Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To prevent a user who uses a printer to issue a printing medium from inputting an incorrect number of sheets to be printed into the printer.SOLUTION: One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing device and a printer capable of communicating with the information processing device. The information processing device includes a setting unit configured to set the number of sheets of a printing medium to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether the printer allows user operation to change the number of sheets to be printed. If the printer is set to prohibit user operation at the printer to change the number of sheets to be printed, the printer prohibits user operation to change the number of sheets of printing medium to be printed based on the layout data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing technique related to a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Label printers that print labels to be affixed to products for sale have long been used in retail stores, etc. Because the content of the labels (information such as price and expiration date) to be affixed to products and the number of labels issued change daily in retail stores, label printers that provide a user interface that allows the content of the labels to be printed and the number of labels to be issued to be input or changed on-site are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that when working in label printing form creation mode, the user sequentially sets the price and barcode to be printed on the label and the number of labels to be issued on the screen, creates and registers a label printing form, and then issues labels using the registered label printing form. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-255731 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when printing media such as labels on-site, the user may input the wrong number of copies into the printer. In particular, when inputting the number of copies into the printer using an external input device such as a scanner, the user may scan the wrong code information.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent a user from inputting an incorrect number of print media to a printer when the user uses the printer to print media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing device and a printer capable of communicating with the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a setting unit that sets the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether or not the number of print media to be printed is permitted to be changed by a user operation in the printer; The printer If the printer is set to prohibit changes to the number of sheets to be printed, prohibiting a user from changing the number of sheets to be printed based on the layout data. It is an information processing system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when a user issues print media using a printer, it is possible to prevent an incorrect number of sheets to be issued from being input to the printer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a project file creation screen that is displayed when a label creation application is executed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data window in a label creation application. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for displaying a call table. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for specifying the number of copies to be printed using a data set in a label creation application. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a procedure for setting the number of copies to be printed so that the value is calculated based on a value that references any object in the print layout in the label creation application. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between values ​​before and after conversion in a table. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for setting a printing quantity condition in a label creation application. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for printing a label by a label printing application. [Figure 13] 1 is a sequence chart of label issuance in a label issuance system according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of a warning displayed when an error is determined as a result of a data check on the number of sheets to be printed in the label printing application. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which a label is printed by a printer using a handheld scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The embodiments described below are not limited to the drawings illustrated by the brief description of the drawings.

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing device and a printer capable of acquiring data from the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a setting unit that sets the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether or not the printer is permitted to change the number of print media to be printed by a user operation; The printer If the printer is set to prohibit changes to the number of sheets to be printed, prohibiting a user from changing the number of sheets to be printed based on the layout data. It is an information processing system.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, when a user issues print media using a printer, it is possible to prevent an incorrect number of sheets to be issued from being input to the printer.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the information processing device is provided with a data creation unit that creates the layout data by placing one or more objects in a printing layout that forms the basis of the information to be printed by the printer.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a desired print layout can be created by arranging one or more objects in the print layout.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, the information processing device includes a storage unit that stores a data table in which a value is associated with each of the one or more objects; In the information processing system according to the second aspect, the setting unit sets the number of issued sheets to be a value associated with an object selected by a user from among the one or more objects.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the number of copies to be printed can be set to a value associated with any of the objects arranged in the print layout.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system described in the second aspect, wherein when the setting unit sets the printer to not allow user operation to change the number of sheets to be issued, the number of sheets to be issued is set to a value that references a first object of the one or more objects when issued by the printer, or a value calculated based on a value that references the first object when issued by the printer.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the number of print media to be printed can be set according to a value that references a specific object when the printer prints the print media.

[0018] A fifth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system described in any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the setting unit sets an issuance quantity condition in which at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value is specified for the issuance quantity based on input by a user.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unintended number of print media from being set when the printer issues print media.

[0020] A sixth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the printer outputs a warning when it receives a request to print a number of print media that does not satisfy the print quantity condition.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, if an unintended number of print sheets is set when printing media by the printer, a warning can be given to the user of the printer.

[0022] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an information processing system described in any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the printer has an issuance setting unit that sets whether or not to immediately issue the number of print media set for the selected layout data when the user selects any layout data from multiple layout data.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when issuing print media.

[0024] An eighth aspect of the present invention is an information processing system described in any of the first to seventh aspects, wherein, when an external input device is connected to the printer, the printer has an input setting unit that sets whether or not to prohibit input of the number of sheets of printing medium to be issued by the printer from the external input device.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unintended number of sheets to be issued from being input from an external input device.

[0026] A ninth aspect of the present invention is an information processing method between an information processing device and a printer capable of acquiring data from the information processing device, comprising: the information processing device sets the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether or not the printer allows the number of print media to be changed by a user operation; When the printer is set to prohibit changes to the number of sheets to be printed by the printer, the printer prohibits changes to the number of sheets to be printed by a user operation of the print medium to be printed based on the layout data. It is an information processing method.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, when a user issues print media using a printer, it is possible to prevent an incorrect number of sheets to be issued from being input to the printer.

[0028] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, when installed in an information processing device capable of communicating with a printer, creating layout data by arranging one or more objects in a print layout that is the basis for information to be printed by the printer; a procedure for setting the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on the layout data and whether or not the printer allows the number of print media to be changed by a user operation; It is a program that causes a computer to execute the above.

