Printer, information processing method of printer and program

Abstract

To enable a preview image to be displayed on a printer.SOLUTION: A printer according to one embodiment in the present invention comprises: a display part; a receiving part that receives a job including printing data, which requests for issuing processing; a printing part that prints information on a printing medium on the basis of the printing data included in the job; and a control part that generates a preview image on the basis of the printing data included in the job to display on the display part the preview image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to information processing in a printer. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a preview function is known that displays an image containing information to be printed by a printer on a screen as a preview image before printing. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that includes an information processing device connected to a printer, and that displays a preview image of a label that matches the printed content on the information processing device by operating a predetermined button displayed on the information processing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-157521 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the system described in Patent Document 1 is inconvenient because the user must connect the printer to the information processing device in order to display the preview image.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to make it possible to display a preview image on a printer. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a display unit. a receiving unit that receives a job including print data and requesting issuance processing; a printing unit that prints information on a printing medium based on print data included in the job; and a control unit that generates a preview image based on print data included in the job and displays the preview image on the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed on a printer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an exemplary printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the printer shown in FIG. 1 with the interior thereof visible. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams illustrating examples of the data configuration of a job data set and a job history data set. [Figure 5] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of a printer according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a preview image of a printer according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0010] A first aspect of the present invention is a display unit, a receiving unit that receives a job including print data and requesting issuance processing; a printing unit that prints information on a printing medium based on print data included in the job; and a control unit that generates a preview image based on print data included in the job and displays the preview image on the display unit.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed on a printer.

[0012] In a second aspect of the present invention, the print medium is a label to be attached to an article, In the printer according to the first aspect, the display unit displays, as the preview image, an overall image of information to be printed on one sheet of printing medium based on the print data.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the user can check the entire printed information at a glance.

[0014] In a third aspect of the present invention, the printing apparatus further includes a setting unit that sets whether or not a preview image is to be displayed on the display unit based on print data before printing is performed based on the print data, In the printer according to the first or second aspect, when the setting unit has set the preview image to be displayed on the display unit, the control unit displays an operation object that instructs printing together with the preview image before the job issuance process is started, and controls the printing unit to perform printing in accordance with an operation on the operation object.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the user can select whether or not to display a preview image before printing.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a printer described in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit a first job list including one or more unprocessed jobs received by the receiving unit that have not yet been issued, with each unprocessed job available for selection, and generates a preview image corresponding to an unprocessed job selected from the first job list in response to a user operation and displays it on the display unit.

[0017] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed for a job selected by a user from among a plurality of jobs for which the issuance process has not been completed.

[0018] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a printer described in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control unit displays on the display unit a second job list including one or more processed jobs received by the receiving unit for which issuance processing has been completed, with each processed job available for selection, and generates a preview image corresponding to a processed job selected from the second job list in response to user operation and displays it on the display unit.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed for a job selected by the user from among a plurality of jobs for which the issuing process has been completed.

[0020] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a printer according to the fifth aspect, wherein the control unit displays an operation object to instruct printing together with the preview image, and when an operation is performed on the operation object, controls the printing unit to perform printing corresponding to the selected processed job.

[0021] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, after a user checks a preview image of a job for which issuance processing has already been completed, the user can execute printing corresponding to that job without switching screens.

[0022] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a printer according to the sixth aspect, wherein, if the printing unit is currently printing at the time an operation is performed on the operation target, the control unit temporarily stops the printing in progress and controls the printing unit to perform printing corresponding to the selected processed job.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the user can give priority to issuing print media corresponding to a processed job selected by the user.

[0024] An eighth aspect of the present invention includes a status setting unit that sets the status to one of a plurality of statuses including an online status in which a job can be received from an external information processing apparatus, The printer according to the fourth or fifth aspect is one in which the control unit is capable of displaying the first job list or the second job list when the control unit is set to a state other than the online state among the plurality of states.

[0025] If the first job list or the second job list were displayed in an online state, the jobs included in each job list would be updated frequently, and it would be inappropriate for the user to perform operations such as displaying details of jobs included in each job list or deleting jobs. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to limit user operations in situations where jobs are frequently updated.

