Printing device, printing method and program

Abstract

To provide a printing device, a printing method and a program which can easily correct a print position of a label.SOLUTION: A printing device 100 comprises a printing part 4 that performs printing on a medium to be printed, a cutting part 43 that cuts the medium to be printed, a detecting part 46 that detects a predetermined identification marker, printed on the medium to be printed, and a control part 6. The control part 6 makes the cutting part 43 cut the medium to be printed, makes the printing part 4 print the identification marker on the medium to be printed, obtains an actually measured distance by which the detecting part 46 detects an end part of the cut medium to be printed and then detects the identification marker, and corrects printing operation by the printing part 4, on the basis of the actually measured distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, label printers that print character strings, symbols, etc. on labels and then cut them off are known. In label printers, cylindrical labels made of a long, thin adhesive sheet rolled into a cylindrical shape are used as a printing medium. The positions of the components that make up a label printer differ from device to device, albeit only slightly, due to factors such as the way they are attached, play between the components, and wear caused by use. As a result, the label transport position differs from one label printer to another, and the distance from the printing position to the cutting position may deviate from the theoretical value in the design. Therefore, as a technique for correcting the position at which processing is performed for each device, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for correcting the cutting position based on the positions of patterns provided at predetermined intervals on a long cylindrical film when the film is cut. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-182537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 reads a pattern printed on the film in advance and corrects the cutting position, i.e., the position where processing is performed. In a label printer, character strings, symbols, etc. desired by the user are printed on the label. For this reason, if patterns are provided on the label in advance at a predetermined interval, depending on the length of the character string to be printed and the size of the characters, symbols, etc., the pattern may overlap, making it difficult to recognize the pattern. In addition, reading the pattern provided on the film each time to correct the processing position is a cumbersome task.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a printing device, a printing method, and a program that can easily correct the printing position of a label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a printing device according to the present invention comprises: A printing unit that prints on a print medium; A cutting unit that cuts the print medium; A detection unit that detects a predetermined identification marker printed on the printing medium; A control unit, The control unit is causing the cutting unit to cut the print medium and causing the printing unit to print the identification marker on the print medium; an actual distance is obtained from when the detection unit detects the edge of the cut print medium to when the identification marker is detected, and a printing operation of the printing unit is corrected based on the actual distance; It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the printing position of the label can be easily corrected based on the distance from the edge of the label to the printed identification marker. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing unit of the printing device illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a printing position within a label according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining that the printing position in the label shown in FIG. 5A is shifted toward the leading edge. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5B is a diagram for explaining that the printing position in the label shown in FIG. 5A is shifted toward the trailing end. [Figure 6A] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining how an identification marker is printed on a label by the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 6B is a diagram for explaining how an end of the label shown in FIG. 6A is detected by a detection unit. FIG. [Figure 6C] 6B is a diagram for explaining how an identification marker on the label shown in FIG. 6A is detected by a detection unit. FIG. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print position correction process executed in the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an identification marker printing process executed in the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a positional relationship acquisition process executed in the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a correction process executed in the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] The printing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device capable of correcting printing operations, such as correcting the print position, by using the difference between the distance from the edge of the label to the printed identification marker and a predetermined reference distance as a correction value.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows the appearance of a printing device 100 according to this embodiment. The printing device 100 is a label printer for printing a print medium, for example, a label M. The printing device 100 includes a housing 1, an operation input unit 2, a display unit 3, and a printing unit 4. The housing 1 forms the outer frame of the printing device 100, and the operation input unit 2 and the display unit 3 are arranged on the housing 1. The operation input unit 2 inputs various instructions from a user, character strings to be printed on a label, symbols, etc. The display unit 3 displays various information to be presented to a user, character strings, symbols, etc. input from the operation input unit 2. The printing unit 4 prints character strings, symbols, etc. input from the operation input unit 2 on a label M. The printing unit 4 also includes a label discharge unit 47 for discharging the printed label M.

[0012] Next, the configuration of the printing unit 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the printing unit 4 shown in Fig. 1 taken along line A-A'. Although Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view, each member is not hatched in order to make the drawing easier to see.

