Printing device, printing control method and program

Abstract

To simplify a recovery operation from an error so as to prevent printing efficiency from lowering.SOLUTION: A printing device performs printing while conveying a printing medium, and includes: a control unit for calculating a protrusion amount of the printing from a printing area when the printing protrudes from the printing area of one printing medium; and a display unit for displaying the protrusion amount. Therein the control part includes recovery means for correcting a printing position with respect to a next printing medium succeeding the one printing medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a label printer that is configured to measure the length from the leading edge to the trailing edge of a label while printing on the label as a printing medium, and to stop printing if it is determined that the measured length is shorter than the length corresponding to the amount of print data.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art Printing devices such as label printers are configured so that when a print area error is detected in which printing exceeds the print area, an operator can perform an operation to recover from the print area error. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-199595 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The setting mode for configuring the printer has multiple setting items related to printing, so the operator must find the setting item that will allow them to recover from the error and then perform the necessary operation.

[0006] If the series of recovery operations is complicated, it takes time to recover from the error, which leads to a decrease in printing efficiency.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to simplify the operation for recovering from an error and to prevent a decrease in printing efficiency due to an error. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device that prints while transporting a printing medium, and that includes a control unit that calculates the amount of printing that extends beyond the printing area of ​​a given printing medium when the printing extends beyond the printing area of ​​the given printing medium, and a display unit that displays the amount of extension, and the control unit has recovery means that corrects the printing position of the given printing medium relative to the next printing medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a decrease in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the main parts of the printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the print area over error. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the recovery operation for the print area over error. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a display screen on which an error notification and the amount of printing protruding from the label are displayed. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the print start position relative to the transport direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for changing the print position in the width direction of the label. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a confirmation screen for confirming the changed print start position and print position. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the procedure up to displaying the setting screen for performing an operation to change the print start position. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an adjustment screen for adjusting the threshold value of the protrusion amount. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The embodiments described below are not limited to the drawings described by the brief description of the drawings.

[0012] A first aspect of the present invention is a printing device that prints while transporting a printing medium, and is equipped with a control unit that calculates the amount of print that extends beyond the printing area of ​​a given printing medium when the print extends beyond the printing area of ​​the given printing medium, and a display unit that displays the amount of extension, and the control unit has a recovery means that corrects the printing position of the given printing medium relative to a next printing medium.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the present invention, when printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one printing medium, the amount of excess is calculated and displayed on the display unit. This allows the operator to know the amount of excess from the printing area. In addition, the recovery unit corrects the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium, allowing for quick recovery from an error in which printing exceeds the printing area.

[0014] Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a decrease in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention is a printing device according to the first aspect, in which the recovery means continuously transitions the display unit from a display state of the amount of overhang to a display state for a recovery operation to correct the printing position.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the recovery unit continuously transitions the display state of the display unit from the overflow amount display state to the display state for the recovery operation to correct the print position, eliminating the need for the operator to perform an operation to switch to the display state for the recovery operation.

[0017] Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a decrease in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0018] A third aspect of the present invention is a printing device according to the first aspect, in which the recovery means assigns an operation for transitioning to a display state for a recovery operation in which the recovery means corrects the print position to an operation unit to which no operation for directly transitioning to the display state for the recovery operation is assigned.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the recovery unit assigns the operation for transitioning to the setting mode, which performs settings for correcting the print position, to an operation unit to which the operation for transitioning to the setting mode, which performs settings for correcting the print position, is not assigned. This allows the operation for transitioning to the setting mode, which performs settings for correcting the print position, to be assigned to an operation unit that is easy for the operator to press.

[0020] Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0021] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a printing device according to the third aspect, in which the recovery means transitions the display unit from a display state of the overflow amount to a display state for the recovery operation in response to a single operation received by the operation unit.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a single operation on the operation unit is received, the recovery unit transitions the display from a state in which the overflow amount is displayed on the display unit to a display state for a recovery operation to correct the print position. This allows the operator to transition to a setting mode in which settings for correcting the print position are made with a single operation on the operation unit.

