Printing system, control method of printing system, printer, and program

Abstract

A printing system has a sticking device that sticks a label to a sticking body, and a printer that is connected to the sticking device and cooperates with the sticking device, the printer sends a signal indicating a state of the printer to the sticking device, and / or receives a signal for executing an action of the printer from the sticking device, the sticking device receives the signal indicating the state of the printer and displays it, and / or accepts an input of the signal for executing the action of the printer and sends the signal to the printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a printing system, a control method for the printing system, a printer, and a program. Background Technology

[0002] JP2021-68260A discloses a system that enables various devices such as printers, label pasting devices, and packing devices to work together to affix labels to and bundle goods.

[0003] The system in JP2021-68260A is assembled using independent devices. Therefore, the display, input, and other interfaces of each device can cause confusion for users.

[0004] Furthermore, depending on the different layouts of the devices in the system, there are situations where it is difficult to configure the display and input sections of each device to be centrally processed by the user, thereby reducing work efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention was made in view of such technical problems, and its purpose is to improve user convenience when using a printer with a device that can work in concert.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printing system is provided, comprising an adhesive device for affixing labels to a substrate, and a printer connected to and cooperating with the adhesive device, wherein the printer sends a signal indicating the state of the printer to the adhesive device, and / or receives a signal from the adhesive device for performing actions of the printer, the adhesive device receiving and displaying a signal indicating the state of the printer from the printer, and / or receiving input of a signal for performing actions of the printer and sending that signal to the printer.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a printer is used in conjunction with a device capable of coordinated operation, user convenience can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a printing system of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the printer involved in this embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is the front view of the printer with the printing unit cover removed.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a functional block diagram of the control unit.

[0012] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of a command corresponding to the input / output terminals of the digital I / O section. Detailed Implementation

[0013] [Printing System Description]

[0014] Hereinafter, the printing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the printing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The printing system 100 includes: a printer 1 that prints labels; and a label pasting machine 101 that serves as a pasting device and pastes the labels 22 printed by the printer 1 onto the object A.

[0017] In addition, the printing system 100 also includes: a label feeder 102 that supplies labels to the printer 1; and a conveying device 103 that conveys the object to be pasted A.

[0018] Printer 1, label pasting machine 101, label feeder 102, and conveying device 103 are connected to each other via an external computer 200 in a manner that enables them to communicate with each other.

[0019] In this embodiment, printer 1 is supplied by label feeder 102 with a label continuum ML having a plurality of labels 22 on a strip of backing paper 21, and prints the labels 22. Printer 1 is used in conjunction with label applicator 101.

[0020] The label applicator 101 includes: various structures (not shown) for receiving printed labels 22 from the printer 1 and performing the action of affixing them to the object A conveyed by the conveying device 103; and a control unit 111 for controlling these structures.

[0021] In addition, the label applicator 101 is equipped with a display 112 with a touch panel for inputting and displaying operations to the printer 1 and the label feeder 102.

[0022] In the label applicator 101, the control unit 111 is connected to an external computer 200 via an interface not shown (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0023] The label feeder 102 includes: a feed shaft 121 that supplies a label continuous ML to the printer 1; a winding shaft 122 that winds backing paper 21 after the label 22 has been peeled off from the label continuous ML; and a control unit 123 that controls the extraction of the label continuous from the feed shaft 121 by a predetermined extraction amount.

[0024] In addition, the label feeder 102 is equipped with a display 124 with a touch panel, which serves as an input unit for inputting operations to the printer 1 and the label feeder 102, and a display unit for displaying error reports and operation-related information.

[0025] In the label feeder 102, the control unit 123 is connected to an external computer 200 via an interface not shown (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0026] In the printing system 100, the printer 1 sends a signal indicating the status of the printer 1 to the label applicator 101, and / or receives a signal from the label applicator 101 to perform an action of the printer 1. Furthermore, the label applicator 101 receives and displays a signal indicating the status of the printer 1 from the printer 1, and / or receives input signals for performing an action of the printer 1 and sends those signals to the printer 1.

[0027] The conveying device 103 includes: a conveying unit 131 that conveys the object to be pasted, A, which is the label 22; and a control unit 132 that controls the conveying of the object to be pasted, A. Furthermore, the conveying device 103 also includes a display 133 with a touch panel for inputting and displaying operations to and from the conveying device 103.