[0013] The printing unit 4 includes a label storage unit 41, an ink ribbon storage unit 42, a first cutting unit 431, a second cutting unit 432, a thermal transfer unit 44, a transport roller unit 45, a detection unit 46, and a label discharge unit 47. The label storage unit 41 includes a label rotation unit 410. The label rotation unit 410 rotatably holds the label M wound in a cylindrical shape, and pays out and takes up the label M in cooperation with the transport roller unit 45.

[0014] The ink ribbon storage section 42 includes a first ribbon rotation section 421 and a second ribbon rotation section 422. The first ribbon rotation section 421 rotatably holds the ink ribbon R wound in a cylindrical shape, and works in conjunction with the transport roller section 45 to pay out and take up the ink ribbon R. The second ribbon rotation section 422 takes up the ink ribbon R that has passed from the first ribbon rotation section 421 through the thermal transfer section 44. The second ribbon rotation section 422 also works in conjunction with the transport roller section 45 to pay out and take up the ink ribbon R. In the following description, the transport roller section 45, the label rotation section 410, the first ribbon rotation section 421, and the second ribbon rotation section 422 are collectively referred to as the transport section.

[0015] The first cutting unit 431 and the second cutting unit 432 sandwich and cut the label M. In the following, the first cutting unit 431 and the second cutting unit 432 are collectively referred to as the cutting unit 43. The thermal transfer unit 44 is a heat source for thermally transferring the ink of the ink ribbon R to the label M. The transport roller unit 45 is a rotatable roller, and transports the label M and the ink ribbon R by rotating. The detection unit 46 detects the end of the label M and the printed identification marker 48. The label discharge unit 47 discharges the printed label M. The identification marker 48 will be described in detail later.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the printing device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In addition to the above-mentioned operation input unit 2, display unit 3, and printing unit 4, the printing device 100 includes a storage unit 5 and a control unit 6. The storage unit 5 stores various programs executed by the control unit 6 and various data used or generated by the control unit 6. The control unit 6 includes a transport control unit 61, a cutting control unit 62, a printing control unit 63, a position correction control unit 64, and a display control unit 65.

[0017] The transport control unit 61 controls the transport of the label M and the ink ribbon R. For example, it controls the operation of the transport roller unit 45 shown in FIG. 2, and the operation of the label rotation unit 410, the first ribbon rotation unit 421, and the second ribbon rotation unit 422 that are linked to the transport roller unit 45. The cutting control unit 62 controls the operation of the first cutting unit 431 and the second cutting unit 432 shown in FIG. 2 to cut the label M. The printing control unit 63 controls the operation of the thermal transfer unit 44 to execute printing on the label M with the ink ribbon R. The position correction control unit 64 corrects the printing position. The display control unit 65 controls various displays on the display unit 3.

[0018] Each function included in the control unit 6 is realized by executing a program stored in the storage unit 5. An example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 100 for executing the program will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0019] The printing device 100 includes a storage device 201, an operation input device 202, a display device 203, a display controller 204, a cutting mechanism 205, a cutting motor drive circuit 206, a conveying device 207, a conveying motor drive circuit 208, a thermal head 209, a head drive circuit 210, a detection device 211, a memory 212, and a processor 213. The storage device 201, the operation input device 202, the display device 203, the display controller 204, the cutting motor drive circuit 206, the conveying motor drive circuit 208, the head drive circuit 210, the detection device 211, the memory 212, and the processor 213 are each connected to one another via a bus 214.

[0020] The storage device 201 is a device that stores various programs executed by the processor 213, various data input from the operation input device 202, etc. The storage device 201 can be configured using a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage device 201 also functions as the storage unit 5 of the printing device 100 shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] The operation input device 202 is a device that accepts input from a user. The operation input device 202 can be configured with a device that can input data, such as keys associated with functions such as alphabets, arrows, and functions. The operation input device 202 also functions as the operation input unit 2 of the printing device 100 shown in FIG. 3.

[0022] The display device 203 is a device for presenting various data inputted to the operation input device 202, various functions of the printing device 100, etc. to the user. The display device 203 can be configured using a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) monitor. The display controller 204 is a controller that outputs various display data to the display device 203. The display controller 204 can be configured using a video signal output device such as a video card, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a graphics board, etc. The display device 203 and the display controller 204 function as the display unit 3 of the printing device 100 shown in FIG. 3.

