Printing control device and printing control program

Abstract

To realize a combination of multi-layered arrangement of objects as a user intends.SOLUTION: A print control apparatus is configured to: acquire multi-layer label print data for the first and second sheets in a procedure S15; acquire multi-layer labeling information indicating that each of multi-layer label print data for the first and second sheets relates to a multi-layer label LS which is used by overlapping print labels L in a thickness direction in a procedure S20; generate new multi-layer label print data by arranging a new print object in which a layout for the first sheet is applied to a print object for the second sheet in procedures S80-S95; and print the multi-layer label print data for the first sheet on a base material tape for the first sheet, and print the new multi-layer label print data on a base material tape for the second sheet in a procedure S35.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing control device and a printing control program for creating overlapping labels.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 describes editing a plurality of printed images, printing those printed images on a plurality of tapes using a tape printing device, and using those plurality of tapes overlapped as one label.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, in a tape printing device, a default layout including character size and the like is set to be suitable for each tape width to be used. However, when a user creates a plurality of printed labels using a plurality of printed images without knowing that the default layout differs depending on the tape width, when those are overlapped, the combination of object arrangements may not be as intended.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of making the combination of object arrangements when overlapped as intended by the user even when creating a plurality of printed labels using a plurality of tapes having different tape widths.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the present application is a printing control apparatus having a control unit, wherein the control unit includes: a first label data acquisition process for acquiring first label data for printing a first object in a layout represented by first layout information with respect to a first tape having a first tape width; a second label data acquisition process for acquiring second label data for printing a second object in a layout represented by second layout information with respect to a second tape having a second tape width; a pasting information acquisition process for acquiring pasting information related to the fact that the first label data and the second label data are pasting labels used by overlapping the first tape and the second tape in the thickness direction; a third label data generation process for generating third label data in which a third object obtained by applying the layout represented by the first layout information to the second object is arranged; and a first printing control process for printing the first label data on the first tape and printing the third label data on the second tape.

[0007] Also, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of the present application causes a computer to execute: a first label data acquisition process for acquiring first label data for printing a first object in a layout represented by first layout information with respect to a first tape having a first tape width; a second label data acquisition process for acquiring second label data for printing a second object in a layout represented by second layout information with respect to a second tape having a second tape width; a pasting information acquisition process for acquiring pasting information related to the fact that the first label data and the second label data are pasting labels used by overlapping the first tape and the second tape in the thickness direction; a third label data generation process for changing the layout represented by the first layout information to a third object by applying it to the second object and generating third label data in which the changed third object is arranged; and a first printing control process for transmitting a printing instruction for printing the first label data on the first tape and printing the third label data on the second tape.

[0008] In the present invention, in the third label data generation process, third label data is generated in which a third object in which the layout represented by the first layout information is applied to the second object is arranged.

[0009] In the first print control process, the first label data is printed on the first tape, and the third label data is printed on the second tape.

[0010] In the present invention, even when the default layout on the second tape is different from that on the first tape due to the difference in the widths of the first and second tapes, the printing content on the second tape based on the third label data has the same layout as the printing on the first tape.

[0011] According to the present invention, even when printing for overlapping labels is performed on the first and second tapes having different tape widths from each other to create two printed labels, printing based on a common layout can be performed. As a result, the combination of object arrangements when the two printed labels are overlapped can be made as intended by the user.

[0012] Note that the present invention is not limited to a print control device or a print control program, and can be appropriately applied to, for example, a print control method executed by a print control device, a print processing system, or the like.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, even when creating a plurality of printed labels using a plurality of tapes having different tape widths from each other, the combination of object arrangements when they are overlapped can be made as intended by the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] <Overall System Configuration> The configuration of the entire printing system including the label printer according to this embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the printing system 1 has, for example, a label printer 2 and an operation terminal 3 composed of a general-purpose personal computer. The operation terminal 3 is connected to the label printer 2 so as to be able to mutually transmit and receive information, and in the illustrated example, the operation terminal 3 is connected via wired communication. Although not particularly shown, the operation terminal 3 may be connected to the label printer 2 via wireless communication. Note that the operation terminal 3 may be a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet PC in addition to the above-described general-purpose personal computer. Also, the wired communication may be a wired LAN such as ETHERNET (registered trademark) or a USB connection, and the wireless communication may be a wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. The label printer 2 creates a printed label L based on the user's operation on the operation terminal 3.

