Printer and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A printer and a control method thereof print on a long sheet, the printer including a print data dividing section and a confirmation processing section. The print data dividing section outputs a plurality of divided print data divided at boundaries of regions based on standard print data containing print contents of each region obtained by dividing a standard sheet into a plurality of regions. The confirmation processing section compares a size of the long sheet and a size of the regions contained in the standard sheet, and rotates the divided print data if necessary based on a result of the comparison.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. US17 / 704,353, filed on March 25, 2022, and incorporates the contents of the aforementioned application in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to printers and methods for controlling them. Background Technology

[0003] Currently, there are printers that print on standard paper such as A4 size (first printer) and printers that use strip-shaped printing paper (long strip paper) as the printing medium (second printer).

[0004] Additionally, one type of standard paper includes standard paper called address (recipient's name, address) label paper. Address labels are standard paper on which multiple labels printed with mailing addresses are pasted side-by-side. Furthermore, another type of standard paper includes standard paper called business card paper. Business card paper has perforated holes and cutting lines that allow the standard paper to be cut to business card size.

[0005] Similarly, among the strips of paper used in the second printer are strips of paper with multiple labels pasted side by side on a strip of backing paper.

[0006] When printing to various zones obtained by dividing a standard paper into multiple zones as described above, data (standard printing data) containing the print content to be printed to each zone of the standard paper is prepared as input to the first printer.

[0007] Here, in a scenario where the standard print data described above is provided and actual printing is performed, it is desirable to use a second printer instead of the first printer. However, since the standard print data is predicated on printing onto standard paper, if the standard print data is used as is for the second printer, it may result in the printed content exceeding the label limits, making it more difficult or impossible to obtain the desired output. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the present invention addresses the technical problem by providing a printer capable of producing desired output on a strip of paper using print data based on print data obtained from multiple areas that distinguish the standard paper from other areas.

[0009] Based on the printer described above, a printer can be provided that can produce the desired output on a strip of paper using print data based on the premise of printing output to various areas obtained by dividing standard paper into multiple areas.

[0010] In the printer described above, the print data segmentation unit outputs segmented print data obtained by segmenting the standard print data into a predetermined number of adjacent regions.

[0011] Based on the printer described above, it is possible to divide adjacent areas.

[0012] In the printer described above, the confirmation processing unit includes: a width confirmation unit, which confirms whether the dimensions of the short side or the long side of the segmented print data are suitable for the width of the strip of paper; an orientation confirmation unit, which confirms whether the longitudinal direction of the segmented print data, in a state where the orientation of the text can be recognized, is suitable for the width direction or the length direction of the strip of paper; and a rotation processing unit, which rotates the segmented print data if necessary based on the outputs of the width confirmation unit and the orientation confirmation unit.

[0013] The printer described above can rotate and divide the printed data according to the width of the strip of paper.

[0014] The printer described above also includes a setting unit that sets the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented print data, and sets the width of the strip paper, wherein the width confirmation unit confirms the width based on the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented print data and the width of the strip paper set by the setting unit.

[0015] The printer described above can set the dimensions of the short and long sides of the printed data, as well as the width of the strip paper, based on the standard paper and strip paper used.

[0016] The printer described above also includes a printing control unit that, when the width confirmation unit determines that either the short side or the long side of the segmented printing data is unsuitable for the width of the strip of paper, prints the required width and length of the strip of paper by means of the printing unit.

[0017] Based on the printer described above, the required dimensions of the strips of paper can be easily determined.

[0018] Another aspect of the control method of the present invention enables a computer in a printer that prints on strips of paper to function as the following units: a print data segmentation unit that outputs multiple segmented print data divided by the boundaries of the regions based on standard print data containing print content of each region obtained by dividing a standard paper into multiple regions; and a confirmation processing unit that compares the size of the strip of paper with the size of the region contained in the standard paper, and rotates the segmented print data if necessary based on the result of the comparison.

[0019] Based on the above control method, a control method can be provided that can use print data based on the premise of printing output to multiple areas obtained by distinguishing standard paper to obtain the desired output on strip paper.

[0020] In the control method described above, the print data segmentation unit outputs segmented print data obtained by segmenting the standard print data into a predetermined number of adjacent regions.

