub-area. Character Decoration Indicator D5 indicates the character decorations applied to the entered character. Character Size Indicator D6 indicates the size of the character in the print sub-area. Font Indicator D7 indicates the font of the character to be printed in the print sub-area. Input Conversion Indicator D8 indicates the currently set character conversion mode. Print Orientation Indicator D9 indicates the orientation of the character to be printed in the print sub-area. Battery Level Indicator D10 indicates the remaining battery level.

[0049] (3) Operation of the printing device

[0050] The following uses Figure 6 The printing operation of the label sheet LS in the printing device 100 will be explained. Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the label printing process. The following explanation uses the printing of a new label LS as an example.

[0051] When a new printing operation is initiated by the printing device 100, in step S1, the type of label LS to be printed is specified. Here, it is specified that has Figure 1 The index label shown is the label piece LS.

[0052] After specifying the type of label LS, in step S2, the printing layout of label L (an example of the first label) is specified. Specifically, control unit 9 will... Figure 7 The layout selection screen LO shown is displayed on the display unit 1, and the input unit 3 accepts the selection of the print layout. Figure 7 This is an image showing the layout selection screen.

[0053] In the printing device 100, it is possible to select Figure 7 The eight print layouts shown are LO1 to LO8. The print layouts that can be selected are roughly divided into print layouts LO1 to LO4, which print the same character in the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb, and print layouts LO5 to LO8, which print different characters in the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb.

[0054] Furthermore, it is possible to select either a print layout for horizontally written characters (print layouts LO1, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO7, LO8) or a print layout for vertically written characters (print layouts LO2, LO6). Additionally, within the first print sub-region La and the second print sub-region Lb, it is possible to select a print layout (print layouts LO3, LO4, LO7, LO8) that makes the characters face opposite directions.

[0055] In the layout selection screen (LO), for example, after using the cursor key 3d to move the cursor CU2 to the display area of ​​the desired print layout, the print layout can be specified by pressing the execute key 3b. Furthermore, the print layout can be changed even while characters are being entered into the first character input area IA1 or the second character input area IA2 in the input screen UI.

[0056] After selecting the print layout, in step S3, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 1 to display... Figure 5 The input screen UI is shown. At this time, the control unit 9 determines which character to allow input to the first character input area IA1 or the second character input area IA2 of the input screen UI, and activates the tab linked to the character input area that is determined to allow character input.

[0057] In addition, Figure 5The input screen UI shown is currently set to allow character input into the first character input area IA1. However, by pressing the tab switch key after the input screen UI is displayed, the allowed character input area can be switched to the second character input area IA2. Furthermore, by pressing the tab switch key, the allowed character input area can be switched back from the second character input area IA2 to the first character input area IA1. Switching between the allowed character input areas can be performed at any time during the display of the input screen UI.

[0058] In step S4, the control unit 9 receives character input from the character input key 3a of the input unit 3 into the character input area where character input is permitted. The control unit 9 displays the character input using the character input key 3a in the character input area where character input is permitted.

[0059] After finishing inputting characters into the first character input area IA1 and / or the second character input area IA2, in step S5, the control unit 9 determines whether a label-changing operation has been performed. Specifically, the control unit 9 determines that a label-changing operation has been performed when the label-changing key 3c is pressed alone or when the label-changing key 3c and the function switch key 3g are pressed simultaneously.

[0060] The details are explained below, but the label-changing action performed when only the label-changing key 3c is pressed is different from the label-changing action performed when both the label-changing key 3c and the function switch key 3g are pressed simultaneously. In other words, the "label-changing operation" when only the label-changing key 3c is pressed is different from the "label-changing operation" when both the label-changing key 3c and the function switch key 3g are pressed simultaneously. In the following explanation, the case where only the label-changing key 3c is pressed is referred to as the "first label-changing operation," and the case where both the label-changing key 3c and the function switch key 3g are pressed simultaneously is referred to as the "second label-changing operation."

[0061] After inputting characters into the first character input area IA1 and / or the second character input area IA2, if it is determined that no label-changing operation has been performed ("No" in step S5), the control unit 9 executes various actions based on the operation performed using the input unit 3 in step S6. For example, when the print key 3e is pressed, the control unit 9 starts printing on each label L of the label sheet LS. And, for example, when the preview key 3h is pressed, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 1 to display a preview of the character currently displayed on the input screen UI being printed behind the label L. Furthermore, the print layout set for the label L before this stage and the characters input to the label L can also be saved in the storage device 9b.

