program

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing communication errors when transmitting print data in a printer having a configuration for manually cutting sheets.SOLUTION: In a printing system, a printing device 30 has a cutting function for cutting a medium to be printed, and a detection function for detecting cutting of the medium to be printed. After transmitting print data for one page (one cut), a PC 10 waits for transmission of status information (end of cut pause) from the printing device 30, and then transmits print data for the next one page. The printing device 30 transmits the status information (end of cut pause) after the cutting of the medium to be printed is detected. That is, the printing device 30 transmits the status information (end of cut pause) after the next printing becomes feasible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program for controlling a printer having a function of cutting a sheet after printing. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, among printers capable of printing on long sheets such as labels, there are known printers that have an automatic cutting function that automatically cuts the sheet after printing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, when set to cut-on mode, the sheet is automatically cut after printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4404094 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, printers that print on sheets that require cutting have been considering a manual cutting configuration, which allows the user to temporarily suspend the conveyance of the printed sheet and manually cut it. By enabling this manual cutting, the printer itself can be expected to be less expensive than a configuration equipped with an automatic cutting function that requires a mechanism to operate a cutter. However, this configuration creates a waiting state for cutting because the next printing operation begins after the user manually cuts the sheet. If print data is continuously sent from the information processing device during this waiting state, the print data will accumulate in the printer, easily causing a memory shortage. As a result, the information processing device is prone to communication errors, such as not completing the transmission of the print data.

[0005] This specification discloses a technique for suppressing communication errors when transmitting print data in a printer configured to manually cut sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A program made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems is a program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing device and is used to control a printer having a cutting function for cutting a sheet that is a print medium and a detection function for detecting that the sheet has been cut, The computer, a transmission process is executed using a communication interface of the information processing device to transmit print data for one page, which is print data for one cut in the printer; when the printer receives the print data for one page, it feeds the sheet and performs printing on the sheet based on the print data; thereafter, if the received print data for one page is not print data for the final page, it waits for the sheet to be cut, and transmits cutting information to the information processing device in response to detection of the sheet being cut; Furthermore, the computer After completing the transmission of the one page of print data by the transmission process, the transmission of the next page of print data is put on hold, and while the transmission of the next page of print data is put on hold, in response to receiving the cut information from the printer via the communication interface, the transmission process is executed to transmit the next page of print data.

[0007] According to the above-described configuration, the information processing device incorporating the above-described program transmits print data for one page (one cut), then waits for cutting information to be transmitted from the printer before transmitting print data for the next page, and the printer transmits the cutting information after the sheet has been cut, i.e., after it is ready to print the next page. This makes it less likely that the printer will run out of memory, and as a result, reduces the possibility of a communication error due to a memory shortage in the printer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a technique for suppressing communication errors when transmitting print data in a printer configured to manually cut sheets is realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing system embodying the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a basic setting screen. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print medium on which characters are printed using a printing device. [Figure 4] 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory diagrams showing examples of a guidance message screen, respectively; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a printing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a printing process in the printing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a printing process in a printing system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing system embodying the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the schematic configuration of the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0011] In the figure, the printing system 1 is composed of a personal computer 10 (hereinafter referred to as "PC") and a printing device 30. The PC 10 is an example of an information processing device and an example of a device. Instead of the PC 10, for example, a smartphone or a tablet computer may be used. The printing device 30 is connected to the PC 10. The printing device 30 is an example of a printer.

[0012] PC 10 has a control unit 11. Control unit 11 is responsible for central control of PC 10. Control unit 11 includes a CPU 12, a ROM 13, and a RAM 14. CPU 12 is a central processing unit that executes various control programs. ROM 13 stores various control programs executed by CPU 12 and permanent data. RAM 23 temporarily stores the results of calculations of the control programs executed by CPU 12. Note that control unit 11 in FIG. 1 is a general term that collectively refers to hardware and software used to control PC 10, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in PC 10.

