Label printer

Abstract

To provide a label printer that can reduce effort and time required for retrieval of label data of a printing object.SOLUTION: Data of an image printed on a medium is stored in a storage part 52 as label data. When a long depression operation for any label type key of an operation part 16 is performed in a state that an operation reception screen is displayed on a display part 14, label data including information on a label type corresponding to a label type key for which the long depression operation has been performed, is extracted as corresponding label data from among the label data stored in the storage part 52. The extracted corresponding label data is sorted in order of print frequency of the image concerning the corresponding label data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a label printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, label printers capable of producing various types of labels have been provided.

[0003] Label printers use cassettes that contain tape. There are multiple types of cassettes with different tape widths and colors, and these multiple types of cassettes are selectively installed in the label printer. An image related to the label data is printed on the tape that is unwound from the cassette, and the printed portion is cut off from the remaining portion to obtain a label.

[0004] Some label printers can store label data in memory. These label printers are equipped with a small display and keyboard, and the user can operate the keyboard to display the contents of the label data stored in the memory on the display. When the label data to be printed is selected and specified, an image related to the specified label data is printed on the tape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-173072 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, because the display is small, only the contents of label data 1 can be displayed on the screen, so when selecting label data, the contents of label data 1 must be displayed on the display one by one in order to find the label data to be printed, which makes it time-consuming and laborious to search for the label data to be printed.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a label printer that can reduce the effort and time required to search for label data to be printed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention provides a label printer that includes a printing unit that prints an image related to label data on a medium, an operation unit, a display unit, a memory unit, and a control unit, and that creates labels made of a medium on which an image related to the label data has been printed. The control unit executes a storage process that stores the label data in the memory unit, a sorting process that sorts the label data stored in the memory unit in order of the number of times the image related to the label data has been printed in response to a predetermined operation on the operation unit, and a display process that displays the contents of the label data on the display unit in order of the number of times it has been printed.

[0009] According to this configuration, label data including data of an image to be printed on a medium is stored in the storage unit. When a user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit, the label data stored in the storage unit is sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the label data has been printed (frequency of use). The contents of the label data are then displayed on the display unit in order of the number of times it has been printed. This makes it easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, reducing the effort and time required to search for the label data to be printed.

[0010] A label printer according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a printing unit which prints an image related to label data on a medium, an operation unit, a display unit, a memory unit and a control unit, and produces labels made of a medium on which an image related to the label data has been printed. The operation unit includes a symbol insertion key provided corresponding to a symbol, and the control unit executes a storage process which stores the label data in the memory unit, an extraction process which, in response to pressing of the symbol insertion key while an operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit, extracts label data containing a symbol corresponding to the pressed symbol key from the label data stored in the memory unit, and a display process which displays on the display unit the contents of the label data extracted in the extraction process.

[0011] According to this configuration, label data including data of an image to be printed on a medium is stored in the storage unit. When a user presses a symbol insertion key on the operation unit while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, label data including a symbol corresponding to the pressed symbol insertion key is extracted from the label data stored in the storage unit. The contents of the extracted label data are then displayed on the display unit. This makes it easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, thereby reducing the effort and time required to search for label data to be printed.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a label printer includes a printing unit that prints an image related to label data on a medium, an operation unit, a display unit, a memory unit, and a control unit, and produces labels made of a medium on which an image related to label data has been printed. The operation unit includes a label edit key. The control unit executes a storage process to store the label data in the memory unit, and executes a reception process to switch the display on the display unit from the operation reception screen to a label edit screen when a short press operation is performed in which the label edit key is pressed for less than a certain period of time while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, and executes a reception process to accept editing of the label data by operation of the operation unit, and executes an extraction process to extract, from the label data stored in the memory unit, label data that corresponds to the label edit key that was long pressed, and a display process to display on the display unit the contents of the label data extracted in the extraction process.

[0013] According to this configuration, label data including data of an image to be printed on a medium is stored in the storage unit. When the user briefly presses the label edit key on the operation unit while the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit, the display on the display unit switches from the operation acceptance screen to the label edit screen, and label editing by operation of the operation unit is accepted. On the other hand, when the user presses the label edit key for a long time while the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit, label data corresponding to the label edit key that was pressed for a long time is extracted from the label data stored in the storage unit. The contents of the extracted label data are then displayed on the display unit. This makes it easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, thereby reducing the effort and time required to search for label data to be printed. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it becomes easier for a user to find the label data to be printed, and the effort and time required to search for the label data to be printed can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a label printer according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the internal configuration of the main body case with a cassette attached. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the internal configuration of the main body case, with no cassette installed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the label printer. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of label data. [Figure 7A] 13 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the flow of a key input acceptance process. [Figure 7B] 13 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the flow of the key input acceptance process. [Figure 7C] 13 is a flowchart (part 3) showing the flow of a key input acceptance process. [Figure 8A] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of label data. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing an example of a display order of the contents of the label data shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing another example of the display order of the contents of the label data shown in FIG. 8A. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of an error process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a label editing process. [Figure 11A] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of label data. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of a display order of the contents of the label data shown in FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] <Appearance of the label printer> The label printer 1, the appearance of which is shown in Figures 1 and 2, is a printer capable of producing various types of labels. The housing 11, which forms the outer shell of the label printer 1, is formed to a size that can be held by a user in one hand. The housing 11 includes a main body case 12 and a rear cover 13 that is attached to the rear of the main body case 12.

