Printing device

Abstract

The present application provides a printing device capable of more intuitively confirming contents to be printed on a plurality of print sub-areas, and receiving input of the print sub-areas. The printing device (100) has a display unit (1) for displaying an input screen (UI). The input screen (UI) has a first character input area (IA1) and a second character input area (IA2). The first character input area (IA1) receives and displays input of characters to be printed on a first print sub-area (La). The second character input area (IA2) is arranged in the same direction as the first print sub-area (La) and a second print sub-area (Lb) relative to the first character input area (IA1), and receives and displays input of characters to be printed on the second print sub-area (Lb).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a printing apparatus for printing characters, etc., on paper having a printing area having multiple printing sub-regions arranged along a predetermined direction. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, printing apparatuses are known to print predetermined characters or the like in each printing area of ​​a piece of paper (e.g., a label sheet) having a single printing area or multiple printing areas that are mutually divided. Among these printing apparatuses, there are devices capable of printing characters or the like in each printing sub-area of ​​a label sheet where the printing area also has multiple printing sub-areas (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this printing device, when characters or other characters to be printed in each print area are input, a screen for accepting the input of characters or other characters to be printed in each print area is displayed on the display unit of the printing device. This screen includes: a display area that accepts and displays the input of characters or other characters from the input device; and a tab that determines which of the multiple print areas to accept the input for.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4330359 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the existing printing devices, there is only one display area for accepting and displaying character input. By switching tabs, users can switch between different sub-printer areas for character input and display. Therefore, in existing printing devices, while inputting characters in one sub-printer area, it is impossible to confirm the content of characters in other sub-printer areas. Furthermore, when switching tabs, it is not intuitive to identify which sub-printer area's input has been accepted.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to enable, in a printing apparatus for printing characters, etc., on a label having a printing area having multiple printing sub-regions arranged in a predetermined direction, to more intuitively and simultaneously confirm the content of characters, etc., to be printed in multiple printing sub-regions, and to more intuitively identify which printing sub-region has been accepted for input of characters, etc.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that prints in a printing area having a first print sub-area and a second print sub-area arranged along a predetermined direction. This printing apparatus includes a display unit that displays an input screen simulating the printing area.

[0008] The display unit of the printing device displays an input screen with a first character input area and a second character input area. The first character input area receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area of ​​the printing area. Furthermore, the term "character" here is not limited to general characters such as kana, kanji, or letters, but refers to characters that can be printed by the printing device, such as alphanumeric characters, Arabic numerals, and various symbols. The second character input area is arranged relative to the first character input area in the same predetermined direction as the first and second sub-printing areas of the printing area, and receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area.

[0009] In the aforementioned printing apparatus, an input screen is displayed on the display unit for inputting characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas. This input screen independently includes a first character input area that receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area, and a second character input area that receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area. Therefore, the content of the characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas can be simultaneously confirmed on the input screen.

[0010] Furthermore, in the input screen, the first character input area and the second character input area are arranged in the same direction as the first and second sub-printed areas in the print area. In other words, the first and second character input areas are configured to correspond in the input screen to the configuration of the first and second sub-printed areas in the print area. Therefore, the characters input to the first and second character input areas can be visually identified in the input screen in a manner similar to the state in which characters are printed in each sub-printed area of ​​the print area.

[0011] In the aforementioned printing device, the input screen may also have a first tab and a second tab. The first tab is linked to the first character input area and is activated when character input is permitted into the first character input area. The second tab is linked to the second character input area and is activated when character input is permitted into the second character input area. This allows for a more intuitive identification of which sub-area of ​​the printout has been accepted.

[0012] In the aforementioned printing apparatus, the print layout of the characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas can also be changed. In this case, the display layout of the characters in the first and second character input areas can also remain constant regardless of the print layout in the sub-printing areas. Therefore, the content of the characters input into the character input areas can be easily determined.

[0013] In the aforementioned printing apparatus, when performing character conversion on a character input to either the first or second character input area, a character conversion candidate display area that displays candidate characters for conversion can also be displayed overlapping the other character input area. This allows for simultaneous confirmation of both the character input to one character input area and its conversion candidate.