[0017] <Operation Terminal> As shown in FIG. 2, the operation terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32 composed of, for example, a RAM and a ROM, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a communication control unit 35, and a mass storage device 36.

[0018] The operation unit 33 is composed of, for example, a mouse and a keyboard through which instructions, information, etc. from the user are input. The display unit 34 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information and messages. The communication control unit 35 controls the transmission and reception of signals with the label printer 2 via the above-mentioned wired communication in this example. The mass storage device 36 stores various programs and information. The CPU 31 performs various processes and transmits and receives various signals to and from the label printer 2 according to programs stored in advance in the ROM and the mass storage device 36 while using the temporary storage function of the RAM. In this example, an editing application, a printer driver, and overlapping label print data, etc. described later are stored in advance in the above-mentioned memory 32 or the mass storage device 36.

[0019] <Label printer> As shown in the drawing, the label printer 2 has a control circuit 21, a cartridge holder 22 for detachably attaching a cartridge 101, a cartridge sensor 23, a print head 24, a mass storage device 25, a display unit 26, an input unit 27, a communication control unit 28, and a transport roller 29.

[0020] The mass storage device 25 stores various programs such as a print program described later and information such as overlapping label data. The control circuit 21 performs various processes in the label printer 2 according to programs stored in advance in the ROM and the mass storage device 25 while using the temporary storage function of the RAM.

[0021] The display unit 26 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display that displays various information to the user and displays the printed content. The input unit 27 is composed of, for example, a hard switch that can be manually operated by the user. Note that the above display unit 26 and input unit 27 may each be composed of a touch panel in which a liquid crystal display and a touch pad are integrally combined.

[0022] The cartridge holder 22 is configured to be detachable from the cartridge 101, and the cartridge sensor 23 is a sensor that reads the cartridge information recorded on the mounted cartridge 101 itself by a mechanical or electrical configuration. Although not particularly shown, the cartridge 101 includes a belt-shaped base material tape having a specific tape width inside, a colorless and transparent belt-shaped cover film having the same tape width as the base material tape, and an ink ribbon of a specific color.

[0023] The control circuit 21 reads the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted via the cartridge sensor 23, and acquires information on the tape width of the base material tape included in the cartridge 101 from the read specification information. Then, the control circuit 21 forms printing based on predetermined print data with the color of the ink ribbon as the printing color on the cover film by mechanical control of the motor that drives the drive mechanism including the conveyance roller 29 and electrical control of the print head 24. The cover film is bonded to the base material tape and cut to an appropriate length to create the printed label L. The above print data in the example of this embodiment is generated based on the printed content edited by the editing operation in the above-described editing application.

[0024] Note that the label printer 2 above is an example of a print control device, the control circuit 21 is an example of a control unit, the print program is an example of a print control program, and the base material tape and the cover film are examples of a print medium and a tape.

[0025] <Regarding the Editing and Creation of Overlapping Labels> The printed label L created by the label printer 2 with the above configuration has a background color and an object color determined by the base tape housed in the casing of the cartridge 101 and the color of the ink ribbon. That is, in one printed label L, the tape color of the base tape becomes the background color, and the color of the ink ribbon becomes the printing color of the object, and only a maximum of two-color expression can be achieved. However, by overlapping and bonding a second printed label L with a transparent (clear) tape color and printing an object with a new printing color on the surface of the first printed label L, a printed label L with a three-color expression in which the background color and the printing color of the lower layer are visible through can be created.

[0026] In the present embodiment, a set of laminated label bodies that enable a multi-color expression of three or more colors by bonding a plurality of printed labels L so as to overlap each other in the thickness direction is called a stacked label LS. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the user generates in advance a plurality of printed objects (two text objects of "D s g N." and "e i n o 1" in the illustrated example) with different printing colors as individual stacked label printing data by an editing operation in an editing application operating on the operation terminal 3. Then, by instructing a print execution process in the editing application of the operation terminal 3, the printer driver on the operation terminal 3 transmits each stacked label printing data to the label printer 2, and the printing program on the label printer 2 actually prints and creates a plurality of printed labels L1 and L2 based on the plurality of received stacked label printing data. Thereafter, the user can create a stacked label LS with printed content (in the illustrated example, "Design No. 1") in an expression combining different printing colors by manually overlapping and bonding the plurality of printed labels L1 and L2 with each other. Note that the text of the printed object is an example of a character string.