[0029] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when a user issues print media using a printer, it is possible to prevent an incorrect number of sheets to be issued from being input to the printer.

[0030] In this disclosure, an "object" is, for example, defined as a predetermined area within the effective print range of a print medium, and includes at least one of a character string, a code, and an image as a print target within the predetermined area. When a user determines the print content on the print medium, it is preferable that the object be movable within the effective print range. When an object moves within the effective print range, the character string, code, or image that may be included in the object also moves. The print target included in an object is not limited to a character string, code, or image, and may also include a figure, symbol, mark, etc.

[0031] A label issuing system 1, which is an embodiment of an information processing system of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the label issuing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0032] 1, in a label issuing system 1 of this embodiment, a computer device 2 (an example of an information processing device) and one or more printers 3-A, 3-B, 3-C, 3-D, 3-E, ... are connected to a server 5 via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). In the following description, when referring to matters common to one or more printers, they will be referred to as "printer 3."

[0033] The printer 3 issues labels (an example of a printing medium) to be affixed to products. The printer 3 is located, for example, in a store, warehouse, factory, or the like that handles the products to which the labels are affixed. The printer 3 is, for example, a thermal printer, but is not limited thereto. The computer device 2 is provided to design the basic layout design of the labels to be issued by the printer 3. The computer device 2 is, for example, a personal computer device, a tablet terminal, or the like, but is not limited thereto. The printer 3 can be optionally connected to a tablet terminal 6 and a handheld scanner 7. The tablet terminal 6 can be connected to control label printing by the printer 3. The handheld scanner 7 can be connected to assist in data input to the printer 3.

[0034] A label creation application program (hereinafter referred to as the "label creation application") that creates a project file containing data on the label layout design, data on each item included on the label, information on various settings, etc. is installed on the computer device 2. The project file created by executing the label creation application is distributed from the computer device 2 to the printer 3 via the server 5 as a format file that is a file to be read by the printer. In other words, the format file is uploaded from the computer device 2 to the server 5 in response to a predetermined operation by the user, and is then downloaded from the server 5 to the printer 3 at a predetermined timing.

[0035] A label issuance application program (hereinafter referred to as the "label issuance application" as appropriate) that prints labels based on a format file is installed on the printer 3. By executing the label issuance application, it is possible to select printing data that specifies the layout design of the label, the data of each item included on the label, etc., or edit the selected printing data as needed, and print a label based on the printing data. The format file and the issuing data will be described later.

[0036] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, a description will be given of screens that are displayed when a user runs a label creation application to create a label design. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a project file creation screen of the computer device 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print layout.

[0037] 2 shows an example of a screen G1 (project file creation screen) displayed on the computer device 2 when the label creation application is executed. On the project file creation screen, the label creation application provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the user to use when designing the label layout. On the project file creation screen, the user can design the label to be printed by the printer 3 by setting objects to be placed in the effective print area of ​​the label.

[0038] In the label creation application, data is managed using a project file. A project file is a file that indicates the management unit of data created by the label creation application, and when output by the label creation application, it becomes a format file for printer reading in order to be distributed to the printer 3 via the server 5.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the screen G1 includes a group of instruction buttons 101, a group of object buttons 102, a design window 103, a project window 104, and a data window 105.

[0040] By operating the buttons in the instruction button group 101, it is possible to read the project file from the storage, save the project file in the storage, or output it as a format file and upload it to the server 5, etc.

[0041] The object button group 102 is used to select and move objects on the design window 103, or to set new objects. The object button group 102 allows the selection of objects such as character string objects, price objects, barcode objects, date and time objects, and graphic objects. Various settings for objects can be made in the data window 105. The design window 103 corresponds to the area for creating and editing a label. A print layout corresponding to layout data selected by the user from one or more layout data is displayed in the design window 103 on screen G1, and a label is designed by placing and moving objects on the displayed print layout. The project window 104 displays the data contained in the project file in a hierarchical structure.

[0042] In the project window 104, the "call table" is the data that is the basis when the label is printed in the label printing application of the printer 3. Each print layout (such as "[1] Food Label 1") in the "Layout" folder is design data for printing labels on the printer 3 in combination with a call table. A project file contains one or more layout data (three layout data in the example of Figure 2). Each table (such as "Table T1") in the "Table" folder is a table that is referenced when configuring settings for each object placed in the print layout, and is created and registered by the user.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows an example print layout LT1 displayed in the design window 103 of Fig. 2. Arranged on the print layout LT1 shown in Fig. 3 are a barcode object OBJ1 corresponding to the "Barcode" item, a character string object OBJ2 corresponding to the "Product Name" item, a date and time object OBJ4 corresponding to the "Expiration Date" item, a price object OBJ6 corresponding to the "Price" item, a price object OBJ8 corresponding to the "Tax Included" item, a ruled line object OBJ9, a character string object OBJ14 corresponding to the "Ingredient Name" item, and character string objects OBJ3, OBJ5, OBJ7, OBJ10 to OBJ13 each containing a predetermined character string.