[0018] A display unit 14, for example a liquid crystal display, is provided inside main body case 12. A rectangular window 15 that is long in the left-right direction is formed in the upper part of the front of main body case 12, and display unit 14 is disposed so that the display surface is exposed through window 15.

[0019] An operation unit 16 is provided on the front of the main body case 12. The operation unit 16 has many keys, including a power key 17A, a format setting key 17B, a print preview key 17C, a feed & cut key 17D, a print key 17E, a label type key 17F, a menu key 17G, an ESC (escape) key 17H, cursor keys 17I, a clear key 17J, an OK key 17K, a numeric keypad 17L, character keys 17M, and function keys 17N.

[0020] Labels include, for example, a general-purpose "general" label with no specific use, a "faceplate" label affixed to a faceplate, a "cable wrap" label wrapped around a cable, a "cable flag" label for attaching a flag to a cable, a "patch panel" label affixed to a patch panel, and a "punch down block" label affixed to a punch down block. The label type key 17F includes a general key, a faceplate key, a cable wrap key, a cable flag key, a patch panel key, and a punch down block key corresponding to these label types (types of labels).

[0021] The cursor keys 17I include an up arrow key, a down arrow key, a left arrow key, and a right arrow key.

[0022] The numeric keypad 17L includes ten keys for inputting the numbers "0", "1" through "9".

[0023] The character keys 17M include 45 keys for inputting the alphabetical characters "A" to "Z", a space, a comma, a period, etc. The keys corresponding to the alphabetical characters "A" to "Z" are arranged, for example, in a QWERTY format.

[0024] The function keys 17N include a file key for saving label data, which will be described later, a symbol insertion key for inserting symbols such as a telephone mark, and a barcode insertion key for inserting a barcode. Symbols and barcodes are both examples of symbols, and the symbol insertion key and barcode insertion key are both examples of symbol insertion keys. In the following description, symbols such as a telephone mark are referred to as "symbols" and barcodes are referred to as "barcodes."

[0025] <Internal structure of the label printer> 3 and 4, a cassette mounting section 21 (an example of a mounting section) is provided in a portion inside the main body case 12 that is exposed when the rear cover 13 is removed. A cassette 22 that contains a medium is mounted in the cassette mounting section 21, as shown in FIG.

[0026] The following description of the configuration inside the main body case 12 and the cassette 22 is based on the state in which the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 21 of the label printer 1 in the upright position.

[0027] The cassette 22 includes a flat, substantially rectangular parallelepiped cassette housing 23. The cassette housing 23 includes a base material roll support shaft 24, a film roll support shaft 25, a ribbon roll support shaft 26, a ribbon take-up spool 27, and a tape guide roller 28.

[0028] The base roll support shaft 24 is inserted into the center of the base roll (not shown) and rotatably supports the base roll. The base roll is a long base tape wound multiple times around a core. The base tape has a four-layer structure in which an adhesive is applied to both sides of a base material made of resin, and one layer of the adhesive is covered with a release paper. The base tape is wound with the release paper facing the outer periphery so that the layer of adhesive not covered by the release paper overlaps the release paper on the inner periphery.

[0029] The film roll support shaft 25 is inserted into a film roll (not shown) and rotatably supports the film roll. The film roll is made by winding a long cover film multiple times around a core. The cover film is made of transparent resin and is formed to the same width as the base tape.

[0030] The ribbon roll support shaft 26 is inserted into a ribbon supply roll (not shown) and rotatably supports the ribbon supply roll. The ribbon supply roll is formed by winding an ink ribbon multiple times around a core.

[0031] The ribbon take-up spool 27 is rotatably supported by the cassette housing 23 .

[0032] A first outlet opening upward is formed at the left end of the cassette housing 23. Also, an inlet opening leftward is formed at the left end of the cassette housing 23 at a position spaced upward from the first outlet. The ink ribbon is unwound from the ribbon supply roll, drawn out from the first outlet to the outside of the cassette housing 23, extends in the vertical direction, and drawn into the cassette housing 23 from the inlet, with its tip fixed to the ribbon take-up spool 27.

[0033] The tape guide roller 28 is rotatably supported at the upper left end of the cassette housing 23 .

[0034] 4, a printing unit 31 that prints images on a medium is provided inside the main body case 12. The printing unit 31 includes a thermal head 32, a ribbon take-up shaft 33, a platen roller 34, and a tape transport roller 35.

[0035] The thermal head 32 is disposed so as to face, from the right side, the ink ribbon that extends vertically outside the cassette housing 23 .

[0036] When the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 21, the ribbon take-up shaft 33 is inserted into the ribbon take-up spool 27 of the cassette 22 and engages with the ribbon take-up spool 27 so as to be rotatable together therewith.

[0037] The platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 are rotatably supported by a roller holder (not shown) and are disposed to the left of the thermal head 32 and the tape guide roller 28, respectively. The roller holder is provided so that, as the release lever 36 is displaced, the platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 are displaced between a pressing position where the platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 press the thermal head 32 and the tape guide roller 28, respectively, and a separating position where the platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 are separated from the thermal head 32 and the tape guide roller 28, respectively. Specifically, with the rear cover 13 attached to the main body case 12, the release lever 36 is pressed by the rear cover 13 to be positioned at the pressed position. When the rear cover 13 is removed from the main body case 12, the release lever 36 is moved from the pressed position to the non-pressed position. When the release lever 36 is in the pressed position, the roller holder is in the pressed position, and the platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 respectively press the thermal head 32 and the tape guide roller 28. When the release lever 36 is in the non-pressed position, the roller holder is in the separated position, and the platen roller 34 and the tape transport roller 35 are separated from the thermal head 32 and the tape guide roller 28, respectively.