[0026] A ninth aspect of the present invention is a printer described in any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the control unit displays the preview image on the display unit in a state in which the printable area when printed on a printing medium is visible.

[0027] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the user can check before printing whether all the information to be printed fits within the printable area.

[0028] A tenth aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for a printer having a display unit, comprising: receiving a job including print data and requesting printing processing; generating a preview image based on print data included in the job; displaying the preview image on the display unit; The present invention relates to an information processing method for a printer, including:

[0029] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed on a printer.

[0030] An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a computer, when installed in a printer having a display unit, with receiving a job including print data and requesting printing processing; generating a preview image based on print data included in the job; a step of displaying the preview image on the display unit; This is a program that executes the above.

[0031] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a preview image can be displayed on a printer.

[0032] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an exemplary printer configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior of an exemplary printer 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the printer 2 shown in Fig. 1 with the interior visible.

[0033] 1, the printer 2 has, on its front surface, a plurality of operation input buttons 3, a display panel 4 (an example of a display unit), and an issuance port 25. Labels issued by the printer 2 are ejected from the issuance port 25. In one embodiment, the labels are attached to articles after being issued. The display panel 4 forms a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for configuring various settings for the printer 2, and as will be described later, displays a preview image including the information that will be printed on the labels issued by the printer 2. The display panel 4 is preferably larger in size than the overall image of the information that will be printed on one label, allowing the user to see the entire information that will be printed at a glance.

[0034] 2, the printer 2 includes a control unit 10, a platen roller 20, a print head 21, a label position detection sensor 23, a paper supply unit 36, a ribbon supply unit 37, and a ribbon winding unit 38. In Fig. 2, the exchange of signals between the control unit 10 and each unit is indicated by dashed lines.

[0035] The paper supply unit 36 ​​is loaded with roll paper R. As shown in FIG. 2, the roll paper R is a continuous paper CP wound into a roll. The continuous paper CP includes a strip-shaped backing sheet PM and a plurality of labels PL removably attached to the backing sheet PM at intervals. The surface (front side) of the backing sheet PM that comes into contact with the adhesive surface of the labels PL is coated with a release agent such as silicone, making it easy to peel the labels PL. The surface (back side) of the backing sheet PM where the labels PL are not attached may have position detection marks M formed at predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction to indicate the position of the labels. The labels PL may be made of thermal paper or plain paper. In the case of thermal paper, a thermosensitive coloring layer is formed on the surface of the label, which changes color to a specific color (black, red, etc.) when it reaches a predetermined temperature. Although not shown, the paper supply unit 36 ​​can also be loaded with roll paper, which is a roll of linerless labels with an adhesive surface coated with adhesive on the back of the printing surface.

[0036] 2, in printer 2, continuous paper CP is pulled out from roll paper R as platen roller 20 rotates, and after printing on each label PL of the continuous paper CP, the labels PL are sequentially discharged from issue port 25. A damper 43 is provided on the transport path of this continuous paper CP. Damper 43 has a predetermined pivot shaft and is installed in a state where it can freely pivot around the predetermined pivot shaft so that tension can be applied to the continuous paper CP.

[0037] The platen roller 20 is connected to the motor 19 and is installed so that it can rotate in both forward and reverse directions in response to the operation of the motor 19. Based on a control signal sent to the motor 19 from the control unit 10, the platen roller 20 rotates together with the print head 21 while clamping the continuous paper CP during printing. When the continuous paper CP is plain paper, the platen roller 20 rotates together with the print head 21 during printing while sandwiching the continuous paper CP and an ink ribbon RB coated with printing ink. In this case, the ink ribbon RB is transported from a ribbon supply unit 37 and taken up by a ribbon take-up unit 38. The ribbon take-up unit 38 is driven to rotate by a motor 19.

[0038] The print head 21 includes a plurality of heating resistors (heating elements) that generate heat when energized, and prints on the labels PL of the continuous paper CP based on control signals from the control unit 10. The plurality of heating resistors are arranged in a line along the width direction of the continuous paper CP (a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the continuous paper CP).