[0044] When any object is selected on the design window 103, various settings for the selected object can be made on the data window 105. As an example, Fig. 4 shows the data window 105a that is displayed when the object OBJ2 corresponding to the "product name" item is selected. In the data window 105a, values ​​to be input into objects corresponding to item names can be set in various ways. That is, the label creation application sets values ​​for one or more objects based on user operation using an input method selected by the user from among multiple input methods. Note that an initial value can be input into the data input section 136. For example, if the object type is a character string object, one of the following radio buttons can be selected as the input method in the input method setting section 132: "Fixed," "At Printing (Data)," or "Reference / Link." If "Fixed" is selected, the value set in the data input section 136 is reflected and printed. If "At Printing (Data)" is selected, a value that can be input (changed) when printing a label on the printer 3 is set. In this case, the value set in the data input section 136 is displayed as the initial value when the label printing application is executed by the printer 3.

[0045] When "Reference and Link" is selected, this is an input method in which a value that references another object on the print layout or a value that combines the values ​​of multiple objects is used. When "Reference and Link" is selected, as shown in Fig. 4, by operating the advanced settings button 133 to display the settings table TS1, you can make settings for referencing the value of another object, for example. The value of the "Type" field in setting table TS1 indicates either fixed or reference. The value of the "Data" field is either the referenced data or a value entered by the user. The value of the "Starting digit" field specifies which digit of the data to reference when referencing the data. The value of the "Number of digits" field specifies which digits from the starting digit of the data to reference when referencing the data. The value of the "Padding type" field specifies the method of padding digits if the data does not meet the number of digits when referencing the data. By inputting the item name of another object into the value of the "Data" field, it is possible to input the value of the target object by referencing the value of the other object.

[0046] By enabling check box 134 ("table conversion"), values ​​to be input to a target object can be converted into a table based on one of the tables included in project window 104. In a table, for example, values ​​before conversion and values ​​after conversion are described in correspondence with each other. If there are multiple tables in project window 104, the user selects one of the multiple tables in table selection section 135. By enabling the check box 137 ("Data Set"), it is possible to set a value associated with one of the items set in the call table (described later) as the value of the target object. In this case, the user selects an item in the call table that is the target of the data set in the data set setting unit 138.

[0047] Next, the call table will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the procedure for displaying a call table on the computer device 2. The call table is a table for registering data to be printed on a label. Fig. 5 shows an exemplary call table TL1. As shown in FIG. 5, by operating "Call Table" in the project window 104, the call table TL1 is displayed. The call table TL1 contains one or more records identified by a call number. Each record has values ​​for each item, such as "call name," "layout specification," "name," "product name," "raw material name," "price," "barcode," and "initial number of copies to be issued." At least some of the items after "name" correspond to the item names of one or more objects to be placed in the corresponding print layout. The items contained in the call table TL1 can be arbitrarily registered by the user using a call table definition (not shown). The call table TL1 is an example of a data table in which values ​​are associated with each of one or more objects.

[0048] Each record in the call table TL1 indicates the print layout for printing one label and the value of each item name (numeric value, character string, etc.). The data in each record will be referred to as "printing data" below. For example, a user can associate the label layout with the value corresponding to each item name by entering the value corresponding to each item name in the call table TL1. Note that the call table TL1 does not need to have multiple records; it can have only one record (i.e., one piece of printing data). In the call table TL1, print data is identified by a call No. In the label printing application of the printer 3, print data is called by the call No.

[0049] In the call table TL1, the value of the item "Layout designation" is a value that indicates one or more print layouts created in the design window 103 (see Figure 2). In this example, when three print layouts have been created, [1] Food label 1, [2] Food label 2, and

[11] Assortment label, the value of the item "Layout designation" indicates which of these three print layouts each piece of issuance data corresponds to.

[0050] For example, the print layout LT1 in FIG. 3 displays the printing data corresponding to the record of call No.: 1 (call name: "bread") in the call table TL1. In this example, it corresponds to the value of the "Layout specification" item in the record corresponding to call No.: 1 ([1] Food label 1). The value of object OBJ2 corresponding to the product name corresponds to the value of the "Product name" item in the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1. The value of object OBJ6 corresponding to the price corresponds to the value of the "Price" item in the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1. The value of object OBJ14 corresponding to the ingredients corresponds to the value of the "Ingredient name" item in the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1.

[0051] In this way, the user of the computer device 2 can design labels with different layouts, or labels with the same layout but different printing contents for each item, by registering data (values) in the call table TL1.

[0052] Next, the printer 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows a schematic configuration of the printer 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 3 contains roll paper R, which is continuous paper CP wound in a roll. The continuous paper CP includes a strip-shaped backing sheet PM and a plurality of labels PL releasably arranged at equal intervals on the backing sheet PM. In one embodiment, the labels PL have a thermosensitive coloring layer formed on the printable side and an adhesive applied to the side opposite the printable side. A release agent such as silicone is applied to the front surface of the backing sheet PM (the surface on which the labels are placed). In one embodiment, a position detection mark M is printed on the back surface of the backing sheet PM at a position corresponding to the edge of the label.

