Printing device and printing control method

Abstract

To provide a printer and a print control method, which enhance printing work efficiency, utilization efficiency of a tape representing a media to be printed, and the like.SOLUTION: A printer 1 comprises: a touch panel display 12 representing an input section at which a user inputs print data and a display section for displaying information; a thermal head 28 for printing a print content of the print data onto a tape; a tape use history storage section 52 for storing use history of the tape used in previous printing; a tape identification sensor 31 for identifying a currently mounted tape type; and a notifying control section 55 for, if the tape type designated by the print data is different from the tape type identified by the tape identification sensor, causing the display section to display proposing the tape type to use, based on the use history stored in the tape use history storage section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Label printers, which print characters and images on tape, a long, narrow strip of printing medium, to create labels, are a type of printing device that has become widespread. In many cases, the tape is wound lengthwise into a roll shape and attached to a tape cartridge, and the tape cartridge is replaceable in the main body of the label printer. After printing, the tape is ejected outside the label printer and cut into labels of a specified length using a cutting mechanism provided in the label printer.

[0003] Recent label printers are capable of printing on a variety of different types of tape. Tape type refers to factors such as width, color, material, etc. However, there are cases where the type of tape specified in the print data entered by the user does not match the type of tape loaded in the label printer.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes a technology in which, when a print command is issued, it is determined whether the tape width set in the print data matches the current tape width, and if they do not match, a dialogue screen is displayed on the display prompting the user to change the tape, or the print content is enlarged or reduced to match the tape width before printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-15950 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The types of tape used in label printers are becoming more diverse, and it is becoming more common for users not to own all types of tape. In addition, due to bulk purchases, users may own only a certain type of tape. In such a case, if a notification is simply given to encourage tape replacement as in Patent Document 1, the user may be instructed to replace the tape with a tape that is not currently in his possession or a tape that is difficult to obtain. This may result in problems such as not being able to proceed with printing until a new tape as specified is obtained, or in not being able to effectively use the existing tape. In addition, if the print content is enlarged or reduced to fit the tape width, the label may be of a size that the user does not desire.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and a printing control method that can improve the efficiency of printing operations and the efficiency of tape utilization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes an input unit through which a user inputs print data, a display unit that displays information, a printing unit that prints the print content of the print data on a tape, a storage unit that stores a usage history of a tape used in previous printing, a tape identification unit that identifies the type of tape currently installed, and a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the print data differs from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, causes the display unit to display a suggestion of a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit. The notification control unit is configured to suggest a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history. .

[0009] A print control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a print control method for printing on a tape the print contents of print data input by a user, the print control method storing a usage history of a tape used in a previous print in a storage unit, identifying the type of tape currently attached by a tape identification unit, and, when the type of tape specified in the print data differs from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, causing a notification control unit to perform control for suggesting the type of tape to use based on the usage history stored in the storage unit. The step of proposing a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit includes a step of proposing a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history. . Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the printing device and printing control method of the above aspects, it is possible to improve the efficiency of printing work and the efficiency of tape utilization. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a printing unit that constitutes the printing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first mode of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second mode of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth mode of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printing device 1 of this embodiment. The printing device 1 is composed of a print control unit 10 and a print unit 20. The print control unit 10 issues instructions to the print unit 20 regarding print contents, and specifically, an electronic device such as a smartphone is used. The print unit 20 is a label printer that creates labels by performing label creation processes such as printing, conveying, and cutting on a tape T (see FIG. 2), which is a strip-shaped print medium, in response to instructions from the print control unit 10.

[0013] The print control unit 10 is provided with a touch panel display 12 on the front surface of a housing 11. The touch panel display 12 is a display unit that displays various information related to label production, and also an input unit through which a user inputs print data. The user inputs print content such as characters and the type of tape T to be used in label production as print data. In addition to inputting print data, the user also inputs various operation commands related to label production to the touch panel display 12. A label production application is installed in the print control unit 10, and input and display related to label production are performed with the label production application running. Various processes described below are realized as functions of the label production application.

[0014] The print control unit 10 and the print unit 20 can transmit and receive data to and from each other through the communication units 13 and 14 (see FIG. 3). Print data input by a user to the print control unit 10 is transmitted to the print unit 20. The communication units 13 and 14 in this embodiment are of a type that communicate wirelessly, but they may also communicate via a wired connection.

[0015] The printing unit 20 has a main body 21 having a function of performing label creation processing, and a lid 22 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 21. Fig. 1 shows a state in which the lid 22 is closed, and Fig. 2 shows a state in which the lid 22 has been removed from the main body 21. The main body 21 and the lid 22 are provided with a locking mechanism 23 (part of which is shown in Fig. 2) that holds the lid 22 in a closed state. By pressing an open button 24 provided on the main body 21, the locking mechanism 23 can be released and the lid 22 can be opened.

[0016] A number of operation buttons 25 are provided on the outer surface of the cover 22. By operating the operation buttons 25, it is possible to perform operations such as turning the power of the printing unit 20 on and off and feeding the tape T. In addition, the operation buttons 25 are also used to perform operations such as setting up a network connection used for communication with the print control unit 10.

[0017] Further, a tape discharge outlet 26 is formed on the outer surface of the printing unit 20. The tape discharge outlet 26 is a portion for discharging the tape T (printed label) that has been subjected to label creation processing by the printing unit 20 to the outside.