[0039] A label position detection sensor 23 is installed on the transport path of the continuous paper CP to detect the edge of each label PL in the transport direction of the continuous paper CP. The detection result (output signal) of the label position detection sensor 23 is sent to the control unit 10 and is used to control the transport of the continuous paper CP. In one embodiment, the label position detection sensor 23 is a light transmission sensor having a light emitting element arranged above or below the transport path of the continuous paper CP and a light receiving element arranged above or below the transport path on the other side. In one embodiment, the label position detection sensor 23 is a light reflective sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the presence or absence of a position detection mark M on the back side of the continuous paper CP.

[0040] Next, an information processing system 1 including the printer 2 and the host computer 5 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing system 1. The printer 2 sequentially receives jobs requesting printing processes from the host computer 5. The jobs include print data that is the basis for the information to be printed by the printer 2. As shown in Fig. 3, in the information processing system 1, the printer 2 and the host computer 5 can communicate via a network NW. The network NW is not limited to, but may be, for example, a wireless or wired LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a mobile communication network, or the Internet.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 of the printer 2 includes a control unit 11, a storage 12, a motor control circuit 13, a head control circuit 14, a display control unit 15, a sensor interface 16, an input interface 17, and a communication unit 18. The control unit 11 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memory, and controls various operations of the printer 2. The memory includes a non-volatile memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), which temporarily stores data when the CPU executes programs such as firmware. The ROM stores multiple programs, including firmware.

[0042] The control unit 11 functions as a state setting unit that sets the printer 2 to one of a number of states. The printer 2 can be in one of a number of states, including an online state, an offline state, and a setting state. The online state is a state in which printing can be performed. The offline state is a state in which printing is stopped. The printer 2 is in the online state immediately after startup, but switches to the offline state when the switch button 101 (see Figure 5) is operated. The setting state is the state in which various settings of the printer 2 are made.

[0043] The storage 12 stores, for example, format data used when printing labels. Furthermore, data stored in the RAM of the control unit 11 (for example, a job data set and a job history data set, which will be described later) is saved to the storage 12 when the printer 2 is powered off.

[0044] The motor control circuit 13 includes a drive circuit that drives the motor 19 based on a control signal sent from the firmware. The control signal includes, for example, information regarding the transport amount of the continuous paper. The head control circuit 14 includes an image buffer and controls the flow of current selectively to multiple heating elements included in the print head 21 according to print data based on control signals (such as strobe signals) sent from the firmware, thereby printing information on the label. The head control circuit 14 and print head 21 constitute an example of a printing unit. The display control unit 15 controls the display panel 4 based on the image signal received from the control unit 11, and causes the display panel 4 to display an image. The sensor interface 16 successively notifies the control unit 11 whether or not the edge of each label PL has been detected based on the detection signal received from the label position detection sensor 23 . When a user operates the operation input button 3, the input interface 17 notifies the control unit 11 of an input signal associated with the user operation. The communication unit 18 (an example of a receiving unit) is a communication interface that communicates with the host computer 5. Any communication protocol may be used between the communication unit 18 and the host computer 5. The communication unit 18 receives a job from the host computer 5 that requests label issuance processing.

[0045] The RAM of the control unit 11 stores a job data set and a job history data set. A job data set is a group of data about one or more jobs (hereinafter referred to as "unprocessed jobs") that have been received from the host computer 5 and for which the issuing process has not been completed. A job history data set is a group of data about one or more jobs (hereinafter referred to as "processed jobs") for which printing processing has been completed among the jobs received from the host computer 5. The start of printing processing for a job means that printing and printing of labels for that job has begun. The completion of printing processing for a job means that printing processing for all of the requested number of labels specified by that job has been completed. An example of the data structure of a job data set and a job history data set is shown in Fig. 4. One record in each data set corresponds to one job. Each record contains job details such as job status, job name, and number of printed sheets, as well as print data. The data group contained in the record corresponding to a job is received by the printer 2 from the host computer 5 for each job.