[0028] In the conveying device 103, the control unit 132 is connected to an external computer 200 via an interface not shown (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0029] [Printer Instructions]

[0030] Hereinafter, the printer 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a 3D image of printer 1. (For example...) Figure 2 As shown, printer 1 includes a central main unit 2, a printing unit 3, and a drive unit 31 for driving the printing unit 3 (see reference). Figure 4 ), control unit 4, and power supply unit 5.

[0032] The printing unit 3 is located on one side of the central main unit 2 (the front side of the printer 1). The drive unit 31, the control unit 4, and the power supply unit 5 are located on the other side (opposite side) of the central main unit 2 (the back side of the printer 1).

[0033] The central main unit 2 is a rectangular, disc-shaped unit with specified mechanical strength. The central main unit 2 is located in the center of the printer 1 and is equipped with a printing unit 3, a drive unit 31, a control unit 4, and a power supply unit 5.

[0034] A power switch 43, an operation unit 44 with various operation keys, and a display 45 are provided above the support housing 9 in the central main unit 2.

[0035] The central main unit 2 is equipped with a device for mounting the printer 1 to the label applicator 101 (see reference). Figure 1 , Figure 4 ) Installation part 15.

[0036] The mounting part 15 can be of any structure, and in this embodiment, it is provided on the periphery of the central main body unit 2. Specifically, the mounting part 15 in this embodiment has five mounting holes formed on the periphery of the central main body unit 2 (upper central mounting hole 15A, upper left mounting hole 15B, upper right mounting hole 15C, lower left mounting hole 15D, etc.). Figure 2 (and mounting hole 15E on the lower right end).

[0037] The drive unit 31, for example, has multiple stepper motors, and the control unit 4 controls the rotation of the multiple stepper motors (rotation direction, number of steps, etc.).

[0038] The power supply unit 5 receives power from the outside via a socket and supplies power to the control unit 4, the drive unit 31 and the printing unit 3.

[0039] Figure 3 It is the removal of the printing unit cover 6 (refer to) Figure 2 The front view of printer 1.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, the printing unit 3 has a printing section 16 for printing multiple labels 22 of the label continuum ML.

[0041] The printing unit 3 can print specified information on the label 22 on the transport path 20 between the inlet 18 and the outlet 19 of the label continuum ML.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown in the enlarged cross-section, the label continuum ML has a strip of backing paper 21 that serves as a continuous paper, and a plurality of labels 22 temporarily attached to the surface side of the backing paper 21. Position detection marks (not shown) are pre-printed on the back side of the backing paper 21.

[0043] The label continuum ML can be, for example, a roll label or a perforated folded label formed on the backing paper 21 at specified intervals.

[0044] The printing unit 16 has, in sequence from the upstream side of the transport path 20 (the rear side of the printer 1), a width limiting shaft 23, a pair of upper and lower auxiliary transport rollers 24, a position detection sensor 25, two guide rollers 26, a transport roller mechanism 70, a pressure roller 28, a thermal head 29, and a peeling plate 30.

[0045] In addition, the printing unit 16 has: a supply shaft 32 that supplies unused thermal transfer ink ribbon R between the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29; and a winding shaft 33 that winds up the used thermal transfer ink ribbon R.

[0046] A first width-limiting fixed wall 34 and a width-limiting movable ring 35 are provided on the width-limiting shaft 23. The positions of the left and right edges of the label continuous body ML are limited by the first width-limiting fixed wall 34, the width-limiting movable ring 35, and the second width-limiting fixed wall 36 provided on the upstream side of the pressure roller 28. As a result, the conveying posture of the label continuous body ML is appropriately limited along the conveying path 20.

[0047] The auxiliary conveyor roller 24 is driven synchronously with the pressure roller 28 to assist in the forward and reverse conveying of the label continuum ML by the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29. Forward feeding (forward transport) is the conveying to the downstream side (front side of printer 1), and reverse feeding (reverse transport) is the conveying to the upstream side (rear side of printer 1).

[0048] The position detection sensor 25 can detect the relative positional relationship between the label continuum ML (label 22), the pressure roller 28, and the thermal head 29 by detecting the position detection mark on the backing paper 21.