[0023] The cutting mechanism 205 is a mechanism for cutting the label M. The cutting mechanism 205 can be configured, for example, by a single-edged or double-edged plate-shaped blade that sandwiches and cuts the label M from above and below. The cutting motor drive circuit 206 includes a motor for driving the cutting mechanism 205 and a motor control circuit. The cutting motor drive circuit 206 can be configured, for example, by a motor, a semiconductor element for control, and an electronic circuit. The cutting mechanism 205 and the cutting motor drive circuit 206 function as the cutting unit 43 shown in FIG. 3.

[0024] The transport device 207 is a device for transporting the label M and the ink ribbon R. The transport device 207 is composed of, for example, a transport roller, and a rotor for feeding and winding the cylindrical label M and the ink ribbon R. The transport motor drive circuit 208 includes a motor for driving the transport device 207 and a motor control circuit. The transport motor drive circuit 208 can be composed of, for example, a motor, a semiconductor element for control, and an electronic circuit. The transport device 207 and the transport motor drive circuit 208 function as a transport unit including the transport roller unit 45, the label rotation unit 410, the first ribbon rotation unit 421, and the second ribbon rotation unit 422 shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] The thermal head 209 is a heat source for thermally transferring the ink of the ink ribbon R to the label M. The thermal head 209 can be composed of thermal elements formed by pressing or injection molding a material such as aluminum, iron, or plastic. The head drive circuit 210 is a circuit for adjusting the temperature of the thermal head 209. The head drive circuit 210 can be composed of, for example, a semiconductor element for control and an electronic circuit. The thermal head 209 and the head drive circuit 210 function as the thermal transfer unit 44 shown in FIG. 2.

[0026] The detection device 211 is a device that recognizes the end of the label M and the printed identification marker 48. The detection device 211 can be configured using, for example, a camera using an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, various cameras such as a video camera, a semiconductor element that recognizes differences in infrared light or light reflection, etc. The detection device 211 functions as the detection unit 46 shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] The memory 212 is a storage element for expanding the various programs stored in the storage device 201. The memory 212 can be configured using a storage element and a storage medium, such as a volatile or non-volatile semiconductor memory, such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory. The processor 213 reads out the various programs stored in the storage device 201, expands them in the memory 212, and executes them. The processor 213 can be configured using a processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro-processing unit (MPU).

[0028] Next, a method for correcting the print position of the printing device 100 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 5A to 6C. First, the print position on the label M will be described with reference to Figs. 5A to 5C. In the printing device 100, as shown in Fig. 5A, it is desirable to make the distance d1 from the leading edge of the label to the print start position and the distance d2 from the print end position to the trailing edge the same so that the print content P0, which is a character string, symbol, etc. printed on the label M, is located at the center of the label M. However, the positions of the components constituting the printing unit 4 of the printing device 100 shown in Fig. 2 differ from device to device, albeit very slightly, due to factors such as the mounting method, play between the components, and wear due to use.

[0029] For example, if the position of the thermal transfer section 44 of the printing section 4 is shifted toward the cutting section 43 side from the reference position determined at the time of design, the distance from the thermal transfer section 44 of the printing section 4 to the cutting section 43 will be shorter than the reference distance predetermined from the data at the time of design. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, the print content P0 is shifted toward the leading edge side, and the distance d from the leading edge of the label to the printing start position is 1’ is the distance d from the printing end position to the rear end 2’ will be shorter than

[0030] Also, for example, if the position of the thermal transfer section 44 of the printing section 4 is shifted toward the label storage section 41 side from the reference position determined at the time of design, the distance from the thermal transfer section 44 of the printing section 4 to the cutting section 43 will be longer than the predetermined reference distance. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5C, the print content P0 is closer to the rear end side, and the distance d from the leading end of the label to the print start position is 1’’ is the distance d from the printing end position to the rear end 2’’ It will be longer than.

[0031] For this reason, it is necessary to correct the print start position according to the distance from the thermal transfer unit 44 of the printing unit 4 to the cutting unit 43. Therefore, in this embodiment, the print start position is corrected according to the procedures shown in Figures 6A to 6C.