[0046] The job data set is ordered so that the unprocessed job received earlier from the host computer 5 is placed at the top. The CPU of the control unit 11 executes the issuance process for the unprocessed job in order, starting from the top of the job data set. In doing so, the CPU updates, for example, the job status and the number of sheets printed at predetermined intervals according to the processing status of the unprocessed job. When the processing for the unprocessed job is completed (i.e., when the number of sheets printed reaches the requested number), the CPU deletes the record corresponding to the unprocessed job from the job data set and moves it to the job history data set.

[0047] The job history dataset is ordered so that the processed jobs that were issued and processed first are placed lower. In other words, the most recently processed job that has completed processing is placed at the top of the job history dataset. Due to RAM memory capacity, it is not possible to include all processed jobs in a job history dataset, so a job history dataset contains records corresponding to one or more processed jobs within a specified data volume allocated to the job history dataset. If the data volume of a job history dataset exceeds the specified data volume, records corresponding to the oldest processed jobs are deleted.

[0048] As will be described later, the control unit 11 can generate a preview image based on the print data included in each record of the job data set or job history data set. The print data is binary data (bitmap file) that indicates whether or not each dot is printed. The control unit 11 encodes this bitmap file into a text format using, for example, Base64, to generate a preview image.

[0049] Next, the setting of whether to enable or disable the print preview of the printer 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The control unit 11 (an example of a setting unit) of the printer 2 sets, based on a user operation, whether or not to display a preview image based on the print data on the display panel 4 before printing based on the print data (setting to enable / disable the print preview). This setting is made on the setting screen of the printer 2. Figure 5 shows the screen transitions when setting to enable / disable the print preview. 5, a screen G1 is a home screen when the printer 2 is online. The screen G1 includes a settings button 102 and a job button 103.

[0050] When the setting button 102 on screen G1 is operated, a setting screen G2 is displayed. On the setting screen G2, a back button 104 is a button for returning to the previous screen. The items displayed on the setting screen G2 (items such as print, communication, and application in FIG. 5) can be changed using the screen switching button 105. When "print" is selected on the setting screen G2, screen G3 is displayed. Screen G3 is a screen on which settings are made for each of a plurality of items related to printing. Screen G3 includes a "print preview" item 201, and item 201 has a toggle switch 202 for enabling or disabling the print preview setting. The user can enable or disable the print preview by operating this toggle switch 202.

[0051] When print preview is enabled, a screen including a preview image is displayed before the issuance process of each job is started, as shown in screen G5 in FIG. Screen G5 includes the job name JN of the job to be processed and a preview image IM. The preview image IM is displayed within display area R1, but if the preview image IM does not fit within display area R1, the user can view the entire preview image IM within display area R1 by operating zoom button b1 and movement button b3. The user can also change the vertical or horizontal orientation of the preview image IM by operating rotation button b2.

[0052] Screen G5 includes a print request button bp and a delete request button bd. If the user decides to cancel the print job after checking the preview image IM, the user can press the delete request button bd to delete the job being processed. In this case, the record corresponding to the job is deleted from the job dataset (Figure 4). If, after checking the preview image IM, the user decides to print the label as planned, screen G6 is displayed by operating the print request button bp. Screen G6 includes a window w1 for confirming whether to print. If "Yes" is selected in this window w1, the label printing process begins. If "No" is selected in window w1, the label printing process is canceled.

[0053] The screen transitions and label printing process in Figure 6 are performed by the control unit 11. That is, when the print preview is enabled (that is, when the setting is made to display a preview image on the display panel 4), the control unit 11 displays a screen G5 including a preview image IM and a print request button bp (an example of an operation target for instructing printing). In response to an operation on the print request button bp, the control unit 11 controls the head control circuit 14 to start printing based on the print data corresponding to the job being processed.