[0023] Therefore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0024] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a printing device according to the third or fourth aspect, in which the recovery means assigns to the operation unit an operation for transitioning to a display state for correcting the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the transport direction of the print medium or in the opposite direction to the transport direction.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the recovery means assigns to the operation unit an operation for transitioning to a display state for correcting the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the print medium transport direction or the opposite direction to the transport direction. This allows the transition operation to the setting mode for setting to correct the print position to be assigned to an operation unit that is easy for the operator to press.

[0026] Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0027] In addition, a sixth aspect of the present invention is a printing device described in any one of the first to fifth aspects, in which the recovery means displays the overhang amount on the display unit as a candidate value for the amount of change of the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the transport direction of the print medium or in the opposite direction to the transport direction.

[0028] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the recovery unit displays the overhang amount as a candidate value for the amount of change in the print start position from the initial setting value in the print medium transport direction or the opposite direction to the transport direction, making it easier for the operator to understand the amount of change required to correct the print start position.

[0029] Therefore, according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0030] In addition, a seventh aspect of the present invention is a printing device described in any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the recovery means is capable of changing, within a predetermined range, the allowable amount of overhang that allows printing to continue on the next printing medium and beyond when the printing overflows the printing area of ​​the first printing medium.

[0031] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when printing exceeds the print area of ​​one print medium, the allowable amount of overflow that allows printing to continue on subsequent print media can be changed within a predetermined range. This allows printing to continue without treating the overflow as an error by changing the allowable amount of overflow, even in situations where overflow of the print area is likely to occur.

[0032] Therefore, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in printing efficiency due to errors.

[0033] Furthermore, an eighth aspect of the present invention is a printing device described in any one of the first to seventh aspects, in which the printing medium is a plurality of labels arranged at a predetermined interval on a long backing sheet, and the printing area is the entire surface of the label.

[0034] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, when the print medium consists of multiple labels arranged at a predetermined interval on a long backing sheet and the print area covers the entire surface of the label, if the print extends beyond one label, the amount of extension is calculated and displayed on the display unit. This allows the operator to know the amount of extension from the label. In addition, the recovery unit corrects the print position of the one label relative to the next label, allowing for quick recovery from an error where the print extends beyond the label.

[0035] Therefore, according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0036] Furthermore, a ninth aspect of the present invention is a printing device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, in which the control unit has a first mode in which it corrects the printing to extend beyond the printing area, and a second mode in which it does not correct the printing to extend beyond the printing area, and the first mode and the second mode can be selected by operational input from an operator.

[0037] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a first mode in which overprint correction is performed and a second mode in which overprint correction is not performed can be selected by an operator's input, thereby enabling settings to be made according to the operator's preferences and level of proficiency.

[0038] In addition, a tenth aspect of the present invention is a printing control method for printing while transporting a printing medium, and when the printing extends beyond the printing area of ​​one printing medium, the printing control method calculates the amount of the printing that extends beyond the printing area, displays the amount of extension, and corrects the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium.

[0039] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one printing medium, the amount of excess is calculated and displayed. This allows the operator to know the amount of excess from the printing area. In addition, the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium is corrected, allowing the operator to quickly recover from the error of printing exceeding the printing area.

[0040] Therefore, according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0041] In addition, an eleventh aspect of the present invention is a program executable by a computer of a printing device that prints while transporting a printing medium, and which causes the computer to execute the following steps when the printing exceeds the printing area of ​​a printing medium: calculating the amount of printing that exceeds the printing area; displaying the amount of printing that exceeds the printing area; and correcting the printing position of the printing medium relative to the next printing medium.

[0042] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, when printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one printing medium, the amount of excess is calculated and displayed on the display unit of the printing device. This allows the operator to know the amount of excess from the printing area. Furthermore, the printing device corrects the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium, so that the error of printing exceeding the printing area can be quickly resolved.

[0043] Therefore, according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the operation for recovering from an error can be simplified, and a drop in printing efficiency due to an error can be prevented.

[0044] A printing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0045] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a printing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the main parts of the printing device 100.

[0046] In this embodiment, the printing device 100 is provided with an attachment device 200 and a transport device 300 that transports the substrate to which the printing medium is attached, and the printing device 100 is configured to work in cooperation with the attachment device 200 and the transport device 300.