[0049] The conveyor roller mechanism 70 functions as a conveyor section that transports the label continuum ML in both forward and reverse directions, while clamping the backing paper 21, which has been turned by the peeling plate 30, and conveying it toward the rear of the printer 1. The backing paper 21 is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 via the backing paper guide roller 37.

[0050] The pressure roller 28 also functions as a transport roller for conveying the label continuous body ML, and clamps the label continuous body ML and the thermal transfer ink ribbon R between the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29 by a predetermined printing pressure generated by the pressing spring 38. In this state, the heating element of the thermal head 29 is heated, driving the pressure roller 28 to rotate, thereby printing onto the label 22. Furthermore, if the label 22 is a self-coloring thermal medium, the thermal transfer ink ribbon R is not required.

[0051] The heat transfer ink belt R is supplied from the belt supply shaft 32 to the space between the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29 via the first belt guide roller 39, and is wound onto the belt winding shaft 33 via the second belt guide roller 40.

[0052] By rotating the opening / closing lever 41 clockwise, the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29 can be separated. This allows the label continuum ML and the thermal transfer ink ribbon R to be filled between the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29.

[0053] If the opening / closing lever 41 is rotated counterclockwise to engage the front end of the lever 41 with the lever engagement pin 42 mounted on the frame, then the pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29 become... Figure 2 The printing status is shown.

[0054] The peeling plate 30 only turns the backing paper 21 of the label continuum ML at its leading end. As a result, the label 22 is peeled off from the backing paper 21 and discharged (dispensed) from the outlet 19. The label 22, peeled off from the backing paper 21, is handed over to the label applicator 101. The label applicator 101 then applies the label 22 received from the printer 1 to the object A to be applicated.

[0055] The control unit 4 consists of a microcomputer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and an input / output interface (I / O interface). The control unit 4 uses the CPU to read and execute programs stored in the ROM to perform various processes. The control unit 4 can also be composed of multiple microcomputers.

[0056] In addition, printer 1 is equipped with a cover sensor 81 for detecting the opening and closing of the printing unit cover 6.

[0057] The following is for reference Figure 4 The control unit 4 is described in detail. Figure 4 This is a block diagram representing a portion of the functionality of control unit 4; the blocks do not necessarily refer to physical structures.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the control unit 4 is connected to the external computer 200 in a wired or wireless manner to enable communication.

[0059] In addition, the external computer 200 is also connected to the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveyor 103 in a communicable manner.

[0060] The control unit 4 controls the drive unit 31 and the thermal head 29 based on the printing data obtained from the external computer 200, thereby printing onto the label 22.

[0061] The control unit 4 includes a communication unit 51, a data generation unit 52, a transport control unit 53, a print control unit 54, and a storage unit 55. In this embodiment, the data generation unit 52, the transport control unit 53, and the print control unit 54 are configured by a processor 4a.

[0062] The communication unit 51 receives signals from various sensors, including the position detection sensor 25, and the operation unit 44, etc.

[0063] In addition, the communication unit 51 includes: a digital I / O connector 151 for transmitting and receiving digital input / output signals with an external computer 200; and a communication interface 152 for communicating with the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveying device 103.

[0064] In printer 1, communication unit 51 uses digital I / O connector 151 or communication interface 152 to send signals indicating the status of printer 1 to external devices such as label applicator 101, label feeder 102 and conveyor 103.

[0065] In addition, the communication unit 51 receives signals from external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveying device 103 for executing the operation of the printer 1.

[0066] In this embodiment, the "state of printer 1" includes the open / closed state of the printing unit cover 6, the state of the printing section 16, and other states detected by the on / off states of various switches and sensors mounted on printer 1. It also includes setting values ​​set by inputting to printer 1. Furthermore, it includes information such as errors generated by printer 1, whether it is offline or online, whether there is printed data, the remaining ink ribbon level, and the remaining label level.

[0067] In this embodiment, "the operation of printer 1" includes: connecting or disconnecting the network connection of printer 1, conveying the label 22 before printing, resolving errors generated by printer 1, erasing printed data, adjusting various sensors set on printer 1, turning on or off the display with touch panel, displaying information to the display with touch panel, and performing self-test operations of printer 1.

[0068] The digital I / O connector 151 has multiple input / output terminals (ports) in its input / output section. Typically, digital I / O connectors come in various port numbers, but as an example, printer 1 corresponds to either a 25-pin or a 14-pin port.