[0054] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processes performed by the control unit 11 related to setting whether the print preview is enabled or disabled and printing a label. 7, if there is no unprocessed job in the job data set (FIG. 4) (step S2: NO), the control unit 11 ends the process without doing anything. If there is at least one unprocessed job (step S2: YES), the control unit 11 repeats the processes of steps S4 to S12, starting from the oldest unprocessed job, until there are no more unprocessed jobs (step S16: YES). The control unit 11 first checks whether the print preview is enabled or disabled (step S4). If the print preview is disabled, it immediately starts printing and issues the requested number of labels specified by the job (step S12). If the print preview is enabled, the control unit 11 generates and displays a preview image as shown in screen G5 of FIG. 6 (step S6). If there is a user request (step S8: YES), and the request is a user print request (step S10: print request), the control unit 11 issues the requested number of labels specified by the job (step S12). If the user request is a deletion request (step S10: deletion request), the control unit 11 deletes the unprocessed job to be processed (step S14). If an operation is performed to cancel the label printing process after the preview image is displayed (for example, if "No" is selected in window w1 of screen G6 in FIG. 6), the control unit 11 will not print the label corresponding to the job.

[0055] Next, the job control function of the printer 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The job control function is a function for managing one or more jobs received in the printer 2 from the host computer 5. In the job control function, the control unit 11 executes various processes by referring to the job data set and the job history data set (FIG. 4). Fig. 8 shows the screen transition when displaying a screen for the job control function (job control screen) on the printer 2. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing when the job control screen is displayed. In Fig. 8, screen G1 is the home screen when the printer 2 is in an online state, similar to that shown in Fig. 5, and the home screen can be switched between the online state and the offline state (screen G10) by operating switch button 101. At this time, when job button 103 included in screen G10 in Fig. 8 is operated (step S20: YES in Fig. 9), the control unit 11 of the printer 2 displays job control screen G11 (step S24 in Fig. 9) if the current state of the printer 2 is other than the online state (step S22: NO in Fig. 9).

[0056] On the job control screen G11, the tab switching unit T1 can be switched between a "Job" tab and a "History" tab. When the "Job" tab is selected, an unprocessed job list of items corresponding to one or more jobs (unprocessed jobs) corresponding to the job data set is displayed, and when the "History" tab is selected, a processed job list of items corresponding to one or more jobs (processed jobs) corresponding to the job history data set is displayed. Note that one job (either an unprocessed job or a processed job) may correspond to multiple items displayed in the unprocessed job list or the processed job list. For example, for a job that prints 10 labels with different serial numbers, 10 items will be displayed for each serial number.

[0057] In one embodiment, the tab switching unit T1 has the "Job" tab selected immediately after transitioning to the job control screen, and the unprocessed job list 301 (an example of a first job list) includes selectable items corresponding to one or more unprocessed jobs corresponding to the job data set. Each item in the unprocessed job list 301 includes, for example, the job name of the corresponding job (e.g., "Product E Inspection Label...") and the date and time the job was received (e.g., "2024-2-12 12:49:30"). In the example of FIG. 8, items corresponding to five unprocessed jobs are displayed on one screen, but it is possible to display the sixth and subsequent unprocessed jobs by operating the screen switching button 105.

[0058] As mentioned above, the job control screen is displayed only when the printer 2 is in a state other than the online state. If the job control screen were to be displayed in the online state, the jobs included in the unprocessed job list 301 on the job control screen would be updated frequently, and it would be inappropriate for the user to perform operations such as displaying details of jobs included in the unprocessed job list 301 or deleting jobs (described below). For this reason, user operations are restricted so that the job control screen can only be displayed when the printer 2 is set to a state other than the online state.

[0059] The job control screen allows a specific process to be performed for each item in the unprocessed job list. For example, as shown in screen G12 in FIG. 10, when one of the items in the unprocessed job list (the item corresponding to job J1 in the example in FIG. 10) is selected, tab switching section T2 is displayed. Tab switching section T2 is configured to allow selection of one of the "Details" tab, "Preview" tab, and "Delete" tab. In particular, by using the "Preview" tab, a preview image of the job selected by the user from among multiple unprocessed jobs can be displayed.

[0060] When the "Details" tab is selected in the tab switching section T2, a screen group G13 is displayed that includes detailed information about the job corresponding to the item to be processed (job J1 in the example of FIG. 10). The screen group G13 includes two switchable screens G13_1 and G13_2. The detailed information displayed in the screen group G13 is the information described in the job details of the job data set (FIG. 4). Operating the back button 104 on either screen G13_1 or G13_2 returns to screen G12.