[0021] Based on the control method described above, adjacent regions can be segmented.

[0022] In the above control method, the confirmation processing unit includes: a width confirmation unit, which confirms which dimension of the short side and long side of the segmented printed data is suitable for the width of the strip paper; an orientation confirmation unit, which confirms which direction of the longitudinal direction of the segmented printed data, in a state where the orientation of the text can be recognized, is suitable for the width direction and the length direction of the strip paper; and a rotation processing unit, which rotates the segmented printed data if necessary based on the outputs of the width confirmation unit and the orientation confirmation unit.

[0023] Based on the control method described above, the printed data can be divided and rotated according to the width of the strip of paper.

[0024] In the control method described above, while setting the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented print data through the setting unit, the width of the strip paper is also set. The width confirmation unit confirms the width based on the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented print data set by the setting unit and the width of the strip paper.

[0025] Based on the control method described above, the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented printed data, as well as the width of the strip paper, can be set according to the standard paper and strip paper used.

[0026] In the control method described above, if the width confirmation unit determines that either the short side or the long side of the segmented printing data is unsuitable for the width of the strip of paper, the printing unit prints the required width and length of the strip of paper.

[0027] Based on the control method described above, the required dimensions of the strip paper can be easily understood. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of the appearance of the printer involved in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of a printer.

[0030] Figure 3This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a printer.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functional components included in a printer.

[0032] Figure 5-1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of print data received by a printer.

[0033] Figure 5-2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the output status during printing via a printer.

[0034] Figure 5-3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the output status during printing via a printer.

[0035] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow performed by the control unit.

[0036] Figure 7 It is a diagram illustrating examples of converting printed data from various standards into various types of strips of paper.

[0037] Figure 8-1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of how standard printed data is divided into two vertical columns instead of four.

[0038] Figure 8-2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of how standard printed data is divided into two horizontal rows instead of four. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Typically, according to one embodiment, a printer that prints on strips of paper includes a print data segmentation unit or print data segmentation section, and a confirmation processing unit or confirmation processing section. The print data segmentation unit or print data segmentation section outputs multiple or more segments of segmented print data divided by the boundaries of the zones, based on standard print data containing print content for each zone obtained by distinguishing a standard paper into multiple zones. The confirmation processing unit or confirmation processing section compares the size of the strip of paper with the size of the zones contained in the standard paper, and, if necessary based on the result of the comparison, rotates the segmented print data.

[0040] (First Embodiment)

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the printer will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are only one example of a printer and are not limited in their structure, form (specifications), etc. The printer of this embodiment is an example of a printer that transfers ink from an ink ribbon to a printing medium.

[0042] In the following description, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system consisting of the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis is used. The X-axis is the width direction (left-right direction) of printer 1, the Y-axis is the depth direction (front-back direction) of printer 1, and the Z-axis is the height direction (up-down direction) of printer 1. In addition, in the figure, the direction indicated by the arrow is the positive direction, the positive direction of the Y-axis is the front side of printer 1, and the positive direction of the Z-axis is the top side.

[0043] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the printer 1 according to the embodiment. The printer 1 includes a left side cover 11, a right side cover 12, a hinge 13, a liquid crystal monitor (display) 14, an operation switch 15, and a dispensing port 16, etc. Hereinafter, the side with the dispensing port 16 will be described as the front of the printer 1.

[0044] The left cover 11 faces the dispensing port 16 and covers the left side (negative X-axis direction) of the printer 1. The right cover 12 faces the dispensing port 16 and covers the right side (positive X-axis direction) of the printer 1. A hinge 13 is a component that connects the left cover 11 and the right cover 12 and is formed along the Y-axis. The left cover 11 opens the interior of the left side of the printer 1 by rotating about the hinge 13. Similarly, the right cover 12 opens the interior of the right side of the printer 1 by rotating about the hinge 13.

[0045] An LCD monitor 14 and an operation switch 15 are located on the front of the left side cover 11. The LCD monitor 14 displays the operating status of the printer 1, etc. The operation switch 15 receives various settings and operation instructions for the printer 1.