[0062] After finishing inputting characters into the first character input area IA1 and / or the second character input area IA2, if it is determined that a tag-changing operation has been performed ("yes" in step S5), the control unit 9 determines in step S7 whether the first tag-changing operation or the second tag-changing operation has been performed.

[0063] As a label-changing operation, if only the label-changing key 3c is pressed, i.e., if the first label-changing operation has been performed (referred to as "first operation" in step S7), the printing action returns to step S2. That is, editing of the next label L (an example of the second label) begins. Specifically, the print layout of the next label L is reset, and the characters to be printed in the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb of the next label L are re-entered.

[0064] On the other hand, as a label-changing operation, when the label-changing key 3c and the function switching key 3g are pressed at the same time, that is, when the second label-changing operation is performed (referred to as "second operation" in step S7), the editing of the next label L begins. However, unlike the first label-changing operation, the edited content of the previous label L is copied to the next label L.

[0065] Specifically, in step S8, the control unit 9 sets the print layout of the previous label L as the print layout of the next label L. Furthermore, in step S9, the control unit 9 copies the character content input to the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb of the previous label L to the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb of the next label L, respectively. Then, in step S10, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 1 to display the input screen UI indicating that the edited content of the previous label L has been copied to the next label L.

[0066] For example, in the input screen UI of the previous label L, such as Figure 8 As shown in (a), the character "あいうえおかき" (Japanese kana) was entered in the first character input area IA1, and the character "ABCDEFG" was entered in the second character input area IA2. Then, a second tag change operation was performed (by simultaneously pressing the tag change key 3c and the function switch key 3g). In this case, the UI for the next tag L input screen appears as follows: Figure 8 As shown in (b), the same screen as the input screen of the previous label L is displayed. Figure 8 This is an example of the changes to the input screen when the second label-changing operation is performed.

[0067] like Figure 8As shown, the label number indicator D2 of the input screen UI for the next label L displays the label number increased by 1 from the label number indicator D2 of the previous label L's input screen UI. For example, if the label number indicator D2 of the previous label L's input screen UI displays "Change Label 1", then the label number indicator D2 of the next label L's input screen UI will display "Change Label 2". Therefore, even if the input screen UI of the previous label L and the input screen UI of the next label L have the same appearance, the label number of the label L currently displayed in the input screen UI can be easily identified based on the display of the label number indicator D2.

[0068] After displaying the input screen UI for the next label L, the printing operation returns to step S5. That is, if a label-changing operation is performed during the display of the input screen UI for the next label L, editing of the next label L begins. Furthermore, for example, if only the print layout of the previous label L is desired, the characters to be printed in the first print sub-area La and / or the second print sub-area Lb of the next label L can be input into the first character input area IA1 and / or the second character input area IA2 of the input screen UI, respectively.

[0069] Thus, in the printing device 100, after editing a specific label L (first label) (setting the print layout and inputting the characters to be printed), when the second label-changing operation begins to command the editing of the next label L, the edited content of the first label L is copied to the next label L. Specifically, the print layout set for one label L is set as the print layout for the next label L, and the character content input to one label L is copied to the next label L. The second label-changing operation can be performed by simultaneously pressing the label-changing key 3c and the function switching key 3g. Therefore, in the printing device 100, when it is desired to use the same print content as a specific label L for subsequent labels L, the print content of each subsequent label L can be edited with only one key operation. As a result, the workload for editing multiple labels L can be significantly reduced in the printing device 100, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple labels L.

[0070] Furthermore, if you want to use a specific print layout for a particular label L in a subsequent label L, you can omit the operation of specifying the print layout for the subsequent label L by copying the print layout set for the specific label L to the subsequent label L. As a result, you can efficiently edit multiple labels L.

[0071] Furthermore, if you want to use the character content entered into a specific tag L in a subsequent tag L, you can omit the need to input characters into the subsequent tag L by copying the character content entered into the specific tag L. As a result, you can efficiently edit multiple tags L.

[0072] Furthermore, in the printing device 100, as a label-changing operation, there are a first label-changing operation where only the label-changing key 3c is pressed, and a second label-changing operation where both the label-changing key 3c and the function switch key 3g are pressed simultaneously. In the case of the first label-changing operation, a new print layout is set for the next label L, and new characters are entered. On the other hand, in the case of the second label-changing operation, the print layout of the previous label L is directly used for the next label L, and the content entered in the previous label L is directly copied to the next label L. Therefore, it is possible to freely choose whether to copy the content of the previous label L to the next label L, thus ensuring the flexibility of label L editing operations performed through label changing.