[0047] In this embodiment, the printing device 100 uses, as a printing medium, a continuous label strip ML having a plurality of labels L on a long backing sheet S. The labels L are heat-sensitive labels having a heat-sensitive coloring layer formed on the surface thereof, which changes color when heated.

[0048] Therefore, the entire surface of the label L corresponds to the print area of ​​the label L. The entire surface of the label L may be referred to as the print surface.

[0049] The printing device 100 is, for example, a direct thermal printer capable of printing on a thermal label.

[0050] [Printing device] First, the printing device 100 will be described.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 100 includes a printing unit 110 that prints on labels L arranged on a continuous label strip ML, a supply unit 120 that supplies the continuous label strip ML to the printing unit 110, a peeling mechanism 130 that peels the labels L from the continuous label strip ML, and a backing sheet winding unit 140 that winds up unnecessary backing sheets S.

[0052] The printing unit 110 includes a thermal head 111 that prints on the continuous label web ML, and a platen roller 112 that sandwiches and transports the continuous label web ML between the thermal head 111 and the platen roller 112.

[0053] The platen roller 112 holds the continuous label web ML between itself and the thermal head 111, and conveys the continuous label web ML in a conveying direction F by being driven to rotate.

[0054] A continuous label web ML is set in the supply unit 120. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the continuous label web ML is wound so that the labels L are positioned on the inside, a so-called "inside-wound roll." The continuous label web ML unwound from the supply unit 120 is transported to the printing unit 110.

[0055] Furthermore, the printing device 100 includes a guide roll 113 and a damper unit 114 between the supply unit 120 and the printing unit 110 .

[0056] The guide roll 113 guides the continuous label web ML to the printing unit 110 while applying a predetermined tension to the continuous label web ML.

[0057] The damper unit 114 has a plate-like member with a curved surface along which the continuous label web ML can slide. The damper unit 114 can convey the continuous label web ML while applying a predetermined tension. When an inward-winding roll is used, the damper unit 114 is positioned so as to abut and slide against the back side of the backing sheet S (the side to which the labels L are not temporarily attached).

[0058] The peeling mechanism 130 includes a turning plate 131 for peeling the liner S from the label web ML, and a support member 132 for supporting the peeled liner S.

[0059] The turning plate 131 turns only the backing sheet S in the direction opposite to the conveying direction F of the label L.

[0060] As the backing sheet S is wound up by the backing sheet winding section 140, it is turned by the turning plate 131 in a direction B opposite to the conveying direction F of the label L, peeled off from the label L, and wound up by the backing sheet winding section 140.

[0061] The printer 100 also includes a control unit 150. The control unit 150 is configured by a microcomputer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input / output interface (I / O interface), and the like.

[0062] The control unit 150 performs various processes such as printing on the labels L and transporting the continuous label web ML associated with printing, by having the CPU read and execute programs stored in the ROM.

[0063] In this embodiment, the control unit 150 functions as a control unit that calculates the amount of printing that extends beyond the printing area when printing extends beyond the printing area of ​​one label L. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 150 also includes a recovery unit 151 that constitutes recovery means as a functional component.

[0064] The control unit 150 can also be configured with multiple microcomputers.

[0065] The control unit 150 is connected to external devices via wire or wireless communication so as to be able to communicate with them. In this embodiment, the external devices are the application device 200 and the conveyance device 300. The printing device 100 can transmit control signals related to printing and conveyance of the labels L to the application device 200 and the conveyance device 300.

[0066] The printer 100 has a display unit 160. When the printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one label L, the display unit 160 displays the amount of printing that exceeds the printing area. In addition, the display unit 160 is configured to display an error notification that notifies the user that the printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one label L, the status of the printer 100, and the operating status, such as the progress of printing.

[0067] In this embodiment, the display unit 160 is a display with a touch panel that can input operations to the printing device 100 and display information related to the label printing operation.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the printing device 100 includes a display unit 160 as a touch panel display, and an operation unit 170 including, for example, physical switches.