[0013] The PC 10 has an output interface (hereinafter referred to as "output IF") 15, a display 16, an input interface (hereinafter referred to as "input IF") 17, a mouse 18, and a keyboard 19. The display 16 is connected to the control unit 11 via the output IF 15. The display 16 displays various contents on the screen based on the control of the control unit 11. The mouse 18 and keyboard 19 are connected to the control unit 11 via the input IF 17. Therefore, the PC 10 accepts user operations via the mouse 18 and keyboard 19. The display 16, mouse 18, and keyboard 19 may be configured as touch panels having a display function and an operation acceptance function.

[0014] The PC 10 also includes a LAN interface (hereinafter referred to as "LANIF") 20 and a USB interface (hereinafter referred to as "USBIF") 21. The PC 10 is connected to a local area network N via the LANIF 20. The PC 10 is also connected to a printing device 30 via the USBIF 21. The communication standard of the LANIF 20 may be an interface conforming to a wired LAN communication standard, or may be an interface conforming to a wireless LAN communication standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The USBIF 21 may be an interface conforming to a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0015] The PC 10 also has a storage device 22. For example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) can be used as the storage device 22. The storage device 22 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 23, an application program 24, a print spooler 25, a printer driver 26, and a language monitor 27.

[0016] The OS 23 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), or Android (registered trademark).

[0017] The application program 24 is a program for executing processing for a specific purpose, and specifically, for example, a program for accepting print data via the mouse 18 and keyboard 19, accepting edits to the print data, specifying a device to execute printing, instructing to execute printing, etc. The application program 24 may also include various application programs such as a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, a web browser program, etc.

[0018] The print spooler 25, printer driver 26, and language monitor 27 are programs related to printing using the printing system 1. That is, when the user issues an instruction to print print data via the keyboard 19 or the like while the application program 24 is running, the print spooler 25, printer driver 26, and language monitor 27 are started.

[0019] The activated printer driver 26 then accepts a print instruction based on the print execution instruction. At this time, the print spooler 25 manages the print job based on the print instruction. The printer driver 26 then controls the printing device 30 corresponding to the printer driver 26 based on the control of the print spooler 25.

[0020] Furthermore, printer driver 26 accepts various settings related to printing device 30. Furthermore, printer driver 26 is a program corresponding to the model of printing device 30. Printing device 30 controlled by printer driver 26 is a print label production device that can print on a long print medium T, as described below, and cut the print medium T to produce labels.

[0021] 2 shows an example of a basic setting screen 50 displayed on the display 16 by the printer driver 26. The basic setting screen 50 includes a sheet width selection field 51 for selecting the sheet width of the print medium T (the width perpendicular to the transport direction of the print medium T), a copy number selection field 52 for selecting the number of copies, a cut pause function selection field 53 for selecting whether to enable or disable the cut pause function at the cut position for each number of copies, a cut unit selection field 54 for selecting the cut position for each number of copies, an OK button 55, and a cancel button 56.

[0022] In this embodiment, as shown on the basic setting screen 50, for example, the user sets three as the number of copies in the copy number selection field 52, and also sets two as the cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 54. That is, as shown in Fig. 3, for example, when the user inputs the three characters "ABC" via the keyboard 19 or the like and prints the three characters "ABC" on the print medium T using the printing device 30, because three is set as the number of copies in the copy number selection field 52, the three characters "ABC" are printed in three places on the print medium T, and because two is set as the cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 54, the cutting position C2 is set between the second and third positions of the three characters "ABC" printed on the print medium T.

[0023] Therefore, in this embodiment, if the user selects "Enable cut pause function" in cut pause function selection field 53, first, two sheets of print data for the three characters "ABC" are sent from PC 10 to printing device 30 as one cut (one page) of print data. Next, one sheet of print data for the three characters "ABC" is sent from PC 10 to printing device 30 as one cut (one page) of print data. When the cut pause function is enabled, a state occurs in which printing is not performed while waiting for cutting, and in this state, the print data is not erased, placing a load on the memory.