[0053] Printer 3 includes a printing unit 36, a cutting unit 37, a label edge detection sensor 41, and a label presence / absence detection sensor 42. In printer 3, continuous paper CP is pulled out from roll paper R in accordance with the rotation of platen roller 351, and directed toward paper outlet 40 via auxiliary roller 352. The printing unit 36 ​​has a print head 361 with a heating element, and holds the continuous paper CP between itself and a platen roller 351 to print information on the label PL on the continuous paper CP. A label edge detection sensor 41 detects the label edge based on the detection result of the position detection mark M. The control unit 31 (FIG. 7) of the printer 3 adjusts the transport amount of the continuous paper CP based on the detection result of the label edge so that printing can start from a predetermined position on the label PL.

[0054] The cutting unit 37 includes a fixed blade 371 and a movable blade 372 for cutting the printed labels PL. The control unit 31 (FIG. 7) drives a motor (not shown) to move the movable blade 372 toward the fixed blade 371, thereby cutting the labels PL. The method for cutting the labels PL can be set to cut the labels PL one by one or after a predetermined number of labels PL have been cut.

[0055] The label presence / absence detection sensor 42 is provided near the issuing port 40 and detects the presence or absence of an issued label PL. In one embodiment, the label presence / absence detection sensor 42 is active during peel-off issuing. During peel-off issuing, the cutting unit 37 is not used. When peel-off issuance is performed, a peeling unit (not shown) that peels the printed label PL from the liner PM is provided near the issuing port 40 in advance. In peel-off issuance, the liner PM is rotated in the peeling unit, and the printed label PL that has been peeled from the liner PM remains near the issuing port 40, held in place by the adhesive. At this time, the label presence / absence detection sensor 42 detects the presence of a label. When the user of the printer 3 removes this remaining label PL, the label presence / absence detection sensor 42 detects the absence of a label. When the label presence / absence detection sensor 42 detects the absence of a label, the control unit 31 of the printer 3 controls the printer 3 to print the next label PL. Therefore, in peel-off issuance, a new label is sequentially issued each time the user removes a printed label.

[0056] Next, the configurations of the computer device 2, printer 3, and server 5 included in the label issuing system 1 will be described in order with reference to FIG.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 7, the computer device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage 22 (an example of a storage unit), an operation input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0058] The control unit 21 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire computer device 2. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes a label creation application program (label creation app) and displays the execution results on the display unit 24. The storage 22 is a non-volatile memory, such as a solid state drive (SSD) such as a flash memory. The storage 22 stores a project file created by executing a label creation application. The project file includes one or more pieces of layout data, a call table TL1 (FIG. 5), table and object data, and information on various settings.

[0059] The operation input unit 23 includes, for example, input devices such as a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. When the display unit 24 includes a display panel for touch panel input, the display unit 24 constitutes a part of the operation input unit 23. The display unit 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays the results of the execution of the label creation application. The communication unit 25 is a communication interface that communicates with the server 5. Based on a predetermined instruction from the user, the label creation application uploads a project file stored in the storage 22 as a format file to the server 5 via the communication unit 25.

[0060] The microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes the label creation application, thereby realizing at least one of the following means. (i) a data creation unit that creates layout data by arranging one or more objects in a print layout that is the basis for information to be printed by the printer 3; (ii) a setting unit that sets the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 based on the layout data created by the data creation unit, and whether or not the number of labels to be printed is allowed to be changed by a user operation on the printer 3; The setting unit sets whether or not the number of issued sheets can be changed, which will be described later.

[0061] Referring again to FIG. 7, the printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage 32, an operation input unit 33, a display unit 34, a conveying unit 35, a printing unit 36, a cutting unit 37, an external device interface 38, and a communication unit 39.

[0062] The control unit 31 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire printer 3. The storage 32 is a non-volatile memory, for example, an SSD such as a flash memory. For example, a microprocessor included in the control unit 31 executes firmware and a label issuance application program to control the operations of the conveying unit 35, the printing unit 36, and the cutting unit 37. The label issuance application provides a user interface for issuing labels based on a format file downloaded from the server 5.

[0063] The control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit a format file, and receives the format file transmitted (downloaded) in response to the request via the communication unit 39. The timing at which the control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit a format file is not limited, but may be, for example, when the printer 3 is started up, at a predetermined time each day, or when a predetermined download operation is performed by the user of the printer 3. When the format file is downloaded from the server 5, the downloaded format file is stored in the storage 32.

[0064] The display unit 34 has a display panel and a display drive circuit (not shown), and displays the execution result of the label printing application on the display panel. The operation input unit 33 includes a touch panel input provided on the display panel and its input circuit.