[0018] Next, a structure relating to the label production process in the printing unit 20 will be described, mainly with reference to Fig. 2. The label production process performed in the printing unit 20 includes transporting the tape T using a platen roller 27, which is a transport unit, printing on the tape T using a thermal head 28, which is a printing unit, and cutting the tape T using a tape cutter 29, which is a cutting unit. The platen roller 27, thermal head 28, and tape cutter 29 are provided inside the main body 21.

[0019] A cartridge storage section 30 is formed in the main body 21. The cartridge storage section 30 is a recess that opens toward the side covered by the lid 22 in the closed state, and is capable of storing a tape cartridge 40 therein. By opening the lid 22, the cartridge storage section 30 is exposed, and the tape cartridge 40 can be attached to and detached from the cartridge storage section 30. Figure 2 shows the state in which the tape cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge storage section 30.

[0020] The tape cartridge 40 is a case for accommodating the tape T and the ink ribbon K. The tape T is stored in the tape cartridge 40 in a state where it is wound in a roll shape around a tape core 41. In addition to the tape core 41 that supports the tape T, an ink ribbon supply core 42 and an ink ribbon take-up core 43 are provided inside the tape cartridge 40. The ink ribbon K is wound in a roll shape around the ink ribbon supply core 42, and the tip of the ink ribbon K pulled out from the ink ribbon supply core 42 is wound around the ink ribbon take-up core 43.

[0021] The printing unit 20 is capable of printing on a plurality of types of tape T, and a plurality of types of tape cartridges 40, each having a partially different shape, are prepared to correspond to each type of tape T. When the tape cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge storage section 30, a tape identification sensor 31 provided within the cartridge storage section 30 can detect the difference in shape of the tape cartridge 40 and identify the type of tape T. The printing unit 20 controls printing and transport according to the type of tape T detected.

[0022] The tape identification sensor 31 is an example of a tape identification unit, and other tape identification units may be used. For example, a recording medium such as an IC chip that records the type of tape T may be attached to the tape cartridge 40, and a tape identification unit that reads the record on the recording medium may be used.

[0023] The type of tape T identified by the tape identification sensor 31 includes the tape width, tape color, tape material, etc. The ink ribbon K housed in the tape cartridge 40 together with the tape T is pre-selected according to the type of tape T. For example, a light-colored tape T such as white is combined with a dark-colored ink ribbon K such as black, and conversely, a dark-colored tape T is combined with a light-colored ink ribbon K to ensure the readability of the printed content against the tape T background.

[0024] A tape core engagement shaft 32 and an ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 33 are provided inside the cartridge storage section 30. When the tape cartridge 40 is stored in the cartridge storage section 30, the tape core 41 engages with the tape core engagement shaft 32, and the ink ribbon take-up core 43 engages with the ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 33. Then, the tape T pulled out from the tape core 41 and the ink ribbon K stretched across the ink ribbon supply core 42 and the ink ribbon take-up core 43 can pass between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 in an overlapping state.

[0025] The platen roller 27 is a roller that transports the tape T and the ink ribbon K. The platen roller 27 is rotated by the driving force of a transport motor (not shown). The tape T and the ink ribbon K that are unwound from the tape cartridge 40 are sandwiched between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28. By rotating the platen roller 27 in this state, the tape T is transported in the longitudinal direction. The ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 33 is rotated in synchronization with the platen roller 27, and the ink ribbon K is unwound from the ink ribbon supply core 42 together with the transport of the tape T. As a result, the tape T and the ink ribbon K are transported between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 in an overlapping state.

[0026] The thermal head 28 is a print head that prints on the tape T. The thermal head 28 has a plurality of heating elements arranged in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (transport direction) of the tape T. By heating the ink ribbon K with the heating elements of the thermal head 28, the ink in the heated portion of the ink ribbon K is transferred to the tape T, thereby performing printing by a thermal transfer method. The used ink ribbon K that has passed between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 is taken up onto the ink ribbon take-up core 43.

[0027] The printed tape T that has passed between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 is transported in the discharge direction (to the right in FIG. 2) by the rotation of the platen roller 27. A tape cutter 29 is provided at a position further in the discharge direction than the thermal head 28. The tape cutter 29 has a blade that is movable perpendicularly to the transport direction of the tape T, and cuts the tape T by moving the blade. The movement of the blade of the tape cutter 29 may be configured to be performed manually by the user or may be configured to be performed by driving a cutter drive motor.

[0028] The tape T cut by the tape cutter 29 is discharged as a completed label from the tape discharge port 26 to the outside of the printing unit 20. In this manner, a label is created on which the print content designated by the user is printed.

[0029] However, there are cases where the type of tape T specified by the user when creating print data with the print control unit 10 differs from the type of tape T actually attached to the print unit 20. The tape T specified in the print data input to the print control unit 10 is designated as the designated tape T1, and the tape T attached to the print unit 20 is designated as the current tape T2. The printing device 1 has a function to make predetermined suggestions and provide information to the user when the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match. The details of this function are described below.

[0030] 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print control unit 10 and the print unit 20. The print control unit 10 is equipped with a computer 50 that comprehensively controls each part of the print control unit 10. The print unit 20 is equipped with a computer 51 that comprehensively controls each part of the print unit 20. Each of the computers 50 and 51 includes at least a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0031] The computer 51 of the printing unit 20 has a tape usage history storage unit 52 which is a storage unit that stores the tape usage history. The types of tape T used in previous printing are stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 going back a predetermined number of prints. The usage history information stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 includes the number of times each type of tape T has been used and chronological information on the use. Therefore, by sorting based on the number of times, it is possible to obtain the tape usage history in order of frequency of use, and by sorting based on time, it is possible to obtain the tape usage history in order of most recent use.