[0024] Furthermore, if the user selects "Disable cut pause function" in cut pause function selection field 53, three pages of print data for the three characters "ABC" are sent together from PC 10 to printing device 30. When the cut pause function is disabled, three pages of print data are sent together from PC 10 to printing device 30, but since there is no wait for cutting, printing is performed immediately and the printed print data is erased, so memory shortages are unlikely to occur.

[0025] 3, cutting position C1 is the cutting position of the leading margin, and cutting position C3 is the final cutting position. The leading margin is set to align the overlapping of the cover film 403, ink ribbon 404, and base tape 402, which will be described later, to stably produce the print medium T.

[0026] 1, the language monitor 27 transmits and receives data to and from the printing device 30 under the control of the print spooler 25. The language monitor 27 also monitors the status of the printing device 30 when print data is output, and receives status information from the printing device 30 to control the transmission of print data. The print data is transmitted to the locally connected printing device 30 via a port monitor (not shown) and the USBIF 21.

[0027] Furthermore, the language monitor 27 receives status information from the printing device 30 and displays a guidance message screen 60 shown in Figures 4(A) to 4(C) on the display 16. The guidance message screen 60 includes a guidance field 61 that provides information about the progress of printing in the printing device 30, a message field 62 that prompts cutting of the printing medium T, and a cancel button 63.

[0028] Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows an example of a printing device. That is, in Fig. 5, a printing device 30 generally includes a cartridge holder 31 that stores a cartridge 40, a printing unit 32 that has a print head (e.g., a thermal head) 321, a cutting unit 33, a control unit 34, a storage unit 35, a LANIF 36, and a USBIF 37. The printing device 30 is connected to a PC 10 via the USBIF 37. The USBIF 37 may be an interface that complies with a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] In this embodiment, the printing device 30 is a print label producing device capable of printing on a long film wound and housed in a cartridge 40.

[0030] The print head 321 includes a large number of heat generating elements, and is attached to a head attachment portion (not shown) that stands on the cartridge holder 31 portion.

[0031] The cartridge holder 31 is formed in the housing of the printing device and detachably houses the cartridge 40 .

[0032] The cartridge 40 has a cartridge housing 401, a long base tape 402 wound on a first roll, a long transparent cover film 403 of approximately the same width as the base tape 402 and wound on a second roll, an ink ribbon 404 of approximately the same width as the base tape 402, wound and held on a ribbon supply side roll and taken up by a ribbon take-up roller, and a tape feed roller 405 rotatably supported near the tape discharge section of the cartridge 40.

[0033] The print medium T is formed by laminating a base tape 402 to a cover film 403. A thermal transfer ribbon or the like is used for the ink ribbon 404, but this is not necessary if the print tape is a heat-sensitive tape. The base tape 402, although not shown in detail, has, for example, a four-layer structure. For example, from the side that is wrapped inward to the opposite side, an adhesive layer made of an appropriate adhesive material, a colored base film (base layer) made of PEL (polyethylene terephthalate) or the like, an adhesive layer for attachment made of an appropriate adhesive material, and release paper are layered in this order. The print medium T is an example of a sheet.

[0034] Meanwhile, a roller holder (not shown) is rotatably supported by a support shaft on the housing of the printing device near the cartridge holder 31, and can be switched between a print position (contact position) and a release position (detached position) by a switching mechanism. A platen roller 38 and a tape pressure roller 39 are rotatably disposed on this roller holder. When the roller holder is switched to the print position, the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39 are pressed against the print head 321 and the tape feed roller 405.

[0035] The platen roller 38 and the tape pressing roller 39 are driven to rotate by a driving device (not shown) such as a motor whose rotation is controlled by the control unit 34.

[0036] Therefore, when the roller holder is positioned at the printing position (contact position) by the switching mechanism and the platen roller 38 is driven to rotate, the cover film 403 and the ink ribbon 404 are supplied, together, between the platen roller 38 and the print head 321 as the platen roller 38 rotates. In this state, the control unit 34 sequentially energizes the multiple heating elements (corresponding to dots) of the print head 321 to generate heat. As a result, printing based on the print data is sequentially performed on the back surface of the cover film 403 along the transport direction. The cover film 403 is then transported toward the tape pressure roller 39.

