Printer, control method of printer, and program

Abstract

A printer that prints a plurality of labels possessed by a label continuous body based on print data includes a reverse feed control section that causes the label continuous body to be reverse fed so that a label at the foremost end is moved to a print start position, and a print control section that acquires a print start instruction after the reverse feed control section starts reverse feeding and prints the label moved to the print start position.

Description

Printers, printer control methods and programs Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to printers, printer control methods, and programs. Background Technology

[0002] JP2001-328302A discloses a printer that, if a print request is received, reverses the paper feed of the label continuum until the label reaches the position of the thermal head before printing.

[0003] For printers like the one described above that perform reverse paper feeding before printing, the aim is to increase the label issuance speed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention was made in view of such technical problems, and its purpose is to improve the speed of label issuance.

[0005] According to a certain aspect of the present invention, a printer is provided that prints a plurality of labels on a label continuum based on printing data. The printer includes: a reverse feed control unit that reverses the paper feed of the label continuum, thereby moving the foremost label to a printing start position; and a printing control unit that acquires a printing start command after the reverse feed control unit starts the reverse paper feed, and prints the label that has moved to the printing start position.

[0006] According to the above method, the print control unit receives the print start command (print request) after the reverse feeding of the label continuum begins. In other words, the reverse feeding of the label continuum is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to the case where the reverse feeding is performed only after the print start command is received, the end time of the reverse feeding is earlier, and the end time of printing the label after the reverse feeding is completed is also earlier. Therefore, the label issuance speed can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] Figure 2 is a front view of the printer with the printing unit cover removed.

[0009] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit.

[0010] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the tag issuance process.

[0011] Figure 5 is a timeline of tag issuance processing.

[0012] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the actions of the printer during the label issuance process. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Hereinafter, the printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of printer 1. As shown in Figure 1, printer 1 includes a central main unit 2, a printing unit 3, a drive unit 31 for driving the printing unit 3 (see Figure 3), a control unit 4, and a power supply unit 5.

[0015] 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).

[0016] 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 the printing unit 3, the drive unit 31, the control unit 4, and the power supply unit 5.

[0017] A power switch 43, an operation unit 44 with various operation keys, and a display 45 are provided above the support housing 9 of the central main unit 2.

[0018] The central main unit 2 is provided with a mounting part 15 for mounting the printer 1 to the label pasting machine 100 (see Figure 3).

[0019] The mounting part 15 can be selected with any structure. 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 (see Figure 2), and lower right mounting hole 15E).

[0020] 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.).

[0021] 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.

[0022] Figure 2 is a front view of printer 1 with the printing unit cover 6 removed (see Figure 1).

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the printing unit 3 has a printing section 16, which prints multiple labels 22 of the label continuum ML.

[0024] 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.

[0025] As shown in the enlarged cross-section of Figure 2, 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The printing unit 16, from the upstream side of the transport path 20 (the rear side of the printer 1), has 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 paper pressure roller 28, a thermal head 29, and a peeling plate 30.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The auxiliary conveyor roller 24 and the pressure roller 28 are driven synchronously 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).

[0031] 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.

[0032] The conveyor roller mechanism 70 clamps the liner paper 21, which is turned by the peeling plate 30, and conveys it to the rear of the printer 1. The liner paper 21 is discharged to the outside of the printer 1 via the liner paper guide roller 37.

[0033] The pressure roller 28 holds the label continuum 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. Printing onto the label 22 is performed by heating the heating element of the thermal head 29 in this state and driving the pressure roller 28 to rotate. Alternatively, if the label 22 is a self-coloring thermal medium, the thermal transfer ink ribbon R is not required.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] If the opening / closing lever 41 is rotated counterclockwise so that the front end of the opening / closing lever 41 engages with the lever locking pin 42 mounted on the frame, then the paper pressure roller 28 and the thermal head 29 are in the printing state shown in Figure 2.

[0037] The peeling plate 30 at its front end only turns the backing paper 21 of the label continuum ML. As a result, the label 22 is peeled off from the backing paper 21 and discharged (issued) from the discharge port 19. The label 22, peeled off from the backing paper 21, is handed over to the label applicator 100. The label applicator 100 then applies the label 22 received from the printer 1 to the object to be applicated.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The control unit 4 will now be described in detail with reference to FIG3. FIG3 is a block diagram showing a portion of the function of the control unit 4; the blocks do not necessarily refer to physical structures.