[0069] In the normal operating state, the operation unit 170 is an operation unit to which no operation for directly transitioning to a display state for a recovery operation for correcting the print position is assigned.

[0070] In this embodiment, the operation unit 170 includes, for example, selection keys 171, 172, 173, and 174 for selecting an object displayed on the display unit 160. The operation unit 170 also includes a cancel key 175 for returning the display state to the previous state, and an enter key 176 for confirming the selected object.

[0071] In addition to the above configuration, the printing device 100 also includes a sensor and the like as a label detection unit (not shown) that is required for printing.

[0072] According to the printer 100 having the above configuration, the continuous label web ML is fed from the feed unit 120 and printed at a predetermined position on the label L of the continuous label web ML, and then the continuous label web ML is transferred to the peeling mechanism 130.

[0073] In the peeling mechanism 130, the backing sheet S is turned at the turning plate 131 and is pulled by the backing sheet winding section 140 and wound up.

[0074] On the other hand, due to the difference in rigidity between the label L and the backing sheet S and the strength of the adhesive force of the adhesive layer of the label L, the label L is peeled off from the backing sheet S sequentially from the downstream end Ld of the label L to the upstream end Lu without being bent in the opposite direction of the conveying direction F together with the backing sheet S.

[0075] The upstream end Lu of the label L is still attached to the backing sheet S. Therefore, the downstream end Ld of the label L that has already been peeled off is sent out in the conveying direction F at the conveying speed (winding speed) of the backing sheet S.

[0076] The label L peeled off from the backing sheet S is delivered to the suction unit 210 of the label application device 200 at the same speed as the backing sheet S is conveyed.

[0077] [Laminating device] Next, the pasting device 200 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0078] The label application device 200 is a device that moves the label L that has been printed by the printing device 100 and conveyed toward the adherend A and applies the label L to the adherend A.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 1, the label application device 200 includes an adsorption unit 210 that adsorbs the label L being conveyed, and a main body 220 that performs the adsorption operation of the label L in the adsorption unit 210 and the adsorption operation of the label L to the substrate A.

[0080] The pasting device 200 is communicably connected to the printing device 100 and the transport device 300 via an interface (not shown).

[0081] [Transportation equipment] Next, the transport device 300 in this embodiment will be described.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 1, the transport device 300 includes a conveyor 301 that transports an adherend A to which a label L is to be affixed. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the transport device 300 also includes a control unit that controls the transport of the adherend A, an operation input unit, a display unit, etc. The transport device 300 is connected to the printing device 100 and the application device 200 so as to be able to communicate with them via an interface (not shown).

[0083] [Explanation of the printing device's functions] <Print area over error and error recovery function> Next, a description will be given of functions realized in the printing device 100. First, a print area over error in the printing device 100 according to this embodiment and a recovery function from the error in the printing device 100 will be described.

[0084] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the print area over error.

[0085] In the printing device 100, when printing on the label L, repeated forward and reverse transport (arrow direction in Figure 3) may cause a significant deviation in the transport amount of the continuous label strip ML.

[0086] When the continuous label strip ML is provided as a roll, as in this embodiment, factors such as changes in the tension on the continuous label strip due to changes in the diameter of the supply roll as printing progresses also play a role, making it easy for deviations in the amount of transport of the continuous label strip ML to accumulate.

[0087] In this case, as shown as the protruding portion Ex in Figure 3, it is possible that the printing that was set to fit within the printing surface of the label L may extend beyond the label L. In this embodiment, the printing that extends beyond the label L is referred to as a printing area over error.

[0088] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a recovery operation from a print area over error.

[0089] In step S1, the control unit 150 performs a print area over error determination. In the print area over error determination, the following process is executed, for example.

[0090] The control unit 150 acquires the data of the information to be printed and stores the data in a buffer memory for printing.

[0091] When a label detection sensor (not shown) detects the downstream end Ld of the label L, the control unit 150 transports the label L from the downstream end Ld to a position on the label L where the print start position corresponds to the thermal head 111, and starts printing the print data expanded in the buffer memory from the print start position.