[0032] 6A, in the printing unit 4 of the printing device 100, the conveyance control unit 61 of the control unit 6 shown in FIG. 3 drives the conveyance roller unit 45 to discharge the label M to the outside from the label discharge unit 47. In the following, the rotation direction of the conveyance roller unit 45 is referred to as the forward direction (first direction) when the label M is conveyed to the label discharge unit 47 side, and as the reverse direction (second direction) when the label M is conveyed to the label storage unit 41 side shown in FIG. 2.

[0033] The cutting control unit 62 of the control unit 6 drives the first cutting unit 431 and the second cutting unit 432 to cut the label M. Next, the print control unit 63 of the control unit 6 controls the thermal transfer unit 44 to thermally transfer the ink of the ink ribbon R to the label M, thereby printing the identification marker 48. The identification marker 48 is, for example, a single line with no width. Note that in Figs. 6A to 6C, the identification marker 48 is represented by a white triangle for ease of understanding.

[0034] The transport control unit 61 of the control unit 6 rotates the transport roller unit 45 in the reverse direction to transport the label M in the direction of the black arrow shown in FIG. 6B, i.e., toward the label storage unit 41. The position correction control unit 64 of the control unit 6 shown in FIG. 3 causes the detection unit 46 to detect the end of the label M. When the detection unit 46 detects the end of the label M, the position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to stop the rotation of the transport roller unit 45. The position correction control unit 64 acquires the transport amount (first transport amount) of the label M by the transport roller unit 45, and stores it in the memory unit 5 shown in FIG. 3. The position correction control unit 64 calculates the transport amount of the label M from, for example, the number of rotations of the transport roller unit 45.

[0035] Next, the position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to rotate the transport roller unit 45 in the forward direction to transport the label M in the direction of the black arrow shown in Fig. 6C, i.e., in the direction of the label discharge unit 47. The position correction control unit 64 causes the detection unit 46 to detect the identification marker 48 printed on the label M. When the detection unit 46 detects the identification marker 48, the position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to stop rotating the transport roller unit 45. The position correction control unit 64 acquires the transport amount (second transport amount) of the label M by the transport roller unit 45.

[0036] The position correction control unit 64 calculates the distance d from the thermal transfer unit 44 to the cutting unit 43 based on the transport amount when the end of the label M stored in the memory unit 5 is detected and the transport amount when the identification marker 48 is detected. r Calculate the calculated distance d r is referred to as the actual distance below. The position correction control unit 64 calculates the difference between a predetermined reference distance from the thermal transfer unit 44 to the cutting unit 43, which is obtained from data at the time of design, and the actual distance. The position correction control unit 64 uses the calculated difference as a correction value and corrects the print start position.

[0037] For example, if the measured distance is longer than the reference distance, as shown in FIG. 5C, the print content P0 is shifted toward the rear end, and the distance d from the leading end of the label to the print start position is 1’’ is the distance d from the printing end position to the rear end 2’’Therefore, the position correction control unit 64 moves the print start position toward the leading edge by the correction value.

[0038] Also, when the measured distance is shorter than the reference distance, as shown in FIG. 5B, the print content P0 is closer to the leading edge, and the distance d 1’ is the distance d from the printing end position to the rear end 2’ Therefore, the position correction control unit 64 moves the print start position toward the rear end by the correction value.

[0039] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned print position correction method in the printing device 100 is stored as a print position correction processing program in the storage unit 5 shown in Fig. 3. When the user turns on the power of the printing device 100, the print position correction processing program is started. For example, the processor 213 reads out the print position correction processing program stored in the storage device 201 of the printing device 100 shown in Fig. 4, loads it into the memory 212, and executes it. The processing flow of the print position correction processing program will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 7 to 10.

[0040] First, refer to Fig. 7. The position correction control unit 64 of the control unit 6 shown in Fig. 3 executes an identification marker printing process (step S10). The identification marker printing process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 8.