[0040] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 4 is connected to the label applicator 100 and the external computer 200 in a communicable manner via wired or wireless means. Furthermore, the control unit 4 receives signals from various sensors, including the position detection sensor 25 and the operation unit 44. Additionally, the external computer 200 is also connected to the label applicator 100 in a communicable manner.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The control unit 4 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a data generation unit 53, a reverse paper feed control unit 54, a forward paper feed control unit 55, and a printing control unit 56.

[0043] In this embodiment, the data generation unit 53 is configured with a first processor 4a. Furthermore, the reverse paper feed control unit 54, the forward paper feed control unit 55, and the print control unit 56 are configured with a second processor 4b. However, the data generation unit 53, the reverse paper feed control unit 54, the forward paper feed control unit 55, and the print control unit 56 may also be configured with a single processor, or each may be configured with a different processor.

[0044] The communication unit 51 transmits and receives various types of information with the label applicator 100 and the external computer 200. It also receives signals from various sensors, including the position detection sensor 25, the operation unit 44, and the like.

[0045] Storage unit 52 stores, for example, print data obtained from external computer 200, the status of printer 1, etc. Label applicator 100 and external computer 200 can store information to storage unit 52 via communication unit 51.

[0046] The data generation unit 53 parses the print data acquired from the external computer 200 via the storage unit 52 to generate control data and drawing data. Furthermore, the data generation unit 53 sequentially transmits the control data and drawing data, starting with the control data, to the print control unit 56.

[0047] 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.

[0048] The depiction data includes values ​​(dots) representing the print positions used to selectively energize the heating elements of the thermal head 29 per line during printing. Additionally, the depiction data contains more data than the control data.

[0049] When the print control unit 56 finishes acquiring control data, the reverse feed control unit 54 reverses the paper feed of the label continuum ML, thereby moving the leading label 22 of the label continuum ML to the printing start position. The amount of reverse feed is set based on the detection result of the position detection sensor 25.

[0050] The foremost label 22 is the unprinted label 22 located one label upstream of the printed label 22 that has been peeled from the backing paper 21 and handed over to the label applicator 100. In other words, the position of the foremost label 22 when the printed label 22 is moved to the position handed over to the label applicator 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "label issuance position") is the position of the foremost label 22 before the reverse paper feed begins (hereinafter referred to as the "prescribed waiting position") by the reverse paper feed control unit 54.

[0051] If an error stop request or label feed request is generated after the reverse paper feed is completed by the reverse paper feed control unit 54, the forward paper feed control unit 55 causes the label continuum ML to be fed forward, thereby causing the label 22, which has moved to the frontmost position of the printing start position, to move further towards the label issuance position.

[0052] An error stop request is generated if an error occurs in printer 1. An error stop request may also be generated if an error occurs in label applicator 100 or external computer 200.

[0053] Tag feed requests are generated, for example, by a user inputting a command from the operation unit 44.

[0054] The print control unit 56 acquires control data and drawing data from the data generation unit 53. Furthermore, if a print start command (print request) is subsequently received, a print process is performed to print the label 22 which is at the print start position and move it to the label distribution position.

[0055] Specifically, the print control unit 56 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 issuing position.

[0056] 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 56 obtains the print start command from the external computer 200 via the communication unit 51 and the first processor 4a.

[0057] If the external computer 200 determines that the label applicator 100 is in a designated waiting state and the printer 1 is in a printable state, it sends a print start command to the control unit 4.

[0058] If printer 1 finishes printing, external computer 200 will supply new print data to control unit 4.

[0059] Next, the tag issuance process performed by the control unit 4 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the tag issuance process.

[0060] In step S101, the first processor 4a acquires the print data.

[0061] The first processor 4a references the storage unit 52 at predetermined intervals (e.g., every tens of milliseconds to hundreds of milliseconds), and automatically retrieves the print data if the external computer 200 stores the print data in the storage unit 52.

[0062] In step S102, the first processor 4a parses the acquired print data.

[0063] In step S103, the first processor 4a generates control data and drawing data based on the parsing results of the printed data.

[0064] In step S104, the first processor 4a sends control data to the second processor 4b.

[0065] In step S105, the second processor 4b receives control data sent by the first processor 4a.

[0066] In step S106, the second processor 4b sends a control data reception end signal, indicating the end of control data reception, to the first processor 4a.

[0067] In step S107, the first processor 4a receives a control data reception end signal sent by the second processor 4b.

[0068] In step S108, the second processor 4b begins reverse feeding of the label continuum ML.

[0069] In step S109, the first processor 4a sends the drawing data to the second processor 4b.

[0070] In step S110, the second processor 4b receives the drawing data sent by the first processor 4a.