[0014] In the aforementioned printing device, when a character input to either the first or second character input area is reflected in the other, the label connected to the other's character input area may not be activated. Therefore, when a character input to one character input area is reflected in the other's character input area, it is possible to visually identify which character input area is suitable for inputting a character.

[0015] In the aforementioned printing device, border lines can also be provided at the boundaries of the first character input area and the second character input area. This makes it easy to identify each character input area.

[0016] In the input screen used to input characters to be printed in multiple sub-printing areas of the main print area, the content of the characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas can be clearly and simultaneously identified. Furthermore, it allows for a more intuitive recognition of which sub-printing area the input has been accepted for printing. 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 a diagram illustrating an example of the display status of a candidate display area for character transitions.

[0025] Figure 9This is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen where characters input into one character input area are reflected in the character input area of ​​another.

[0026] Figure 10 This is an example of the input screen UI after switching tabs.

[0027] Figure 11 This is an example of a print layout display screen.

[0028] Figure 12 Is showing Figure 11 The diagram shows the character input state in the input screen when the print layout is displayed.

[0029] Symbol Explanation

[0030] 100…Printing device; 1…Display unit; 3…Input unit; 3a…Character input key; 3b…Execute key; 3c…Tab switching key; 3d…Cursor key; 3e…Preview key; 3f…Print key; 3g…Label change 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; FL1…First character input area frame; IA1…First character input area; FL2…Second character input area frame; IA2…Second character input area; T1…First tab; T2…Second tab Item card; CU1, CU2… cursor; CD… character conversion candidate display 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; LS… label piece; L… label; La… first print sub-area; La1… first print area outline; Lb… second print sub-area; Lb1… second print area outline; PR… print layout display screen; LO… layout selection screen; LO1~LO8… print layout. Detailed Implementation

[0031] 1. First Implementation Method

[0032] (1) Structure of the printing device

[0033] The printing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will be described below. The printing apparatus 100 is capable of printing... Figure 1The apparatus 100 is a device for printing characters on multiple labels L (an example of printing areas) arranged and divided on the same surface of a label sheet LS. Each label L of the label sheet LS has a first printing sub-region La and a second printing sub-region Lb. The first printing sub-region La is located on the upper part 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 apparatus 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 called an "index label". Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of the label.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] The following uses Figures 2-4 The structure of the printing device 100 will be described. Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The input unit 3 is located in the lower part of the display unit 1 within the main body B, and receives operations from the printing device 100. For example... Figure 2 and Figure 3As 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 tab switching key 3c for switching tabs below commands, a cursor key 3d for moving the cursor, and a display screen PR for displaying the print layout. Figure 11 The input unit 3 includes a preview key 3e, a printing key 3f for printing the label LS, and a label changing key 3g for moving the label L. Additionally, as operation keys, the input unit 3 has keys for commanding other functions that can be performed by the printing device 100.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] (2) Input screen

[0044] Next, use Figure 5The 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, the input screen UI easily identifies which sub-area of ​​the label L has been entered with a character. 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.

[0045] The first character input area IA1 is positioned in the upper half of the input screen UI, corresponding to the configuration position of the first print sub-area La in label L. The first character input area IA1 receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the first print sub-area La. A first character input area frame FL1 is provided at the boundary of the first character input area IA1, thereby making the first character input area IA1 easily identifiable.

[0046] The second character input area IA2 is positioned in the lower half of the input screen UI, corresponding to the configuration position of the second print sub-area Lb in label L. That is, the second character input area IA2 is arranged downwards relative to the first character input area IA1. The second character input area IA2 receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the second print sub-area Lb. A second character input area frame FL2 is provided at the boundary of the second character input area IA2, thereby making the second character input area IA2 easily identifiable.

[0047] Thus, the input screen UI has separate first character input area IA1 for inputting characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area La and second character input area IA2 for inputting characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area Lb. Therefore, the input screen UI can simultaneously confirm the content of the characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area La and the content of the characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area Lb.

[0048] Furthermore, in the input screen UI, the first character input area IA1 and the second character input area IA2 are arranged in a manner corresponding to the configuration of the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb in the label L. Therefore, the input screen UI has an appearance that mimics the label L. By making the input screen UI mimic the appearance of the label L, the characters input to the first character input area IA1 and the second character input area IA2 can be visually identified in the input screen UI in a manner that approximates the state in which characters are printed in each print sub-area of ​​the label L.