[0027] In order to properly perform the above-mentioned overlapping, it is necessary that the layouts of the printed objects printed on the plurality of printed labels L to be overlapped are the same. On the other hand, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the actual tape width (24 mm) of the base tape of the cartridge 101 actually used for one of the plurality of generated overlapping label print data is different from the assumed tape width (12 mm) in the data, the layout of the printed object printed on the printed label L will change, and the plurality of printed labels L1, L2 actually printed cannot be properly overlapped. This is generally because, in the label printer 2, the default layout including the character size and the like is set to be suitable for the tape width for each tape width used. That is, when the user creates a plurality of printed labels L using a plurality of overlapping label print data without knowing that the default layout differs depending on the tape width, when they are overlapped, the combination of object arrangements will not be as intended.

[0028] And the cartridge 101 is manufactured and sold as an independent product for each difference in tape width, tape color, and printing color specifications, and it is desirable to use the cartridge 101 that exactly corresponds to the specifications originally assumed in the overlapping label print data. However, when creating a plurality of printed labels L for overlapping, due to a shortage of the cartridge 101 owned by the user at that time, etc., there may be a case where it is desired to use a cartridge 101 with an actual tape width (hereinafter referred to as an irregular tape width) that is different from the assumed tape width originally assumed in the original overlapping label print data.

[0029] Note that the first base tape is an example of the first tape, the tape width of the first base tape is an example of the first tape width, the second base tape is an example of the second tape, and the tape width of the second base tape is an example of the second tape width.

[0030] <Method for Modifying Overlapping Label Print Data for Irregular Tape Widths> In contrast, in this embodiment, in the printing program operating on the label printer 2, data correction processing of the overlapping label printing data corresponding to the non-standard tape width is performed as per the procedure shown in FIG. 4. This is executed when collating with the overlapping label printing data of the printing label L targeted for printing at that time, and when it is determined that the actual tape width as the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted at that time, detected by the cartridge sensor 23 on the label printer 2 side, is the non-standard tape width. In FIG. 4, an example of correcting the printing data (data consisting of the text object "eino1" in the illustrated example) when the actual tape width is the non-standard tape width of 24 mm while the assumed tape width is 12 mm in FIG. 3 above is shown.

[0031] First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), confirm the actual tape width (24 mm in this example) determined as the non-standard tape width at this time. If this actual tape width is not known to be the non-standard tape width and the original overlapping label printing data is printed as it is to create the printing label L, as shown in the figure, the text object will be printed with an incorrect printing size (font size) corresponding to the non-standard tape width. Specifically, as shown in the figure, it is printed with a non-standard point larger than the assumed point for a non-standard tape width larger than the assumed tape width, and although not specifically shown, it is printed with a non-standard point smaller than the assumed point for a non-standard tape width smaller than the assumed tape width. Also, in some cases, the printing arrangement position of the printing object may also change according to the difference in the non-standard tape width (not specifically shown). Note that the font size is an example of the character size.

[0032] In contrast, as shown in FIG. 4(b), for the base tape with this non-standard tape width (24 mm), set a virtual printing area R (refer to the dotted frame in the figure) on the base tape when printing the overlapping label printing data with the original assumed tape width (12 mm). Specifically, set the printing area R in a rectangular area of the assumed tape length × assumed tape width, with the printing arrangement position aligned to the left and centered in the width direction of the non-standard tape.

[0033] Next, as shown in FIG. 4(c), set the printing content (image dot pattern) of the printing object at the original assumed point and assumed printing arrangement position in the printing area R. Of course, the printing content of this printing object, as well as the assumed tape length, assumed tape width, assumed point, and assumed printing arrangement position that define the printing area R, refer to those recorded in the overlapping label printing data.

[0034] And finally, as shown in FIG. 4(d), set two cut lines CL (refer to the two broken lines in the figure) corresponding to both edges of the printing area R in the tape width direction. That is, these two cut lines CL are added as marks along the tape length direction at a position corresponding to the difference between the non-standard tape width and the assumed tape width. Although not particularly shown, a cut line corresponding to the outer peripheral frame of the printing area R may be set. The above two cut lines CL are an example of marks along the tape length direction.

