Printer, printer control method, and program

Abstract

To improve an emission speed of a label.SOLUTION: A printer that performs printing on a plurality of labels included in a label continuous body on the basis of printing data includes: a back-feed control unit that back-feeds the label continuous body to move the beginning label to a printing start position; and a printing control unit that acquires a printing start command after the back-feed control unit starts the back-feeding, and performs printing on the label that has been moved to the printing start position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that, upon receiving a print request, backfeeds the continuous label sheet until the label reaches the position of the thermal head and then performs printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-328302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In printers such as those described above that perform backfeed before printing, there is a demand for improving the label issuing speed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of these technical problems, and has an object to improve the speed at which labels are issued. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a printer that prints on a plurality of labels on a continuous label strip based on print data includes a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label strip to move the leading label to a print start position, and a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and prints on the label that has been moved to the print start position. a forward feed control unit that, when an error stop request or a label feed request occurs after the backfeed control unit has completed the backfeed, forward feeds the continuous label and further moves the label that has been moved to the print start position to the label issuing position; A printer is provided that includes: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the above aspect, the print control unit acquires a print start command (print request) after starting to backfeed the continuous label web. In other words, the backfeed of the continuous label web is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to when backfeeding is performed after receiving the print start command, the timing at which backfeeding is completed is quicker, and printing on the labels that is performed after backfeeding is completed is also quicker. This makes it possible to improve the label issuing speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer with the print unit cover removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the control unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the label issuing process. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a time chart of the label issuing process. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer in the label printing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printer 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the printer 1 includes a central main body unit 2, a printing unit 3, a drive unit 31 (see Fig. 3) that drives the printing unit 3, a control unit 4, and a power supply unit 5.

[0011] The printing unit 3 is located on one side (the front side of the printer 1) of the central main unit 2. The drive unit 31, the control unit 4, and the power supply unit 5 are located on the other (opposite) side (the rear side of the printer 1) of the central main unit 2.

[0012] The central main unit 2 is a rectangular, board-like unit having a predetermined mechanical strength. The central main unit 2 is located in the center of the printer 1, and has the print unit 3, drive unit 31, control unit 4, and power supply unit 5 assembled therein.

[0013] Above the support case 9 in the central main unit 2, a power switch 43, an operation section 44 having various operation keys, a display 45, and the like are provided.

[0014] The central main unit 2 is provided with a mounting portion 15 for mounting the printer 1 to a label application machine 100 (see FIG. 3).

[0015] The mounting portion 15 can have any configuration, and in this embodiment, it is provided on the peripheral edge of the central main unit 2. Specifically, the mounting portion 15 in this embodiment is five mounting holes (upper central mounting hole 15A, upper left end mounting hole 15B, upper right end mounting hole 15C, lower left end mounting hole 15D (see FIG. 2), and lower right end mounting hole 15E) formed on the peripheral edge of the central main unit 2.

[0016] The drive unit 31 has, for example, a plurality of stepping motors, and the control unit 4 controls the rotational operations (rotation direction, number of steps, etc.) of the plurality of stepping motors.

[0017] The power supply unit 5 receives power from an external source via an outlet, and supplies power to the control unit 4, the drive unit 31, and the printing unit 3.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the printer 1 with the print unit cover 6 (see FIG. 1) removed.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 3 has a printing section 16 that prints on the labels 22 of the continuous label web ML.

[0020] The printing unit 3 is capable of printing predetermined information on the labels 22 along a conveying path 20 between an inlet 18 and an outlet 19 of the label web ML.

[0021] 2, the continuous label web ML has a strip-shaped backing sheet 21 as a continuous paper, and a plurality of labels 22 temporarily attached to the front side of the backing sheet 21. Position detection marks (not shown) are printed in advance on the back side of the backing sheet 21.

[0022] The continuous label strip ML may be, for example, a roll label, or a fanfold label in which perforations are formed at predetermined intervals on a backing sheet 21.

[0023] The printing unit 16 has, in order from the upstream side of the conveying path 20 (the rear side of the printer 1), a width regulating shaft 23, a pair of upper and lower auxiliary conveying rollers 24, a position detection sensor 25, two guide rollers 26, a conveying roller mechanism 70, a platen roller 28 and a thermal head 29, and a peeling plate 30.