[0092] If the upstream end Lu of the label L is detected by the label detection sensor before printing of the converted print data is completed, the control unit 150 determines that a print area overflow error has occurred. The control unit 150 calculates the amount of printing that extends beyond the upstream end Lu of the label L based on the unprinted print data among the print data converted to the buffer memory for printing.

[0093] In this embodiment, print data is developed in a buffer memory for printing, and printing is completed based on the data stored in the buffer memory.

[0094] For this reason, the print data that is stored in the buffer memory and that causes a print area over error is configured to be deleted when the print area over error occurs.

[0095] The recovery unit 151 in the control unit 150 continuously transitions the display state of the display unit 160 from the display state of the overflow amount to a display state for a recovery operation to correct the print position. Hereinafter, the display state of the display unit 160 will be referred to as the display screen.

[0096] For example, when a printing area overflow error occurs, the recovery unit 151 displays an error notification and the amount of overflow on the display unit 160, and then, based on an operation by the operator, continuously transitions from the display screen displaying the error notification and the amount of overflow to a display screen for a recovery operation to correct the printing position.

[0097] When a print area over error occurs, the recovery unit 151 assigns an operation for directly transitioning to a display screen for making settings for a recovery operation to the decision key 176, which is not normally assigned an operation for directly transitioning to a display screen for making settings for a recovery operation to correct the print position.

[0098] When the operator presses the decision key 176 once, that is, by the single operation of pressing the decision key 176, the recovery unit 151 transitions the display screen on the display unit 160 from the display screen showing the error notification and overflow amount to a display screen for recovery operations.

[0099] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a print area over error display screen.

[0100] When the control unit 150 determines that a printing area overflow error has occurred, it displays an error notification indicating that the printing area overflow has occurred and the amount of printing that has exceeded the label L on the display unit 160, as shown in Figure 5.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 160, which displays an error notification 161 indicating that the printing area has been exceeded, a display frame 162 displaying the size of the label L, and a display frame 163 displaying the amount of printing that extends beyond the label L (Over).

[0102] 5 shows that the size of label L detected by printer 100 is 1269 dots, and that 26 dots of print data extend beyond label L. Also, the print area over error display screen shown in FIG. 5 displays message 164 urging the operator to press enter key 176.

[0103] If the enter key 176 is pressed in step S2, the recovery section 151 in the control unit 150 displays on the display section 160 a setting screen for changing the setting of the print start position relative to the transport direction in step S3.

[0104] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for setting the print start position relative to the transport direction.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 6, the recovery unit 151 displays a display frame 165 in which a message is displayed indicating that this is a setting screen for correcting the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the conveying direction of the label L or in the opposite direction to the conveying direction, a display frame 166 in which the correction value for the amount of overhang change is displayed, and a display frame 167 in which a numeric keypad is displayed.

[0106] The operator can set the amount of change in the print start position on the setting screen shown in FIG.

[0107] In this embodiment, the recovery unit 151 displays the calculated overflow amount as a candidate value for the change amount in the display frame 166. The operator operates the selection keys 171, 172, 173, and 174, or selects a number on the numeric keypad by touching the display unit 160. This allows the operator to modify the change amount previously displayed in the display frame 166 or to directly input a change amount.

[0108] Once the change of the print start position in the conveying direction of the label L or in the direction opposite to the conveying direction is completed, in step S4, the recovery unit 151 displays on the display unit 160 a setting screen for changing the print position to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction (represented as the width direction of the label L).

[0109] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen for changing the print position in the width direction of the label L.

[0110] 7, the recovery unit 151 displays in a display frame 165 that this is a setting screen for correcting the print position in the width direction of the label L. Also, a correction value for the amount of change in the label width direction is displayed in a display frame 166. The operator can set the amount of change in the print position in the width direction of the label L by selecting a number on the numeric keypad.

[0111] When the change in the print position in the width direction of the label L is completed, in step S5, the recovery unit 151 displays a screen on the display unit 160 for confirming the changed print start position and print position.

[0112] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a confirmation screen for confirming the changed print start position and print position.

[0113] As shown in FIG. 8, the recovery unit 151 displays a confirmation screen in a display frame 165 asking whether you want to save the settings, and displays the amount of change (correction value) in the print start position in the conveying direction of the label L or in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, as set by the operator, in a display frame 168, and the amount of change (correction value) in the width direction of the label L in a display frame 169.