[0046] The dispensing port 16 is located on the front of the right cover 12. The dispensing port 16 dispenses (expels, ejects) printed media containing various information.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal structure of printer 1. More specifically, Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer 1 with the right side cover 12 open, viewed from the positive X-axis direction. Inside the right side cover 12, the printer 1 includes a paper holding section or paper holder 20, a paper transport unit or paper transport section 30, a printing section 40, and an ink ribbon supply unit or ink ribbon supply section 50.

[0048] The paper holding section 20 is a rotating shaft that holds the strip of paper (paper roll) 2 wound into a roll shape. The strip of paper 2 is an example of printing media.

[0049] As the strip paper 2, printer 1 can use paper with various surface finishes, such as plain paper, matte paper, and glossy paper. Furthermore, as the strip paper 2, printer 1 can also use paper with various thicknesses, such as thick paper and thin paper. Moreover, as the strip paper 2, printer 1 can use various forms of paper, including ordinary ticket paper and label paper. In addition, among label papers, there are label papers where labels of a predetermined size are pasted side-by-side on a strip of backing paper (labels with an adhesive layer on the back of the printed surface), and strip-shaped labels without backing paper.

[0050] In addition, Figure 2 In this embodiment, although the long strip of paper 2 is arranged in the printer 1 in a rolled-up form, in practice, the printer 1 can also arrange the long strip of paper 2 in a fan-shaped fold. A fan-shaped fold is a strip of paper 2 that is repeatedly folded into a serpentine shape. Furthermore, the printing medium can also be a film, cloth, or other materials besides paper.

[0051] The paper transport unit 30 transports the strip of paper 2 held by the paper holding unit 20 toward the dispensing port 16, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the strip of paper 2. The paper transport unit 30 includes a transport guide unit 31 or a transport guide section 31, a label sensor (not shown), etc. The transport guide unit 31 guides the position of the strip of paper 2 in the width direction when transporting it toward the dispensing port 16. The label sensor (not shown) detects the position of the label pasted on the strip of backing paper.

[0052] The printing unit 40 prints various information on the long strip of paper 2 being transported. The printing unit 40 includes a print head 41, a print head pressing unit or print head pressing part 42, and a paper pressure roller 43.

[0053] Printhead 41 is, for example, a thermal printhead that transfers ink from ink ribbon 3 onto strip paper 2. Furthermore, printhead 41 is not limited to a thermal printhead; it can also be a click-to-print printhead.

[0054] The printhead pressing part 42 presses the printhead 41 onto the ink ribbon 3 during printing. The paper pressure roller 43 is powered by a motor 44 (see reference). Figure 3 A roller is driven to rotate. Then, a pressure roller 43 holds a strip of paper 2 between itself and the print head 41, separated by an ink ribbon 3. With this configuration, the printing unit 40 prints various information while feeding the strip of paper 2.

[0055] The tape supply unit 50 includes a tape holding unit or tape holding part 51, a tape winding unit or tape winding part 52, a first guide shaft 53, and a second guide shaft 54.

[0056] The ribbon holding section 51 is a rotating shaft that holds and rotates the unused ribbon 3 wound into a roll. The ribbon take-up section 52 is a rotating shaft that takes up the ribbon 3 that has been pulled out from the ribbon holding section 51 after printing is completed.

[0057] The first guide shaft 53 is a rotating shaft that guides the ink tape 3 held in the ink tape holding part 51 to the printing part 40. The second guide shaft 54 ​​is a rotating shaft that guides the ink tape 3 that has been used in the printing part 40 to the ink tape take-up part 52.

[0058] The strip of paper 2 and the ink ribbon 3, thus being conveyed, are held between the print head 41 and the paper pressure drum 43 in the printing section 40. Thereafter, in the section heated by the print head 41, the ink in the ink ribbon 3 melts and transfers onto the strip of paper 2, completing the printing process. Afterward, the strip of paper 2 printed in the printing section 40 is dispensed (expelled, ejected) from the dispensing port 16.

[0059] Next, use Figure 3 The hardware configuration of printer 1 will be explained. Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of printer 1. Printer 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a communication unit or communication interface 104, a storage unit or memory 120, a driver 141, a driver 144, etc.