[0061] When the "Preview" tab is selected in tab switching section T2, a preview screen G14 is displayed, which includes a preview image of the job corresponding to the item to be processed. As with screen G5 in FIG. 6, preview screen G14 also allows the preview image to be enlarged, reduced, moved, rotated, etc. The display format of screen G14 is almost the same as screen G5 in FIG. 6, but does not include a print request button bp. The reason the print request button bp is not included is because if printing were possible here, the order of the unprocessed job list would change. When the "Delete" tab is selected in the tab switching section T2, the job corresponding to the item to be processed is deleted. Note that the preview screen G14 is provided with a delete request button bd, so the user can also delete the job after checking the preview image. The screen G12 is provided with a delete all button 302. When the delete all button 302 is operated, all unprocessed jobs are deleted, and the unprocessed job list is left with no items displayed. Note that the screen G14 may have an end display button for ending the display of the preview screen, in which case the screen is configured to return to the screen G12 in response to the operation of the end display button.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart for executing processing for each item in the unprocessed job list. When any item is selected from the list of unprocessed jobs (step S30: YES), the control unit 11 performs processing in response to the request for the selected item (step S32). In the example of Fig. 10, when the "Details" tab, "Preview" tab, and "Delete" tab are selected in the tab switching unit T2, the control unit 11 determines that a details request, a preview request, and a delete request have been made, respectively.

[0063] If the request for the selected item is a detailed request, the control unit 11 reads out job detail information included in the record of the job corresponding to the selected item from the job data set (FIG. 4), and configures and displays a screen including the read out information (for example, screen G13_1 in FIG. 10) (step S34). After that, if the back button 104 is operated (step S36: YES), the control unit 11 displays the unprocessed job list again (step S38).

[0064] If the request for the selected item is a preview request, the control unit 11 reads print data included in the record of the job corresponding to the selected item from the job data set (FIG. 4), generates a preview image based on the read print data, and creates and displays a preview screen (such as screen G14 in FIG. 10) (step S40). If the delete request button is operated on the preview screen (i.e., if a delete request is made), the control unit 11 deletes the record of the job corresponding to the selected item from the job data set (step S50). If the display end button is operated on the preview screen (step S43: YES), the control unit 11 displays the unprocessed job list again (step S38).

[0065] If the request for the selected item is a deletion request, the control unit 11 deletes the record of the job corresponding to the selected item from the job data set (step S50) and displays the unprocessed job list (step S38). The unprocessed job list displayed in step S52 reflects the processing of step S50, and the selected item is now deleted from the unprocessed job list.

[0066] Fig. 12 shows the screen transition when tab switching section T1 is switched to the "History" tab on the job control screen. Screen G15 in Fig. 12 is displayed when tab switching section T1 is switched to the "History" tab on screen G11 in Fig. 8, for example. On screen G15, processed job list 303 (an example of a second job list) includes selectable items corresponding to one or more processed jobs corresponding to the job history data set. Each item in processed job list 303 includes, for example, the job name of the corresponding job (e.g., "Shipping label for product C...") and the date and time the job was received (e.g., "2024-2-12 13:03:20"). In the example of FIG. 12, items corresponding to five processed jobs are displayed on one screen, but it is possible to display the sixth and subsequent processed jobs by operating screen switching button 105.

[0067] As shown in screen G16, when one of the items in the processed job list 303 (in the example of FIG. 12, the item corresponding to job J2) is selected, tab switching section T3 is displayed. Tab switching section T3 is configured to allow selection of one of the "Details" tab, "Preview" tab, "Delete" tab, and "Reissue" tab. Tab switching section T3 differs from tab switching section T2 (FIG. 10) when the "Job" tab is selected (FIG. 10) in that a "Reissue" tab has been added. By using the "Reissue" tab, it is possible to reissue a label corresponding to a job without displaying a preview image. When the "Reissue" tab is selected, a predetermined confirmation screen (for example, window w1 in FIG. 6) is displayed, and the label is reissued in response to a predetermined confirmation operation by the user (for example, selecting "Yes" in window w1). By using the "Preview" tab, a preview image of a job selected by the user from among multiple processed jobs can be displayed. Compared to when the "Job" tab is selected (Figure 10), the preview screen G17 displayed when the "Preview" tab is selected differs in that it includes a print request button bp. When the print request button bp is operated on the preview screen G17, the processed job corresponding to the selected item is executed again, and a label is printed. Therefore, after checking the preview image of a job for which printing processing has already been completed, the label corresponding to that job can be printed without switching screens.