[0114] Furthermore, the recovery unit 151 assigns “determine correction value” to the selection key 173 and “re-input correction value” to the selection key 174 .

[0115] In step S6, when the selection key 173 for "determine correction value" is pressed, the process proceeds to step S7, where the recovery unit 151 sets the amount of change (correction value) in the print start position in the conveying direction of the label L or in the direction opposite to the conveying direction, and the amount of change (correction value) in the width direction of the label L, which have been set by the operator.

[0116] Furthermore, the data of the information to be printed is again expanded in the buffer memory for printing, and the recovery unit 151 starts printing the print data expanded in the buffer memory based on the changed print start position.

[0117] On the other hand, if the selection key 174 for "re-inputting correction values" is pressed in step S6, the process returns to step S3.

[0118] In step S2, if the select key 173 is pressed instead of the enter key 176, printing on the next label L is carried out in step S8 without executing recovery from the print area over error.

[0119] <Effects of overprinting errors and recovery from errors> According to the printing device 100, when the printing extends beyond the printing area of ​​the label L, the extension amount is calculated and the calculated extension amount is displayed on the display unit 160.

[0120] This allows the operator to know the amount of label L that protrudes from the print area.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating the procedure up to displaying the setting screen for performing an operation to change the print start position.

[0122] FIG. 9 shows (a) the [Detailed Settings] screen, (b) the [Print Area] screen, and (c) the [Conveying Direction Print Start Position Correction] screen.

[0123] The [Advanced Settings] screen displays multiple items, among which "Print Area" is provided. When "Print Area" is selected on the [Advanced Settings] screen (shown in a bold frame in Figure 9), the screen transitions to (b) [Print Area] screen.

[0124] Also, when "Print start position correction" is selected (shown in a bold frame) on the "Print area" screen, the screen transitions to (c) [Feed direction print start position correction] screen.

[0125] In the printing device 100 according to this embodiment, the screen for the recovery operation to change the print start position is prepared on the display unit 160 in a hierarchical structure as described above.

[0126] On the other hand, when a print area over error occurs, the recovery unit 151 continuously transitions the display unit 160 from the overflow amount display screen to the (c) [Conveying direction print start position correction] screen for a recovery operation to change the print start position.

[0127] Therefore, the operator does not need to perform an operation to switch to a display screen for recovery operations.

[0128] In addition, in printing device 100, recovery unit 151 assigns an operation for directly transitioning to a display screen for a recovery operation to decision key 176, which is an operation unit that is not assigned an operation for directly transitioning to a display screen for a recovery operation for changing the print start position under normal operating conditions.

[0129] Therefore, the operation to transition to the operation for changing the print start position can be assigned to the enter key 176, which is easy for the operator to press. This allows the operator to quickly recover from an over-printing error even if an over-printing error occurs, in which printing extends beyond the printing area of ​​the label L.

[0130] According to printing device 100, when recovery unit 151 receives a single operation of enter key 176, it transitions from the display screen of overflow amount on display unit 160 to a display screen for a recovery operation to correct the print position.

[0131] This allows the operator to enter a setting mode in which settings for correcting the print position can be made by operating the selection key once.

[0132] Furthermore, according to the printing device 100, the recovery unit 151 displays the calculated overhang amount on the printing area over error screen as a candidate value for the amount of change in the printing start position from the initial setting value of the printing start position in the conveying direction of the printing medium or in the opposite direction to the conveying direction.

[0133] This makes it easier for the operator to understand the amount of change required to correct the print start position.

[0134] As described above, according to the printing device 100, the recovery operation from the print area over error can be simplified, and a decrease in printing efficiency due to the print area over error can be prevented.

[0135] <Function to adjust the threshold for overprinting errors> The printing device 100 according to this embodiment has a function for adjusting the threshold value of the protrusion amount when determining whether or not a print area over error occurs.

[0136] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an adjustment screen for adjusting the threshold value of the protrusion amount.