[0037] Thereafter, the printed cover film 403, together with the base tape 402, is transported between the tape pressing roller 39 and the tape feed roller 405. Next, as the tape pressing roller 39 rotates, the tape pressing roller 39 and the tape feed roller 405 press the base tape 402 and the printed cover film 403 together to bond them together to form the print medium T, and transport the print medium T in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5 (leftward in Fig. 5).

[0038] The cutting unit 33 is disposed near the tape discharge portion of the cartridge 40, and has the function of fully cutting the print medium T. The cutting unit 33 also includes a fixed blade 331 and a movable blade 332, and the movable blade 332 also includes an operation unit 333 that extends outside the housing of the printing device. Therefore, when the user operates the operation unit 333 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331, the movable blade 332 cooperates with the fixed blade 331 to cut all layers of the print medium T (the cover film 403 and base tape 402 described above) in the thickness direction, and creates a label L.

[0039] The cut label L is then discharged to the outside of the housing of the printing device 30 through a discharge port (not shown) formed in the housing.

[0040] A sensor 334 is disposed on the housing of the printing device near the movable blade 332, and is capable of detecting the movement of the movable blade 332. The sensor 334 may be a mechanical sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like. The detection signal output from the sensor 334 is input to the control unit 34. This enables the control unit 34 to determine whether the movable blade 332 has been operated by the user based on the detection signal output from the sensor 334. The sensor 334 is an example of a detection function.

[0041] The control unit 34 acquires print data from the PC 10 and stores the print data in a storage unit 35 such as a RAM. The storage unit 35 also stores a print creation program according to this embodiment, which is processed by the control unit 34.

[0042] Next, the procedure for printing processing by printing system 1 will be described with reference to the chart shown in FIG. 6. In the chart shown in FIG. 6, the printing processing on the PC 10 side is processed by the programs of printer driver 26 and language monitor 27. The printing processing on the PC 10 side is mainly processed by the program of printer driver 26, but may also be processed by the program of language monitor 27, in which case this will be noted. That is, while printer driver 26 is an example of a program, the program set by printer driver 26 and language monitor 27 is also an example of a program. The chart shown in FIG. 6 is a chart assuming that the user has set three copies as the number of copies in copy number selection field 52 and two copies as the cutting unit in cutting unit selection field 54 on basic setting screen 50 shown in FIG. 2.

[0043] That is, before printing characters on the print medium T using the printing device 30, the user first starts the application program 24 on the PC 10 and inputs three characters, for example, "ABC," via the mouse 18 and keyboard 19.

[0044] Next, the user issues a print command to print the three characters "ABC" that he or she has entered on the application program 24 of the PC 10 (step 10) (hereinafter referred to as T10).

[0045] Then, in PC 10, the print spooler 25, printer driver 26, and language monitor 27 programs are started based on the user's operation to instruct printing. Then, as printer driver 26 starts up, PC 10 sends a print instruction command to printing device 30 (T11).

[0046] Next, the PC 10 transmits the print data of the three characters "ABC" output from the application program 24 to the printing device 30 (T12).

[0047] In this case, in this embodiment, since two sheets are set as the cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 54, print data for two sheets for the three characters "ABC" is sent as print data for one cut (one page). Note that the procedure in T12 is an example of a transmission process.

[0048] On the other hand, the printing device 30 that has received the print data stores in the storage unit 35 print data for two sheets for the three characters consisting of "ABC."

[0049] In this embodiment, for example, if two sheets are set as the cutting unit in the cutting unit selection field 54, two sheets of print data for the three characters "ABC" are sent as one cut (one page) of print data.

[0050] Next, after PC 10 transmits two sheets of print data (print data for one cut (one page)) to printing device 30, it transmits a transmission end command to printing device 30 (T13). After that, PC 10 does not start transmitting the print data for the next page, which is the remaining one sheet, and enters a state of waiting for transmission.