[0069] Printer 1 can distribute the transmission and reception of a portion of the signals used to indicate the "state of printer 1" and a portion of the signals used to perform the "action of printer 1" to digital I / O connector 151, and distribute the transmission and reception of the remaining signals used to indicate the "state of printer 1" and the remaining signals used to perform the "action of printer 1" to communication interface 152.

[0070] In this embodiment, printer 1 can assign a portion of signals to multiple ports of digital I / O connector 151 to indicate the "state of printer 1" and a portion of signals to perform the "action of printer 1".

[0071] Figure 5 This diagram illustrates an example of a command corresponding to each of the multiple ports provided in the input / output section of the digital I / O connector 151. Figure 5 This shows the commands corresponding to each port in the 25-pin and 14-pin configurations.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, the status of printer 1, as an example, can be set to "error generation", "end of reverse paper feed", "end of ink ribbon detection", etc. by the combination of signal levels of multiple ports set in the input / output section of digital I / O connector 151.

[0073] Furthermore, as an example, the operation of printer 1 can be set to include "reissue labels with the same printing content", "start of reverse paper feeding", "label nearing completion", "label delivery", "connection or disconnection of the printer's network connection", "label delivery before printing", "removal of printer errors", "elimination of printing data", "adjustment of sensors set on the printer", "lighting or turning off the display", and "display of information on the display", etc.

[0074] In this embodiment, the operation of the printer 1 assigned to the port of the digital I / O connector 151 is an action performed by user input. Furthermore, the state of the printer 1 assigned to the port of the digital I / O connector 151 is detected by various sensors provided with the printer 1.

[0075] The sending and receiving of printer 1's actions and statuses other than those mentioned above are assigned to the communication interface 152.

[0076] Input signals and signal levels for designated numbered ports of the digital I / O connector 151 are converted into commands (an example of a second command) for operating the printer 1 based on a table stored in the storage unit 55. Furthermore, commands indicating the status of the printer 1 (an example of a first command) are converted into output signals from designated numbered ports of the digital I / O connector 151 based on a table stored in the storage unit 55.

[0077] In this embodiment, the signal indicating which port of the digital I / O connector 151 receives a signal for which action at what signal level, or which port outputs an output signal for which action, is pre-shared between external devices such as the label applicator 101, label feeder 102, and conveyor 103 and the printer 1.

[0078] In this embodiment, the communication interface 152 can use Ethernet, USB (Universal Serial Bus), RS-232C, NFC, wireless LAN, or wired LAN, etc. When the printer 1 is connected to an external device that controls print data, the communication interface 152 can be selected to use an interface type that is not used by the external device controlling the print data.

[0079] Commands other than those assigned to the port of the digital I / O connector 151 are sent via the communication interface 152 to external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveyor 103.

[0080] The data generation unit 52 parses the print data acquired from the external computer 200 via the storage unit 55 and generates control data and drawing data. Furthermore, the data generation unit 52 sequentially transmits the control data and drawing data, starting with the control data, to the print control unit 54.

[0081] The control data includes a value representing the number of steps of the pulse signal given to the stepper motor of the drive unit 31 during printing.

[0082] The depiction data includes values ​​(dots) representing the print positions (dots) used to selectively energize the heating elements of the thermal head 29 per line during printing.

[0083] When the print control unit 54 finishes acquiring control data, the transport control unit 53 reverses the paper feed of the label continuum ML, thereby moving the first label 22 of the label continuum ML to the print start position (see reference). Figure 3 ).

[0084] In addition, the transport control unit 53 controls the forward paper feed of the label continuum ML during printing.

[0085] In addition, the transport control unit 53 receives control data from the data generation unit 52 for switching the transport of the label continuum ML from reverse feed to forward feed, or from forward feed to reverse feed, and sets the switching standby period.

[0086] Based on control data from the data generation unit 52, the transport control unit 53 transmits a stop signal to the drive unit 31 to stop the transport of the label continuum ML after printing is completed. Furthermore, after transmitting the stop signal, a reverse signal is transmitted to start transport in the opposite direction.

[0087] The print control unit 54 acquires control data and drawing data from the data generation unit 52. Then, if a print start command (print request) is subsequently acquired, the print process is executed to print the label 22 which is in the print start position and move it to the label dispensing position.