[0032] The printing unit 20 transmits, from the communication unit 14, information on the type of the current tape T2 detected by the above-mentioned tape identification sensor 31 and the tape usage history information stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52. The print control unit 10 receives this information transmitted from the printing unit 20 at the communication unit 13.

[0033] The print data input by the user to the print control unit 10 is stored in the print data storage unit 53 of the computer 50. The print data stored in the print data storage unit 53 includes the print content such as characters and information about the specified tape T1.

[0034] The computer 50 of the print control unit 10 has a tape match determination unit 54. The tape match determination unit 54 determines whether the types of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 match or not, based on information about the designated tape T1 included in the print data stored in the print data storage unit 53 and information about the current tape T2 transmitted from the printing unit 20.

[0035] The computer 50 of the print control unit 10 further has a notification control unit 55. When the tape match determination unit 54 determines that the tape does not match, the notification control unit 55 controls the touch panel display 12 to display a predetermined message and to present a method of dealing with the problem to the user. This presentation is not merely a warning of an error state, but also includes a suggestion of a recommended tape based on the tape usage history stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the print unit 20.

[0036] Examples of presenting countermeasures under the control of the notification control unit 55 are shown in Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 shows a first form in which a suggestion is made based on the order of frequency of use of the tape usage history (highest frequency of use). The second form shown in Fig. 5 is a modified version of the first form in which a suggestion is made taking into consideration the width and color of the tape in addition to the order of frequency of use of the tape usage history. Fig. 6 shows a third form in which a suggestion is made based on the order of most recent use of the tape usage history (newest usage). Screen displays 1 to 13 shown in Figs. 4 to 6 show the transition of screen displays on the touch panel display 12.

[0037] The first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In the first embodiment, the specified tape T1 of the printing data input by the user is "the tape T is white, the ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and the tape width is 12 mm." The current tape T2 detected by the tape identification sensor 31 of the printing unit 20 is "the tape T is white, the ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and the tape width is 9 mm."

[0038] The usage history stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the printing unit 20 is a type A tape with "Tape T is brown, ink ribbon K is beige (beige characters printed on a brown background), and tape width is 12 mm," a type B tape with "Tape T is black, ink ribbon K is white (white characters printed on a black background), and tape width is 9 mm," a type C tape with "Tape T is black, ink ribbon K is white (white characters printed on a black background), and tape width is 18 mm," a type D tape with "Tape T is white, ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width is 12 mm," and a type E tape with "Tape T is white, ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width is 18 mm." When arranged in order of frequency of use, the top is type A, the top is type B, the top is type C, the top is type D, the top is type D, and the top is type E (see FIG. 4). When arranged in order of most recent use, the top is type C, the top is type E, the top is type B, the top is type A, and the top is type D (see FIG. 6). Note that, here, the results show that when sorted by frequency of use or by most recent use, the top five are types A to E, and the tape usage history storage unit 52 may also store tape types other than types A to E (those that are used less frequently or those that have been used a long time ago).

[0039] If there is a mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, the notification control unit 55 displays the contents of screen display 1 shown in Fig. 4. In this case, the mismatch is in the tape width, so a warning message stating "Tape widths differ" is displayed, and the specifications of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 are displayed. The difference in tape width is highlighted by being underlined.

[0040] Also, the screen display 1 displays the question "Would you like to suggest a different tape?" The subject making the suggestion here is the print control unit 10 (notification control unit 55), and the content of the suggestion is the presentation of a recommended tape that has been weighted based on the usage history.

[0041] Three options are displayed on screen display 1: "Yes," "No," and "Replace with specified tape." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

[0042] When the user selects "Replace with specified tape" on screen display 1, the display content transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" portion displays content indicating the model number of the specified tape T1. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the specified tape T1. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the current tape T2 that is attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the specified tape T1 to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the control of notifying the touch panel display 12 of a tape mismatch, etc. is completed. This resolves the mismatch between the specified tape and the current tape, and printing can be performed using the original print data.

[0043] If the user selects "No" on screen display 1, the print control unit 10 does not suggest an alternative tape to the user, and the process ends. In this case, the width of the specified tape T1 (12 mm) is larger than the width of the current tape T2 (9 mm), so if characters are printed at the size specified in the print data, they may extend beyond the width of the current tape T2. Therefore, the printing process is not executed, and the error state is set aside. Alternatively, the print content may be reduced so that it fits within the width of the current tape T2, and printing may be executed.

[0044] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 1, the display transitions to screen display 2. On screen display 2, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and displays a display suggesting the most frequently used type A tape. On screen display 2, three options are displayed: "Yes," "No," and "View other usage histories." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

[0045] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 2, the display transitions to screen display 4. Notification control unit 55 displays a message on screen display 4 to confirm whether type A tape is OK. Screen display 4 displays two options, "Yes" and "No." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

[0046] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 4, the display transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the A-type tape. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the A-type tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the current tape T2 that is attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the A-type tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the A-type tape. This allows printing to be performed in a state where the designated tape and the current tape are both unified as A-type tape.

[0047] It is also possible to control the process so that, when the user selects "Yes" on screen display 2, the confirmation on screen display 4 is skipped and the process proceeds to screen display 5.

