Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To make it easy to design a layout for a set of printing media including two or more printing media, and improve operability when issuing one set of printing media.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system including an information processing apparatus and a printer capable of acquiring data from the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes a data creation unit that creates a plurality of print layouts serving as a basis of information to be printed on each of a plurality of printing media that constitute one set by the printer. The printer includes a medium issuing unit that issues one set of printing media in response to a single issuing instruction when issuing the printing media on the basis of the plurality of print layouts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Retail stores and other establishments have traditionally used label printers to print labels to be affixed to products for sale, and since the layout of the items to be printed on the tail label needs to be designed for each product to which the label is to be affixed, programs that enable the design of the layout of labels to be printed by label printers are known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that by executing a label print format setting program, a label print format screen with the same proportions as the label is displayed on an LCD monitor, and that the screen is divided into blocks for each display item, and that a block can be selected based on user operation and the position of the selected block can be changed by operating the cursor keys up, down, left, and right. It also describes that the changed label print format can be registered, and that labels can be issued using the registered label print format. [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] There are cases where two or more labels are affixed to a product. For example, if the product is a boxed lunch, a label with the product name and price printed on it may be affixed to the front of the product, and a label with detailed information such as the product's ingredients and nutritional content may be affixed to the back of the product. In such cases, it is desirable to be able to design the layout of each label as a set of two or more labels. It is also desirable to be able to print one set of labels in a single printing operation.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention aims to easily design the layout for one set of printing media containing two or more sheets of printing media, and to improve operability when issuing one set of printing 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 acquiring data from the information processing device, The information processing device includes: a data creation unit that creates a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that make up one set by the printer; The printer When printing media based on the plurality of print layouts, a medium issuing unit is provided which issues one set of printing media in response to one issuing instruction. It is an information processing system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily design the layout for one set of print media containing two or more sheets of print media, and the operability when issuing one set of print media is improved. [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 an example in which information about one product is printed on multiple labels when issuing a set. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which a label is added to the beginning of a main body label in set printing. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for setting set printing in a label creation application. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a project file creation screen when set publication is set. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating settings for real-time printing for a date and time object in a label creation application. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of display modes of preview images in a label issuing application. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for printing a label using a label printing application of a printer. [Figure 15] 10 is a sequence chart showing a sequence for issuing a set in the label issuing system. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of the time printed on the date and time object when real-time printing is enabled and disabled, when two main labels consisting of a front label and a back label are one set. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of cutting positions according to the setting of the cutting method when two main labels consisting of a front label and a back label are made into one set. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an issuing flow when a tablet terminal is connected to a printer. 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 data creation unit that creates a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that make up one set by the printer; The printer When printing media based on the plurality of print layouts, a medium issuing unit is provided which issues one set of printing media in response to one issuing instruction. It is an information processing system.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the layout for a set of printing media containing two or more sheets of printing media can be easily designed, and operability when issuing a set of printing media is improved.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the data creation unit provides a user interface that allows the multiple print layouts to be switched and displayed on a single screen.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a good user interface is provided when designing a layout for one set of print media.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, the data creation unit arranges one or more objects in each of the plurality of print layouts based on a user's operation, and sets values ​​for each of the one or more objects using an input method designated by the user from among a plurality of input methods; The information processing system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the multiple input methods include a method of inputting a value for a first object placed in the multiple print layouts by referring to a value for a second object other than the first object that is placed in one of the multiple print layouts.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reference values ​​between objects within multiple print layouts corresponding to one set of print media, thereby allowing for flexible design of one set of print layouts.

[0016] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the data creation unit, based on a user's operation, arranges date and time objects corresponding to items related to date and time in each of the plurality of print layouts, and sets, for each date and time object, whether or not to print a time value acquired by the printer at the time of issuance; An information processing system according to any of the first to third aspects, wherein when the printer is set to print the time value acquired by the printer at the time of issuance onto the print medium, the printer prints the time value acquired when issuing the first print medium among the multiple print media that make up a set for each of the date and time objects placed in each of the multiple print layouts.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a set of multiple print media is attached to one article, the time values ​​of the multiple print media can be made consistent.