[0038] When the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 21 and the rear cover 13 is attached to the main body case 12, the cover film unwound from the film roll is pulled out from the first outlet of the cassette housing 23 to the outside of the cassette housing 23, overlapping the left side of the ink ribbon. The cover film and the ink ribbon are sandwiched between the thermal head 32 and the platen roller 34. The cassette housing 23 also has a second outlet that opens to the left between the inlet and the tape guide roller 28, and the base tape unwound from the base roll is pulled out from the second outlet to the outside of the cassette housing 23. The base tape is sandwiched between the tape guide roller 28 and the tape transport roller 35, overlapping the right side of the cover film.

[0039] The printing unit 31 also includes a motor M (see FIG. 5). The driving force of the motor M rotates the ribbon take-up shaft 33, the platen roller 34, and the tape transport roller 35. As a result, the ribbon take-up spool 27 rotates integrally with the ribbon take-up shaft 33, and the ink ribbon is taken up by the ribbon take-up spool 27. The cover film and the ink ribbon are transported between the thermal head 32 and the platen roller 34, and the base tape and the cover film are transported between the tape guide roller 28 and the tape transport roller 35. While the cover film and the ink ribbon are transported between the thermal head 32 and the platen roller 34, the heat generated by the thermal head 32 transfers the ink applied to the ink ribbon to the cover film, and an image is printed on the cover film. When the base tape and the cover film are transported between the tape guide roller 28 and the tape transport roller 35, the base tape and the cover film are bonded together by the adhesive of the base tape, forming a medium made of the base tape and the cover film.

[0040] By the rotation of the tape transport roller 35, the medium is transported inside the main body case 12 toward the discharge port 37 formed on the top surface of the main body case 12. A cutting section 38 that cuts the medium in the width direction is provided inside the main body case 12 between the cassette mounting section 21 and the discharge port 37. By cutting the medium at the cutting section 38, the leading end of the medium is cut off from the remaining portion, and the cut medium becomes a label. The label is discharged from the discharge port 37 to the outside of the main body case 12. The label created in this way has a structure in which a base tape is attached to the surface of the cover film on which the image is printed. The image printed on the label is sandwiched between the cover film and the base tape and protected from wear and the like, and therefore is less likely to deteriorate.

[0041] There are multiple types of cassettes 22 that can be loaded into the cassette loading section 21. The multiple types of cassettes 22 each store a different type of medium. There are multiple types of media that differ in tape width (label width), background color, and print color (ink ribbon color), and the types of cassettes 22 correspond one-to-one to the types of media.

[0042] In the main body case 12, a first cassette signal output unit 41 and a second cassette signal output unit 42 are provided to determine the type of the cassette 22 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21. The first cassette signal output unit 41 is disposed at the right end of the cassette mounting unit 21. The first cassette signal output unit 41 includes a plurality of actuators 43 that protrude rearward (toward the rear surface). The second cassette signal output unit 42 is held by a roller holder that is linked to the release lever 36. The second cassette signal output unit 42 includes a plurality of actuators 44 that eject to the right. When the release lever 36 is in the depressed position, the second cassette signal output unit 42 is in a detection position where the actuator 44 can abut against the left surface of the cassette 22, and when the release lever 36 is in the non-depressed position, the actuator 44 is in a non-detection position where the actuator 44 is separated from the left surface of the cassette 22.

[0043] Holes corresponding to the actuators 43, 44 are formed on the rear surface (surface facing inside the main body case 12) and the left surface of the cassette 22. The pattern of the holes differs for each type of cassette 22. When the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting section 21, some of the actuators 43 are pressed by the rear surface of the cassette 22 in accordance with the pattern of holes formed on the rear surface of the cassette 22 (the actuators 43 that fit into the holes are not pressed). When the rear cover 13 is attached to the main body case 12 and the release lever 36 is positioned in the pressed position, some of the actuators 44 are pressed by the rear surface of the cassette 22 in accordance with the pattern of holes formed on the left surface of the cassette 22 (the actuators 44 that fit into the holes are not pressed). The first cassette signal output section 41 and the second cassette signal output section 42 output signals corresponding to the actuators 43, 44 that are pressed, respectively. Therefore, the type of cassette 22 mounted in the cassette mounting portion 21 can be determined from the output signals of the first cassette signal output portion 41 and the second cassette signal output portion 42 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "cassette signal output portions 41, 42").

[0044] <Label printer electrical configuration> As shown in FIG. 5, the label printer 1 includes a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52.

[0045] The control unit 51 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0046] The storage unit 52 is made up of a memory. The memory includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The non-volatile memory stores programs executed by the control unit 51, etc. The volatile memory is used as a work area when the control unit 51 executes the programs.

[0047] The control unit 51 executes a program stored in the memory unit 52 and controls the operation of each part of the label printer 1, such as the display unit 14, the thermal head 32 and motor M of the printing unit 31, and the cutting unit 38, based on signals input from the operation unit 16 and cassette signal output units 41, 42 (an example of a signal output unit).