[0048] The tape width of Type A tape (12mm) is the same as the tape width of the specified tape T1 in the original print data (12mm). Therefore, even if the text or other print content is printed without being reduced, the print content will not overflow. The size of the completed label will also be as desired by the user as input in the print data.

[0049] If the user selects "No" on screen display 2, the print control unit 10 does not suggest an alternative tape to the user, and the process ends. As in the case where the user selects "No" on screen display 1, the print process is not executed and the process is put on hold as an error state, or the print content is reduced so that it fits within the width of the current tape T2 and then printed.

[0050] When the user selects "View other usage histories" on screen display 2, the display content transitions to screen display 3. On screen display 3, notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from printing unit 20 and displays multiple tapes with high usage frequency as options for "candidates in order of frequency of use."

[0051] Here, of the five types of tape included in the usage history information, type B tape, which has a narrower tape width (9 mm) than the designated tape T1 (12 mm), is excluded from the candidates for frequency of use. This is because the difference between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 is the tape width, and proposing a type B tape with the same width as the current tape T2 (or a tape with a narrower tape width than the current tape T2) would not contribute to resolving the mismatch. In addition, even if printing were to be done on a type B tape, the print content would need to be reduced, and the label would not be the print size desired by the user.

[0052] The same is true for screen display 2 described above. If type B tape is the most frequently used type, the type of tape suggested on screen display 2 will be the second most frequently used type, rather than type B.

[0053] As a result, on screen display 3, types A, C, D, and E are displayed in descending order of frequency of use as candidate tape options. In addition, a message "Do not select tape" is displayed to indicate that these tapes should not be selected. The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

[0054] It should be noted that type D is the same type of tape as designated tape T1. At the stage of screen display 3, since the user has already selected in previous screen display 1 that replacement with designated tape T1 will not be performed, the proposed content in screen display 3 may exclude type D from the candidates in order of frequency of use.

[0055] When the user selects one of the four types of tapes proposed as candidates for order of frequency of use in screen display 3, the screen transitions to a screen similar to screen display 4. Here, the portion of screen display 4 which shows type A tape is rewritten to the type of tape selected in screen display 3 (hereinafter referred to as the selected tape).

[0056] If the user selects "Yes" on a screen similar to screen display 4, the screen transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the selected tape selected on screen display 3. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the selected tape. This allows printing to be performed in a state where the designated tape and the current tape are both unified as the selected tape.

[0057] The tape width of each of the types A, C, D, and E displayed on screen display 3 is either the same as the tape width (12 mm) of the specified tape T1 in the original print data, or a larger tape width (18 mm). Therefore, no matter which type of tape is selected, the text and other print content can be printed as is without being reduced, and the print content will not run off the edge.

[0058] If the user selects "Do not select tape" on screen display 3, the print control unit 10 does not display any further tape suggestions to the user, and the process ends. As in the case where the user selects "No" on screen display 1 or screen display 2, the print process is not executed and is put on hold as an error state, or the print content is reduced so that it fits within the current width of tape T2 and then printed.

[0059] Next, the second mode will be described with reference to Fig. 5. In the first mode shown in Fig. 4, screen display 2 and screen display 3 suggest tape types in the order of frequency of use. In contrast, in the second mode shown in Fig. 5, suggestions are made based on the order of frequency of use, while also taking into account similarities in tape width and color. Note that the second mode also displays screens equivalent to screen display 4 and screen display 5 in Fig. 4, but these are omitted in Fig. 5.

[0060] The designated tape T1 and current tape T2 in the second form are both the same as those in the first form. Among the usage history in order of frequency of use stored in the tape usage history storage section 52 of the printing unit 20, the fourth highest is not the above-mentioned type D, but a type F tape in which "the tape T is black, the ink ribbon K is white (white characters printed on a black background), and the tape width is 12 mm." All other conditions are the same as those in the first form.

[0061] The screen display 6 shown in FIG. 5, like the screen display 1 described above, indicates that the tape width of the designated tape T1 and the tape width of the current tape T2 are different.

[0062] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 6, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and suggests a tape type that takes into account not only frequency of use, but also the similarity of tape width and tape color. Specifically, among the candidate tapes, a tape with the same tape width as the designated tape T1 is given a high proposal priority. In addition, among the candidate tapes, a tape with a tape color that is highly similar to the tape color of the designated tape T1 is given a high proposal priority. Because differences in tape width are related to the need to enlarge or reduce the print content, here, the priority is determined by placing more importance on tape width than tape color.

[0063] In addition, the term "high similarity of tape colors" means, in the narrow sense, that the colors are the same, and in the broad sense, that the concept includes that the hues are close. For example, if the designated tape T1 is specified as "black text on a white background," the inverted version, "white text on a black background," is determined to be highly similar because the color elements used are the same.

[0064] As a result of judging the ranking based on the above conditions (usage history information, tape width, tape color), Type A and Type F, which have the same tape width (12 mm) as designated tape T1, are selected as the top two in the proposed order. Of these, Type A has a different tape color and text color from designated tape T1, while Type F has a reversed relationship to the tape color and text color of designated tape T1. Therefore, in terms of tape color, Type F is determined to be more similar to designated tape T1, and Type F is proposed as the top type. Type A then becomes second in the proposed order.

[0065] Type C and Type E have the same tape width (18 mm), but the tape color of Type C is different from the designated tape T1, and the tape color of Type E is the same as the designated tape T1. Based on the high degree of similarity of the tape colors (the tape colors match), Type E is ranked higher than Type C.