[0051] On the other hand, when the printing device 30 receives a print instruction command, it rotates and drives the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39 to transport the printing medium T so that the cutting position C1 (see FIG. 3) of the leading margin of the printing medium T is located at the cutting section 33. The amount of transport of the printing medium T at this time is approximately equal to the distance between the tape pressure roller 39 and the cutting section 33 of the printing device 30, but it may be greater than the distance between the tape pressure roller 39 and the cutting section 33.

[0052] Furthermore, when the cutting position C1 of the leading margin is located in the cutting section 33, the printing device 30 stops the rotational driving of the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39, thereby stopping the transport of the print medium T. Next, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause start) to the PC 10 (T14), and then the printing device 30 enters a state of waiting for the user to cut the print medium T, i.e., for the leading margin to be cut (T15).

[0053] In this embodiment, while waiting for the leading margin to be cut, the printer 30 has already received the print data for the first page and is waiting to print the first page. Therefore, the printer 30 can start printing immediately after cutting, and printing can be expected to be completed quickly. Also, the PC 10 has not started sending the print data for the second page, so communication errors are unlikely to occur while waiting for the leading margin to be cut.

[0054] Meanwhile, when the PC 10 receives the status information (cut pause started), the language monitor 27 detects the status information (cut pause started), and the language monitor 27 displays the guidance message screen 60 shown in Figure 4(A) on the display 16 (T16).

[0055] In this embodiment, the guidance message screen 60 is displayed on the display 16, so that the user can know on the PC 10 side that the printing device 30 is waiting for cutting. Note that the guidance message screen 60 may also be displayed on the printing device 30.

[0056] Here, when the user operates the cancel button 63 via the mouse 18, the PC 10 sends a print cancel command (not shown) to the printing device 30. Accordingly, the printing device 30 suspends printing processes T19 and T28, which will be described later, and also erases the print data stored in the storage unit 35. The PC 10 also erases the print data stored in the storage device 22 and ends the printing process. Note that the printing processes T19 and T28 are examples of print jobs, and the sending of the print cancel command is an example of a cancellation process.

[0057] In this embodiment, the PC 10 is configured to display the guidance message screen 60 until status information (printing), which will be described later, is received. However, the guidance message screen 60 may be displayed on the display 16 for either a fixed period of time, or until status information (printing), which will be described later, is received, whichever is shorter.

[0058] Here, when the user operates the operation unit 333 of the printing device 30 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331 (T17), the printing medium T is cut at the cutting position C1 of the leading margin by the cutting unit 33. When the control unit 34 determines, based on the detection signal from the sensor 334, that the user has operated to move the movable blade 332, the printing device 30 sends status information (printing) to the PC 10 (T18).

[0059] Furthermore, based on the print data received at T12, the printing device 30 causes the printing unit 32 to print the three characters "ABC" in two places on the print medium T (T19). Specifically, as the printing unit 32 prints on the print medium T, the printing device 30 drives the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39 to rotate, thereby transporting the print medium T toward the outside of the housing of the printing device 30. Thereafter, when the print medium T is transported until the cut position C2 (see FIG. 3) is positioned in the cutting section 33, the printing device 30 stops the rotation of the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39, thereby stopping the transport of the print medium T.

[0060] Upon receiving the halt in the transport of the print medium T, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause start) to the PC 10 (T20), and upon completion of printing (T19), deletes the print data for two sheets of the three characters "ABC" from the storage unit 35. The printing device 30 then enters a state of waiting for the user to cut the print medium T (T21).

[0061] Meanwhile, when the PC 10 receives the status information (cut pause started), the language monitor 27 detects the status information (cut pause started), and the language monitor 27 displays the guidance message screen 60 shown in Figure 4(B) on the display 16 (T22).

[0062] In this embodiment, the PC 10 is configured to display the guidance message screen 60 until status information (printing), which will be described later, is received. However, the guidance message screen 60 may be displayed on the display 16 for either a fixed period of time, or until status information (printing), which will be described later, is received, whichever is shorter.