[0048] Label data is necessary to create a label. The label data can be edited by operating the operation unit 16. Then, in the label printer 1, the edited label data can be stored in the storage unit 52 (for example, a non-volatile memory).

[0049] As shown in Fig. 6, the label data includes the input contents of the characters to be printed on the label. The label data also includes label type information indicating the label type, input character information indicating the presence or absence of a symbol and a barcode in the image to be printed on the label, and information on the type of medium (type of cassette 22) used to create the label. The label data also includes the number of times the image related to the label data has been printed in the past, for each type of medium.

[0050] When label data is stored in storage unit 52, a serial number, for example, from 0 to 99, is assigned to the label data. Label data stored in storage unit 52 can be deleted by operating operation unit 16. When one piece of label data is deleted, the number assigned to label data that is stored in storage unit 52 more recently than the deleted label data is rewritten to a number that is 1 smaller.

[0051] <Key input reception process> For example, when power key 17A of operation unit 16 is pressed to turn on the power of label printer 1, an operation reception screen is displayed on display unit 14. While the operation reception screen is displayed on display unit 14, control unit 51 waits for input (key input) by operating any key on operation unit 16.

[0052] When any key is operated while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14 and a key input is received by the control unit 51, the control unit 51 starts the key input reception process shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

[0053] In the key input reception process, as shown in Fig. 7A, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the key input while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14 is a long press operation of any of the label type keys 17F (an example of a label editing key) of the operation unit 16 (S11). A long press operation is an operation in which the label type key 17F is continuously pressed for a certain period of time or more.

[0054] When the label type key 17F is pressed and held down and a corresponding signal is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the key input is a long press of the label type key 17F (S11: YES).Then, the control unit 51 checks whether the label data stored (saved) in the storage unit 52 contains label type information corresponding to the long pressed label type key 17F (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding label data") (S12).

[0055] When the control unit 51 confirms that there is corresponding label data (S12: YES), it determines whether or not the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 from the output signals of the cassette signal output units 41, 42 (S13). When the control unit 51 determines that the cassette 22 is mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 (S13: YES), it determines the type of the cassette 22 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 from the output signals of the cassette signal output units 41, 42 (S14).

[0056] 7B, the control unit 51 determines whether or not a type of cassette 22 that can be used to create a label of the label type corresponding to the long-pressed label type key 17F is attached to the cassette mounting unit 21 (S15). In other words, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the type of cassette 22 that is attached to the cassette mounting unit 21 is included in the types of cassettes 22 that can be used to create a label of the label type corresponding to the long-pressed label type key 17F.

[0057] When the control unit 51 determines that a type of cassette 22 that can be used for label production is mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 (S15: YES), the control unit 51 executes an extraction sorting process (S16).

[0058] In the extraction sorting process, the control unit 51 extracts corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52.

[0059] Thereafter, the control unit 51 sorts the extracted corresponding label data in order of the number of times that an image related to the label data has been printed on a medium contained in the cassette 22 mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21.

[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the label data numbered "0" contains the letters "AAA" as input, contains label type information indicating "General", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will not contain symbols or barcodes, and contains information that the image associated with the label data has been printed "0" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image associated with the label data has been printed "2" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0061] The label data numbered "1" contains an input of "AAA", contains label type information indicating "Cable Wrap", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will not have a symbol or barcode, and contains information that the image associated with the label data has been printed "7" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image associated with the label data has been printed "5" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0062] The label data numbered "2" contains input "AAA", contains label type information indicating "FacePlate", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will not contain symbols or barcodes, and contains information that the image associated with the label data has been printed "3" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image associated with the label data has been printed "2" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0063] The label data numbered "3" contains input "BBB", contains label type information indicating "Cable Wrap", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will not have a symbol or barcode, and contains information that the image related to the label data has been printed "6" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image related to the label data has been printed "10" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0064] For example, when the cable wrap key of the label type keys 17F is pressed and held, the control unit 51 extracts the label data numbered "1" and the label data numbered "3" as the corresponding label data.

[0065] If the medium contained in cassette 22 attached to cassette mounting section 21 is "medium No. 2," the label data numbered "1" contains information that an image associated with the label data has been printed "5" times on "medium No. 2," and the label data numbered "3" contains information that an image associated with the label data has been printed "10" times on "medium No. 2." Therefore, as shown in Figure 8B, the control section 51 sorts the corresponding label data numbered "1" and the corresponding label data numbered "3" in the order in which the corresponding label data numbered "1" is lined up next to the corresponding label data numbered "3."

[0066] When sorting of the corresponding label data is completed, the control unit 51 ends the extraction sorting process. Then, the control unit 51 selects the corresponding label data with the greatest number of prints according to the order sorted in the extraction sorting process, and displays the contents of that corresponding label data on the display unit 14 (S17). As a result, in the example shown in Fig. 8B, the contents of the corresponding label data numbered "3" are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0067] Thereafter, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the OK key 17K of the operation unit 16 has been pressed (S18).

[0068] When the OK key 17K is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the OK key 17K has been pressed (S18: YES). Then, the control unit 51 sets the corresponding label data, the contents of which are displayed on the display unit 14, as the label data to be used for creating a label (S19), and ends the key input reception process.

[0069] When the control unit 51 determines that the OK key 17K has not been pressed (S18: NO), it determines whether the up arrow key or the down arrow key of the cursor key 17I has been pressed (S20).