[0035] By modifying the overlapping label printing data originally prepared corresponding to the original assumed tape width (12 mm) as described above, new printing data to be printed on the base tape with the non-standard tape width (24 mm) installed at that time can be generated. The printed label L2 created by printing the newly generated printing data on the non-standard tape width can be properly overlapped with the printed label L1 created with the other standard tape width as shown in FIG. 5. In the illustrated example, the printed label L1 created with the standard tape width is used as the lower layer label, and the printed label L2 created with the non-standard tape width is used as the upper layer label (tape color is transparent) and overlapped. In this case, it becomes easy to accurately overlap the lower layer label L1 in an appropriate arrangement by referring to the two cut lines CL printed on the upper layer label L2, and after the overlapping operation, the upper layer label L2 is cut along the two cut lines CL so that its whole becomes the same size as the original overlapping label and is completed.

[0036] In the example of this embodiment, the label printer 2 creates individual printed labels L corresponding to each other in the order from the lower layer side to the upper layer side among the plurality of printed labels L to be overlaid. Also, the information on the printing arrangement position and the font size is an example of the layout, the overlaid label printing data to be printed on the first printed label L1 is an example of the first label data, the printing object included in the overlaid label printing data corresponding to the first sheet is an example of the first object, the layout information included in the overlaid label printing data corresponding to the first sheet is an example of the first layout information, the overlaid label printing data to be printed on the second printed label L2 is an example of the second label data, the printing object included in the overlaid label printing data corresponding to the second sheet is an example of the second object, the layout information included in the overlaid label printing data corresponding to the second sheet is an example of the second layout information, the printing object set at the original assumed point and the assumed printing arrangement position in the printing area R as shown in FIG. 4(c) is an example of the third object, and the printing data of the content shown in FIG. 4(c) is an example of the third label data.

[0037] <Control Procedure> To realize the above method in this embodiment, an example of the control procedure executed by the control circuit 21 of the label printer 2 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. First, when the power of the label printer 2 is turned on, the following procedure shown in FIG. 6 is started.

[0038] In S5, it is determined whether the overlapping mode for creating the printing label L for overlapping is not set (whether the overlapping mode setting is OFF). The setting of the overlapping mode is, for example, set to ON for the overlapping mode setting by the user at the timing when the user wants to create (i.e., print the print data) the printing label L for overlapping. And, for example, at the timing when all the printing labels L for overlapping are created (printed), it is set to OFF for the overlapping mode setting by the user. The setting by the user may be performed, for example, by operating the input unit 27, or the setting performed by operating the operation unit 33 may be received via the communication control unit 28. When it is determined that the overlapping mode is set (when the overlapping mode setting is ON), a NO determination is made and the process proceeds directly to S15. On the other hand, when it is determined that the overlapping mode setting is OFF, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to S10. In S10, the overlapping label print data saved in the past is deleted, and then the process proceeds to S15.

[0039] In S15, new print data is received from the operation terminal 3. The print data received here includes information indicating the type of the object to be printed (e.g., the character string to be printed), the print arrangement position (left alignment, center alignment, right alignment, etc.). Further, the control circuit 21 reads the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted via the cartridge sensor 23, and acquires information on the tape width of the base material tape included in the cartridge 101 from the read specification information. Next, in S20, it is determined whether the overlapping mode setting is ON. Note that the information acquired for reference in this determination is an example of the overlapping information. When it is determined that the overlapping mode setting is OFF, a NO determination is made and the process proceeds to S35. On the other hand, when it is determined that the overlapping mode setting is ON, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to S25.

[0040] In S25, it is determined whether the overlapping label print data is saved. The overlapping label print data is the print data printed to create an overlapping label. When the print data is received for the first time after the overlapping mode setting is turned on, since printing has not been performed yet, it is determined as NO. When printing has already been performed on the print data after the overlapping mode setting is turned on, since the print data printed in the past is saved, it is determined as YES. If it is determined that the overlapping label print data is not saved, it is determined as NO and the process proceeds to S30. In S30, the print data received in S15 is saved as the overlapping label print data. This overlapping label print data includes the assumed tape width which is the tape width information of the cartridge 101 being installed obtained via the cartridge sensor 23, the font size corresponding to the tape width, and various layout information such as the printing arrangement position included in the print data. Then the process proceeds to S35.

[0041] In S35, printing is executed based on the print data received in S15 to create a printed label L. In the next S40, it waits until user instruction data is received from the operation terminal 3, and when received, it returns to the above S5. Note that the user instruction data received at this time is either the print data to be printed next or an instruction to cancel the overlapping mode setting to OFF. After printing is executed in S35 to create the printed label L, the user appropriately changes the cartridge 101 installed in the cartridge holder 22 to the cartridge 101 to be used for printing the next print data.