[0065] The control unit 31 converts the printing data into bitmap data (drawing data) for printing, and sequentially sends line data, which is data for each line of the drawing data, to the printing unit 36. The transport unit 35 and the printing unit 36 ​​perform printing based on the line data that is sequentially sent out. The transport unit 35 includes a platen roller 351 (FIG. 6), a motor drive circuit, a stepping motor connected to the platen roller 351, and transports the continuous paper within the printer 3 based on commands from the control unit 31. For example, the transport unit 35 transports the continuous paper by having the motor drive circuit drive the stepping motor based on a transport command from firmware. The printing unit 36 ​​includes a print head 361 (FIG. 6) and a head drive circuit. The printing unit 36 ​​selectively applies current to each heating element of the print head 361 on a line-by-line basis based on a print command from the firmware, thereby printing on the continuous paper label. Cutting unit 37 includes a fixed blade 371 (FIG. 6), a movable blade 372 (FIG. 6), and a motor that drives movable blade 372. Based on a cutting command from firmware, cutting unit 37 controls the timing of operating the motor so that the continuous paper CP is cut using a preset cutting method. The external device interface 38 includes an interface circuit for connecting external devices such as the tablet terminal 6 and the handheld scanner 7 to the printer 3. When the printer 3 and the external device perform wireless communication, the interface circuit is a circuit that supports wireless communication. The communication unit 39 is a communication interface that communicates with the server 5. The label issuing application downloads a format file from the server 5 via the communication unit 39 based on a predetermined instruction from the user.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7, the server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire server 5. The control unit 51 controls the communication unit 53 so as to transmit a format file in response to a request from the printer 3, for example. The storage 52 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores the format file transmitted (uploaded) from the computer device 2. The communication unit 53 is a communication interface that communicates with the computer device 2 and the printer 3.

[0067] Next, a method for setting the number of labels to be printed in the label printing system 1 will be described in detail. In the label issuing system 1, the label creation application sets the number of labels to be issued by the printer 3 and whether or not the number of labels to be issued is allowed to be changed by a user operation on the printer 3 (number of labels to be issued changeable setting). In the label issuance application, the user can basically set the number of labels to be issued (number of labels to be issued) using the software keyboard, but as described below, if the setting for whether or not to change the number of labels to be issued is set to not allow it, the user will be prohibited from changing the number of labels to be issued. First, the specific procedure for setting whether or not the number of sheets to be printed can be changed in the label creation application will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, on the project file creation screen of the label creation application, a data window 105 includes a print quantity designation section 106 . The print quantity specification section 106 is a section for specifying the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 (number of copies to be printed) based on the print layout LT1 displayed in the design window 103. The print quantity specification section 106 includes an input method setting section 107 for setting the input method for the print quantity. In the input method setting section 107, the input method for the print quantity can be set using one of the radio buttons: "Input," "Fixed," or "Reference," just as when inputting (setting) a value into an object.

[0069] When "input" is selected as the input method for the number of sheets to be printed, the number of sheets to be printed can be changed by user operation on the printer 3 (that is, the setting for whether the number of sheets to be printed can be changed is enabled). The value entered by the user in the input box 109 is reflected in the label printing application of the printer 3 as the initial value for the number of sheets to be printed, but this initial value can be changed by user operation on the label printing application. On the other hand, if "fixed" or "reference" is selected as the input method for the number of sheets to be printed, the number of sheets to be printed cannot be changed by user operation on the printer 3 (that is, the setting for whether or not to change the number of sheets to be printed is not permitted).

[0070] When "Fixed" is selected as the input method for the number of copies to be issued, the number to be issued is set to the value entered by the user in the input box 109 or the value set in the dataset. The value set in the dataset is the value of the item specified by the user among the items set in the call table TL1. As an example, the procedure for specifying the number of copies to be issued using the dataset is shown in Figure 8.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 8, when specifying the number of copies to be printed in a data set, the check box 111 corresponding to the data set is enabled in the number of copies to be printed specification unit 106, and an operation is performed to select one of the items set in the call table TL1 by the data set setting unit 112. In this example, an example is shown in which the item "initial number of copies to be printed" is selected in the call table TL1. In this example, "10," which is the initial number of copies to be printed corresponding to the print layout currently being created (for example, the value of the item "initial number of copies to be printed" corresponding to print layout: [1] Food label 1 in FIG. 5), is set in the input box 109 as the number of copies to be printed. By specifying the number of labels to be printed using a data set, the number of labels to be printed can be set to a value associated with any object placed in the print layout. For example, if the number of labels to be printed for a specific product is predetermined, the user does not need to input a value into the input box 109 each time.

[0072] When "Reference" is selected as the input method for the number of labels to be printed, the number of labels to be printed is set to a value obtained by referencing one of one or more objects in the print layout when the printer 3 is printing, or a value calculated based on the value obtained by referencing that object. This allows the number of labels to be set according to the value obtained by referencing a specific object when the printer 3 is printing labels.

[0073] As explained with reference to Figure 4, when the type of object placed on the print layout is a character string object, for example, the input method can be selected from "Fixed," "At print (data)," or "Reference / Link." Therefore, when referencing any object on the print layout as the number of copies to be printed, if "Reference / Link" is included as a method for inputting the value of the referenced object, it is possible that another object will be referenced (secondary reference).

[0074] An example of the procedure for setting the number of labels to be printed so that it is a value calculated based on a value that references one of the objects arranged in the print layout is shown in Figure 9. In this example, when printing labels to be affixed to boxes in which multiple products are packed, a value corresponding to the number of products is set as the number of labels to be printed.