[0070] When the down arrow key is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the down arrow key has been pressed (S20: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 selects the next corresponding label data whose contents are displayed on the display unit 14 according to the order sorted in the extraction sort process, and displays the contents of the corresponding label data on the display unit 14 (S21: Update label data display). As a result, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 8B, when the contents of the label data numbered "3" are displayed on the display unit 14 and the down arrow key is pressed, the contents of the label data numbered "1" which is next to the label data numbered "3" are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0071] When the up arrow key is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the up arrow key has been pressed (S20: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 selects the corresponding label data immediately preceding the corresponding label data whose contents are displayed on the display unit 14 in the reverse order of the sorting in the extraction sorting process, and causes the display unit 14 to display the contents of the corresponding label data (S21: Update label data display). As a result, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 8B, when the contents of the label data numbered "1" are displayed on the display unit 14 and the up arrow key is pressed, the contents of the label data numbered "3" immediately preceding the label data numbered "1" are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0072] When the up arrow key is pressed while the contents of the corresponding label data that has been printed the most are displayed on the display unit 14, the contents of the corresponding label data that has been printed the least may be displayed on the display unit 14.

[0073] When the control unit 51 determines that the up arrow key or the down arrow key of the cursor key 17I has not been pressed (S20: NO), it determines whether the ESC key 17H of the operation unit 16 has been pressed (S22).

[0074] When the ESC key 17H is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing operation is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the ESC key 17H has been pressed (S22: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 ends the key input reception process.

[0075] When the control unit 51 determines that the ESC key 17H has not been pressed (S22: NO), it again determines whether or not the OK key 17K has been pressed (S18).

[0076] On the other hand, when the control unit 51 determines that the cassette 22 is not mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 (S13: NO), or when the control unit 51 determines that the cassette 22 of a type that can be used to create a label of the label type corresponding to the long-pressed label type key 17F is not mounted in the cassette mounting unit 21 (S15: NO), the extraction and sorting process is not executed. In these cases, the control unit 51 extracts corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52. As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 8A, the label data of the number "1" and the label data of the number "3" are extracted as corresponding label data, as shown in FIG. 8C. Then, the control unit 51 selects the corresponding label data with the smallest number from the extracted corresponding label data, and causes the display unit 14 to display the contents of the corresponding label data (S23). As a result, in the example shown in FIG. 8C, the contents of the corresponding label data of the number "1" are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0077] Thereafter, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the OK key 17K of the operation unit 16 has been pressed (S24).

[0078] When the OK key 17K is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the OK key 17K has been pressed (S24: YES).Then, the control unit 51 sets the corresponding label data, the contents of which are being displayed on the display unit 14, as the label data to be used for creating a label (S25), and ends the key input reception process.

[0079] When the control unit 51 determines that the OK key 17K has not been pressed (S24: NO), it determines whether the up arrow key or the down arrow key of the cursor keys 17I has been pressed (S26).

[0080] When the down arrow key is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the down arrow key has been pressed (S26: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 selects the next corresponding label data whose contents are displayed on the display unit 14 in ascending order of the numbers attached to the corresponding label data, and displays the contents of the corresponding label data on the display unit 14 (S27: Update label data display). As a result, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 8C, when the contents of the label data numbered "1" are displayed on the display unit 14 and the down arrow key is pressed, the contents of the label data numbered "3", which is the next highest after the number "1", are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0081] When the up arrow key is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the up arrow key has been pressed (S26: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 selects the corresponding label data immediately preceding the corresponding label data whose contents are displayed on the display unit 14 in the reverse order of the numbers given to the corresponding label data, and displays the contents of the corresponding label data on the display unit 14 (S27: Update label data display). As a result, for example, in the example shown in Fig. 8C, when the contents of the label data numbered "3" are displayed on the display unit 14 and the up arrow key is pressed, the contents of the label data numbered "1", which is the next smallest number after "3", are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0082] When the up arrow key is pressed while the contents of the corresponding label data with the smallest number are displayed on the display unit 14, the contents of the corresponding label data with the largest number may be displayed on the display unit 14.

[0083] When the control unit 51 determines that the up arrow key or the down arrow key of the cursor keys 17I has not been pressed (S26: NO), it determines whether the ESC key 17H of the operation unit 16 has been pressed (S28).

[0084] When the ESC key 17H is pressed and a signal corresponding to the pressing operation is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the ESC key 17H has been pressed (S28: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 ends the key input reception process.

[0085] When the control unit 51 determines that the ESC key 17H has not been pressed (S28: NO), it again determines whether or not the OK key 17K has been pressed (S24).

[0086] In response to a long press of the label type key 17F of the operation unit 16 while the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit 14, the control unit 51 checks whether there is corresponding label data in the label data stored in the storage unit 52. If it is not possible to confirm that there is corresponding label data, that is, if it is determined that there is no corresponding label data in the label data stored in the storage unit 52 (S12: NO), it executes error processing (S29) and ends the key input acceptance processing. The error processing will be described later.

[0087] If the key operation performed while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14 is not a long press of the label type key 17F (S11: NO), the control unit 51 judges whether or not a short press of any of the label type keys 17F has been performed (S30). A short press is an operation in which the label type key 17F is pressed for a time shorter than a certain period of time.

[0088] When the label type key 17F is pressed briefly and a corresponding signal is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the label type key 17F is pressed briefly (S30: YES). In this case, the control unit 51 executes a label editing process (S31) and ends the key input reception process. The label editing process will be described later.