[0071] In step S111, the second processor 4b sends a drawing data reception end signal, indicating the end of drawing data reception, to the first processor 4a.

[0072] In step S112, the first processor 4a receives a drawing data reception end signal sent by the second processor 4b.

[0073] In step S113, the first processor 4a sends a printable signal indicating that the printer 1 is in a printable state to the external computer 200.

[0074] In step S114, the second processor 4b terminates the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML.

[0075] In step S115, the first processor 4a receives a print start command sent by the external computer 200.

[0076] In step S116, the first processor 4a sends the print start command to the second processor 4b.

[0077] In step S117, the second processor 4b receives the print start command sent by the first processor 4a.

[0078] In step S118, the second processor 4b performs the printing process.

[0079] In step S119, the second processor 4b sends a print processing end signal indicating the end of the print processing to the first processor 4a.

[0080] In step S120, the first processor 4a receives a printing process end signal sent by the second processor 4b.

[0081] In step S121, the first processor 4a sends a wait signal indicating that the printer 1 is in a wait state to the external computer 200.

[0082] Next, referring to Figures 5 and 6, the status of the tag issuance process will be explained. Figure 5 is a timing diagram of the tag issuance process. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 1 in the tag issuance process. In addition, in Figure 6, in order to easily understand the changes in the position of each tag 22 that accompany the transport of the tag continuum ML, each tag 22 is assigned a consecutive number ([1], [2]...).

[0083] Before time t1 in Figure 5, as shown in state (a) in Figure 6, printer 1 is in a waiting state and label 22[1] at the foremost end of label continuum ML is in the specified waiting position.

[0084] At time t1, processor 4a acquires the print data.

[0085] The first processor 4a parses the print data from time t1 to time t2 to generate control data and drawing data.

[0086] At time t2, the transfer of control data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b begins.

[0087] At time t3, the transfer of control data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b ends, and the transfer of depiction data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b begins.

[0088] In addition, at time t3, printer 1 begins reverse feeding of the label continuum ML.

[0089] At time t4, the transfer of data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b ends.

[0090] The time required to transmit depiction data is longer than that required to transmit control data because the amount of depiction data is greater than that of control data.

[0091] At time t5, the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML ends. Thus, as shown in Figure 6 as state (b), label 22[1] is in the printing start position.

[0092] At time t6, processor 4b receives the print start command. Printer 1 then begins printing (forward paper feed).

[0093] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG6, the printing process begins when the signal for the print start command is ON. However, the printing process may also begin when the signal for the print start command is OFF.

[0094] At time t7, the printing process ends. Thus, as shown in Figure 6 as state (c), the printed label 22[1] is in the label issuance position.

[0095] In this embodiment, at time t5, reverse paper feeding ends (step S114 in FIG3), and at the subsequent time t6, the second processor 4b obtains the print start command (step S117 in FIG3). The reason is that the external computer 200 determines that the label pasting machine 100 is in a specified waiting state and the printer 1 is in a printable state, and the time when it outputs the print start command is later than the time when reverse paper feeding ends.

[0096] However, if the external computer 200 can output the print start command at an earlier time, the second processor 4b can obtain the print start command before the reverse paper feed ends. In other words, the time when the reverse paper feed ends (step S114 in FIG. 3) can also be after the second processor 4b obtains the print start command (step S117 in FIG. 3). In this case, if the reverse paper feed ends, the second processor 4b then starts the printing process.

[0097] As explained above, the second processor 4b (print control unit 56) of printer 1 receives a print start command (print request) after the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML begins. In other words, the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to the case where the reverse feeding is performed after receiving the print start command, the end time of the reverse feeding is earlier, and the end time of the printing (printing process) to the label 22 after the reverse feeding is completed is also earlier. Therefore, printer 1 according to this embodiment can improve the label 22 issuance speed.

[0098] Next, the other working processes of printer 1 will be explained.

[0099] If the reverse paper feed is completed by the reverse paper feed control unit 54 and the print data disappears before the print start by the print control unit 56, the printer 1 will store the state that the reverse paper feed has ended in the storage unit 52. If new print data is subsequently acquired, the printer will print without reverse paper feed.

[0100] Therefore, when the print data is acquired, label 22 is already in the print start position, allowing for rapid commencement of the print process. This improves the issuance speed of label 22.

[0101] Alternatively, the state in which reverse paper feeding has ended can be stored in a storage unit other than storage unit 52. Print data disappears, for example, if it is deleted from external computer 200 or if an operation to delete print data from operation unit 44 is performed.