[0068] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for executing processing for each item in the processed job list. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, the same processes as those in the flowchart (FIG. 11) corresponding to the unprocessed job list are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 13, when an item is selected from the processed job list (step S30a: YES) and there is a request for the selected item (step S31: YES), the control unit 11 performs processing in response to the request (request for detailed display, request for preview, request for deletion, or reissue) (steps S32a to S32d). If the request for the selected item is a preview request (step S32b: YES), the control unit 11 reads print data included in the record of the job corresponding to the selected item from the job history data set (FIG. 4), generates a preview image based on the read print data, and creates and displays a preview screen (screen G17 in FIG. 12, etc.) (step S40). If a job deletion request is not made (step S42: NO) and a print request is made by operating the print request button bp (FIG. 12) or the like (step S44: YES), the control unit 11 executes the processed job corresponding to the selected item and prints a label (step S46). Once label printing is complete, the control unit 11 displays the home screen (online state) (step S48). The job control screen is displayed when the current state of the printer 2 is other than online, but once label printing is completed on the job control screen, the printer returns to the online state. If the request for the item selected in step S31 is a detailed display request (step S32a: YES) or a deletion request (step S32c: YES), the processing is the same as the flowchart (FIG. 11) corresponding to the unprocessed job list. If the request for the item selected in step S31 is a reissue request (step S32d: YES), the control unit 11 reissues the label after the user performs a predetermined confirmation operation without displaying a preview (step S46).

[0070] In one embodiment, if printing is in progress when the print request button bp is operated, the control unit 11 temporarily stops the printing in progress and controls the head control circuit 14 to perform printing corresponding to the selected processed job. This allows the user to give priority to printing labels corresponding to the processed job they selected.

[0071] As described above, the printer 2 receives a job from the host computer 5, generates a preview image based on the print data included in the received job, and displays it on the display panel 4. In other words, the preview image is displayed on the display panel 4 provided in the printer 2, rather than on an external computer device that can communicate with the printer 2, so that an operator on-site can immediately check the label that is to be printed by the printer 2, which is extremely convenient. In one embodiment, the display panel 4 is larger than the overall image of the information to be printed on one label, allowing the user to see the entire information to be printed at a glance. In one embodiment, the labels issued by the printer 2 are relatively small pieces of printing media that are affixed to items, and the area and amount of information printed is not very large. Therefore, by making the display panel 4 an appropriate size, it is possible to display the overall image of the information to be printed on one label as a preview image.

[0072] As described above, in one embodiment, the printer 2 has a job control function and can switch between displaying an unprocessed job list and a processed job list. The unprocessed job list includes one or more items corresponding to unprocessed jobs, and the processed job list includes one or more items corresponding to processed jobs. It is possible to display a preview image for a job selected by the user from each list. A preview image is displayed for the job corresponding to the item selected from the processed jobs list, allowing the user to reprint the label if necessary.

[0073] In one embodiment, the control unit 11 of the printer 2 preferably displays a preview image on the display panel 4 in a state in which the printable area of ​​the label can be visually confirmed. This allows the user to check before printing whether all the information to be printed fits within the printable area. 14 show examples of preview screens in which the printable area Rp is different for the same preview image IM. Screen G21 is a preview screen in which the preview image IM fits within the printable area Rp, and screen G22 is a preview screen in which the preview image IM does not fit within the printable area Rp. To display the image in this manner, the user must set the printable area in advance on the setting screen of the printer 2. The control unit 11 reads out the data of the set printable area and generates a preview screen that includes the printable area.

[0074] In one embodiment, RFID labels are employed, each incorporating an RFID (radio frequency identification) inlay. In this case, not only a preview image of the information to be printed on the label but also information to be encoded in the inlay of the label (written information) may be displayed on the display panel 4. For example, a written information request button may be provided on the preview screen (screen G14 in FIG. 10, screen G17 in FIG. 12, etc.), and the written information may be displayed in response to the operation of the button. In this case, the order in which the preview image and the written information are displayed does not matter.