[0018] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the medium issuing unit issues a requested number of sets of print media from a continuous strip of print media arranged continuously, the printer has a cutting unit that cuts the print medium issued by the medium issuing unit from the continuous body; The information processing device is an information processing system described in any of the first to fourth aspects, which has a cutting method setting unit that sets, based on user selection, one of a plurality of cutting methods for cutting the requested number of sets of printing media, including a first method of cutting the printing media so that each sheet is separated, a second method of cutting the printing media so that one set of printing media is separated together, and a third method of cutting the printing media so that each set of printing media specified by the user is separated together.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when cutting a requested number of sets of print media, a cutting method desired by the user can be set.

[0020] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the information processing device includes a preview display unit that displays a preview image based on the plurality of print layouts created by the data creation unit, In the information processing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the preview display unit provides a user interface that allows the preview image to be displayed by switching between the plurality of print layouts on a single screen.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, after a user has designed a layout for one set of print media, the user can check the print image using a preview image.

[0022] A seventh aspect of the present invention is an information processing system described in any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the data creation unit, in response to user operation, sets labels to be attached to the main label as the leading label and / or trailing label among the multiple printing media that make up the set, and creates a printing layout that forms the basis for the information to be printed on the leading label and / or the trailing label.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a leading label and / or a trailing label can be added to the body label.

[0024] An eighth 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 creates a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that make up one set by the printer; When the printer issues print media based on the plurality of print layouts, it issues one set of print media in response to one issuance instruction. It is an information processing method.

[0025] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the layout for a set of printing media containing two or more sheets of printing media can be easily designed, and operability when issuing a set of printing media is improved.

[0026] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a method for printing a character string, comprising: a step of acquiring a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that constitute one set by the printer; When printing media based on the plurality of print layouts, a procedure for causing the printing unit to print one set of printing media in response to a single printing instruction; It is a program that causes a computer to execute the above.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the layout for a set of printing media containing two or more sheets of printing media can be easily designed, and operability when issuing a set of printing media is improved.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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."

[0031] 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.

[0032] A label creation application program (hereinafter referred to as the "label creation application" as appropriate) that creates a project file containing data on the label layout design as well as data on each item included on the label and information on various settings is installed in the computer device 2, and 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] The cutting unit 37 includes a fixed blade 371 and a movable blade 372 for cutting the printed labels PL, and cuts the issued labels PL from the continuous paper CP. 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 have been cut.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] The microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes the label creation application, thereby functioning as a data creation unit that creates multiple printing layouts that form the basis for the information printed by the printer 3 on each of the multiple labels that make up a set.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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. By executing the firmware and the label issuance application, the control unit 31 functions as a medium issuing unit that issues one set of labels in response to one issuance instruction when issuing labels based on multiple print layouts.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] Next, a method for issuing labels in the label issuing system 1 will be described in detail. The label issuing system 1 is characterized by issuing a set of labels consisting of multiple labels with a single issuing instruction (hereinafter referred to as "set issuing" where appropriate). Note that in the following explanation, the term "main label" is used to distinguish it from header labels and tail labels, which will be described later. An example of printing a set of labels is when multiple labels are affixed to a single product. In this case, information about one product is printed on multiple labels. An example of this is shown in Figure 8. FIG. 8 shows a case where two labels are issued as a set to be affixed to a lunch box 10 consisting of a lid 11 and a box body 12. In this case, a front label FL is affixed to the surface of the lid 11, which is the front side of the lunch box 10, and a back label RL is affixed to the back surface of the box body 12, which is the back side of the lunch box 10. In one embodiment, a main body label BL including a front label FL and a back label RL on a backing sheet PM is issued as a set. Of the issued main body labels BL, the front label FL and the back label RL are each affixed separately to the lunch box 10. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, the information printed on the front label FL and the back label RL is different.

[0066] Another example of issuing a set of labels is when a label is added to the beginning and / or end of the body label BL, and an example of this is shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows an example of printing a set of labels on a backing sheet PM, the set including four identical main labels BL1, BL2, BL3, ... (each to be affixed to a slice of bread) and a header label HL (an example of a leading label) placed at the beginning of the main labels BL. In this example, the header label HL is not a label affixed to the product, but rather has a string of characters printed thereon that describes the contents of the main labels BL. Although FIG. 9 shows only the header label HL, a tail label (an example of a trailing label) may be placed at the end of the four main labels BL instead of or together with the header label HL. In that case, a string of characters indicating that printing of the main labels BL has finished may be printed on the tail label.