[0041] The position correction control unit 64 of the control unit 6 determines whether or not the label M is set in the printing unit 4 shown in Fig. 2 (step S101). If the label M is not set (step S101; NO), the display control unit 65 shown in Fig. 3 displays an instruction to set a tape on the display unit 3 (step S102). If the label M is set (step S101; YES), the transport control unit 61 of the control unit 6 shown in Fig. 3 rotates the transport roller unit 45 in the forward direction to start transporting the label M (step S103).

[0042] When the label M is discharged from the label discharge unit 47 to the outside, the conveyance control unit 61 stops conveyance (step S104). The cutting control unit 62 of the control unit 6 drives the first cutting unit 431 and the second cutting unit 432 to cut the label M (step S105). The printing control unit 63 of the control unit 6 controls the thermal transfer unit 44 to thermally transfer the ink of the ink ribbon R to the label M, and prints the identification marker 48 (step S106). The position correction control unit 64 ends the identification marker printing process.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 7, the position correction control unit 64 executes a positional relationship acquisition process (step S11). The positional relationship acquisition process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9. The transport control unit 61 of the control unit 6 rotates the transport roller unit 45 in the reverse direction to transport the label M in the reverse direction (step S201). The position correction control unit 64 of the control unit 6 causes the detection unit 46 to detect the end of the label M (step S202). The position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to stop the rotation of the transport roller unit 45 and acquires the amount of transport of the label M by the transport roller unit 45. The position correction control unit 64 stores the amount of transport of the label M in the storage unit 5 shown in FIG. 3 (step S203).

[0044] The position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to rotate the transport roller unit 45 in the forward direction to transport the label M in the forward direction (step S204). The position correction control unit 64 causes the detection unit 46 to detect the identification marker 48 printed on the label M (step S205). The position correction control unit 64 causes the transport control unit 61 to stop the rotation of the transport roller unit 45 and acquires the transport amount of the label M (step S206).

[0045] The position correction control unit 64 calculates the actual distance from the thermal transfer unit 44 to the cutting unit 43 (step S207). For example, the position correction control unit 64 calculates the actual distance from the thermal transfer unit 44 to the cutting unit 43 from the transport amount when the end of the label M was detected, which was stored in the storage unit 5 in step S203, and the transport amount when the identification marker 48 was detected, which was acquired in step S206. The position correction control unit 64 stores the actual distance in the storage unit 5 (step S208). The position correction control unit 64 ends the positional relationship acquisition process.

[0046] Returning to FIG. 7, the position correction control unit 64 executes a correction process (step S12). The correction process will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. The position correction control unit 64 calculates the difference between a predetermined reference distance from the thermal transfer unit 44 to the cutting unit 43, which is determined from data at the time of design, and the actual measured distance (step S301). The position correction control unit 64 stores the calculated difference as a correction value in the storage unit 5 (step S302).

[0047] The position correction control unit 64 corrects the print start position (step S303). For example, if the actual measured distance is longer than the reference distance, the position correction control unit 64 moves the print start position toward the leading edge by the correction value. On the other hand, if the actual measured distance is shorter than the reference distance, the position correction control unit 64 moves the print start position toward the trailing edge by the correction value. The position correction control unit 64 ends the correction process. Return to FIG. 7. The position correction control unit 64 ends the print position correction process.

[0048] As described above, according to the printing device 100 of this embodiment, the difference between the distance from the end of the label to the printed identification marker and a predetermined reference distance is used as a correction value, thereby making it possible to easily correct the printing position of the label.

[0049] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the printing position correction in the printing device 100 is performed immediately after the power is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be performed at any timing, for example, when a certain number of character strings are printed on the label M, when the user inputs an instruction from the operation input unit 2, or the like.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the identification marker 48 is printed after the label M is cut by the cutting unit 43 of the printing device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the cutting unit 43 may be provided with a label clip, and when printing the identification marker 48, the label M may be clipped and fixed by the label clip, and the label M may be cut after the identification marker 48 is printed.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the detection unit 46 is disposed in the ink ribbon storage unit 42, but it may be disposed in the vicinity of the cutting unit 43. In that case, the detection unit 46 may be disposed on either the label discharge unit 47 side or the thermal transfer unit 44 side of the cutting unit 43.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the identification marker 48 is, for example, a line with no width. However, the identification marker 48 may have any shape, such as a line with width, a symbol, a picture, a mark, etc. In addition, if the identification marker 48 has width, the distance from the center, left end, or right end of the identification marker 48 to the end of the label M is obtained.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the print start position is corrected, but the timing to start printing may be changed according to the correction value. For example, the number of seconds is calculated based on the transport amount of the transport roller unit 45 that corresponds to the difference between the reference distance and the actual measured distance, and is added or subtracted from the set predetermined print start time. This advances or delays the operation start time of the thermal transfer unit 44 to change the timing to start printing.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the actual distance is calculated from the transport amount when the end of the label M stored in the memory unit 5 is detected and the transport amount when the identification marker 48 is detected, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the actual distance may be calculated based on the amount of rotation of the transport roller unit 45 from when the detection unit 46 detects the end of the label M until when the detection unit 46 detects the identification marker 48.