[0024] The printing unit 16 also has a ribbon supply shaft 32 that supplies unused thermal transfer ink ribbon R between the platen roller 28 and the thermal head 29, and a ribbon take-up shaft 33 that takes up used thermal transfer ink ribbon R.

[0025] The width restriction shaft 23 is provided with a first width restriction fixed wall 34 and a width restriction movable ring 35. The positions of both left and right edges of the continuous label web ML are restricted by the first width restriction fixed wall 34, the width restriction movable ring 35, and a second width restriction fixed wall 36 provided upstream of the platen roller 28. This allows the conveying position of the continuous label web ML to be properly restricted along the conveying path 20.

[0026] The auxiliary transport roller 24 is driven in synchronization with the platen roller 28, and assists the platen roller 28 and thermal head 29 in transporting the continuous label web ML in the forward and reverse directions. Forward feed (forward transport) is transport toward the downstream side (the front side of the printer 1), and back feed (reverse transport) is transport toward the upstream side (the rear side of the printer 1).

[0027] The position detection sensor 25 detects the position detection marks on the backing sheet 21, thereby making it possible to detect the relative positional relationship between the label web ML (labels 22), the platen roller 28 and the thermal head 29.

[0028] The transport roller mechanism 70 sandwiches the backing sheet 21 that has been turned by the peeling plate 30 and sends it to the rear side of the printer 1. The backing sheet 21 passes through a backing sheet guide roller 37 and is discharged to the outside of the printer 1.

[0029] The platen roller 28 holds the continuous label strip ML and the thermal transfer ink ribbon R between it and the thermal head 29 at a predetermined printing pressure applied by a pressure spring 38. In this state, the heating elements of the thermal head 29 are heated and the platen roller 28 is rotated to print on the labels 22. Note that if the labels 22 are thermal media that change color automatically when heated, the thermal transfer ink ribbon R is not necessary.

[0030] The thermal transfer ink ribbon R is supplied from the ribbon supply shaft 32 through the first ribbon guide roller 39 to between the platen roller 28 and the thermal head 29, and is taken up by the ribbon take-up shaft 33 through the second ribbon guide roller 40.

[0031] By rotating the opening / closing lever 41 clockwise, the platen roller 28 and the thermal head 29 can be separated from each other. This makes it possible to load the continuous label strip ML and the thermal transfer ink ribbon R between the platen roller 28 and the thermal head 29.

[0032] The platen roller 28 and thermal head 29 are placed in the printing position shown in FIG. 2 when the opening / closing lever 41 is rotated counterclockwise to engage the tip of the opening / closing lever 41 with a lever engagement pin 42 attached to the frame.

[0033] The peeling plate 30 turns only the backing paper 21 of the continuous label web ML at the leading end. This causes the label 22 to peel off from the backing paper 21 and be discharged (issued) from the discharge outlet 19. The label 22 peeled off from the backing paper 21 is delivered to the label application machine 100. The label application machine 100 applies the label 22 received from the printer 1 to an object.

[0034] The control unit 4 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a central processing unit (CPU), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and input / output interface (I / O interface). The control unit 4 performs various processes by having the CPU read and execute programs stored in the ROM. The control unit 4 can also be composed of multiple microcomputers.

[0035] The control unit 4 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows a part of the functions of the control unit 4 as a block diagram, and each block does not necessarily represent a physical configuration.

[0036] 3, the control unit 4 is communicably connected to the label application machine 100 and an external computer 200 via wired or wireless communication. Signals from various sensors including the position detection sensor 25, an operation unit 44, etc. are input to the control unit 4. The external computer 200 is also communicably connected to the label application machine 100.

[0037] The control unit 4 controls the drive unit 31 and the thermal head 29 based on the print data acquired from the external computer 200, thereby printing on the label 22.

[0038] The control unit 4 includes a communication unit 51, a storage unit 52, a data generation unit 53, a backfeed control unit 54, a forward feed control unit 55, and a print control unit 56.

[0039] In this embodiment, the data generation unit 53 is configured by the first processor 4a. The backfeed control unit 54, the forward feed control unit 55, and the print control unit 56 are configured by the second processor 4b. However, the data generation unit 53, the backfeed control unit 54, the forward feed control unit 55, and the print control unit 56 may be configured by a single processor, or each may be configured by a different processor.

[0040] The communication unit 51 transmits and receives various information between the label application machine 100 and the external computer 200. It also receives signals from various sensors including the position detection sensor 25, the operation unit 44, and the like.