[0067] In order to issue a set, the labels to be issued as a set are designed in advance in a label creation application. The procedure in the label creation application when designing labels to be issued as a set will be described below with reference to Figs. 10 to 13. FIG. 10 shows the procedure for setting set printing in the label creation application. When the layout setting section 113 is operated on the project file creation screen (screen G1), window W1 is displayed. In window W1, it is possible to select the paper to be used, and although not shown, it is possible to select paper of a predetermined size (for example, 35 mm length x 40 mm width), paper of a variable length, free size paper, etc. When the details setting button 201 is operated on window W1, window W2 is displayed. The user sets the details of the set issuance in window W2.

[0068] Window W2 includes a check box 202 for setting whether set printing is enabled, and an input box 203 for setting the number of labels to be included in one set if set printing is enabled. Check boxes 204 and 205 allow the user to set whether a header label and a tail label are to be added to the body label, respectively.

[0069] The cutter operation setting unit 206 sets the cutting method to be used by the cutting unit 37 (FIG. 6) when issuing sets. The user selects one of the following from the pull-down menu of the cutter operation setting unit 206: "No cutter operation (continuous issuing)," "Cut every single sheet" (an example of the first method), "Cut every set" (an example of the second method), "Cut every specified number of sets" (an example of the third method), or "Unused." When the cutting method "Cut every specified number of sets" is selected, the number of sets to be cut is input into the input box 207.

[0070] The label creation application functions as a cutting method setting unit that sets the cutting method based on the user's selection in the cutter operation setting unit 206. This allows the user to set the desired cutting method when cutting the requested number of sets of labels. A specific example of cutting the continuous paper CP on the label issuing application side based on the cutting method set in the label creation application will be described later.

[0071] When set printing is enabled, the project file creation screen is configured according to the settings (the number of labels in a set and whether or not a header label and a tail label are included). For example, in window W2 in Figure 10, if input box 203 is set to "2" (labels) and check boxes 204 and 205 are enabled, set printing is configured so that a header label and a tail label are added to the two body labels. When set printing is configured in this way, screen G2 is displayed as the project file creation screen, as shown in Figure 11. Screen G2 provides a layout tab 210 corresponding to each label, and a user interface that allows switching between multiple print layouts corresponding to the header label, each main body label, and the tail label. In the layout tab 210, the first label, second label, etc. of the main body labels are displayed as "Label 1," "Label 2," etc., respectively. In set issuing, the layout specification and values ​​of each item are set for each label included in one set for one call number in the call table. The user can design each label by sequentially switching the print layout using the layout tab 210, and the user interface is excellent when designing each label corresponding to the issuance of a set.

[0072] 11 shows an example in which the print layout LT2 of "Label 1" selected in the layout tab 210 is displayed in the design window 103. No objects are placed on the print layout LT2 in FIG. 11, but the user can design a label by placing various objects on the print layout LT2. As mentioned above, objects placed on the print layout can be set in a data window (for example, data window 105a in FIG. 4). As explained with reference to FIG. 4, if the object type is a character string object, for example, the input method can be selected from "Fixed," "When issued (data)," or "Reference and link." If "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.

[0073] When set printing is enabled, the value of an object (an example of a first object) placed in the print layout of a main label among multiple labels to be printed as a set can also refer to the value of an object (an example of a second object) placed in the print layout of another main label among the multiple labels. In other words, since it is possible to refer to values ​​between objects among multiple print layouts corresponding to one set of labels, the print layout for one set can be designed flexibly.

[0074] In one embodiment, it is prohibited to refer to objects placed on the body label or tail label as values ​​for a serial number object placed in the print layout of a header label. A serial number object is an object of an item corresponding to a serial number. Similarly, in one embodiment, it is prohibited to refer to objects placed on the header label or tail label as values ​​for a serial number object placed in the print layout of a body label. The reason for this setting is that the serial number value should only be referenced within one set of body labels.

[0075] In one embodiment, based on user operation, date and time objects corresponding to date and time items are placed in each of multiple print layouts corresponding to multiple labels to be printed as a set. In this case, the label creation application sets for each date and time object whether or not to print the time value obtained by the printer 3 at the time of printing. This setting method is shown in Figure 12. 12 shows an example of a data window 151 in which a date and time object for the "Best Before Date" item is placed in the print layout and selected. The data window 151 includes a check box 152 for enabling real-time printing. Here, real-time printing means printing the time value obtained by the printer 3 at the time of printing.