[0056] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the print start position is corrected, but the print position information of the print data may be corrected according to the correction value.

[0057] In addition, the method of applying the program in this embodiment is arbitrary. For example, the program can be applied by storing it in a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or a memory card. Furthermore, the program can be superimposed on a carrier wave and applied via a communication medium such as the Internet. For example, the program can be posted and distributed on a bulletin board (BBS: Bulletin Board System) on a communication network. Then, the display selection processing program can be started and executed under the control of an OS (Operating System) in the same way as other application programs, thereby enabling the above processing to be executed.

[0058] Although the above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...housing, 2...operation input section, 3...display section, 4...printing section, 5...storage section, 6...control section, 41...label storage section, 42...ink ribbon storage section, 43...cutting section, 44...thermal transfer section, 45...conveyor roller section, 46...detection section, 47...label discharge section, 48...identification marker, 61...conveyance control section, 62...cutting control section, 63...printing control section, 64...position correction control section, 65...display control section, 100...printing device, 201...storage device, 202...operation input device , 203...display device, 204...display controller, 205...cutting mechanism, 206...cutting motor drive circuit, 207...transport device, 208...transport motor drive circuit, 209...thermal head, 210...head drive circuit, 211...detection device, 212...memory, 213...processor, 214...bus, 410...label rotation unit, 421...first ribbon rotation unit, 422...second ribbon rotation unit, 431...first cutting unit, 432...second cutting unit

Claims

1. A printing unit that prints on a print medium; A cutting unit that cuts the print medium; A detection unit that detects a predetermined identification marker printed on the printing medium; A control unit, The control unit is causing the cutting unit to cut the print medium and causing the printing unit to print the identification marker on the print medium; an actual distance is obtained from when the detection unit detects the edge of the cut print medium to when the identification marker is detected, and a printing operation of the printing unit is corrected based on the actual distance; Printing device.

2. The printing apparatus further includes a conveying unit that conveys the printing medium in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction. The printing device of claim 1 .

3. the control unit causes the printing unit to print the identification marker on the print medium, then causes the transport unit to transport the print medium in the second direction, stops the transport when the detection unit detects an end of the print medium, calculates a first transport amount until the detection unit detects the end of the print medium, then transports the print medium in the first direction using the transport unit, calculates a second transport amount until the detection unit detects the identification marker, and obtains the actual distance based on the first transport amount and the second transport amount. The printing device according to claim 2 .

4. the control unit calculates a difference between the measured distance and a reference distance that is determined in advance from data at the time of design, and corrects the printing operation of the printing unit based on the difference. The printing device of claim 1 .

5. the control unit changes the print start position by adding or subtracting the difference to or from the print start position of the printing unit. The printing device according to claim 4.

6. The control unit corrects a timing for starting printing in the printing unit based on the difference. The printing device according to claim 4.

7. the control unit corrects print position information of the print data used by the printing unit based on the difference. The printing device according to claim 4.

8. A printing method executed by a printing device, comprising: Cutting the print medium and printing a predetermined identification marker on the print medium; acquiring an actual distance from when the edge of the cut print medium is detected to when the identification marker is detected, and correcting the printing operation based on the actual distance; Printing method.

9. On the computer, cutting the print medium and printing a predetermined identification marker on the print medium; A process of acquiring an actual distance from detection of an edge of the cut print medium to detection of the identification marker; A process of correcting a printing operation based on the measured distance; A program for executing the above.

Images