[0088] Specifically, the print control unit 54 controls the power supply to the multiple stepper motors of the drive unit 31 based on control data, and controls the power supply to the thermal head 29 based on drawing data, thereby printing the label 22 and conveying it to the label dispensing position.

[0089] The print start command is supplied from the external computer 200 to the control unit 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the print control unit 54 obtains the print start command from the external computer 200 via the communication unit 51 and the processor 4a.

[0090] If the external computer 200 determines that the label pasting machine 101 is in the specified standby state and the printer 1 is in the printable state, it will send a print start command to the control unit 4.

[0091] If printer 1 finishes printing, external computer 200 will supply new print data to control unit 4.

[0092] The storage unit 55 stores, for example, print data obtained from the external computer 200, and the status of the printer 1. The label applicator 101 and the external computer 200 can store information in the storage unit 55 via the communication unit 51.

[0093] In addition, the storage unit 55 stores a table that associates each port of the aforementioned digital I / O connector 151 with the commands assigned to the port.

[0094] [program]

[0095] The program involved in this embodiment is a program that can be executed by an external computer 200 of the printing system 100. The printing system 100 is connected to and operates in coordination with external devices such as a label applicator 101, a label feeder 102, and a conveying device 103. The program is used to cause the external computer 200 to perform the following steps: sending a signal indicating the status of the printer 1 to the external device, and / or receiving a signal from the external device to perform the operation of the printer 1; displaying the status of the printer 1 on the external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveying device 103, and / or receiving input of the operation of the printer 1 from the external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the conveying device 103.

[0096] The program involved in this embodiment is stored in the ROM, storage unit 55, etc. of the control unit 4 of the printer 1, and is executed by the processor 4a.

[0097] [Effect]

[0098] According to the printer 1 of this embodiment, signals indicating the state of the printer 1 and / or signals for performing printer operations are sent to external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the transport device 103. Furthermore, signals for performing printer operations are input from external devices.

[0099] Therefore, the status of printer 1 can be displayed on the display units (touch panel displays 112, 124, 133) of external devices such as label applicator 101, label feeder 102, and conveyor 103. In addition, the operation of printer 1 can be input from the input units of external devices (touch panel displays 112, 124, 133).

[0100] Therefore, since each device has an interface such as a display unit and an input unit, the user can operate the printer 1 using the interface of any device connected to the printing system 100.

[0101] Therefore, even in cases where the layout of each device in the printing system 100 is different and it is difficult for the user to centrally process the display and input sections of each device, each device can be operated using the interface of any device. Thus, it is possible to avoid causing confusion to the user and prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

[0102] Therefore, when printer 1 is used in conjunction with a device that can operate in tandem, user convenience can be improved.

[0103] Furthermore, printer 1 includes a digital I / O connector 151, which has multiple input / output terminals. The digital I / O connector 151 assigns output signals and output signal levels to multiple ports to indicate the status of printer 1, and input signals and input signal levels to perform actions of printer 1, thus establishing an association between commands and input / output ports.

[0104] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the digital I / O connector 151 has 14 pins, on the printer 1 side, the input of the low-signal-level electrical signal to port 7 is assigned a command to perform the process of re-issuing a label with the same printed content, and the process is performed.

[0105] Furthermore, when the digital I / O connector 151 is 25-pin, on the printer 1 side, the input of a low-signal electrical signal to port 9 is assigned a command to perform a process that reverses the paper feed of the label, and the process is performed.

[0106] In existing printers, when confirming the connection with the label applicator, it is necessary to actually make the printer connected to the label applicator into the desired state, or actually cause the printer to malfunction.

[0107] For example, if the machine error signal is confirmed to be abnormal / normal, the print head of the printer connected to the label applicator is turned on, and it is confirmed whether the error signal can be detected in the label applicator. Furthermore, if a print-end signal is confirmed, print data needs to be sent to the printer to enable printing. Alternatively, for error detection, a dedicated detection device that can generate error signals is required.

[0108] In contrast, the printer 1 in this embodiment sends signals indicating the status of the printer 1 to external devices such as the label applicator 101, the label feeder 102, and the delivery device 103. Alternatively, signals for performing the operation of the printer 1 can be input from external devices.