[0075] 9, the user selects "reference" in input method setting section 107 for the number of copies to be issued in data window 105, and specifies the item name of the referenced object using detailed setting button 108. The specification method is based on a setting table (not shown), similar to that in FIG. Here, it is assumed that an object (referenced object) with an item name "calculated number of copies to be issued" is to be referenced. Here, the user selects "Reference / Join" in the input method setting section 301 of the data window 105b of the referenced object, and sets it to refer to an item called "Quantity of Products" in a setting table (not shown) by operating the advanced settings button 302. Furthermore, table T1 is selected in the table selection section 304 of the data window 105b. In table T1, values ​​before and after conversion are associated with each other, as shown in Fig. 10. In this example, it is assumed that four products are packed in one box, and the value before conversion corresponds to the "number of products" and the value after conversion corresponds to the "calculated number of copies to be issued."

[0076] In the data window 105c of the referenced object with the item name "Quantity of Products," for example, "At time of printing (data)" is selected in the input method setting section 311. As a result, the value of the object with the item name "Quantity of Products" is set to a value that can be input (changed) when printing labels with the printer 3.

[0077] By setting as described above, when printing labels, the number of sheets to be printed is set by referencing the value of the item "calculated number of sheets to be printed" (i.e., the number of boxes required to pack the products) based on the value entered for the item "number of products" in the label printing application of the printer 3. For example, if "99" is entered for the item "number of products," the number of sheets to be printed is set to "25." 9, an example was explained in which a table describing pre-conversion values ​​and post-conversion values ​​in association with each other is referenced when setting the number of copies to be issued so that the value is calculated based on the value of the referenced object, but this is not limiting and a configuration is also possible in which a predetermined arithmetic expression is referenced. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which an arithmetic expression for obtaining the number of copies to be issued based on the value of the referenced object is defined in advance.

[0078] In one embodiment, the label creation application sets a print quantity condition in which at least one of an upper limit and a lower limit is specified for the print quantity based on a user input, thereby preventing an unintended print quantity from being set by the label printing application of the printer 3 when printing labels.

[0079] Referring to Figure 11, the procedure for setting the issuance quantity condition is as follows: In Figure 11, window W1 is displayed by operating the advanced settings button 110 provided in data window 105 (the same as data window 105 in Figure 2). Window W1 includes an input range setting section 321. In input range setting section 321, the input range of the issuance quantity (i.e., the issuance quantity condition) can be set by performing an operation to independently set the upper and lower limit values ​​for the issuance quantity. Setting an input range for the number of labels to be printed prevents the label printing application of the printer 3 from setting a number of labels outside that input range. This prevents an unintended number of labels from being printed. In particular, setting an upper limit prevents an unintended large number of labels from being printed.

[0080] In one embodiment, the label creation application performs a data check on the set (input) number of copies to be printed. As described above, the number of copies to be printed can be set in various ways, such as by user input, by referencing an object value (including secondary referencing), or by table conversion. Therefore, it is preferable to perform a data check to determine whether the value is inappropriate for the number of copies to be printed. The data check is preferably performed after performing a numeric conversion, such as deleting a zero if there is a zero before the number, and an error is reported if numeric conversion is not possible.

[0081] Examples of data checks are listed below. If the number of copies issued is outside the range of 1 to 9999, an error will occur. If the number of copies to be issued is not entered (empty characters or all digits are half-width spaces), an error will occur. For example, if the number of copies issued is "0000123", it will be converted to "123" and will not be considered an error. For example, if the number of issued cards is "0012345", the number will be converted to "12345", which is greater than 9999, and an error will occur. -If the number of copies to be issued is set to include a string (for example, "12AB"), an error will occur because it cannot be converted to a numeric value. For example, if the number of copies issued is "△△△4567" (△: half-width space), the number will be converted to "4567" and no error will be generated. If the number of copies issued is set to reference an object value, a data check is performed after performing a numeric conversion on the referenced value.

[0082] In one embodiment, after a user designs a label, the user can display and check a preview image of each label. For example, the label creation application can display a preview test printing screen by selecting a predetermined operation target from a menu displayed by operating "File" in instruction button group 101 on the project file creation screen (see, for example, FIG. 2). The label creation application displays the set number of labels to be printed on this preview test printing screen.

[0083] Next, the procedure for printing a label using the label printing application of the printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the label printing application on the printer 3 is started and an operation is performed to download a format file from the server 5. Next, as shown on the printer screen g1 in Figure 12, from among the downloaded format files, the user selects, for example, "meat" as the format file corresponding to the label they wish to print. The printer screen g2 that is then displayed includes an input box bx1 for entering a call number in the selected format file. The call number entered here corresponds to the call number in the call table (see Figure 5) in the format file. For example, if call number 008 is entered in input box bx1, the issuing data of the record corresponding to call number 008 in the call table is called, and printer screen g3 is displayed.

[0084] The printer screen g3 includes a preview button b1, an issue button b2, an input box bx2 corresponding to the number of copies to be printed, and an input box group bx3. The input box group bx3 consists of multiple input boxes in which values ​​corresponding to each item of printing data have already been entered. If the input method for the object values ​​corresponding to each item in the label creation application is set to "At Printing (Data)," the user can change the value (character string) by selecting one of the input boxes and operating the software keyboard SK, for example. A label is printed by pressing the print button b2 on the printer screen g3. Before printing a label, a preview image of the label can be displayed by pressing the preview button b1.