[0089] If the key input while the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit 14 is not a long press or short press of the label type key 17F (S30: NO), the control unit 51 executes a key input process according to the key operation and ends the key input acceptance process. For example, if the menu key 17G of the operation unit 16 is pressed while the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit 14, the key input process is executed and the menu screen is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0090] <Error handling> The error handling flow is shown in FIG.

[0091] In the error processing, the control unit 51 displays an error on the display unit 14, indicating that there is no corresponding label data among the label data stored in the storage unit 52 (S291).

[0092] Thereafter, the control unit 51 determines whether or not any key on the operation unit 16 has been pressed (S292). The error continues to be displayed on the display unit 14 until any key is pressed.

[0093] When any key is pressed and a corresponding signal is input to control unit 51, control unit 51 determines that any key has been pressed (S292: YES). Then, control unit 51 switches the display on display unit 14 from the error display to an operation reception screen (S293), and ends the error processing.

[0094] <Label editing process> The label editing process flow is shown in FIG.

[0095] In the label editing process, the control unit 51 causes the display unit 14 to display a label editing screen (S311). That is, the control unit 51 switches the display on the display unit 14 from the operation acceptance screen to the label editing screen.

[0096] On the label edit screen, the user can edit (input) label data including label type information indicating the label type corresponding to the label type key 17F that has been pressed briefly by operating the operation unit 16. With the label edit screen displayed on the display unit 14, for example, the content of characters to be printed on the label can be input by pressing the character key 17M of the operation unit 16. Also, a symbol can be inserted into the image to be printed on the label by pressing the symbol insertion key of the function key 17N. A barcode can be inserted into the image to be printed on the label by pressing the barcode insertion key of the function key 17N. The width and length of the label can be input by operating the numeric keypad 17L, and a number corresponding to the type of medium used to create the label can also be input. When the width and length of the label are input, the control unit 51 may select a medium suitable for the input width and length of the label, and include information on the type of the medium in the label data.

[0097] After the label editing screen is displayed, the control unit 51 determines whether or not editing of the label data is finished (S312). After the user finishes inputting the label data, for example, when the OK key 17K is pressed, the control unit 51 determines that editing of the label data is finished (S312: YES).

[0098] If the control unit 51 determines that the editing of the label data has not ended (S312: NO), it determines whether the ESC key 17H has been pressed (S313). If the ESC key 17H has not been pressed, the control unit 51 again determines whether the editing of the label data has ended (S312). That is, the control unit 51 repeats the determination of whether the editing of the label data has ended and whether the ESC key 17H has been pressed until it determines that the editing of the label data has ended or determines that the ESC key 17H has been pressed.

[0099] When the control unit 51 determines that editing of the label data is completed (S312: YES), it determines whether or not the file key of the function keys 17N has been pressed (S314). When the file key is pressed and a corresponding signal is input to the control unit 51, the control unit 51 determines that the file key has been pressed (S314: YES).

[0100] When the control unit 51 determines that the file key has not been pressed (S314: NO), it determines whether the ESC key 17H has been pressed (S315). When the ESC key 17H has not been pressed, the control unit 51 again determines whether the file key has been pressed (S314). That is, the control unit 51 repeats the determination of whether the file key has been pressed and the determination of whether the ESC key 17H has been pressed until it determines that the file key has been pressed or the ESC key 17H has been pressed.

[0101] If the control unit 51 determines that the file key has been pressed (S314: YES), it stores the label data edited on the label editing screen in the storage unit 52 (S316), and then displays an operation reception screen on the display unit 14 (S317), terminating the label editing process.

[0102] On the other hand, if the control unit 51 determines that the ESC key 17H has been pressed before it determines that editing of the label data has been completed (S313: YES), or if it determines that the ESC key 17H has been pressed after editing of the label data has been completed and before it determines that the FILE key has been pressed (S315: YES), it causes the display unit 14 to display an operation reception screen (S317) and terminates the label editing process.

[0103] Even if the ESC key 17H is not pressed, if a certain period of time has passed since the label editing screen was displayed and no operation has been performed on the operation unit 16, the control unit 51 may cause the display unit 14 to display an operation acceptance screen and end the label editing process. Also, if a certain period of time has passed since the label data editing was completed and no operation has been performed on the operation unit 16, the control unit 51 may cause the display unit 14 to display an operation acceptance screen and end the label editing process.

[0104] <Action and effect> As described above, the data of the image to be printed on the medium is stored in the storage unit 52 as label data. When the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit 16, the label data stored in the storage unit 52 is sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the label data is printed (frequency of use). Specifically, when the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14 and a long press operation of any one of the label type keys 17F is performed as a predetermined operation, label data containing information on the label type corresponding to the label type key 17F on which the long press operation was performed is extracted as the corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52. Then, the extracted corresponding label data is sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed. After that, the contents of the corresponding label data are displayed on the display unit 14 in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed. This makes it easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, thereby reducing the effort and time required to search for the label data to be printed.

[0105] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when a type of cassette 22 that can be used for creating labels is loaded into the cassette loading unit 21, corresponding label data is extracted, and the extracted corresponding label data is sorted in descending order of the number of times an image related to the label data has been printed on the medium contained in the cassette 22. The contents of the corresponding label data are then displayed on the display unit 14 in the sorted order. This makes it even easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, further reducing the effort and time required to search for label data to be printed.