[0066] Therefore, the proposed order, which includes the condition of similarity of tape type in addition to frequency of use, is, from top to bottom, Type F, Type A, Type E, and Type C. As in the first form, Type B is excluded from the proposed candidates because its tape width is narrower than the designated tape T1.

[0067] The notification control unit 55 causes a display proposing the highest rank F type determined based on the above criteria to be displayed on the screen display 7. Furthermore, when the user selects "View other usage histories" on the screen display 7, the screen display 8 suggests replacement candidate tapes in the following order: F type, A type, E type, and C type.

[0068] In this way, by making suggestions that include classifications such as tape width and color in addition to the tape usage history, the possibility of selecting a tape type that is relatively similar to the print data (designated tape T1) entered by the user increases. As a result, there is an advantage in that it becomes easier to obtain print results that are close to what the user desires, even if a different type of tape T than the designated tape T1 is used.

[0069] For example, Type F and Type A, which are the first and second highest in the suggested order, are the same width as the specified tape T1 and can be printed without reducing or enlarging the print content, allowing the creation of labels of the size desired by the user.

[0070] In addition, although the F type has a different tape color than the specified tape T1, it is printed in "white text on a black background" which is the inverse of the specified "black text on a white background", so the tape color and the printed text are reversed (inverted) to make them the same color, and there is a high similarity in hue. Therefore, it is expected that the user will be more likely to accept the print results if the F type, which has a high hue similarity, is used rather than if the A type, which is a different color system (brownish) from the specified tape T1, is used.

[0071] In the second embodiment of Fig. 5, the notification control unit 55 adjusts the proposed content taking both the tape width and the tape color into consideration, but the proposed content may be adjusted based on only either the tape width or the tape color. For example, when adjustment is made taking only the tape width into consideration, between the A type and the F type, the A type, which is used more frequently, will be at the top of the proposal order. When adjustment is made taking only the tape color into consideration, the E type, which has the same color as the designated tape T1, will be at the top of the proposal order.

[0072] Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Screen displays 9 to 13 in Fig. 6 correspond to screen displays 1 to 5 in Fig. 4, and the processing contents of each are basically the same. Therefore, only the parts of the third embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

[0073] The designated tape T1 and current tape T2 in the third embodiment are both the same as those in the first embodiment. Also common to the first embodiment is that the usage histories stored in the tape usage history storage section 52 of the printing unit 20 are types A to E. However, if these are arranged in order of most recent usage, the order from top to bottom is type C, type E, type B, type A, and type D.

[0074] 6, if the user selects "Yes", the display transitions to screen display 10. In screen display 10, notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from printing unit 20 and displays a display suggesting the C type tape, which has the most recent usage history.

[0075] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 10, the screen transitions to screen display 12. Notification control section 55 causes screen display 12 to display a message asking whether or not a C-type tape is acceptable.

[0076] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 12, the display transitions to screen display 13. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the C type tape. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 compatible with the C type tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 compatible with the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 compatible with the C type tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. If the user operates "OK" on screen display 13, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the C type tape. This allows printing to be performed in a state where the designated tape and the current tape are both unified as C type tape.

[0077] It is also possible to control the process so that, when the user selects "Yes" on screen display 10, the confirmation on screen display 12 is skipped and the process proceeds to screen display 13.

[0078] The tape width of the C-type tape (18 mm) is larger than the tape width of the specified tape T1 in the original print data (12 mm). Therefore, even if the text or other print content is printed without being reduced in size, the print content will not run off the edge of the paper.

[0079] When the user selects "View other usage histories" on the screen display 10, the display content transitions to the screen display 11. On the screen display 11, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and displays the tape with the most recent usage history as a "latest usage order candidate" option. On the screen display 11, types C, E, A, and D are displayed in order of most recent usage history as the most recent usage order candidate tape options. Also, "Do not select tape" is displayed to indicate that these tapes are not to be selected. The user selects the desired option by touch operation. Note that type D is the same as the designated tape T1 that the user did not select for use at the image display 9 stage, so the proposed content may be excluded from the usage frequency order candidates on the screen display 11.

[0080] When the user selects one of the four types of tape proposed as a candidate for the most recently used order on screen display 11, the screen transitions to a screen similar to screen display 12. Here, the portion of screen display 12 which shows type C tape is rewritten to the type of tape selected on screen display 11 (referred to as the selected tape).

[0081] If the user selects "Yes" on a screen similar to screen display 12, the screen display 13 is displayed. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the selected tape selected on screen display 11. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 13, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the selected tape. This allows printing to be performed in a state where the designated tape and the current tape are both unified as the selected tape.

[0082] The tape width of each of the types C, E, B, A, and D presented on the screen display 11 is either the same as the tape width (12 mm) of the specified tape T1 in the original print data, or a larger tape width (18 mm). Therefore, no matter which type of tape is selected, the text and other print contents can be printed as is without being reduced, and the print contents will not run off the edge.

[0083] In addition, in screen display 10 and screen display 11, of the five types of tape included in the usage history information, type B tape, which has a tape width (9 mm) narrower than the tape width (12 mm) of specified tape T1, is excluded from the suggested candidates.

[0084] As a variation of the third embodiment, candidate tape types may be proposed based on the most recent order of use in the usage history, while also taking into account the similarity of tape width and tape color to the specified tape T1, as in the second embodiment (Figure 5) described above.