[0076] In one embodiment, when real-time printing is enabled, it is prohibited to refer to objects placed on the body label or tail label as the value of a date and time object placed in the print layout of a header label. Similarly, in one embodiment, when real-time printing is enabled, it is prohibited to refer to objects placed on the header label or tail label as the value of a date and time object placed in the print layout of a body label. The reason for this setting is that the time value during real-time printing is a value that should only be referenced within one set of body labels.

[0077] In one embodiment, after a user designs each of the labels to be printed as a set, the user can display and check a preview image of each label. The label creation application displays a preview image, as shown in FIG. 13, by selecting a specific operation target from the menu displayed by operating "File" in the instruction button group 101 on the project file creation screen (see, for example, FIG. 2). Immediately after selecting the operation target, window W3 in FIG. 13 is displayed. Window W3 includes a preview image of the main body label (e.g., labels corresponding to "Label 1" and "Label 2" in FIG. 11). In the layout switching section 211 of window W3, a label can be selected by sequentially switching from among the multiple labels to be issued as a set using a pull-down menu, and a preview image of the selected label is displayed. For example, when "Header" is selected in the layout switching section 211, window W4 including a preview image of the header label is displayed, and when "Tail" is selected in the layout switching section 211, window W5 including a preview image of the tail label is displayed. The label to be displayed as the preview image can also be switched by operating the screen switching section 212. The displayed preview image can be enlarged or reduced using the zoom button 213.

[0078] As described above, the label creation application has a preview display unit that displays preview images based on multiple print layouts to be printed as a set, and this preview display unit provides a user interface that allows the user to switch between multiple print layouts on a single screen and display preview images. This allows the user to design the layout for one set of labels and then check the print image using the preview image.

[0079] 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 14, from among the downloaded format files, the user selects, for example, "Lunch Box" as the format file corresponding to the label they want 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 003 is entered in input box bx1, the issuing data of the record corresponding to call number 003 in the call table is called, and printer screen g3 is displayed.

[0080] 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. By operating the preview button b1 before printing a label, a printer screen g4 including a preview image of the label is displayed.

[0081] On the printer screen g4, a preview image IM corresponding to the main body label is first displayed. The printer screen g4 includes a button b3 for displaying a preview image of the main body label, a button b4 for displaying a preview image of the header label, and a button b5 for displaying a preview image of the tail label. Operating each button switches between the preview images of the corresponding labels. One set of labels is printed by operating the print button b2 once on the printer screen g3 or g4.

[0082] Next, set issuance in the label issuing system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence chart in FIG. Based on user operation, the label creation application of the computer device 2 enables set printing, arranges one or more objects in each of multiple print layouts to be printed as a set, sets detailed data for each object, and creates a project file. The project file includes the print layout and various settings for each label to be printed as a set. After the project file has been created, 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).

[0083] The label issuance application of the printer 3 can download the 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. 14 (step S10), the label creation application causes the printer 3 to display the issuance data corresponding to the call number, as shown on the printer screen g3 in Fig. 14. When the user issues a label issuance instruction (step S12), the label issuance application issues a label. For example, assuming that "1" (sheets) is entered in input box bx2 as shown in Fig. 14, if the issuance data corresponding to the call number being processed is set issuance (step S14: YES), the label issuance application issues one set of labels corresponding to the issuance data with a single issuance instruction (step S18). If the issuance data is not set issuance (step S14: NO), the label issuance application issues one label corresponding to the issuance data (step S18).

[0084] As described above, according to the label issuing system 1, the label creation application of the computer device 2 is configured to create multiple print layouts that form the basis of information to be printed on each of the multiple labels that make up one set by the printer 3. When printing labels based on the multiple print layouts created by the label creation application, the label issuing application of the printer 3 is configured to print one set of labels in response to a single printing instruction. This makes it easy to design the layout for a set of labels that includes two or more labels, and improves operability when printing one set of labels.