[0075] In one embodiment, a method for processing information in a printer 2 is disclosed, comprising the following steps. (I) receiving a job including print data and requesting printing processing; (II) generating a preview image based on print data included in the job; (III) displaying a preview image on the display panel 4

[0076] In one embodiment, a program for causing a computer to execute the above steps (I) to (III) is disclosed. Such a program is implemented as firmware executed by the CPU of the printer 2, for example.

[0077] Although the printer, printer information processing method, and program according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, various improvements and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Information processing system 2. Printer 3...Operation input button 4...Display panel 10...Control unit 11...Control unit 12…Storage 13...Motor control circuit 14...Head control circuit 15...Display control unit 16...Sensor interface 17...Input interface 18…Communications Department 19...Motor 20...Platen roller 21...Print head 23...Label position detection sensor 25...Issuing port 43...Damper 5...Host computer 101...switch button, 102...setting button, 103...job button, 104...back button, 105...screen switching button, 106...display end button, 201...item, 301, 302...job list CP...Continuous paper, NW...Network, PM...Backing paper, PL...Label, R...Roll paper, RB...Ink ribbon

Claims

1. Display unit and A receiving unit that receives a job that includes print data and requests issuance processing, A printing unit that prints information onto a printing medium based on the print data included in the aforementioned job, A control unit that generates a preview image based on the print data included in the job and displays it on the display unit, A printer equipped with [a specific feature / ability].

2. The aforementioned printing medium is a label that is affixed to an article. The display unit displays, as a preview image, an overall image of the information to be printed on a single label based on the print data. The printer according to claim 1.

3. The system includes a setting unit that allows setting whether or not to display a preview image on the display unit based on the print data before printing is performed based on the print data. If the setting unit has configured the display unit to display the preview image, the control unit displays the target to be printed along with the preview image before the job issuance process starts, and controls the printing unit to print according to the operation performed on the target. A printer according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit displays a first job list, which includes one or more unprocessed jobs that have not yet been issued, among the jobs received by the receiving unit, on the display unit in a state where each unprocessed job can be selected. In response to user operation, the control unit generates a preview image corresponding to the unprocessed job selected from the first job list and displays it on the display unit. The printer according to claim 1.

5. The control unit displays a second job list, which includes one or more processed jobs that have been received by the receiving unit and whose issuance process has been completed, on the display unit in a state where each processed job can be selected. In response to user operation, the control unit generates a preview image corresponding to the processed job selected from the second job list and displays it on the display unit. The printer according to claim 1.

6. The control unit displays the target to be printed along with the preview image, and controls the printing unit to print the selected processed job when an operation is performed on the target. The printer described in claim 5.

7. If the printing unit is performing printing when the operation on the target of the operation is performed, the control unit temporarily stops the ongoing printing and controls the printing unit to perform printing corresponding to the selected processed job. The printer according to claim 6.

8. It includes a state setting unit that sets the system to one of several states, including an online state in which it is capable of receiving jobs from an external information processing device. The control unit enables the display of the first job list when one of the multiple states is set to a state other than the online state. The printer according to claim 4.

9. A state setting unit is provided to set the state to one of a plurality of states, including an online state in which a job can be received from an external information processing device, The control unit enables the display of the second job list when one of the multiple states is set to a state other than the online state. The printer described in claim 5.

10. The control unit displays the preview image on the display unit in a state where the printable area when printed on the printing medium is visible. A printer according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A method for processing information for a printer equipped with a display unit, The steps include receiving a job that includes print data and requests issuance processing, A step of generating a preview image based on the print data included in the aforementioned job, The steps include: displaying the preview image on the display unit; A printer information processing method, including...

12. When installed on a printer with a display unit, the computer will A procedure for receiving a job that includes print data and requests issuance processing, A procedure for generating a preview image based on the print data included in the aforementioned job, A procedure for displaying the aforementioned preview image on the display unit, A program that executes the command.

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