[0042] On the other hand, in the above S25, if it is determined that the overlapping label print data printed in the past is saved, it is determined as YES and the process proceeds to S45.

[0043] In S45, it is determined whether the tape width of the cartridge 101 used for printing the received print data in S15 is larger than the assumed tape width included in the stored overlapping label print data. If it is determined that the tape width of the received print data is equal to or less than the assumed tape width of the stored print data, a NO determination is made and the process proceeds to S50.

[0044] In S50, it is determined whether the tape width of the received print data matches the assumed tape width included in the stored overlapping label print data. If it is determined that the tape width of the received print data matches the assumed tape width of the stored overlapping label print data, a YES determination is made and the process proceeds to S35 to execute printing. In other words, since the tape widths of the printed labels created as overlapping labels are the same, it is assumed that there is no problem with the overlapping, and the process proceeds to the printing execution in S35.

[0045] On the other hand, in S50, if it is determined that the tape width of the received print data does not match the assumed tape width of the stored overlapping label print data, a NO determination is made and the process proceeds to S55. In other words, if it is determined that the tape width of the received print data is smaller than the assumed tape width of the stored overlapping label print data, the process proceeds to the process of shifting to S55.

[0046] In S55, notification data is created to notify the user that the tape width of the received print data is small, and is notified through the display unit 26. The notification data includes a message asking whether to print the upper label L2 after printing the received print data, where the received print data is the lower label L1 of the overlapping label. Then, it waits in a loop until a response operation is received from the user via the input unit 27, and proceeds to S65 when the response operation is performed. In S65, it is determined whether the received print data is the lower label L1 in the overlapping label and whether to print the upper label L2 after printing the received print data in response to the inquiry message. If it is determined that the received print data is the lower label L1 and the upper label L2 is to be printed after printing the received print data, it is a YES determination, and it proceeds to S35 assuming there is no problem with the specification in the overlapping label mode and printing is executed. However, since the upper label L2 will be created based on the received print data, the information of the saved overlapping label print data is rewritten to the received print data. On the other hand, if it is determined that the received print data is not the lower label L1, it is a NO determination, an error is output to the display unit 26 in S70, the overlapping label mode setting is turned off, the saved data is deleted, and then it returns to S5.

[0047] On the other hand, in S45 above, if it is determined that the tape width of the received print data is larger than the assumed tape width of the saved overlapping label print data, it is a YES determination, and it proceeds to S75 (see FIG. 7).

[0048] In S75, a dot pattern on the image buffer is prepared so that an image image in the tape width of the received print data can be generated. Next, in S80, a printing area R corresponding to the assumed tape width of the stored overlapping label print data is set (see FIG. 4(b) above). Next, in S85, the font size in the received print data is changed to match the font size included in the stored overlapping label print data. Next, in S90, data processing is performed so that the printing arrangement position of the printing object in the received print data is rearranged according to the printing arrangement position of the printing object in the overlapping label print data (see FIG. 4(c) above). Next, in S95, a cut line CL is added to the outer periphery of the re-set printing area R to generate print data. Then, the process proceeds to S35, and printing is executed with this print data to create a printed label L.

[0049] In the above, the procedure of S15 is an example of the first label data acquisition process and the second label data acquisition process, the procedure of S20 is an example of the overlapping information acquisition process, the procedures of S80 to S95 are an example of the third label data generation process, the procedure of S35 is an example of the first print control process and the second print control process, the procedures of S45 and S50 are an example of the layout determination process, and the procedure of S75 is an example of the image expansion process.

[0050] <Effect of Embodiment> As described above, the control circuit 21 of the label printer 2 according to the present embodiment executes a print program to create an overlapping label LS in which the lower printed label L1 and the upper printed label L2 are overlapped in the thickness direction.

[0051] In the procedure of S15, print data for creating the first and second overlapping labels is acquired. The first printed label L1 is created by printing a printing object on the first base tape according to the layout information included in the received print data with a font size corresponding to the tape width of the mounted cartridge 101.

[0052] In the procedure of S20, information indicating that the first and second superimposed label print data obtained as described above are data for creating a superimposed label is acquired.