[0085] In one embodiment, when the label issuance application is set to print on a label the time value acquired by the printer 3 at the time of issuance (when real-time issuance is enabled), the label issuance application prints the time value acquired when printing the first main label of the multiple main labels included in one set for each of the date and time objects arranged in each of the multiple print layouts corresponding to the multiple main labels. This makes it possible to match the time values ​​between the multiple main labels when the multiple main labels included in one set are affixed to one product.

[0086] 16 is a diagram illustrating the time printed on the date and time object when real-time printing is enabled and disabled for a set of two main labels consisting of a front label and a back label. This example shows the case where header labels and tail labels are added to three sets of main labels (QTY 1 to 3). As shown in FIG. 16, when real-time printing is enabled, the label printing application acquires time information as follows. At time t1 when printing of the header label begins, obtain the time information to be printed in the date and time object of the header label. At the times t2, t3, and t4 when printing of each main label starts (i.e., the time when printing of the first front label starts), the time information to be printed in the date and time objects on both the front and back labels of each main label is obtained. Therefore, the same time information is printed on the main labels of the same set. At time t5 when printing of the tail label starts, obtain the time information to be printed in the date and time object of the tail label.

[0087] In one embodiment, the label issuing application cuts the issued labels using the cutting method set by the label creation application. As described above, the label creation application sets one of the following cutting methods: "No cutter operation (continuous printing)," "Cut every single sheet," "Cut every set," "Cut every specified number of sets," or "Not used." Data indicating the set cutting method is also included in the format file acquired by the label issuing application.

[0088] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the cutting position according to the cutting method setting when two main labels, consisting of a front label and a back label, are made into one set. This example shows the case where a header label and a tail label are added to three sets of main labels (QTY 1 to 3) and issued. In Figure 17, the cutting position is represented by "C". As shown in Figure 17, when the cutting method is set to "No cutter operation (continuous printing)," the labels are cut together in a set. When the cutting method is set to "Cut each label," the labels are cut one label at a time. When the cutting method is set to "Cut each set," the main labels are cut one set at a time, and the header and tail labels are cut relative to the main labels. When the cutting method is set to "Cut every specified number of sets," the difference is that the main label is cut every specified number of sets that has been set in advance, compared to when it is set to "Cut every set." In this example, the specified number of sets is "2."

[0089] In the label issuance application, various settings can be made hierarchically by operating the menu button mb in Figure 14. In one embodiment, the label issuance application sets whether or not to record the issuance history. If the issuance history is recorded, the user can output a detailed statement of the past issuance history. The detailed statement of the issuance history may include data such as the issuance date and time, the call number, and the number of labels issued. In the case of set issuance, the number of labels issued included in the statement preferably does not include the number of header labels and tail labels, but is the number of sets of main labels.

[0090] In one embodiment, a tablet terminal 6 is connected to the printer 3. In this case, the label issuance application issues labels based on an issuance command received from the tablet terminal 6. In this issuance mode, the issuance flow for peeling and issuing one set of labels will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating the issuance flow for peeling and issuing labels when the tablet terminal 6 is connected to the printer 3.

[0091] 18, in issuance flow F1, the tablet terminal 6 sends to the printer 3 a print command for a front label (QTY: 1) of one set consisting of a front label and a back label (Step S30). The printer 3 prints and issues the front label in response to the print command (Step S32) and waits until the issued front label is removed (Step S34). If the printer 3 determines that the front label has been removed based on the output of the label presence / absence detection sensor 42 (FIG. 6) (Step S34: YES), the printer 3 notifies the tablet terminal 6 (Step S36). Upon receiving this notification, the tablet terminal 6 sends to the printer 3 a print command for a back label (QTY: 1) of the set (Step S38). The printer 3 prints and issues the back label in response to the print command (Step S40). In this way, in issuance flow F1, when peeling and issuing one set of labels, a print command is acquired from the tablet terminal 6 each time a label is removed.

[0092] Issuance flow F2 in FIG. 18 is a more preferable issuance flow than issuance flow F1. In issuance flow F2, printer 3 first receives a print command for one set (QTY: 1 set) (step S30A). In response to the print command, printer 3 prints and issues a front label (step S32) and waits until the printed front label is removed (step S34). If printer 3 determines that the front label has been removed based on the output of label presence / absence detection sensor 42 (FIG. 6) (step S34: YES), it immediately prints and issues a back label (step S40). In this way, in issuance flow F2, when peeling and issuing one set of labels, printer 3 is configured to first obtain a print command for one set from tablet terminal 6. This reduces the time required to issue one set compared to when a print command is received for each label included in the set.