[0049] 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 words "A Screen Input". The first tab T1 is activated when character input to the first character input area IA1 is permitted.

[0050] 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 words "B Screen Input". The second tab T2 is activated when character input to the second character input area IA2 is permitted.

[0051] 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. Additionally, 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, the characters attached to the tab and the border of the character input area connected to the tab can be displayed in blue when the tab is active, and in gray when the tab is inactive.

[0052] By activating the tab linked to the character input area that has accepted the character input, it becomes easier to identify which sub-area of ​​the printout has accepted the character input.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] (3) Operation of the printing device

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] After specifying the type of label LS, in step S2, the printing layout of label L 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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 input is allowed into 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 has been determined to be allowed. In this way, by activating the tab linked to the character input area that allows character input, it is possible to intuitively identify which character input area is allowed to input a character.

[0063] In addition, Figure 5 In the input screen UI shown, character input is enabled in the first character input area IA1. However, by pressing the tab switch key 3c after the input screen UI is displayed, the enabled character input area can be switched to the second character input area IA2. Furthermore, by pressing the tab switch key 3c, the enabled character input area can be switched back from the second character input area IA2 to the first character input area IA1. Switching between the enabled character input areas can be performed at any time during the display of the input screen UI.

[0064] 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 that allows character input. The control unit 9 displays the character input using the character input key 3a in the character input area that allows character input.

[0065] When a character is input in the character input area relative to another character, and character conversion is performed on the input character (e.g., converting kana characters to kanji), such as... Figure 8 As shown, the candidate character conversion display area CD, which displays candidate character conversions for the input character, is overlaid on the character input area on the other side. Furthermore, the character conversion of the input character can be performed, for example, by pressing the conversion key included in the input section 3.

[0066] exist Figure 8In the illustrated example, when the Japanese hiragana characters "あい" are input in the first character input area IA1 and the hiragana characters are to be converted, the character conversion candidate display area CD that displays conversion candidates "相、愛、会い、逢い、アイ、藍" (Japanese words corresponding to the above Japanese hiragana) is displayed overlapping the second character input area IA2. Furthermore, when a character is being input to the second character input area IA2, the character conversion candidate display area CD is displayed overlapping the first character input area IA1. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the display state of the character conversion candidate display area.

[0067] In this way, when performing character conversion on a character input into one of the character input areas, the character conversion candidate display area CD is displayed overlapping the other character input area, so that the character input into the one character input area and the conversion candidates for the character can be confirmed at the same time. As a result, character input to the character input areas can be performed efficiently.

[0068] After completing the character input to either the first character input area IA1 or the second character input area IA2, in step S5, the control unit 9 determines whether to print the same characters in both the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb. Specifically, in step S2, when any of the print layouts LO1 to LO4 is designated as the print layout, it is determined that the same characters are to be printed in both the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb.

[0069] When the same characters are to be printed in the first print sub-area La and the second print sub-area Lb ("Yes" in step S5), in step S6, the control unit 9 causes the characters input into one of the character input areas to be reflected in the other character input area. Specifically, as Figure 9 shown, the characters input into one character input area are directly copied and displayed in the other character input area. In Figure 9 the illustrated example, characters such as "あいうえおかき" (Japanese hiragana) are input in the first character input area IA1, and these characters are reflected in the second character input area IA2. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of an input screen that illustrates a state in which characters input into one character input area are reflected in the other character input area.

[0070] As Figure 9As shown, when characters entered into one character input area are reflected in the other's character input area, the cursor is not displayed in the other's character input area, and the tab connected to that other's character input area is not activated. In the "inactive" tab state, for example, the characters attached to that tab and the border of the character input area connected to that tab are displayed in a light color and / or a thinner border. Figure 9 In the example shown, since the character input to the first character input area IA1 is reflected in the second character input area IA2, the cursor CU1 is displayed in the first character input area IA1 and the first tab T1 is activated. On the other hand, the cursor CU1 is not displayed in the second character input area IA2 and the second tab T2 is not activated.