[0060] CPU 101 is an example of a processor, which comprehensively controls the operation of printer 1. ROM 102 stores various programs. RAM 103 is the working area for loading programs and various data. CPU 101, ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected via a bus, etc., to form the control unit or controller 110 of a computer (see reference). Figure 4 The control unit or controller 110 may contain one or more processors. In the control unit 110, the CPU 101 performs various processes according to the programs stored in the ROM 102, the storage unit 120 and loaded into the RAM 103.

[0061] The control unit 110 is connected to the communication unit 104 and the storage unit 120 via a bus or the like. The communication unit 104 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as servers and PCs (Personal Computers) to send and receive data. The communication unit 104 receives print data to be printed from external devices, such as the printing unit 40.

[0062] The storage unit 120 is constructed using a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, which retains its stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 120 stores, for example, a program 121, a paper (sheet) size 122 (described later), etc.

[0063] Program 121 is a program used to enable the functions of printer 1. Furthermore, program 121 may be pre-installed in ROM 102 and provided. Alternatively, program 121 may be configured as a file stored on a computer-readable storage medium such as CD-ROM, floppy disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) capable of being installed on or executed on control unit 110. Furthermore, program 121 may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided via network download. Additionally, program 121 may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0064] Driver 141 drives printhead 41 based on print data. Driver 144 drives motor 44 based on print data. Motor 44 is, for example, a stepper motor, which drives the pressure roller 43 to feed strips of paper 2 by rotation.

[0065] The LCD monitor 14 displays a screen based on the instructions from the control unit 110. Additionally, the operation switch 15 detects the operator's input and sends the detected input to the control unit 110.

[0066] Next, use Figure 4 The functional composition of printer 1 will be explained. Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of printer 1. The control unit 110 operates according to program 121 via CPU 101, functioning as various functional units such as print data segmentation unit or print data segmentation unit 111, width confirmation unit or width confirmation unit 112, orientation confirmation unit or orientation confirmation unit 113, rotation processing unit or rotation processing unit 114, and print processing unit or print processing unit 115.

[0067] here, Figure 5-1 This diagram illustrates an example of standard print data 400 received by printer 1 in this embodiment. Standard print data 400 is assumed to be print data produced using a laser printer or similar means, formatted as standard paper suitable for A4 size, and in a format such as PDF.

[0068] On the other hand, the printer 1 in this embodiment processes strips of paper 2 as printing media. Therefore, the control unit 110 appropriately processes standard printing data 400 through various functional units and transmits it to the driver 141 in a state that allows printing on the strips of paper 2.

[0069] A detailed explanation will be provided regarding the processing of print data performed by the control unit 110. First, Figure 5-1 The standard print data 400 shown is formatted as a PDF file suitable for A4-sized standard paper. The standard print data 400 uses the top-left corner of the direction in which text can be recognized as the origin O. Additionally, the top-left corner of the printed area on the paper is used as the offset coordinate Oo. Furthermore, in... Figure 5-1 The "-Y" axis shown is the paper transport direction (the negative direction of the Y axis).

[0070] Standard print data 400 is a printing medium suitable for offset coordinates Oo from A4-sized standard paper, with four sheets configured as two columns along the short side of dimension S in the width direction and two segments along the long side of dimension L in the length direction. Here, the paper can be either a label pasted onto a standard backing paper, or a standard sheet cut into multiple segments. In the former case, the standard paper is the backing paper for pasting labels.

[0071] To output the standard data 400 to Figure 5-2 The strip of paper shown is 201 with a width of dimension Sa. Figure 5-3 Taking the case of a strip of paper 202 with a width of dimension Lb as an example, the operation of the control unit 110 and the functions of the various functional units provided by the control unit 110 will be explained. Figure 5-2 and Figure 5-3 This diagram illustrates an example of the output state of printing using printer 1 in this embodiment.

[0072] Strip paper 201 is a strip of paper formed by connecting sheets of paper with dimension Sa facing the width direction and dimension La facing the length direction. Strip paper 202 is a strip of paper formed by connecting sheets of paper with dimension Lb facing the width direction and dimension Sb facing the length direction.