[0093] 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) the computer device 2 creates a plurality of print layouts that form the basis for the information to be printed by the printer 3 on each of a plurality of labels that make up a set; (ii) When the printer 3 issues labels based on a plurality of print layouts, a step of issuing one set of labels in response to one issuing instruction.

[0094] One embodiment is a program that causes a computer to execute the following steps when installed in a printer 3 equipped with a printing unit 36. (I) A procedure for obtaining a plurality of print layouts that form the basis of information to be printed by the printer 3 on each of a plurality of labels that make up one set. (II) Procedure for causing the printing unit 36 ​​to print one set of labels in response to one printing instruction when printing labels based on multiple print layouts

[0095] 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]

[0096] 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 10...Lunch box 11…Lid 12...Box body 101...Instruction buttons 102...Object buttons 103...Design Window 104...Project Window 105, 105a, 151...Data window 113...Layout setting section 201...Advanced settings button 203,207...input box 152, 202, 204, 205...Checkboxes 206...Cutter operation setting unit 210...Layout tab 211...Layout switching section 212...Screen switching section 213...Zoom button BL...Main body label CP...Continuous paper HL...Header label LT1, LT2...print layout mb...Menu button OBJ1~OBJ14...Objects PM…Paper PL…Label 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 data creation unit that creates a plurality of print layouts that form the basis of information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that make up one set by the printer; The printer When printing media based on the plurality of print layouts, a medium issuing unit is provided which issues one set of printing media in response to one issuing instruction. Information processing system.

2. the data creation unit provides a user interface that allows the plurality of print layouts to be switched and displayed on a single screen; 2. An information processing system according to claim 1.

3. the data creation unit arranges one or more objects in each of the plurality of print layouts based on a user's operation, and sets values ​​for each of the one or more objects using an input method designated by the user from among a plurality of input methods; the plurality of input methods include a method of inputting a value for a first object arranged in the plurality of print layouts by referring to a value for a second object other than the first object arranged in one of the plurality of print layouts, 2. An information processing system according to claim 1.

4. the data creation unit, based on a user's operation, arranges date and time objects corresponding to items related to date and time in each of the plurality of print layouts, and sets, for each date and time object, whether or not to print the time value acquired by the printer at the time of issuance; When the printer is set to print the time value acquired by the printer at the time of printing onto the printing medium, the printer prints the time value acquired at the time of printing the first printing medium among the plurality of printing media constituting one set for each of the date and time objects arranged in each of the plurality of printing layouts.

4. An information processing system according to claim 1.

5. the medium issuing unit issues the requested number of sets of print media from a continuous strip of print media arranged continuously; the printer has a cutting unit that cuts the print medium issued by the medium issuing unit from the continuous body; The information processing device has a cutting method setting unit that sets, based on a user's selection, one of a plurality of cutting methods for cutting the requested number of sets of print media, including a first method of cutting the print media so that they are separated one by one, a second method of cutting the print media so that one set of print media is separated together, and a third method of cutting the print media so that each set of print media designated by the user is separated together.

4. An information processing system according to claim 1.

6. the information processing device includes a preview display unit that displays a preview image based on the plurality of print layouts created by the data creation unit, the preview display unit provides a user interface that allows a preview image to be displayed by switching between the plurality of print layouts on a single screen.

4. An information processing system according to claim 1.

7. the data creation unit, in response to a user's operation, sets labels to be added to a main label as a leading label and / or a trailing label among the plurality of print media constituting the set, and creates a print layout that forms the basis of information to be printed on the leading label and / or the trailing label.

4. An information processing system according to claim 1.

8. 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 creates a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that make up one set by the printer; When the printer issues print media based on the plurality of print layouts, it issues one set of print media in response to one issuance instruction. Information processing methods.

9. When installed in a printer with a printing unit, a step of acquiring a plurality of print layouts that are the basis for information to be printed on each of a plurality of print media that constitute one set by the printer; a step of causing the printing unit to issue one set of print media in response to a single issuing instruction when issuing print media based on the plurality of print layouts; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images