[0085] As described above, if the number of copies to be printed is set to "fixed" or "reference" (input method setting section 107 in Figure 2) in the label creation application, the setting for whether to change the number of copies to be printed is not permitted, and the number of copies to be printed cannot be changed by user operation on the printer 3. In that case, the input box bx2 is grayed out, and the user cannot change the number of copies to be printed. On the other hand, if the number of copies to be printed is set by "input" (input method setting section 107 in Figure 2) in the label creation application, the setting for whether to change the number of copies to be printed is permitted, and the number of copies to be printed can be changed by user operation in the printer 3. In this case, the input box bx2 displays the initial value set in the label creation application, but the initial value can be changed by operating the software keyboard SK.

[0086] Next, label issuance in the label issuing system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. Based on user operation, the label creation application of the computer device 2 arranges one or more objects in the print layout, sets detailed data for each object, and sets the number of labels to be printed corresponding to the print layout (step S2). The number of labels to be printed is set by operating the number-of-labels setting unit 106 in Fig. 2, and includes setting the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 based on the selected print layout and whether the number of labels to be printed can be changed. After creating the project file, the label creation application uploads the project file as a format file from the computer device 2 to the server 5 in response to user operation (steps S4 and S6).

[0087] The label issuance application of the printer 3 can download a format file at any timing in response to a user operation (step S8). When a call number is input by a user operation as shown in Fig. 12 (step S10), the label issuance application causes the printer 3 to display the issuance data corresponding to the call number as shown on printer screen g3 in Fig. 12, and changes the display mode in response to the setting of the number of sheets to be printed corresponding to the issuance data. Specifically, if the setting of whether the number of sheets to be printed is changeable is permitted, the label issuance application displays the issuance data so that the initial value of the number of sheets to be printed is displayed (step S14). If the setting of whether the number of sheets to be printed is changeable is prohibited, the label issuance application displays the issuance data so that the number of sheets to be printed cannot be changed (step S16). If the setting of whether the number of sheets to be printed is changeable is permitted, the user can change the number of sheets to be printed. When the user performs a label printing operation, the label printing application prints the set number of labels corresponding to the printing data (step S18).

[0088] As described above, according to the label issuance system 1, the label creation application of the computer device 2 creates layout data by arranging one or more objects in a print layout that forms the basis of information to be printed by the printer 3. The label creation application also sets the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 based on the layout data and whether or not the printer 3 allows the user to change the number of labels to be printed. If the printer is set to not allow changes to the number of labels to be printed, the label issuance application of the printer 3 is configured to prohibit the user from changing the number of labels to be printed based on the created layout data. This prevents the user from inputting an incorrect number of labels to the printer when printing labels using the printer.

[0089] In one embodiment, the label issuance application performs a data check on the number of copies to be printed, similar to the label creation application. In this case, if the user changes the initial value displayed in the input box bx2 in Figure 12, a data check is performed on the changed value. Also, if the number of copies to be printed is set to refer to the value of a specific item, the number of copies to be printed may be set by referencing the value entered for one of the items in the input box group bx3 at the time of printing. In this case, it is preferable to perform a data check on the referenced value.

[0090] FIG. 14 shows an example of a warning display when a data check determines that an error has occurred. If the data check for the number of copies to be printed results in an error, the word "Error" is displayed in the input box bx2, as shown on printer screen g4. When the user operates the print button b2 on printer screen g4, it is preferable to display message m1, as shown on printer screen g5. In this example, message m1 notifies the user that the value set for the number of copies to be printed ("10A") contains a character string, resulting in an error. 14 is merely an example, and a different message may be displayed depending on the type of error. For example, if the number of copies to be issued has not been entered or if the number of copies to be issued does not meet the set number of copies to be issued condition, a different message will be displayed.

[0091] In one embodiment, the label issuance application of the printer 3 outputs a warning when it receives a request to print a number of labels that does not satisfy the print quantity condition set in the label creation application. For example, if the print quantity condition is set to 2 to 100 and a value exceeding 100 is entered in the input box bx2 in Fig. 12, a warning message is displayed. This makes it possible to warn the user of the printer 3 if an unintended print quantity is set when printing labels using the printer 3.

[0092] In the label printing application, various settings can be made hierarchically by operating the menu button mb in Fig. 12. In one embodiment, when a user selects one of multiple call numbers (for example, on the printer screen g2 in Fig. 12), the label printing application functions as an printing setting unit that sets whether or not to immediately print the number of labels set for the selected call number. This eliminates the need to operate the print button b2 after the printer screen g3 in Fig. 12 is displayed, thereby improving operability when printing labels.

[0093] In one embodiment, when a handheld scanner 7 (an example of an external input device) is connected to the printer 3, the printer 3 is configured to input values ​​for each item on the label to be printed by the printer 3 from the handheld scanner 7. Figure 15 is a diagram showing the state when the printer 3 prints a label using the handheld scanner 7. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 15, mark display paper SHT on which one or more print marks MK are printed is prepared in advance in the store. Each print mark MK includes a two-dimensional code and human-readable characters corresponding to the two-dimensional code (for example, "pork belly 03"). When a user performs a scan operation on one of the print marks MK, the two-dimensional code is read by the handy scanner 7, and the printer 3 acquires the read data via wireless communication with the handy scanner 7. By reading the printing marks MK and issuing the labels, there is an advantage that the printer 3 does not need to store values ​​(numeric values, character strings, etc.) corresponding to each item.