[0085] In the first form (FIG. 4), second form (FIG. 5), and third form (FIG. 6) described above, when "Yes" is selected on screen displays 1, 6, and 9, the display transitions to screen displays 2, 7, and 10, which suggest the most frequently used tape (A type), the most frequently used and similar tape (F type), and the most recent usage history tape (C type). When "View other usage history" is selected on screen displays 2, 7, and 10, multiple candidates are listed on screen displays 3, 8, and 11. Alternatively, when "Yes" is selected on screen displays 1, 6, and 9, the display can be controlled so that screen displays 2, 7, and 10 are skipped and the display of multiple candidates on screen displays 3, 8, and 11 is directly displayed.

[0086] In the first embodiment (FIG. 4), the second embodiment (FIG. 5), and the third embodiment (FIG. 6), the case where the tape width of the current tape T2 is smaller than the tape width of the designated tape T1 has been described. Conversely, when the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger than the tape width of the designated tape T1, even if characters or the like are printed in the size of the print data, the print content does not extend beyond the width of the current tape T2, so the printing itself can be performed without any problems. Therefore, when "the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match, but the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger," the notification control unit 55 may perform printing as it is without performing the process of proposing a recommended tape based on the usage history as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. Alternatively, the notification control unit 55 may only perform a notification of the mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, and leave it to the user to select whether or not to perform printing.

[0087] As in each of the above embodiments, the advantage of proposing the type of tape to be used this time based on the past usage history is that the proposed tape is likely to be owned by the user or is likely to be easily available to the user. For example, if a user purchases the same type of tape in bulk, the frequency of use of the tape increases, and the user is likely to have a stock of the unused tape from the previous time. In addition, it is likely that the user also owns the type of tape that was recently used, and even if the user does not own it, it is assumed that the user can easily obtain it.

[0088] Therefore, by making a suggestion to replace the tape with one identified from such usage history, it is more likely that printing can be performed quickly even if the same type of tape as the specified tape T1 is not on hand. It is also possible to make effective use of stocked tapes and promote their use. Furthermore, since the tape included in the usage history has actually been used to create labels in the past, it is highly likely that it matches the user's preferences. For these reasons, it is possible to significantly improve user convenience compared to simply warning the user that the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match.

[0089] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing corresponding to each of the above-mentioned modes. In step S100, it is determined whether or not a command to execute printing has been input by the user. The process waits until a command to execute printing has been input (step S100: NO). When a command to execute printing has been input (step S100: YES), the process proceeds to step S101, where the tape matching determination unit 54 determines whether or not the type of the designated tape T1 designated in the print data matches the type of the current tape T2 attached to the print unit 20.

[0090] If the type of the designated tape T1 and the type of the current tape T2 match (step S101: YES), the process proceeds to step S102, where printing is performed, and the process exits from the flowchart.

[0091] If the types of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match (step S101: NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0092] In addition, if the discrepancy is that "the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger than the tape width of the specified tape T1," printing can be performed without any problems without reducing the print content, so the discrepancy is not treated as occurring (do not proceed to step S103), and control may be exercised to proceed to step S102 and execute printing.

[0093] In step S103, the notification control unit 55 controls the touch panel display 12 to display tape mismatch information to notify the user. This corresponds to the display contents of screen display 1 (FIG. 4), screen display 6 (FIG. 5), and screen display 9 (FIG. 6).

[0094] Next, the process proceeds to step S104, where it is determined whether or not to replace the current tape T2 with the designated tape T1. If the user selects "replace with designated tape" on screen display 1 (FIG. 4), screen display 6 (FIG. 5), or screen display 9 (FIG. 6), then step S104 becomes YES.

[0095] When step S104 becomes YES, the notification control unit 55 causes a display to be displayed, such as screen display 5 (FIG. 4) or screen display 13 (FIG. 6), encouraging the user to replace the current tape T2 with the same type of tape as the designated tape T1. The process then proceeds to step S105, where the user replaces the current tape T2 with the same type of tape as the designated tape T1. This replacement operation makes the tape types of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 match. At this point, the process returns from step S105 to step S100, and the determination in step S101 is made, whereupon step S101 becomes YES, and printing is performed in step S102.

[0096] If the user does not select replacement with the designated tape T1, step S104 becomes NO and the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, it is determined whether the user desires a suggestion of a recommended tape based on the usage history.

[0097] If the user does not wish to have a recommendation for a tape based on usage history suggested, step S106 will be NO. This corresponds to the case where the user selects "No" in screen display 1 (FIG. 4), screen display 6 (FIG. 5), or screen display 9 (FIG. 6). In this case, neither replacement with the designated tape T1 nor a recommendation of a candidate tape for replacement is made. In other words, since no measures are taken to address the mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, printing is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S107 to end.

[0098] If the user wishes to be suggested recommended tapes based on usage history, step S106 will be YES. This corresponds to the case where the user selects "YES" on screen display 1 (FIG. 4), screen display 6 (FIG. 5), or screen display 9 (FIG. 6). In this case, the process proceeds to step S108.

[0099] In step S108, a recommended tape is suggested based on the usage history under the control of the notification control unit 55, and is specifically realized by the processing from step S109 to step S113. As shown in the above-mentioned first embodiment (FIG. 4) and third embodiment (FIG. 6), this tape suggestion processing is roughly divided into a method that suggests a tape based on the order of frequency of use of the tape in past printing, and a method that suggests a tape based on the order of most recent use of the tape. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment (FIG. 5), it is also possible to include in the suggestion order the similarity of the tape width or tape color between the designated tape T1 and the tape used in past printing, but here, it is roughly divided into a method that suggests a tape based on the order of frequency of use and a method that suggests a tape based on the order of most recent use, including adjustment of the suggestion order for each tape type as in the second embodiment.