[0073] (4) General considerations for implementation methods

[0074] The first embodiment described above generally has the following structure and function.

[0075] One aspect of the present invention is a printing method performed by a printing apparatus (e.g., printing apparatus 100) that prints on a label sheet (e.g., label sheet LS) having multiple labels (e.g., label L), comprising the following steps.

[0076] ◎Steps to edit the first tag among multiple tags.

[0077] ◎When there is a tag-swap operation (e.g., a second tag-swap operation) that starts editing the next tag after the first tag, the step is to copy the edited content of the first tag to the second tag.

[0078] In the above printing method, when a label-swapping operation is performed after editing the first label, the edited content of the first label is copied to the second label. Therefore, when the same printed content as the first label is used for the second label, the job of reflecting the printed content of the first label onto the second label can be easily performed through a single "label-swapping operation." As a result, the workload for editing multiple labels is reduced, thus enabling efficient editing of multiple labels.

[0079] (5) Other implementation methods

[0080] The present invention has been described above as one embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In particular, the various embodiments and variations described in this specification can be arbitrarily combined as needed.

[0081] (A) Use Figure 6 The processing content and processing order of each step in the printing action described herein can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of this invention.

[0082] (B) As a label-changing operation, the operation to reflect the printing layout settings of the previous label L to the next label L and the operation to copy only the character content entered in the previous label L in the next label L can also be set as separate operations.

[0083] (C) When printing multiple label sheets LS, a sheet printing layout display screen showing the overall printing status of the label sheets LS can be displayed on the display unit 1 according to the printing location of each label sheet LS. Specifically, after the printing of the first label sheet LS is completed, the sheet printing layout display screen for the second label sheet LS is displayed on the display unit 1. After confirming the printing status of the second label sheet LS in the printing layout, the printing of the second label sheet LS can begin.

[0084] (D) A preview screen can also be displayed on display unit 1, showing the printing status of the label L based on the set edit content. The preview screen is displayed, for example, by pressing the preview button on input unit 3 while inputting characters to be printed on label L. Furthermore, the number of copies of the currently displayed label L to be printed can be set in the preview screen. For example, an interface for setting the number of copies to be printed can be provided in the preview screen, allowing the setting of the number of copies of the label L displayed in the preview screen to be printed. This makes it easy to set the number of copies to be printed for each label.

[0085] Furthermore, if the number of prints is set to "0" or "none" in the preview screen, the label L currently displayed in the preview can be omitted from printing, and the data (character content, print layout, etc.) related to the label L can be stored in the storage device 9b of the printing device 100.

[0086] (E) Alternatively, the type of label change (first label change operation, second label change operation) can be selected using the interface displayed on the input screen UI. Furthermore, a button for performing the second label change operation can be provided on the input unit 3.

[0087] (F) In the Print Layout (PR) screen, when multiple characters are displayed in each print sub-area, the characters can also be displayed using graphics such as "■" (black square). In this case, the content represented by "■" can be confirmed by zooming in on the portion displayed by "■".

[0088] Industrial availability

[0089] This invention can be widely applied to printing devices that print on label sheets configured with multiple labels.

Claims

1. A printing method, performed by a printing device for printing on a label sheet having multiple labels disposed thereon, characterized in that, The steps include the following: The steps for editing the first tag among the plurality of tags; and When a label-changing operation is performed to start editing the next second label of the first label by simultaneously pressing the label-changing key and the function-switching key of the printing device, the edited content of the first label is copied to the second label.

2. The printing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the step of copying the edited content of the first tag to the second tag, the character content entered into the first tag is copied to the second tag.

3. The printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, In the step of copying the edited content of the first label to the second label, the printed layout of the first label is copied to the second label.

4. The printing method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, It also includes a step of displaying a preview screen showing the printing status when the edited content is printed on the label. In the preview screen, the number of printable labels displayed on the preview screen can be set.

5. A program for causing a computer to perform the printing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A printing apparatus for printing on a label sheet having multiple labels disposed thereon, characterized in that, have: Change label key; Function switch key; as well as The control unit, after editing the first label among the plurality of labels, when there is a label-changing operation that starts editing the next second label of the first label by simultaneously pressing the label-changing key and the function-switching key of the printing device, copies the edited content of the first label to the second label.

Images