[0137] In FIG. 10, "Change threshold value of overhang amount" is displayed in a display frame 165, and a selection frame 181 in which a predetermined number can be selected is displayed.

[0138] In the printer 100, the threshold value of the amount of overflow that determines whether an over-printing error has occurred can be changed within a predetermined range. The range can be set in millimeters (mm) or dots.

[0139] As an example, Figure 10 shows that the tolerance can be adjusted within a range of ±3 mm. Here, +3 mm means that printing can continue even if there is a 3 mm protrusion on the upstream side in the transport direction. Also, -3 mm means that printing can continue even if there is a 3 mm gap on the downstream side in the transport direction.

[0140] <Effects> The printing device 100 has an adjustable threshold for the printing area over error, so that even if the printing extends beyond the label L, printing can continue as long as the operator can read the content printed on the label L without any problems.

[0141] Furthermore, even if printing exceeds the limit of the label L, the printer 100 will not report an overprint error as long as it is within the allowable range, and printing will not be interrupted. This prevents a decrease in printing efficiency due to errors.

[0142] <Mode to stop printing at the end of the label> The printing device 100 according to this embodiment has a mode in which printing stops at the end of the label.

[0143] In the printer 100, if the upstream end Lu of the label L is detected by the label detection sensor before the control unit 150 finishes printing the print data stored in the buffer memory, the control unit 150 determines that a print area over error has occurred.

[0144] In the mode in which printing is stopped at the label end, printing of the next label L is stopped when printing has been completed up to the upstream end Lu of the label L, and the unprinted print data is discarded without being printed.

[0145] Even if printing extends beyond the label L, the printing device 100 discards the protruding print data without printing it as long as the operator can read the contents printed on the label L without any problem, and for the next label L, it discards the print data protruding from the print area without detecting it as a print area over error, and completes printing when it is printed on the label L.

[0146] Note that "discarding" the print data here means deleting the excess data that could not be printed on the label L after it has been written to the buffer memory.

[0147] The abort mode may be selectable by the operator as to whether it is enabled or disabled.

[0148] <Effects> According to the printer 100, even if printing extends beyond the label L, printing can continue without reporting a print area over error, thereby preventing a decrease in printing efficiency due to errors.

[0149] [program] The recovery process in the printer 100 described above can be realized by a program executable by the control unit 150 of the printer 100. These programs include a procedure for calculating the amount of printing that extends beyond the label L when printing extends beyond the label L, a procedure for displaying the amount of extension, and a procedure for correcting the printing position of label L relative to the label next to it, and are stored in the ROM of the control unit 150 of the printer 100 or in another storage unit.

[0150] [Other embodiments] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0151] In this embodiment, the labeling device may have a function of printing on the label. Alternatively, in another aspect, the printing device may have a function of attaching the label.

[0152] The label web ML used in the printing device 100 may be a so-called "outside wound roll" in which the labels L are wound so as to be positioned radially outward from the backing sheet.

[0153] When an outer winding roll is used, the position of the damper section 114 may be adjusted so that a predetermined tension can be applied to the label web ML while supporting the surface to which the labels L are temporarily attached.

[0154] The continuous label strip ML may be a wound roll label, or may be, for example, a so-called fanfold label, in which a continuous label strip divided by perforations to form a predetermined label size is folded along the perforations.

[0155] The label length is not limited and can be set as appropriate.

[0156] In this embodiment, the operation unit to which the recovery unit 151 assigns an operation for directly transitioning to a display screen for recovery operation may be any of the selection keys 171, 172, 173, and 174, or the cancel key 175, in addition to the enter key 176.

[0157] Alternatively, the operation for directly transitioning to the display screen for the recovery operation may be assigned to all input keys. In this case, the operator can navigate to the screen for the recovery operation by operating any key provided on the printing device 100.

[0158] In the printer 100 according to this embodiment, print data that causes a print area over error is deleted from the buffer memory when the print area over error occurs, and the print position is corrected before the print data is read into the buffer memory again. Alternatively, printing may be started without deleting the print data stored in the buffer memory, and after the print position is corrected, without reading the print data again. In this case, printing can be started immediately after the print position has been corrected.