[0109] Therefore, for example, if an information processing terminal such as a PC is connected to the label applicator 101 and a signal of a specific signal level is sent from the information processing terminal to a specific port of the label applicator 101, the label applicator 101 can perform actions corresponding to the state of the printer 1 even if the printer 1 is not connected to the label applicator 101.

[0110] In particular, according to printer 1, output ports for signals representing several states of printer 1 among multiple "printer states" or "printer actions" and input ports for signals performing several actions of printer 1 can be assigned to multiple ports of digital I / O connector 151.

[0111] Therefore, by sending a predetermined signal to the port of the label applicator 101 at a predetermined signal level, the label applicator 101 can be made to perform an action corresponding to the state of the printer 1.

[0112] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the display function of printer 1 can also be executed in an external device that does not have this function.

[0113] For example, if printer 1 has a multilingual display function, and label applicator 101 does not have this function, for example, if printer 1 has a Portuguese display function, error messages can be displayed in Portuguese on the display section of label applicator 101.

[0114] [Other Implementation Methods]

[0115] The above description illustrates this embodiment, but it is merely one example of the application of the present invention and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structure of the above embodiment.

[0116] The printing system can be any device capable of cooperating with printer 1, and is not limited to... Figure 1 The structure shown.

[0117] In this embodiment, printer 1 is connected to external computer 200 via digital I / O connector 151 in a communicative manner. However, printer 1 can also be connected separately to external devices that can work together, such as label applicator 101, label feeder 102, or conveyor 103, via digital I / O connector 151.

[0118] In addition, the control unit 4 of the printer 1 can also have the function of the external computer 200 in the printing system 100, and the computer of an external device that can work in coordination, such as the label pasting machine 101, the label feeder 102, or the conveying device 103, can also have the function of the external computer 200 in the printing system 100.

[0119] In this embodiment, the various programs of printer 1 can also be programs stored on non-temporary recording media such as CD-ROM.

[0120] This application claims priority based on Japan Patent Application No. 2021-212465, filed on December 27, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A printing system comprising an adhesive device for affixing labels to a substrate, and a printer connected to and cooperating with the adhesive device. The printing system is characterized in that... The printer sends signals indicating its status to the pasting device and receives signals from the pasting device for performing actions on the printer. The pasting device receives and displays a signal from the printer indicating the status of the printer, and accepts input signals for performing actions on the printer and sends such signals to the printer.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printer has: An input / output section having multiple input / output terminals; and A communication interface different from the input / output section. The transmission and reception of some signals used to indicate the status of the printer and some signals used to perform actions of the printer are assigned to the input / output section. The transmission and reception of remaining signals used to indicate the state of the printer and remaining signals used to perform actions of the printer are assigned to the communication interface.

3. The printing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, Among the plurality of input / output terminals A first command used to indicate the status of the printer is assigned to an output terminal and a combination of signal levels output from the output terminal is provided. The pasting device displays the status of the printer based on the first command.

4. The printing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, Among the plurality of input / output terminals A second command for performing the printer's actions is assigned to an input terminal and a combination of signal levels input to said input terminal. The printer performs an action based on the second command.

5. The printing system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The printer action executed by the second command is at least one of the following actions: connecting or disconnecting the printer's network connection, delivering a label before printing, clearing errors generated by the printer, erasing printed data, adjusting sensors located on the printer, turning the display on or off, and displaying information on the display.

6. The printing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The input / output terminals are digital input / output connectors.

7. A control method for a printing system, the printing system comprising a printer, the printer being connected to and cooperating with an adhesive device for attaching labels to a substrate. The control method of the printing system is characterized by the following: The printer sends signals indicating its status to the pasting device and receives signals from the pasting device for performing actions on the printer. The pasting device displays the status of the printer and accepts input of the printer's actions.

8. A printer connected to and cooperating with an adhesive device for attaching labels to a substrate. The printer is characterized in that... Equipped with a control unit The control unit is configured as follows: The system sends a signal indicating the status of the printer to the pasting device and receives a signal from the pasting device for performing actions on the printer.

9. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer of a printing system, the printing system comprising an adhesive device for affixing labels to a substrate, and a printer connected to and cooperating with the adhesive device. The storage medium is characterized in that the program causes the computer to perform the following processing: Sending a signal indicating the status of the printer to the pasting device, and receiving a signal from the pasting device for performing an action of the printer; and The pasting device displays the status of the printer and accepts input of the printer's actions.

Images