[0041] The memory unit 52 stores, for example, print data acquired from the external computer 200, the status of the printer 1, etc. The label application machine 100 and the external computer 200 can store information in the memory unit 52 via the communication unit 51.

[0042] The data generation unit 53 analyzes the print data acquired from the external computer 200 via the storage unit 52 and generates control data and drawing data. Then, the data generation unit 53 transfers the control data and drawing data to the print control unit 56 in the order of the control data.

[0043] The control data includes a value indicating the number of steps of the pulse signal to be applied to the stepping motor of the drive unit 31 during printing.

[0044] The drawing data includes a value (number of dots) indicating the printing position for selectively energizing the heating elements of the thermal head 29 for each line during printing. The amount of drawing data is larger than that of control data.

[0045] When the print control unit 56 has completed acquiring the control data, the backfeed control unit 54 backfeeds the continuous label string ML to move the leading label 22 of the continuous label string ML to the print start position. The amount of backfeed is set based on the detection result of the position detection sensor 25.

[0046] The leading label 22 is an unprinted label 22 that is located one label upstream of the printed label 22 that has been peeled off from the backing sheet 21 and delivered to the label application machine 100. In other words, the position of the leading label 22 when the printed label 22 is moved to a position where it is delivered to the label application machine 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "label issuing position") is the position of the leading label 22 before the backfeed control unit 54 starts backfeeding (hereinafter referred to as the "predetermined standby position").

[0047] When an error stop request or a label feed request occurs after the backfeed control unit 54 has completed the backfeed, the forward feed control unit 55 forward feeds the label continuum ML and further moves the leading label 22 that has been moved to the print start position to the label issuing position.

[0048] The error stop request is issued when an error occurs in the printer 1. The error stop request may be issued when an error occurs in the label application machine 100, or when an error occurs in the external computer 200.

[0049] A label feed request is generated, for example, when the user inputs a command from the operation unit 44.

[0050] The print control unit 56 acquires control data and drawing data from the data generation unit 53. Then, when it acquires a print start command (print request), it executes a print process to print on the label 22 at the print start position and move it to the label issuing position.

[0051] Specifically, the printing control unit 56 controls the energization of the multiple stepping motors of the drive unit 31 based on the control data, and controls the energization of the thermal head 29 based on the drawing data, thereby printing on the label 22 and transporting it to the label issuing position.

[0052] The print start command is supplied from the external computer 200 to the control unit 4. That is, in this embodiment, the print control unit 56 obtains the print start command from the external computer 200 via the communication unit 51 and the first processor 4a.

[0053] When the external computer 200 determines that the label application machine 100 is in a predetermined standby state and the printer 1 is ready to print, it sends a print start command to the control unit 4.

[0054] When the printer 1 completes the printing process, the external computer 200 supplies new print data to the control unit 4.

[0055] Next, the label issuing process executed by the control unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the label issuing process.

[0056] In step S101, the first processor 4a acquires print data. The first processor 4a refers to the storage unit 52 at predetermined intervals (for example, every tens to hundreds of msec), and when the external computer 200 stores print data in the storage unit 52, the first processor 4a automatically acquires the print data.

[0057] In step S102, the first processor 4a analyzes the acquired print data.

[0058] In step S103, the first processor 4a generates control data and drawing data based on the analysis result of the print data.

[0059] In step S104, the first processor 4a transmits the control data to the second processor 4b.

[0060] In step S105, the second processor 4b receives the control data sent by the first processor 4a.

[0061] In step S106, the second processor 4b transmits a control data reception completion signal indicating that reception of the control data has been completed to the first processor 4a.

[0062] In step S107, the first processor 4a receives the control data reception completion signal transmitted by the second processor 4b.

[0063] In step S108, the second processor 4b starts backfeeding the label continuum ML.

[0064] In step S109, the first processor 4a transmits the rendering data to the second processor 4b.

[0065] In step S110, the second processor 4b receives the rendering data sent by the first processor 4a.

[0066] In step S111, the second processor 4b transmits a drawing data reception completion signal indicating that reception of the drawing data has been completed to the first processor 4a.

[0067] In step S112, the first processor 4a receives the drawing data reception completion signal sent by the second processor 4b.