[0071] And, as Figure 9 As shown, in the input screen UI, the character input area is located on one side that reflects the entered character. Figure 9 The second character input area (IA2) is linked to an inactive tab. Figure 9 The second tab (T2) is attached to and activated by the character input area that allows character input. Figure 9 The text in the middle is the character attached to the first tab (T1).

[0072] In this way, when characters input into one character input area are reflected in the other character input area, by deactivating the tabs linked to the other character input area, it is possible to intuitively identify which character input area can be used for character input.

[0073] On the other hand, if different characters are printed in the first sub-printing area La and the second sub-printing area Lb (no in step S5), in step S7, if the tab switching key 3c is pressed and a tab switching command is given, the control unit 9 performs the tab switching. Specifically, as follows... Figure 10 As shown, the character input area that allows character input is switched, the cursor CU1 is displayed in the new character input area that allows character input, and the tab linked to the character input area is activated.

[0074] exist Figure 10 In the example shown, by switching from the first tab T1 to the second tab T2, the character input area that allows character input changes from the first character input area IA1 to the second character input area IA2. Consequently, the cursor CU1 is displayed in the second character input area IA2, and the second tab T2 is activated. Figure 10 This is an example of the input screen UI after switching tabs.

[0075] After switching tabs, in step S8, the control unit 9 accepts input of a character from the character input key 3a of the input unit 3 into the newly enabled character input area. The control unit 9 then displays the character input using the character input key 3a in the newly enabled character input area.

[0076] During the process of inputting the characters to be printed on label L in steps S4 to S8, if the preview key 3e of the input unit 3 is pressed, the control unit 9 causes the display unit 1 to display... Figure 11 The print layout display screen PR shows the label L. Print layout display screen PR illustrates how characters entered using the input screen UI are printed on label L.

[0077] In step S2, the vertically written print layout LO6 was selected, as follows: Figure 12 As shown, the characters "あいうえおかき" (Japanese kana) were entered in the first character input area IA1 of the input screen UI, and the characters "ABCDEFG" were entered in the second character input area IA2. In this case, the following is displayed: Figure 11 The print layout shown is displayed in Print PR. Figure 11 This is an example of a print layout display screen. Figure 12 Is showing Figure 11 The diagram shows the character input state in the input screen when the print layout is displayed.

[0078] like Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, the print layout specified in step S2 is reflected on the print layout display screen PR. On the other hand, the characters in the first character input area IA1 and the second character input area IA2 are always written and displayed horizontally, regardless of the specified print layout, and are not reversed vertically. That is, the display layout of the characters in the first character input area IA1 and the second character input area IA2 is constant and independent of the specified print layout. By setting the display layout of the characters in the character input areas to be constant, it is easy to observe the characters displayed in the character input areas, and therefore it is easy to confirm the content of the characters entered in the character input areas.

[0079] In addition, after the character input is confirmed (ended) in the character input area, the print layout display screen PR executes step S2 to display the characters according to the specified print layout.

[0080] Furthermore, in the input screen UI, the size of the characters displayed in the first character input area IA1 and the second character input area IA2 does not change with the number of characters entered. Additionally, in the printed label L and the print layout display screen PR, the size of the characters is adjusted according to the number of characters to be printed in the print sub-area, ensuring all characters are contained within the print sub-area.

[0081] If multiple characters are entered in the character input area but not all of them can be displayed, only a portion of the entered characters will be shown in the character input area. For example, the undisplayed characters can be displayed by moving the cursor CU1.

[0082] In this way, by fixing the size of the characters displayed in the character input area, it is easy to observe the characters displayed in the character input area and to confirm the content of the characters entered into the character input area.

[0083] After executing steps S2 to S8, and specifying the print layout for a label L and inputting the characters to be printed in each sub-printing area, if the label change key 3g is pressed and commands the label to move to another label L (in step S9, this is "No"), the printing operation returns to step S2, and steps S2 to S8 are executed again. That is, for the other labels L after the move, the print layout is specified and the characters to be printed in each sub-printing area of ​​that label are input.

[0084] On the other hand, when the printing key 3f is pressed and a command is given to print on the label sheet LS ("Yes" in step S9), in step S10, the control unit 9 begins printing on the label sheet LS. Specifically, the control unit 9 controls the sheet conveying mechanism 7b to convey the label sheet LS supplied to the sheet supply port 5 to the printing mechanism 7a. Furthermore, it controls the printing mechanism 7a to print the entered characters on the labels L to be printed. After printing all the labels L to be printed, the control unit 9 controls the sheet conveying mechanism 7b to discharge the label sheet LS to the outside.