[0063] Here, when the user operates the cancel button 63 via the mouse 18, the PC 10 sends a print cancel command (not shown) to the printing device 30. Accordingly, the printing device 30 suspends the printing process T28, which will be described later, and erases the print data stored in the storage unit 35. The PC 10 also erases the print data stored in the storage device 22 and ends the printing process. Note that the printing process T28 is an example of a print job, and the sending of the print cancel command is an example of a cancellation process.

[0064] Here, when the user operates the operation unit 333 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331 (T23), the print medium T is cut at the cutting position C2 by the cutting unit 33. When the control unit 34 determines, based on a detection signal from the sensor 334, that the user has operated to move the movable blade 332, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause completed) to the PC 10 (T24). Note that the status information in T24 (cut pause completed) is an example of cut information.

[0065] Meanwhile, the PC 10, which has received the status information (cut pause completed), transmits the remaining print data for one page for the three characters consisting of "ABC" output from the application program 24 to the printer 30 (T25).

[0066] Meanwhile, the printing device 30 that has received the print data stores the remaining print data for one page for the three characters "ABC" in the storage unit 35. At this time, the print data for two pages for the three characters "ABC" has already been deleted from the storage unit 35, so the storage unit 35 is unlikely to run out of capacity.

[0067] In this embodiment, the PC 10 transmits print data to the printing device 30 after receiving status information (cut pause completed), so that the printing device 30 is less likely to run out of memory capacity in the memory unit 35, and as a result, the possibility of a communication error occurring due to memory shortage in the printing device 30 can be reduced.

[0068] Next, after transmitting the print data for one page to the printing device 30, the PC 10 transmits a transmission end command to the printing device 30 (T26).

[0069] Meanwhile, upon receiving the transmission end command, the printing device 30 transmits status information (printing) to the PC 10 (T27). The printing device 30 also prints the three characters "ABC" on the print medium T using the printing unit 32 (T28). Specifically, as the printing unit 32 prints on the print medium T, the printing device 30 drives the platen roller 38 and tape pressure roller 39 to rotate, transporting the print medium T toward the outside of the housing of the printing device 30. Thereafter, when the print medium T is transported until the cut position C3 (see FIG. 3) is positioned in the cutting unit 33, the printing device 30 stops the rotation of the platen roller 38 and tape pressure roller 39, and stops the transport of the print medium T.

[0070] Upon receiving the halt in the transport of the print medium T, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause start) to the PC 10 (T29), and upon completion of printing (T28), deletes one sheet of print data for the three characters consisting of "ABC" from the storage unit 35. The printing device 30 also enters a state of waiting for the user to cut the print medium T (T30).

[0071] On the other hand, when the PC 10 receives the status information (cut pause start), the language monitor 27 detects the status information (cut pause start), and the language monitor 27 displays the guidance message screen 60 shown in Fig. 4(C) on the display 16 (T31). Note that when the PC 10 receives status information (cut pause end) described later, it stops displaying the guidance message screen 60.

[0072] Here, when the user operates the operation unit 333 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331 (T32), the print medium T is cut at the cutting position C3 by the cutting unit 33. When the control unit 34 determines, based on the detection signal from the sensor 334, that the user has operated to move the movable blade 332, the printing device 30 sends status information (end of cutting pause) to the PC 10 (T33).

[0073] Next, the printing device 30 detects the last page information attached to the print data for one page, and sends status information (printing completed) to the PC 10 (T34), thereby completing the printing process.

[0074] On the other hand, the PC 10 that has received the status information (printing completed) also completes the printing process.

[0075] As explained in detail above, in the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the printing device 30 transmits status information (cut pause completed) after the print medium T has been cut. In other words, the printing device 30 transmits status information (cut pause completed) after it becomes possible to print the next page. Then, after transmitting print data for one page (one cut), the PC 10 waits to receive status information (cut pause completed) from the printing device 30 before transmitting print data for the next page. Therefore, the printing device 30 is less likely to run out of memory, and as a result, the PC 10 can reduce the possibility of a communication error occurring due to a memory shortage in the printing device 30.