[0073] Here, instead of standard paper, strips 201 and 202 are used, and the size of the paper contained in strips 201 and 202 is close to the size of the paper contained in the standard print data 400. Further, it is defined as: strips 201 and 202 containing paper whose size is approximately the same as or slightly larger than the size of the paper contained in the standard print data 400.

[0074] In other words, the dimensions La of the long side of the paper on strip 201 and Lb of the long side of the paper on strip 202 are approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimensions L of the long side of the paper in the standard printing data 400. Furthermore, the dimensions Sa of the short side of the paper on strip 201 and Sb of the short side of the paper on strip 202 are approximately the same as or slightly larger than the dimensions S of the short side of the paper in the standard printing data 400.

[0075] During the output of standard print data 400 to the long strip of paper 201, print data 501, which divides the print area of ​​the standard print data 400 into quarters both vertically and horizontally, is output sequentially while maintaining the same orientation. Similarly, during the output of standard print data 400 to the long strip of paper 202, print data 502, which is output sequentially in the same manner as described above, divides the print area into quarters and rotates 90° counterclockwise. These operations are achieved by the control unit 110 controlling the various functional units described below.

[0076] Return to Figure 4 The print data segmentation unit 111 outputs multiple or more segments of segmented print data based on the standard print data 400 that divides the paper containing the print data according to the paper boundaries. The conversion from standard print data 400 to segmented print data can be performed either by dividing the standard print data 400 containing multiple sheets of paper one by one, or by dividing the multiple sheets of paper side by side.

[0077] In the processing based on the above-described print data segmentation unit 111, width confirmation unit 112, orientation confirmation unit 113, and rotation processing unit 114, the paper size 122 stored in the storage unit 120 is used. The storage unit 120 stores the paper size suitable for the standard print data 400, the arrangement of the paper included in the standard print data 400, the dimensions (equivalent to the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented print data), the offset coordinate Oo, etc., as paper sizes. Furthermore, the storage unit 120 also stores the width, length, etc. of the paper on the strips 201 and 202 as paper sizes.

[0078] The width confirmation section 112, the orientation confirmation section 113, and the rotation processing section 114 constitute an example of a confirmation processing unit or confirmation processing section. The confirmation processing unit or confirmation processing section compares the dimensions of the strip paper 201 and strip paper 202 with the dimensions of the paper included in the standard paper, and rotates the segmented printed data if necessary based on the result of the comparison.

[0079] The width confirmation section 112 confirms which of the dimensions of the short and long sides of the segmented printed data is suitable for the width of strip paper 201 and strip paper 202.

[0080] The orientation confirmation unit 113 confirms which direction of the longitudinal direction of the strip paper, in a state where the orientation of the printed data can be read, is suitable for the width or length of the strip paper.

[0081] The rotation processing unit 114 prepares the print output based on the print processing unit 115 and the print unit 40, and rotates the segmented print data if necessary based on the output of the width confirmation unit 112 and the orientation confirmation unit 113. The rotation angle is 90° (90° clockwise) or 270° (90° counterclockwise).

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the wide confirmation unit 112, the orientation confirmation unit 113, and the rotation processing unit 114 realize a confirmation processing unit or a confirmation processing section, in practice, even if they are different actions, as long as they can realize the functions of the above-mentioned confirmation processing unit or confirmation processing section, it is acceptable.

[0083] The print processing unit 115 outputs the segmented print data to the print unit 40 and prints it out.

[0084] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow performed by the control unit 110. Additionally, Figure 7 The diagrams (1) to (7) show examples of conversion from various standard printing data 400 to standard printing data 403 to various strips of paper 201 to strips of paper 203.

[0085] here, Figure 7 The standard printed data 400 shown is consistent with the data in the standard. Figure 5-1 The standards shown are the same as the printed data. Additionally, Figure 7 The standard print data 401 shown includes the data for the horizontal length of a sheet of paper printed in a portrait orientation. Similarly, standard print data 402 includes the data for the horizontal length of a sheet of paper printed in a landscape orientation. Furthermore, standard print data 403 includes the data for the horizontal length of a sheet of paper printed in a portrait orientation.