[0100] In step S109, it is determined whether to use the most frequently used order or the most recently used order as the criterion for the proposal. The user may select in advance which criterion to use, the most frequently used order or the most recently used order, from a setting item of the label creation application executed by the print control unit 10, for example.

[0101] If the order of frequency of use is selected in step S109, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, a recommendation of a tape based on the order of frequency of use is suggested and displayed on the touch panel display 12. Specifically, the tape with the highest recommendation ranking may be displayed as in screen display 2 (FIG. 4) or screen display 7 (FIG. 5), or multiple types of tapes may be displayed in order of recommendation ranking as in screen display 3 (FIG. 4) or screen display 8 (FIG. 5).

[0102] If the most recent use order is selected in step S109, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, a recommendation of a tape based on the most recent use order is displayed on the touch panel display 12. Specifically, the tape with the highest recommendation order may be displayed as in screen display 10 (FIG. 6), or multiple types of tape may be displayed in order of recommendation order as in screen display 11 (FIG. 6).

[0103] After the display process (tape suggestion) of step S110 or step S111 is performed, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, it is determined whether or not the user has selected to use the recommended tape displayed in step S110 or step S112.

[0104] If the user selects "No" on screen display 2 (FIG. 4), screen display 7 (FIG. 5), or screen display 10 (FIG. 6), or if the user selects "Do not select tape" on screen display 3 (FIG. 4), screen display 8 (FIG. 5), or screen display 11 (FIG. 6), the determination in step S112 will be NO. In this case, neither replacement with the designated tape T1 nor replacement with another candidate tape is performed. In other words, since no measures are taken to address the mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, printing is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S107, where it ends.

[0105] If the user selects to use any of the types of tape suggested in screen displays 2 and 3 (FIG. 4), screen displays 7 and 8 (FIG. 5), or screen displays 10 and 11 (FIG. 6), the determination in step S112 becomes YES. In this case, the process proceeds to step S113.

[0106] In step S113, the contents of the printing data stored in the printing data memory unit 53 are updated, and the information about the designated tape to be used in this printing is rewritten from the existing designated tape T1 to the tape (selected tape) selected by the user in the tape suggestion process (step S112).

[0107] Also, in step S113, the notification control unit 55 causes a display to be displayed, such as screen display 5 (FIG. 4) or screen display 13 (FIG. 6), to prompt the user to change to the selected tape.

[0108] Then, the process proceeds from step S113 to step S105, where the user replaces the current tape T2 with the selected tape (the tape selected in step S112). Next, the process returns from step S105 to step S100, and when a command to execute printing is issued, the process proceeds to step S101. Since the designated tape in the print data was rewritten to the selected tape selected by the user in the tape suggestion process in the previous step S113, the designated tape and the current tape match (both become the selected tape), and the determination in step S101 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S102, where printing is executed, and the process is completed.

[0109] In the first form (Fig. 4) and third form (Fig. 6) explained above, recommended tapes are suggested based on the tape usage history (in order of frequency of use or most recent use), while in the second form (Fig. 5), the priority of suggestions is changed taking into account tape width and tape color. Both of these suggestions make use of information about the tape itself, but it is also possible to determine the priority of suggestions by linking the tape usage history with the print contents. This concept is shown as the fourth form in Fig. 8.

[0110] The label creation application installed in the print control unit 10 has a function of supporting print data creation using a word list. A word list is a group of words that are highly related in content, grouped by field and registered. For example, words related to the kitchen and cooking are organized into a word list for the "Kitchen" category. Also, words related to gardening and landscaping are organized into a word list for the "Gardening" category. A plurality of such word lists are stored in the memory of the print control unit 10. When a user inputs print content into the print control unit 10, the user can display the word list and select the desired words, thereby efficiently creating a series of labels that are highly related in content, without the trouble of inputting each character one by one.

[0111] When content selected from the word list is printed, word list information, which is the printed content, is stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the printing unit 20 along with the usage history of the tape T. In the example shown in Fig. 8, similar to Fig. 6 (third embodiment), the usage history is sorted by most recent usage, and among these, information that the content of the word list for the "Kitchen" category has been printed on tape type A, and information that the content of the word list for the "Gardening" category has been printed on tape type C is attached. When printing is performed using the other types of tapes, B, D, and E, content that the user has inputted is printed, and the word list usage history is not included.

[0112] Under these conditions, suppose that the print data input by the user this time is to print the word "coffee" included in the word list of the "Kitchen" category on the specified tape T1 type "tape T is white, ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width is 12 mm." Meanwhile, suppose that the current tape T2 detected by the tape identification sensor 31 of the printing unit 20 is "tape T is black, ink ribbon K is white (white characters printed on a black background), and tape width is 12 mm."

[0113] In this case, the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 have the same tape width but different tape colors. The tape match determination unit 54 of the print control unit 10 determines that the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match based on the difference in tape color. Then, based on this determination result, the notification control unit 55 causes the touch panel display 12 to display information about the tape mismatch, such as the screen display 14 in FIG. 8.