[0076] (Second embodiment) Next, the procedure of the printing process according to the second embodiment of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to the chart shown in Fig. 7. That is, in the first embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 333 in the printing device 30 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331 (T23) and the printing medium T is cut at the cutting position C2 by the cutting unit 33, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause completed) to the PC 10 (T24). Then, upon receiving the status information (cut pause completed), the PC 10 sends the remaining print data for one page for the three characters "ABC" to the printing device 30 (T25).

[0077] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the printing process (T19) is completed, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause start) to the PC 10 (T20) and waits for the user to cut the print medium T (T21). Then, the PC 10, having received the status information (cut pause start) (T20), is configured to send print data for the remaining one page for the three characters "ABC" to the printing device 30 (T40), which is a major difference between the first and second embodiments. Note that in this explanation, the same reference numerals will be used to denote components that have the same effects as those in the first embodiment.

[0078] That is, in this embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 333 of the printing device 30 to move the movable blade 332 toward the fixed blade 331 (T17), the printing medium T is cut at the cutting position C1 of the leading margin by the cutting unit 33. When the control unit 34 determines, based on the detection signal from the sensor 334, that the user has operated to move the movable blade 332, the printing device 30 sends status information (printing) to the PC 10 (T18).

[0079] Furthermore, based on the print data received at T12, the printing device 30 causes the printing unit 32 to print the three characters "ABC" in two places on the print medium T (T19). Specifically, as the printing unit 32 prints on the print medium T, the printing device 30 drives the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39 to rotate, thereby transporting the print medium T toward the outside of the housing of the printing device 30. Thereafter, when the print medium T is transported until the cut position C2 (see FIG. 3) is positioned in the cutting section 33, the printing device 30 stops the rotation of the platen roller 38 and the tape pressure roller 39, thereby stopping the transport of the print medium T.

[0080] Upon receiving the halt in the transport of the print medium T, the printing device 30 sends status information (cut pause start) to the PC 10 (T20), and upon completion of printing (T19), deletes the print data for two sheets of the three characters "ABC" from the storage unit 35. The printing device 30 then enters a state of waiting for the user to cut the print medium T (T21).

[0081] Meanwhile, the PC 10, which has received the status information (cut pause start), transmits the remaining print data for one page for the three characters consisting of "ABC" output from the application program 24 to the printer 30 (T40). Next, after transmitting the print data for one page to the printer 30, the PC 10 transmits a transmission end command to the printer 30 (T41). The status information (cut pause start) is an example of cut information.

[0082] Meanwhile, the printing device 30 that has received the print data stores the remaining print data for one page for the three characters "ABC" in the storage unit 35. At this time, the print data for two pages for the three characters "ABC" has already been deleted from the storage unit 35, so the storage unit 35 is unlikely to run out of capacity.

[0083] Thus, in this embodiment, after receiving the status information (cut pause start) at T20, that is, when the printing device 30 is in a state waiting for the user to cut the print medium T (T21), the PC 10 transmits the print data to the printing device 30. Specifically, the PC 10 transmits the print data to the printing device 30 after the printing device 30 has deleted the print data for two sheets from the storage unit 35, so the printing device 30 is less likely to run out of capacity in the storage unit 35, and as a result, the possibility of a communication error occurring due to a memory shortage in the printing device 30 can be reduced.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 333 to cut the print medium T at the cutting position C2 (T23), the printing device 30 can immediately start printing the remaining one sheet of the three characters consisting of "ABC" (T28) based on the print data stored in the storage unit 35. Therefore, the time required to print three sheets can be shortened compared to the first embodiment.

[0085] In this embodiment, the PC 10 is configured to transmit print data to the printing device 30 after receiving the status information (cut pause start), i.e., when the printing device 30 is waiting for the user to cut the print medium T (T21), but the PC 10 may also be configured to transmit print data to the printing device 30 after receiving the status information (printing) at T18, i.e., while the printing device 30 is printing (T19). In this case, the status information (printing) is an example of cutting information.