[0086] in addition, Figure 7 The strip of paper 201 shown Figure 5-2 The strips shown are the same as those in the transport section, but are strips of paper with their long sides aligned in the transport direction. Additionally, Figure 7 The strip of paper 202 shown is with Figure 5-3 The strip paper shown is the same as that of strip paper, which is a strip of paper with its short sides arranged in the conveying direction. In addition, strip paper 203 is the same as strip paper 201, which is a strip of paper with its long sides arranged in the conveying direction.

[0087] The control unit 110 first sets the paper size 122 (step S1). That is, the control unit 110 stores the setting values ​​of standard print data 400 to 403 as paper size 122 in the storage unit 120. For example, the arrangement and size of the paper included in the standard print data 400 to 403 (equivalent to the dimensions of the short and long sides of the print data) are set. Additionally, the control unit 110 stores the setting values ​​of strips of paper 201 to 203, which replace the standard paper suitable for the standard print data 400, as paper size 122 in the storage unit 120. For example, the width and length of strips of paper 201 to 203 are set. This is performed by the user of the printer 1, for example, while observing the LCD monitor 14 and operating the operation switch 15 (setting unit). The input paper size 122 is retained in the storage unit 120 even when the power is turned off.

[0088] Next, the control unit 110 waits to receive standard print data (No in step S2). When received (Yes in step S2), the control unit 110 confirms that the paper size 122 is stored in the storage unit 120 (step S3). Next, the control unit 110, as the print data segmentation unit 111, segments the standard print data 400 into individual sheets of paper according to the boundaries of the paper contained in the print data (step S4).

[0089] Next, the control unit 110, acting as the width confirmation unit 112, determines whether the width of the strip of paper held by the paper holding unit 20 is greater than or equal to the length of the paper in the standard printing data (step S5).

[0090] If the determination in step S5 is Yes, the control unit 110, acting as the orientation confirmation unit 113, determines whether each sheet contained in the print data is longer in the transport direction (Y-axis direction) (step S6).

[0091] Here, the case where the result is Yes in step S6 is, for example... Figure 7 The conversion examples shown are (2) and (4). That is, the orientation of the paper relative to the transport direction changes. In this case, the control unit 110, acting as a rotation processing unit 114, rotates the segmented print data so that the long side becomes the width (step S7). Thereafter, the control unit 110, acting as a print processing unit 115, sends the segmented print data sequentially to the driver 141 and performs printing (step S8).

[0092] Additionally, the case where the result is No in step S6 is, for example, Figure 7 The conversion example shown is (6). In this case, the orientation of the paper relative to the transport direction does not change. Therefore, the control unit 110 skips step S7 and proceeds to the processing of step S8.

[0093] Next, if the determination in step S5 is No, the control unit 110, acting as the width confirmation unit 112, determines whether the width of the strip of paper held by the paper holding unit 20 is greater than or equal to the size of the short side of the paper in the standard printing data (step S9).

[0094] If the determination in step S9 is Yes, the control unit 110, acting as the orientation confirmation unit 113, determines whether each sheet contained in the print data is long in the transport direction (Y-axis direction) (step S10).

[0095] Here, the case where the result is Yes in step S10 is, for example, Figure 7 The conversion examples shown are (5) and (7). That is, the orientation of the paper relative to the transport direction changes. In this case, the control unit 110, acting as the rotation processing unit 114, rotates the divided print data so that the short side is the width (step S11). After that, the control unit 110 advances the processing to step S8.

[0096] Additionally, the case where the result is No in step S10 is, for example, Figure 7 The conversion examples shown are (1) and (3). In this case, the orientation of the paper relative to the transport direction does not change. Therefore, the control unit 110 skips step S11 and proceeds to the processing of step S8.

[0097] Furthermore, if the result is "No" in step S9, the control unit 110 will terminate the process as an error (step S12) because the standard print data received in step S2 cannot be printed on the strip of paper held in the paper holding unit 20. Since the purpose is to print on standard paper, the text is not enlarged or reduced according to the size of the printing paper. Additionally, in the event of an error, the required width and length of the strip of paper can be printed out to the strip of paper (print control unit) via the printing unit. Therefore, the required dimensions of the strip of paper can be easily understood.

[0098] Thus, the printer 1 according to this embodiment can obtain the desired output on a strip of paper using print data based on the premise of printing output to each area obtained by dividing the standard paper into multiple areas.