[0106] If no cassette 22 is attached to the cassette attachment unit 21, or if a type of cassette 22 that can be used to create labels is not attached to the cassette attachment unit 21, the extracted corresponding label data is not sorted, and the contents of the corresponding label data are displayed on the display unit 14 in ascending order of numbers, that is, in order of the oldest date of storage in the memory unit 52. In this case, the user can understand the display order of the contents of the corresponding label data on the display unit 14, and so the user can find the label data to be printed based on the date the label data was saved (registered), somewhat reducing the effort and time required to search for the label data to be printed.

[0107] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, when the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14 and the label type key 17F is pressed and held down as a predetermined operation, label data including information on the label type corresponding to the label type key 17F on which the long press operation was performed is extracted as corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52. Then, the extracted corresponding label data is sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed.

[0108] Alternatively, when the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit 14 and a long press operation is performed on the symbol insertion key of the function key 17N (an example of a label editing key), label data including input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label contains a symbol may be extracted as the corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52, and the extracted corresponding label data may be sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed. Also, when the operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit 14 and a long press operation is performed on the barcode insertion key of the function key 17N, label data including input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label contains a barcode may be extracted as the corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52, and the extracted corresponding label data may be sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed.

[0109] In the example shown in FIG. 11A, the label data numbered "0" contains the letters "AAA" as input, label type information indicating "General", input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will have a symbol and not a barcode, and information that the image associated with the label data has been printed "0" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image associated with the label data has been printed "4" times on "Medium No. 2."

[0110] The label data numbered "1" contains an input of "AAA", contains label type information indicating "Cable Wrap", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will have both a symbol and a barcode, and contains information that the image related to the label data has been printed "0" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image related to the label data has been printed "17" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0111] The label data numbered "2" contains input "AAA", contains label type information indicating "FacePlate", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will not have a symbol but will have a barcode, and contains information that the image related to the label data has been printed "0" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image related to the label data has been printed "8" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0112] The label data numbered "3" contains input "BBB", contains label type information indicating "Cable Wrap", contains input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label will have a symbol and not a barcode, and contains information that the image related to the label data has been printed "0" times on "Medium No. 1" and that the image related to the label data has been printed "2" times on "Medium No. 2".

[0113] For example, when the symbol insertion key of the function key 17N is pressed and held, the control unit 51 extracts the label data numbered "0", the label data numbered "1", and the label data numbered "3" as the corresponding label data.

[0114] If the medium contained in cassette 22 attached to cassette mounting portion 21 is "medium No. 2," the label data numbered "0" contains information that an image related to the label data has been printed "4" times on "medium No. 2," the label data numbered "1" contains information that an image related to the label data has been printed "17" times on "medium No. 2," and the label data numbered "3" contains information that an image related to the label data has been printed "2" times on "medium No. 2." Therefore, as shown in FIG. 11B, control portion 51 sorts the corresponding label data numbered "0," the corresponding label data numbered "1," and the corresponding label data numbered "3" in the order that the corresponding label data numbered "1" is followed by the corresponding label data numbered "0," and the corresponding label data numbered "3" is followed by the corresponding label data numbered "0."

[0115] In this embodiment as well, the contents of the corresponding label data are displayed on the display unit 14 in descending order of the number of times they have been printed, making it easier for the user to find the label data to be printed, thereby reducing the effort and time required to search for the label data to be printed.

[0116] <Modification> Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be embodied in other forms.

[0117] For example, the above two embodiments may be combined. That is, when the label type key 17F is pressed and held while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14, and then the symbol insertion key of the function key 17N is pressed (either long press or short press) within a predetermined time, label data that includes information on the label type corresponding to the label type key 17F that was pressed and held and that includes input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label contains a symbol may be extracted as corresponding label data from the label data stored in the storage unit 52, and the extracted corresponding label data may be sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed. Furthermore, when the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14, if the label type key 17F is pressed and held, and then within a predetermined time, the barcode insertion key of the function key 17N is pressed (either long press or short press), label data that includes label type information corresponding to the label type key 17F that was pressed and held and that includes input character information indicating that the image to be printed on the label contains a barcode may be extracted as corresponding label data from the label data stored in the memory unit 52, and the extracted corresponding label data may be sorted in order of the number of times the image related to the corresponding label data is printed.

[0118] In addition, when an operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit 14, if a function key 17N as an example of a label editing key, for example, a symbol insertion key or a barcode insertion key, is pressed briefly, the label editing process shown in FIG. 10 may be performed.

[0119] In addition, various design modifications can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1: Label printer 14: Display section 16:Operation unit 17F: Label type key 17N: Function keys 21: Cassette mounting section 22: Cassette 31: Printing Department 41, 42: Cassette signal output section 51: Control unit 52: Storage part

Claims

1. a printing unit that prints an image according to the label data on a medium; An operation unit; A display unit; A storage unit; A control unit; A label printer that creates a label made of the medium on which an image related to the label data is printed, The control unit is a storage process for storing the label data in the storage unit; a sorting process for sorting the label data stored in the storage unit in order of the number of times an image related to the label data is printed in response to a predetermined operation on the operation unit; and after the sorting process, executing a display process of displaying the contents of the label data on the display unit in descending order of the number of times the data has been printed. Label printer.

2. 2. The label printer according to claim 1, the operation unit includes a label type key provided corresponding to a label type that is a type of the label, The predetermined operation is a long press operation in which the label type key is pressed for a certain period of time or more. Label printer.