[0114] If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 14, the display transitions to screen display 15. Here, the notification control unit 55 suggests type A tape as the recommended tape. Type A tape is fourth in the order of most recent use, but there is a similarity in the printed content in that it printed the same word list as the "Kitchen" category that is to be printed this time. Due to this similarity in the printed content, the recommendation order is changed to type A tape so that it is ranked at the top. Type A tape is then presented together with the basis for the suggestion that it was previously used to print similar content.

[0115] When the user selects "Yes" on screen display 15, the screen transitions to screen display 16. Here, the "XX" portion displays the model number of the A-type tape selected on screen display 15.

[0116] In label printer usage patterns, the same type of tape is often used to print a series of content included in the same word list. Also, there is a high possibility that the user owns the same type of tape as when printing previously using the same word list. Therefore, by proposing a recommended tape that takes into account the similarity of the print content in addition to the tape usage history, as in the fourth embodiment, it is more likely that a type of tape that is more suited to the user's usage environment can be proposed.

[0117] Although storing and referencing the history of all print content, including free input by the user, can easily place a heavy burden on processing and control, judging matches and similarities on a word list basis has the advantage of requiring less storage capacity and requiring less processing load. For example, each category in a word list can be managed by a number with a small number of digits.

[0118] The above-described embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0119] For example, the printing device 1 of the above embodiment is a separate type in which the print control unit 10 to which the user inputs print data is separate from the printing unit 20 that prints on the tape T. Since the input of the designated tape T1 is managed by the print control unit 10 and the current tape T2 is attached to the printing unit 20, mismatches between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 are likely to occur, making this a configuration in which the present invention is highly useful. However, the present invention can also be applied to an integrated printing device that includes both a print data input unit and a printing unit.

[0120] In the above embodiment, attention is focused on width and color as elements for identifying the type of tape, but the type of tape may also be identified based on differences in tape material. For example, known tape materials include paper and synthetic resin. Tapes may or may not have an adhesive layer. Tapes that have a magnetic layer that can be magnetically attached instead of an adhesive layer are also known. It is also possible to apply the present invention by distinguishing types of tapes based on such differences in material and tape structure.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the printing method is a method of thermally transferring ink by overlapping the tape T and the ink ribbon K, but the printing method in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a thermal method using a heat-sensitive tape that changes color when heated, or an inkjet method that sprays fine ink droplets onto the tape.

[0122] The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below. [Appendix 1] an input unit for inputting print data by a user; A display unit that displays information; a printing unit that prints the print content of the print data on a tape; A memory unit that stores the usage history of a tape used in previous printing; a tape identification unit for identifying the type of tape currently installed; a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the print data and the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit are different, causes the display unit to display a suggestion for a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit; and A printing device comprising: [Appendix 2] The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit suggests a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history. [Appendix 3] The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have the same width as the tape width specified in the printing data. [Appendix 4] The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes among the tapes included in the usage history that have a color that is highly similar to the color of the tape specified in the printing data. [Appendix 5] The storage unit stores the print contents together with the usage history of the tape used in the previous printing, The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have been used to print content that is highly similar to the print content of the print data. [Appendix 6] A printing device as described in any of Appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that when the width of the tape identified by the tape identification unit is larger than the width of the tape specified in the printing data, the notification control unit performs printing without suggesting the type of tape to use. [Appendix 7] a print control unit including the input unit, the display unit, and the notification control unit; a printing unit including the printing section, the tape identification section, and the memory section; 7. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: [Appendix 8] A print control method for printing content of print data input by a user onto a tape, comprising: The usage history of the tape used in previous printing is stored in the memory unit, The type of tape currently installed is identified by the tape identification section. When the type of tape specified in the print data is different from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, a notification control unit is caused to perform control to suggest a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit. A printing control method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 Printing device 10 Printing control unit 12 Touch panel display (input section, display section) 20 Printing unit 27 Platen roller 28 Thermal head (printing part) 30 Cartridge storage section 31 Tape identification sensor (tape identification section) 40 Tape Cartridge 50 Computer 51 Computer 52 Tape usage history memory unit (memory unit) 53 Print data storage unit 54 Tape Matching Unit 55 Notification control section K Ink Ribbon T-Tape T1 designated tape T2 Current Tape

Claims

1. an input unit for inputting print data by a user; A display unit that displays information; a printing unit that prints the print content of the print data on a tape; A memory unit that stores the usage history of a tape used in previous printing; a tape identification unit for identifying the type of tape currently installed; a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the print data and the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit are different, causes the display unit to display a suggestion for a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit; and Equipped with The notification control unit suggests a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history. A printing device comprising:

2. 2 . The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification control unit preferentially suggests, from among the tapes included in the usage history, a tape having the same width as the tape width specified in the print data.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification control unit preferentially suggests, from among the tapes included in the usage history, a tape having a color highly similar to the color of the tape specified in the print data.

4. The storage unit stores the print contents together with the usage history of the tape used in the previous printing, The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have been used to print content that is highly similar to the print content of the print data.

5. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the width of the tape identified by the tape identification unit is larger than the width of the tape specified in the printing data, the notification control unit performs printing without suggesting the type of tape to use.

6. a print control unit including the input unit, the display unit, and the notification control unit; a printing unit including the printing section, the tape identification section, and the memory section; 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. A print control method for printing content of print data input by a user onto a tape, comprising: The usage history of the tape used in previous printing is stored in the memory unit, The type of tape currently installed is identified by the tape identification section. when the type of tape specified in the print data is different from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, a notification control unit performs control to suggest a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit; The step of proposing a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit includes a step of proposing a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history. A printing control method comprising:

Images