[0085] Alternatively, steps S2 to S8 can be performed to save the specified printing layout of a label L and the characters to be printed in each sub-printing area in the storage device 9b after specifying the printing layout of the label L and inputting the characters for the label L.

[0086] (4) General considerations for implementation methods

[0087] The first embodiment described above generally has the following structure and function.

[0088] The printing apparatus (e.g., printing apparatus 100) is a printing apparatus that prints on a printing area (e.g., label L) having a first printing sub-region (e.g., first printing sub-region La) and a second printing sub-region (e.g., second printing sub-region Lb) arranged in a predetermined direction. The printing apparatus includes a display unit (e.g., display unit 1) that displays an input screen (e.g., input screen UI) that mimics the printing area.

[0089] The display unit of the printing device displays an input screen with a first character input area (e.g., first character input area IA1) and a second character input area (e.g., second character input area IA2). The first character input area receives and displays input of characters to be printed in a first sub-printing area of ​​the printing area. The second character input area is arranged relative to the first character input area in the same predetermined direction as the first and second sub-printing areas of the printing area, and receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area.

[0090] In the aforementioned printing apparatus, an input screen is displayed on the display unit for inputting characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas. This input screen includes a first character input area that receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the first sub-printing area, and a second character input area that receives and displays input of characters to be printed in the second sub-printing area. Therefore, the content of the characters to be printed in the first and second sub-printing areas can be simultaneously confirmed on the input screen.

[0091] Furthermore, in the input screen, the first character input area and the second character input area are arranged in the same direction as the first and second sub-printed areas in the print area. In other words, the first and second character input areas are configured to correspond in the input screen to the configuration of the first and second sub-printed areas in the print area. Therefore, the characters input to the first and second character input areas can be visually identified in the input screen in a manner similar to the state in which characters are printed in each sub-printed area of ​​the print area.

[0092] (5) Other implementation methods

[0093] 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.

[0094] (A) Use Figure 6The 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.

[0095] (B) The first printing area frame line La1 and the second printing area frame line Lb1 may not be set on the label sheet LS.

[0096] (C) The printing device 100 can also be equipped with... Figure 1 The label L shown is printed on different label sheets.

[0097] (D) 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 "■".

[0098] (E) When printing multiple label sheets LS, a sheet printing layout display screen that shows 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 of 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.

[0099] (F) In the Print Layout Display (PR) screen, it is also possible to set the number of printable labels L that display the print layout. For example, in the Print Layout Display (PR) screen settings interface for setting the number of printable labels, it is possible to set the number of printable labels L that are currently displayed in the Print Layout Display (PR) screen.

[0100] Industrial availability

[0101] This invention can be widely applied to printing devices that print characters on paper having a printing area having multiple printing sub-regions arranged along a predetermined direction.

Claims

1. A printing apparatus for printing in a printing area having a first printing sub-region and a second printing sub-region arranged along a predetermined direction, characterized in that, It includes a display unit that displays an input screen that mimics the printing area. The input screen includes: The first character input area accepts and displays the input of the character to be printed in the first print sub-area; A second character input area, which is arranged relative to the first character input area in the predetermined direction, accepts and displays input of characters to be printed in the second print sub-area; A first tab, which is linked to the first character input area, is activated when it is allowed to input characters into the first character input area; as well as The second tab, which is linked to the second character input area, is activated when character input into the second character input area is allowed. In the inactive tabs of the first and second tabs, the characters attached to the tab and the borders of the character input areas connected to the tab are displayed in a lighter color and / or in a thinner frame compared to the active tabs.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The print layout of the characters to be printed in the first and second sub-print areas can be changed. The display layout of the characters in the first character input area and the second character input area is constant and independent of the printing layout.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When a character conversion is performed on a character input to either the first character input area or the second character input area, a candidate character conversion display area is displayed overlapping the other character input area.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, When a character input to either the first or second character input area is reflected in the other, the tab linked to the character input area of ​​the other is not activated.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, A border is set at the boundary of the first character input area and the second character input area.

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