[0102] If an error occurs after the reverse paper feed starts but before it ends, which could cause the reverse paper feed to continue, the printer 1 will not stop the error until the reverse paper feed ends.

[0103] Therefore, the position of label 22 can be managed in either state before or after reverse paper feed. In other words, the position management of label 22 can be simplified.

[0104] When printer 1 acquires print data in a resting state where no print data is available, it transitions from the resting state to the operating state and performs reverse paper feeding by the reverse paper feed control unit 54.

[0105] The reason is that, in a resting state where there is no printed data, the leading label 22 of the label continuum ML is in the designated waiting position.

[0106] The main functions and effects of printer 1, as described above, will be explained in detail.

[0107] The printer 1, which prints multiple labels 22 on a label continuum ML based on printing data, includes: a reverse feed control unit 54 that reverses the paper feed of the label continuum ML, thereby moving the foremost label 22 to the printing start position; and a printing control unit 56 that receives a printing start command after the reverse feed control unit 54 starts reverse feeding and prints the label 22 that has moved to the printing start position.

[0108] Accordingly, the print control unit 56 obtains a print start command (print request) after the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML begins. In other words, the reverse feeding of the label continuum ML is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to the case where the reverse feeding is performed after receiving the print start command, the end time of the reverse feeding is earlier, and the end time of the printing (printing process) to the label 22 after the reverse feeding is completed is also earlier. As a result, the issuance speed of the label 22 can be improved.

[0109] Printer 1 includes a data generation unit 53, which generates data (control data and drawing data) to be supplied to the print control unit 56 based on the print data. The reverse paper feed control unit 54 starts reverse paper feed after the print control unit 56 finishes acquiring the control data and before it finishes acquiring the drawing data. The print control unit 56 acquires a print start command after it finishes acquiring the drawing data.

[0110] It is assumed that the print control unit 56 acquires control data and then acquires a print start command. Therefore, if the print control unit 56 finishes acquiring control data, it acquires a print start command and begins reverse feeding by the reverse feed control unit 54 without waiting for the acquisition of continuing drawing data to finish, thereby maximizing the early completion time of reverse feeding. In other words, the print control unit 56 performs reverse feeding in parallel with acquiring data from the data generation unit 53, thereby maximizing the early completion time of reverse feeding. As a result, if the print control unit 56 acquires a print start command after finishing acquiring drawing data, printing processing begins quickly based on the progress of reverse feeding. Therefore, the label 22 issuance speed can be improved.

[0111] The printer 1 includes a first processor 4a and a second processor 4b that are connected to each other in a manner that enables communication. The first processor 4a constitutes a data generation unit 53, and the second processor 4b constitutes a reverse paper feed control unit 54 and a print control unit 56.

[0112] Accordingly, the transmission of control data and depiction data from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56 takes longer than when both the data generation unit 53 and the print control unit 56 are composed of a single processor. Therefore, in this case, compared to the case where both the data generation unit 53 and the print control unit 56 are composed of a single processor, it can be said that the effect of increasing the label issuance speed is greater. To explain in detail, when the transmission of control data and depiction data from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56 ends and the print control unit 56 receives the print start command, and the reverse feed control unit 54 performs reverse feed, the slower the data transmission speed from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56, the larger the proportion of data transmission time in the time required for label issuance. Moreover, the case where the reverse feed by the reverse feed control unit 54 begins without waiting for the acquisition of depiction data to end refers to the amount by which the time required for label issuance is reduced by the time required for depiction data transmission. In other words, the slower the data transmission speed from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56, the greater the proportion of time that can be reduced in the time required to issue the tag 22. Therefore, when the first processor 4a constitutes the data generation unit 53 and the second processor 4b constitutes the print control unit 56, it can be said that the effect of increasing the issuance speed of the tag 22 is greater than when the data generation unit 53 and the print control unit 56 are both composed of a single processor.

[0113] The printer 1 has a storage unit 52 for storing the state of the printer 1. When the reverse paper feed is completed by the reverse paper feed control unit 54 and the print data disappears before the print start is controlled by the print control unit 56, the reverse paper feed will be completed. If new print data is subsequently obtained, the printer will print without reverse paper feed.

[0114] Therefore, when the print data is acquired, label 22 is already in the print start position, allowing for rapid commencement of the print process. This improves the issuance speed of label 22.

[0115] The printer 1 has a forward paper feed control unit 55. When an error stop request or a label feed request is generated after the reverse paper feed is completed by the reverse paper feed control unit 54, the forward paper feed control unit 55 causes the label continuum ML to be fed forward, thereby causing the label 22, which has moved to the printing start position, to move further towards the label issuance position.