[0094] In one embodiment, the number of copies to be printed is input by reading the printing marks with the handy scanner 7, in the same way as when inputting the values ​​of each item on the label. In this case, even when the number of copies to be printed should be input, the printing marks for inputting the values ​​of each item on the label may be read by mistake, resulting in an error. Alternatively, the user may read an unintended large number of copies to be printed. Therefore, it is preferable that the label issuance application function as an input setting unit that sets, through user operation, whether or not to prohibit input of the number of sheets to be printed from the handy scanner 7. This makes it possible to prevent unintended input of the number of sheets to be printed from the handy scanner 7.

[0095] One embodiment is a method for processing information between a computer device 2 and a printer 3 capable of obtaining data from the computer device 2, and includes the following steps. (i) A step in which the computer device 2 sets the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 based on the layout data and whether or not the printer 3 allows the user to change the number of labels to be printed. (ii) prohibiting a user from changing the number of labels to be printed based on the layout data when the printer 3 is set to prohibit changes to the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 from being permitted.

[0096] One embodiment is a program that, when installed in a computer device 2 that can communicate with a printer 3, causes the computer to execute the following steps. (I) A procedure for creating layout data by placing one or more objects in a print layout that is the basis for the information printed by the printer 3. (II) A procedure for setting the number of labels to be printed by the printer 3 based on the layout data and whether or not the printer 3 allows the user to change the number of labels to be printed.

[0097] Although an embodiment of the information processing system, information processing method, and program of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, various improvements and modifications can be made to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 1...Label issuing system 2...Computer equipment 21...Control unit 22…Storage 23...Operation input section 24...Display section 25…Communications Department 3. Printer 31...Control unit 32…Storage 33...Operation input section 34…Display section 35...Transport unit 351...platen roller, 352...auxiliary roller 36...Printing section 361...print head 37...cutting section 371…Fixed blade, 372…Movable blade 38...External device interface 39…Communications Department 40...Issuing port 41...Label edge detection sensor 42...Label presence detection sensor 5...Server 51...Control unit 52…Storage 53…Communications Department 6. Tablet device 7. Handheld scanner 101...Instruction buttons 102...Object buttons 103...Design Window 104...Project Window 105, 105a~105c...Data window 106...Number of copies to be issued 107...Input method setting section 108,109...input box 110...Advanced settings button 111...Checkbox 112...Data Set Setting Section 301, 311...Input method setting section 302...Advanced settings button 304...Table selection section 321...Input range setting section CP...Continuous paper SHT...Mark display paper PM…Paper PL…Label LT1...Print layout m1: Message, mb: Menu button OBJ1~OBJ14...Objects T1...Table TL1...Call Table TS1...Settings table

Claims

1. An information processing system including an information processing device and a printer capable of acquiring data from the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a setting unit that sets the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether or not the number of print media to be printed is permitted to be changed by a user operation in the printer; The printer If the printer is set to prohibit changes to the number of sheets to be printed, prohibiting a user from changing the number of sheets to be printed based on the layout data. Information processing system.

2. the information processing device includes a data creation unit that creates the layout data by arranging one or more objects in a print layout that is the basis of information to be printed by the printer; 2. An information processing system according to claim 1.

3. the information processing device includes a storage unit that stores a data table in which a value is associated with each of the one or more objects; the setting unit sets the number of issued sheets to a value associated with an object selected by a user from the one or more objects.

3. An information processing system according to claim 2.

4. When the setting unit sets the printer to prohibit a change in the number of sheets to be printed by a user operation, the setting unit sets the number of sheets to be printed to a value obtained by referencing a first object of the one or more objects when the printer is printing the sheets, or a value calculated based on a value obtained by referencing the first object when the printer is printing the sheets.

3. An information processing system according to claim 2.

5. the setting unit sets an issuance number condition in which at least one of an upper limit value and a lower limit value is specified for the issuance number based on an input by a user; 5. An information processing system according to claim 1.

6. the printer outputs a warning when receiving a request to print a number of print media that does not satisfy the print number condition; 6. An information processing system according to claim 5.

7. The printer has an issuance setting unit that sets whether or not to immediately issue the number of print media set for the selected layout data when the user selects any one of the plurality of layout data.

4. An information processing system according to claim 1.

8. The printer has an input setting unit that sets whether or not to prohibit input of the number of sheets of print medium to be printed by the printer from the external input device when the external input device is connected to the printer.

5. An information processing system according to claim 1.

9. An information processing method between an information processing device and a printer capable of acquiring data from the information processing device, comprising: the information processing device sets the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on layout data and whether or not the printer allows the number of print media to be changed by a user operation; When the printer is set to prohibit changes to the number of sheets to be printed by the printer, the printer prohibits changes to the number of sheets to be printed by a user operation of the print medium to be printed based on the layout data. Information processing methods.

10. When installed on an information processing device that can communicate with the printer, creating layout data by arranging one or more objects in a print layout that is the basis for information to be printed by the printer; a procedure for setting the number of print media to be printed by the printer based on the layout data and whether or not the printer allows the number of print media to be changed by a user operation; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

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