[0053] In the label printer 2 of the present embodiment, when the actual tape widths of the first printed label L1 and the second printed label L2 that are superimposed on each other as described above are different, the procedures of S80 to S95 are executed.

[0054] In the procedures of S80 to S95, by applying the layout of the layout information in the print data of the printed label L1 created on the first sheet to the print object on the print data for the second printed label L2, new print data for the superimposed label is generated. The print object on the new print data for the superimposed label is the print object on the print data for the second printed label L2 that has been changed to correspond to the layout of the layout information of the print data of the printed label L1 created on the first sheet.

[0055] In the present embodiment, even when the default layout on the second base tape is different from that on the first base tape due to the difference in the actual tape widths of the first and second sheets, the print content on the second base tape by the new superimposed label print data has the same layout as the first print.

[0056] According to the present embodiment, when printing for the superimposed label LS on the first and second base tapes having different tape widths to create two printed labels L1 and L2, the printing on them can be based on a common layout. As a result, the combination of the object arrangements when the two printed labels L1 and L2 are superimposed can be made as intended by the user.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the first and second overlapping label print data were received separately from the operation terminal 3 at the timing before sequential printing. However, they may be received all at once, or actively acquired from the label printer 2. Also, the label printer 2 printed the print data received from the operation terminal 3, but the print data created by the label printer 2 may be printed as print data for the overlapping labels respectively.

[0058] Further, in particular in this embodiment, the actual tape width of the first base tape located on the lower layer side is smaller than the actual tape width of the second base tape located on the upper layer side. Thus, in this embodiment, when printing on the first base tape with a small actual tape width and the second base tape with a large actual tape width respectively and then pasting them together after printing, printing based on a common layout can be executed for these two base tapes.

[0059] Also, in particular in this embodiment, in the procedure of S95, a cut line CL along the tape length direction is added to a portion corresponding to the difference between the actual tape width of the second overlapping label print data and the actual tape width of the first one to generate new overlapping label print data.

[0060] When overlapping a second base tape that is wider than the first base tape onto the first base tape, it is necessary to cut off the protruding part after the overlap. In the present embodiment, in the new overlapping label printing data, a cut line CL corresponding to the protruding part is included according to the difference in the actual tape widths of the first and second tapes, enabling the user to smoothly perform the above-mentioned cutting manually using an appropriate tool. Although the cut line is illustrated as a dashed line, it suffices that the user can perform the cutting, and for example, it may be a solid line. In the present embodiment, cut lines CL are added to the upper and lower sides in the tape width direction, but the print object may be arranged in the same layout as the first tape, either shifted towards the upper side or the lower side in the width direction of the second tape, to create a printed label L2. For example, when arranged shifted towards the lower side, the cut line CL is added above the print object. When arranged shifted towards the lower side, the two labels can be overlapped while aligning at the tape end.

[0061] Moreover, in particular, in the present embodiment, the layout includes the font size of each object that is text. According to the present embodiment, when printing on each of the first and second base tapes with different actual tape widths and then laminating them after printing, printing can be executed with a common font size for these two base tapes.

[0062] Furthermore, in particular, in the present embodiment, the layout includes the print placement position information of each print object. According to the present embodiment, when printing on each of the first and second base tapes with different actual tape widths and then laminating them after printing, the print placement positions of each print object on these two base tapes can be aligned in a common manner to execute printing.

[0063] In particular, in this embodiment, in the procedures of S45 and S50, it is determined whether the layout information of the first and second base tapes matches each other using the tape widths of the first and second base tapes. If the layouts of the first and second tapes do not match, printing on the second base tape is performed by the procedure of S35 based on the print data generated in the procedures of S80 to S95 described above, so that printing based on a common layout can be executed for the two base tapes. If the layouts of the first and second tapes match, printing on the second base tape can be executed by directly printing the received second overlay label print data on the second base tape, so that printing based on a common layout can be executed for the two base tapes.

[0064] In particular, in this embodiment, in the procedure of S75, the second print data is developed on the image buffer. A new label image is generated by processing the data so that the size of the second label image on the image buffer becomes the same as the size of the first label image.

[0065] According to this embodiment, by performing data processing based on the size comparison between the label images on the image buffer to generate a new label image, printing based on a common layout can be surely executed for the first and second base tapes.

[0066] In particular, in this embodiment, the label printer 2 controls the conveyance roller 29 and the print head 24 in cooperation to execute the printing of the procedure of S35, so that printing based on a common layout can be surely executed for the two base tapes of the first and second.