[0099] Furthermore, the above embodiments can be suitably modified by changing a portion of the configuration or function of each of the above devices. Therefore, several modifications of the above embodiments will be described below as other embodiments. In this description, the differences from the above embodiments will be mainly explained, and detailed descriptions of points common to the already described content will be omitted. In addition, the modifications described below can be implemented individually or in suitable combinations.

[0100] (Variation Example 1)

[0101] Figure 8-1 This is a diagram illustrating an example where the standard printed data 400 is not divided into quarters, but rather into two parts vertically. If the strip of paper is a strip of paper with a width corresponding to the width S of the paper (e.g., Figure 5-2 The strip of paper 201 shown can also divide the standard print data 400 into two parts in the width direction, and output the print data with a width of S and a length of L twice to the driver 141.

[0102] Therefore, although the output order of the paper may change, the state of the output paper can be in the desired state.

[0103] (Variation Example 2)

[0104] Figure 8-2 This diagram illustrates an example where the standard printed data 400 is not divided into quarters, but rather into two parts horizontally. If the strip of paper is a sheet of paper with a width corresponding to its length L (e.g., ...). Figure 5-3 The long strip of paper 202 shown can also divide the standard print data 400 into two parts along the length, and output the print data with a width of twice S and a length of L to the driver 141.

[0105] Therefore, although the output order of the paper may change, the state of the output paper can be in the desired state.

[0106] Furthermore, the programs executed by the devices in the embodiments are provided pre-installed in ROM or the like. The programs executed by the devices in the above embodiments can also be configured to be stored as installable or executable files on computer-readable storage media such as CD-ROM, floppy disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0107] Furthermore, the programs executed by the devices described in the above embodiments may also be configured to be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided via network download. Alternatively, the programs executed by the devices described in the above embodiments may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0108] While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are all included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included within the scope of the invention as described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A printer for printing on strips of paper, characterized in that, including: a print data dividing section that outputs a plurality of divided print data divided by boundaries of regions, from standard print data including print contents of each region obtained by dividing a standard paper into a plurality of regions according to a division criterion; and a confirmation processing section that compares a size of the long paper and a size of the region included in the standard paper, and rotates the divided print data if necessary according to a result of the comparison, wherein the confirmation processing section includes: a width confirmation section that confirms which of the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data is suitable for the width of the long paper; an orientation confirmation section that confirms which of the width direction and the length direction of the long paper is suitable for the longitudinal direction of the divided print data in a state where the orientation is able to recognize characters; and a rotation processing section that rotates the divided print data if necessary according to outputs of the width confirmation section and the orientation confirmation section.

2. The printer of claim 1, wherein, further including: a setting section that sets the width of the long paper while setting the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data, wherein the width confirmation section confirms based on the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data set by the setting section and the width of the long paper.

3. The printer of claim 2, wherein, further including: a print control section that prints the width and the length of the long paper necessary for printing to the long paper by a print section if neither of the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data is suitable for the width of the long paper and printing is not possible according to the width confirmation section.

4. A control method that causes a computer provided in a printer that performs printing on a long paper to function as each of: The print data division section divides the standard print data into a plurality of divided print data pieces based on the division standard paper. and a confirmation processing section that compares a size of the long paper and a size of the region included in the standard paper, and rotates the divided print data if necessary according to a result of the comparison, wherein the confirmation processing section includes: a width confirmation section that confirms which of the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data is suitable for the width of the long paper; an orientation confirmation section that confirms which of the width direction and the length direction of the long paper is suitable for the longitudinal direction of the divided print data in a state where the orientation is able to recognize characters; and a rotation processing section that rotates the divided print data if necessary according to outputs of the width confirmation section and the orientation confirmation section.

5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the width of the long paper is set while the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data are set by a setting section, wherein the width confirmation section confirms based on the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data set by the setting section and the width of the long paper.

6. The control method according to claim 5, wherein the width and the length of the long paper necessary for printing are printed to the long paper by a print section if neither of the sizes of the short side and the long side of the divided print data is suitable for the width of the long paper and printing is not possible according to the width confirmation section.

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