[0086] In this case, if the printing device 30 is configured to sequentially erase two sheets of print data for the three characters "ABC" from the memory unit 35 as printing (T19) progresses, the memory unit 35 is less likely to run out of capacity.

[0087] It should be noted that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the number of PCs 10 and printing devices 30 constituting the printing system 1 of this embodiment is not limited to one, and there may be multiple PCs 10 and printing devices 30.

[0088] In addition, in this embodiment, when PC 10 receives the status information (cut pause start), the language monitor 27 detects the status information (cut pause start), and the language monitor 27 is configured to display a guidance message screen 60 on the display 16, but a voice message may also be used instead of the guidance message screen 60.

[0089] In addition, in this embodiment, the language monitor 27 detects the status information (cut pause start), and the language monitor 27 is configured to display the guidance message screen 60 on the display 16, but it is also possible to configure the printer driver 26 to detect the status information (cut pause start) and display the guidance message screen 60 on the display 16.

[0090] In addition, in this embodiment, the PC 10 is configured to display the guidance message screen 60 on the display 16 immediately after receiving the status information (cut pause start), but it may also be configured to display it after a predetermined time has passed since receiving the status information (cut pause start).

[0091] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 30 is a print label creation device capable of printing on a long film wound and stored in the cartridge 40, but the printing device 30 may also be a device capable of printing on, in addition to plain paper, for example, roll paper, laminated paper, labels, cardboard, cloth, etc.

[0092] In addition, in this embodiment, the cut detection of the printing device 30 is configured to detect the movement of the movable blade 332 using the sensor 334, but it is also possible to have the user input the fact that a cut has been made by operating a button or the like.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the printing device 30 is configured to cut the leading margin of the print medium T, but cutting the leading margin is not necessarily required. In this case, after the PC 10 has sent two sheets of print data to the printing device 30, it sends a transmission end command to the printing device 30 (T13). However, the printing device 30 may be configured to immediately print the three characters "ABC" in two places on the print data (T19) upon receiving the transmission end command. Note that even in this case, after receiving the status information (cut pause end), the PC 10 sends the remaining one sheet of print data to the printing device 30 (T25).

[0094] Furthermore, in any processing procedure disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or can be executed in parallel, as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content.

[0095] The processing procedures disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processing procedures disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processing is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 PC 30 Printing device 12 CPU 22 Storage device 15 Output IF 16 Display 17 User Interface 27 Language Monitor T Printing medium

Claims

1. A program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing device and is used to control a printer having a cutting function for cutting a sheet that is a print medium and a detection function for detecting that the sheet has been cut, The computer, a transmission process is executed using a communication interface of the information processing device to transmit one page of print data, which is print data for one cut in the printer; when the printer receives the one page of print data from the information processing device, it feeds the sheet and performs printing on the sheet based on the print data, and then, if the received one page of print data is not print data for the final page, it transmits a state of waiting for sheet cutting to the information processing device, and transmits cutting information to the information processing device in response to detection of sheet cutting; Furthermore, the computer After completing the transmission of the print data for one page by the transmission process, the transmission of the print data for the next one page is put on hold, and in a state where the transmission of the print data for the next one page is put on hold, in response to reception of the cut information from the printer via the communication interface, the transmission process is executed to transmit the print data for the next one page; while the printer is waiting for the sheet to be cut, a notification process is executed using a user interface of the information processing apparatus to notify the printer that the printer is waiting for the sheet to be cut; A program characterized by:

2. The program according to claim 1, The computer, When a cancel instruction is received during the state of waiting for transmission of the next page of print data, a cancel process is executed to cancel the print job. A program characterized by:

3. The program according to claim 2, In the cancellation process, while waiting for transmission of the next page of print data, the information processing apparatus receives an input of the cancellation instruction using a user interface thereof, and cancels the print job when the cancellation instruction is input. A program characterized by:

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