[0067] In the above embodiment, in the printing program executed by the control circuit 21 of the label printer 2, a process of aligning the printing contents among a plurality of overlapping label printing data acquired from the operation terminal 3 was performed. Alternatively, the editing application or printer driver on the operation terminal 3 may perform the alignment process of the printing contents among a plurality of overlapping label printing data. In these cases, regarding the actual tape widths corresponding to the first and second printed labels L1 and L2 respectively, it may be acquired from the cartridge sensor 23 as the specification information of the cartridge 101 mounted on the label printer 2 at that time. Or it may be acquired by manual input from the user. In this case, the CPU 31 of the operation terminal 3 is an example of a control unit, the operation terminal 3 is an example of a printing control device, and the editing application or printer driver is an example of a printing control program.

[0068] Also, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flow, and procedures may be added, deleted, or the order may be changed, etc. within the scope not departing from the gist and technical idea of the invention.

[0069] Also, in addition to what has already been described above, the methods according to the above embodiments and each modification example may be used in appropriate combination.

[0070] In addition, although not exemplified one by one, the present invention is implemented with various changes made within the scope not departing from its gist.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 1 Printing system 2 Label printer (an example of a printing control device) 3 Operation terminal (an example of a printing control device) 21 Control circuit (an example of a control unit) 23 Cartridge sensor 24 Printing head 25 Mass storage device 26 Display unit 27 Input unit 101 Cartridge L Printed label L1 The first printed label L2 The second printed label LS Overlapping label R Printing area CL Cut line (an example of a mark)

Claims

1. A printing control apparatus having a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first label data acquisition process of acquiring first label data for printing a first object in a layout represented by first layout information on a first tape having a first tape width; a second label data acquisition process of acquiring second label data for printing a second object in a layout represented by second layout information on a second tape having a second tape width; a superimposing information acquisition process of acquiring superimposing information related to the fact that the first label data and the second label data are superimposed labels used by superimposing the first tape and the second tape in the thickness direction; a third label data generation process of generating third label data in which a third object obtained by applying the layout represented by the first layout information to the second object is arranged; a first printing control process of printing the first label data on the first tape and printing the third label data on the second tape; A printing control apparatus that executes the above.

2. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first tape width of the first tape is smaller than the second tape width of the second tape.

3. In the third label data generation process, the third label data is generated by adding a mark along the tape length direction to a portion corresponding to the difference between the second tape width and the first tape width in the second label data. The printing control apparatus according to claim 2.

4. Each of the first to third objects is a character string, and the layout includes the character size of the character string. The printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The layout includes the arrangement positions of the first to third objects. The printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. executes a layout determination process for determining whether or not the first layout information related to the first label data acquired in the first label data acquisition process matches the second layout information related to the second label data acquired in the second label data acquisition process; When it is determined in the layout determination process that the first layout information and the second layout information match, a second printing control process of printing the first label data on the first tape and printing the second label data on the second tape is executed. When it is not determined that the first layout information and the second layout information match in the layout determination process, execute the third label data generation process and the first printing control process. The printing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An image development process that generates a first label image from the first label data based on the first layout information and generates a second label image from the second label data based on the second layout information. Execute, The third label data generation process generates the third label data obtained by processing the data so that the size of the second label image matches the size of the first label image. The printing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A transport roller that transports a tape serving as a printing medium, and a printing head that prints on the tape transported by the transport roller. The control unit causes the transport roller to transport the first tape and causes the printing head to print the first label data by the first printing control process, and causes the transport roller to transport the second tape and causes the printing head to print the third label data. The printing control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. To a computer, A first label data acquisition process for acquiring first label data for printing a first object in a layout represented by first layout information on a first tape having a first tape width. A second label data acquisition process for acquiring second label data for printing a second object in a layout represented by second layout information on a second tape having a second tape width. A superimposed sticker information acquisition process for acquiring superimposed sticker information related to the fact that the first label data and the second label data are superimposed stickers used by superimposing the first tape and the second tape in the thickness direction. A third label data generation process for applying the layout represented by the first layout information to the second object to change it to a third object and generating third label data in which the changed third object is arranged. A first printing control process for transmitting a printing instruction for printing the first label data on the first tape and printing the third label data on the second tape. A printing control program for causing the above to be executed.

Images