[0116] Before and after reverse feeding, the amount of forward feeding that moves the foremost label 22 to the label issuing position is different. Therefore, if an error stop request or label feed request is generated after reverse feeding, the amount of forward feeding can be appropriately adjusted by performing forward feeding by the forward feeding control unit 55.

[0117] If an error occurs after the reverse paper feed starts but before the reverse paper feed ends, causing the reverse paper feed to continue, the printer 1 will not stop the error until the reverse paper feed ends.

[0118] Therefore, the location management of label 22 can be simplified.

[0119] When printer 1 acquires print data in a resting state where no print data is available, it transitions from the resting state to the operating state and performs reverse paper feeding by the reverse paper feed control unit 54.

[0120] In the resting state where no print data is available, the leading label 22 of the label continuum ML is in a designated waiting position. Therefore, when transitioning from the resting state to the operating state, the printer 1 performs reverse paper feeding by the reverse paper feed control unit 54.

[0121] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the above embodiments are merely examples of the application of the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific structures of the above embodiments.

[0122] For example, the various programs of printer 1 can also use programs stored on non-temporary recording media such as CD-ROM.

[0123] This application claims priority based on Japan Patent Application No. 2021-146204, filed on September 8, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A printer for printing multiple labels on a label continuum based on printing data, characterized in that it comprises: a reverse feed control unit that reverses the paper feed of the label continuum, thereby moving the foremost label to a printing start position; a printing control unit that acquires a printing start command after the reverse feed control unit initiates the reverse feed, and performs the printing on the foremost label that has moved to the printing start position; and a forward feed control unit that, in the event that an error stop request or a label feed request is generated after the reverse feed performed by the reverse feed control unit has ended, forward feeds the label continuum, thereby further moving the foremost label that has moved to the printing start position to a label issuance position.

2. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a data generation unit that generates data to be supplied to the print control unit based on the print data, and the reverse paper feed control unit performs the reverse paper feed in parallel with the print control unit acquiring the data from the data generation unit.

3. The printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The data includes control data and drawing data, and the reverse paper feed control unit performs the reverse paper feed in parallel with the printing control unit acquiring the drawing data from the data generation unit.

4. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The reverse paper feed control unit starts the reverse paper feed after the printing control unit finishes acquiring the control data and before the printing control unit finishes acquiring the drawing data.

5. The printer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The amount of data in the depiction data is greater than the amount of data in the control data.

6. The printer according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The print control unit acquires the print start command after completing the acquisition of the drawing data.

7. The printer according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a first processor and a second processor that are connected to each other in a manner that enables communication. The first processor constitutes the data generation unit, and the second processor constitutes the reverse paper feed control unit and the printing control unit.

8. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, It also includes a storage unit for storing the state of the printer. When the print data disappears after the reverse paper feed performed by the reverse paper feed control unit is completed and before the printing is started by the print control unit, the state that the reverse paper feed has ended is stored in the storage unit. When new print data is subsequently obtained, the printing is performed without performing the reverse paper feed.

9. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, If an error occurs after the reverse paper feed starts as controlled by the reverse paper feed control unit but before the reverse paper feed ends, and an error that would allow the reverse paper feed to continue occurs, the error will not be stopped until the reverse paper feed ends.

10. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, When the print data is acquired in a resting state where no print data is available, the reverse paper feed is performed by the reverse paper feed control unit, transitioning from the resting state to the operating state.

11. A printer control method, executed by a computer of a printer that prints multiple labels of a label continuum based on printing data, characterized in that it includes the following steps: reversing the paper feed of the label continuum to move the foremost label to a printing start position; and obtaining a printing start command after the reversing paper feed has started, and printing the foremost label that has moved to the printing start position. In the printer control method, if an error stop request or label feed request is generated after the reversing paper feed has ended, the label continuum is forward-fed to further move the foremost label that has moved to the printing start position to a label issuance position.

12. A storage medium storing a program executable by a computer of a printer capable of printing a plurality of labels of a label continuum based on printing data, the storage medium being characterized in that the program causes the computer to perform the following processes: a process of reversing the paper feed of the label continuum to move the foremost label to a printing start position; a process of obtaining a printing start command after the reversing paper feed has started, and printing the foremost label moved to the printing start position; and, in the event that an error stop request or label feed request is generated after the reversing paper feed has ended, reversing the paper feed of the label continuum to move the foremost label moved to the printing start position further to a label issuance position.

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