3. 3. The label printer according to claim 2, The control unit, in a state in which an operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, When the long press operation is performed, the sorting process and the display process are executed; when a short press operation is performed in which the label type key is pressed for a time shorter than the certain time, the display on the display unit is switched from the operation acceptance screen to a label editing screen, and the input of the label data by the operation of the operation unit is accepted. Label printer.

4. 4. The label printer according to claim 3, The operation unit includes a file key, the control unit executes the storage process in response to the pressing of the file key after accepting the input of the label data, and stores the input label data together with the label type information corresponding to the label type key that has been short-pressed in the storage unit. Label printer.

5. 5. The label printer according to claim 4, the label type keys are provided corresponding to the plurality of label types, The control unit is executing an extraction process for extracting, from the label data stored in the storage unit before the sorting process, the label data including information on the label type corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation has been performed; In the sorting process, the label data extracted in the extraction process is sorted in order of the number of times an image related to the label data is printed. Label printer.

6. 6. The label printer according to claim 5, the operation unit includes a symbol insertion key provided corresponding to a symbol, The control unit is When the symbol insertion key is pressed while the label editing screen is displayed on the display unit, the symbol corresponding to the pressed symbol insertion key is inserted into the label data; When the symbol insertion key is pressed after the long press operation is performed while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, the extraction process extracts, from the label data stored in the storage unit, label data that includes information on the label type corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation is performed and that includes the symbol corresponding to the pressed symbol key. Label printer.

7. 6. The label printer according to claim 5, When the label data stored in the storage unit does not include the label type information corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation is performed, the control unit causes an error screen to be displayed on the display unit in the extraction process. Label printer.

8. 8. The label printer according to claim 7, the control unit switches the display on the display unit from the error screen to the operation reception screen in response to an operation of the operation unit while the error screen is being displayed on the display unit. Label printer.

9. The label printer according to any one of claims 5 to 8, a mounting portion in which a cassette containing the medium is mounted; a signal output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the type of the cassette mounted in the mounting unit; Further equipped with the printing unit prints an image according to the label data on the medium fed from the cassette attached to the attachment unit; The control unit is a determination process for determining whether or not the cassette is mounted in the mounting portion based on an output signal from the signal output portion, and, if the cassette is mounted in the mounting portion, determining the type of the cassette mounted in the mounting portion; executing the sorting process when the type of cassette identified in the identification process is included in the types of cassettes that can be used to create the label of the label type corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation is performed; Label printer.

10. 10. The label printer according to claim 9, When the control unit determines in the determination process that the cassette is not attached to the attachment unit, or when the type of the cassette determined in the determination process is not included in the types of the cassette that can be used to create the label of the label type corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation is performed, the control unit causes the display unit to display, in the display process, the contents of the label data extracted in the extraction process, without executing the sorting process. Label printer.

11. The label printer according to any one of claims 2 to 8, a mounting portion in which a cassette containing the medium is mounted; a signal output unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the type of the cassette mounted in the mounting unit; Further equipped with The control unit is a determination process for determining whether or not the cassette is mounted in the mounting portion based on an output signal from the signal output portion, and, if the cassette is mounted in the mounting portion, determining the type of the cassette mounted in the mounting portion; executing the sorting process when the type of cassette identified in the identification process is included in the types of cassettes that can be used to create the label of the label type corresponding to the label type key on which the long press operation is performed; Label printer.

12. a printing unit that prints an image according to the label data on a medium; An operation unit; A display unit; A storage unit; A control unit; A label printer that creates a label made of the medium on which an image related to the label data is printed, the operation unit includes a symbol insertion key provided corresponding to a symbol, The control unit is a storage process for storing the label data in the storage unit; an extraction process for extracting, in response to a depression of the symbol insertion key while the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, the label data including the symbol corresponding to the depressed symbol key from the label data stored in the storage unit; and executing a display process for displaying the contents of the label data extracted in the extraction process on the display unit. Label printer.

13. 13. The label printer of claim 12, The control unit is executing a sorting process after the extraction process and before the display process, in which the label data extracted in the extraction process is sorted in order of the number of times an image related to the label data is printed; In the display process, the contents of the label data are displayed on the display unit in order of the number of times the data is printed. Label printer.

14. a printing unit that prints an image according to the label data on a medium; An operation unit; A display unit; A storage unit; A control unit; A label printer that creates a label made of the medium on which an image related to the label data is printed, The operation unit includes a label edit key, The control unit is A storage process is executed to store the label data in the storage unit; when a short press operation is performed in which the label edit key is pressed for a period of time shorter than a certain period of time while an operation acceptance screen is displayed on the display unit, a reception process is executed to switch the display on the display unit from the operation acceptance screen to a label edit screen and to accept editing of the label data by operation of the operation unit, When the operation reception screen is displayed on the display unit, a long press operation is performed in which the label edit key is pressed for a certain period of time or more. an extraction process of extracting, from the label data stored in the storage unit, the label data corresponding to the label editing key on which the long press operation has been performed; and executing a display process for displaying the contents of the label data extracted in the extraction process on the display unit. Label printer.

15. 15. The label printer of claim 14, The control unit is executing a sorting process after the extraction process and before the display process, in which the label data extracted in the extraction process is sorted in order of the number of times an image related to the label data is printed; In the display process, the contents of the label data are displayed on the display unit in order of the number of times the data is printed. Label printer.

Images