[0159] In this embodiment, the control unit 150 has a recovery mode (corresponding to the first mode) that performs recovery from a print area over error based on the flowchart shown in Figure 4, and an error ignore mode (corresponding to the second mode) that does not perform recovery from a print area over error, and the recovery mode and the error ignore mode may be selectable by operation input from the operator.

[0160] In the display screen shown in FIG. 5, the size of the label L (Size) and the amount of printing that extends beyond the label L (Over) may be expressed in units of millimeters, inches, etc., in addition to dots.

[0161] In this embodiment, the label L may be a so-called RFID label that includes an antenna and an IC chip compatible with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology for transmitting and receiving information by contactless communication.

[0162] In this embodiment, the printing medium is described as a label continuum ML in which multiple labels L are arranged on a long backing sheet S, but the printing medium may also be a single sheet of paper, a tag, etc. in addition to the label L.

[0163] In this embodiment, the display unit 160 may be provided in the pasting device 200. Alternatively, the display unit 160 may be provided in each of the pasting device 200 and the printing device 100.

[0164] In this embodiment, the various programs of the printing device 100 may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 100 Printing device 200 Pasting device 300 Conveyor 110 Printing section 111 Thermal head 112 Platen roller 113 Guide Roll 114 Damper section 120 Supply section 130 Peeling Mechanism 131 Turning Plate 131a End 132 Support member 140 Mounting paper winding section 150 Control Unit 160 Display section 161 Error Notification 162,163,164,165,166,167,168,169 Display frame 170 Operation section 171,172,173,174 Selection key 175 Cancellation Key 176 Enter key 181 Selection Frame 200 Pasting device 210 Adsorption part 202 Main body A Adherent L Label ML Label Continuum S Mount

Claims

1. A printing device that prints while conveying a print medium, a control unit that calculates the amount of printing that protrudes from the printing area of ​​one print medium when the printing protrudes from the printing area of ​​the one print medium; a display unit that displays the amount of overflow, The control unit a recovery means for correcting the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium; Printing device.

2. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the recovery unit continuously transitions the display state of the display unit from the display state of the overflow amount to a display state for a recovery operation to correct the print position. Printing device.

3. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The recovery means an operation for transitioning to a display state for the recovery operation for correcting the print position is assigned to an operation unit to which an operation for directly transitioning to the display state for the recovery operation for correcting the print position is not assigned; Printing device.

4. 4. The printing device according to claim 3, The recovery unit, in response to a single operation received by the operation unit, transitioning the display state of the protrusion amount on the display unit to a display state for the recovery operation; Printing device.

5. 5. The printing device according to claim 3, The recovery means an operation for transitioning to a display state for correcting the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the conveyance direction of the print medium or in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction is assigned to the operation unit; Printing device.

6. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The recovery means the protrusion amount is displayed on the display unit as a candidate value for the amount of change of the print start position from the initial setting value of the print start position in the conveyance direction of the print medium or in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction. Printing device.

7. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The recovery means When the printing exceeds the printing area of ​​the first printing medium, the allowable value of the amount of excess, which allows the printing to continue on the next printing medium and thereafter, can be changed within a predetermined range. Printing device.

8. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, The printing medium is a plurality of labels arranged at predetermined intervals on a long backing paper, and the printing area is the entire surface of the label. Printing device.

9. 2. The printing device according to claim 1, the control unit has a first mode in which protrusion of the printing from the printing area is corrected, and a second mode in which protrusion of the printing from the printing area is not corrected, and the first mode and the second mode can be selected by an operation input from an operator. Printing device.

10. A printing control method for printing while conveying a print medium, comprising: When the printing exceeds the printing area of ​​one printing medium, the amount of the printing exceeding the printing area is calculated; Displaying the amount of overflow, correcting the printing position of the one printing medium relative to the next printing medium; Printing control method.

11. A program executable by a computer of a printing device that prints while conveying a print medium, a step of calculating an amount of the print that extends beyond the print area of ​​one print medium when the print extends beyond the print area of ​​the one print medium; a step of displaying the amount of overflow; a step of correcting a printing position of the one printing medium relative to a next printing medium; A program for causing the computer to execute the above.

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