[0068] In step S113, the first processor 4a sends a print ready signal to the external computer 200, which indicates that the printer 1 is ready to print.

[0069] In step S114, the second processor 4b completes the backfeed of the label continuum ML.

[0070] In step S115, the first processor 4a receives the print start command sent by the external computer 200.

[0071] In step S116, the first processor 4a sends a print start command to the second processor 4b.

[0072] In step S117, the second processor 4b receives the print start command sent by the first processor 4a.

[0073] In step S118, the second processor 4b executes the printing process.

[0074] In step S119, the second processor 4b transmits a print process completion signal indicating that the print process has been completed to the first processor 4a.

[0075] In step S120, the first processor 4a receives the print process completion signal sent by the second processor 4b.

[0076] In step S121, the first processor 4a sends a standby signal to the external computer 200 indicating that the printer 1 is in a standby state.

[0077] Next, the manner in which the label issuance process is executed will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 is a time chart of the label issuance process. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the printer 1 in the label issuance process. In Figure 6, each label 22 is assigned a consecutive number ([1], [2], ...) to make it easier to understand the change in position of each label 22 as the label web ML is transported.

[0078] Before time t1 in FIG. 5, as shown as state (a) in FIG. 6, the printer 1 is in a standby state, and the leading label 22[1] of the label web ML is in a predetermined standby position.

[0079] At time t1, the first processor 4a acquires the print data.

[0080] Between time t1 and time t2, the first processor 4a analyzes the print data and generates control data and drawing data.

[0081] At time t2, the transfer of control data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b begins.

[0082] At time t3, the transfer of control data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b is completed, and the transfer of rendering data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b begins.

[0083] At time t3, the printer 1 starts to feed the label web ML backward.

[0084] At time t4, the transfer of the rendering data from the first processor 4a to the second processor 4b is completed.

[0085] The time required to transfer the drawing data is longer than the time required to transfer the control data because the amount of drawing data is greater than the amount of control data.

[0086] At time t5, the backfeed of the continuous label web ML is completed, and as a result, label 22[1] is at the print start position, as shown in state (b) in Figure 6.

[0087] At time t6, the second processor 4b receives a print start command, which causes the printer 1 to start the print process (forward feed).

[0088] In this embodiment, the printing process starts when the print start command signal is turned ON, as shown in Fig. 6. However, the printing process may also start when the print start command signal is turned OFF.

[0089] At time t7, the printing process is completed, and the printed label 22[1] is now at the label issuing position, as shown in state (c) in FIG.

[0090] In this embodiment, the backfeed is completed at time t5 (step S114 in FIG. 3), and the second processor 4b acquires the print start command at the subsequent time t6 (step S117 in FIG. 3). This is because the timing at which the external computer 200 determines that the label application machine 100 is in a predetermined standby state and the printer 1 is in a printable state, and outputs the print start command, is later than the timing at which the backfeed is completed.

[0091] However, if the external computer 200 can output the print start command at an earlier timing, the second processor 4b can obtain the print start command before the backfeed is completed. In other words, the backfeed may be completed (step S114 in FIG. 3) after the second processor 4b obtains the print start command (step S117 in FIG. 3). In this case, the second processor 4b starts the print process immediately after completing the backfeed.

[0092] As explained above, the second processor 4b (print control unit 56) of the printer 1 acquires a print start command (print request) after starting to backfeed the continuous label web ML. In other words, the backfeed of the continuous label web ML is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to when backfeeding is performed after receiving the print start command, the timing at which backfeeding is completed is quicker, and the timing at which printing on the labels 22 (printing process) that is performed after backfeeding is completed is also quicker. Therefore, with the printer 1 of this embodiment, the issuing speed of the labels 22 can be improved.

[0093] Next, other operational processes of the printer 1 will be described.

[0094] If the print data disappears after the backfeed control unit 54 has completed the backfeed but before the print control unit 56 starts printing, the printer 1 stores in the memory unit 52 that the backfeed has been completed, and when new print data is acquired thereafter, it prints without performing a backfeed.

[0095] According to this, the label 22 is already at the print start position when the print data is acquired, so the print process can be started quickly, thereby improving the issuing speed of the label 22.

[0096] The completion of backfeeding may be stored in a storage unit other than storage unit 52. The print data disappears, for example, when external computer 200 deletes the print data or when an operation to delete the print data is performed from operation unit 44.

[0097] If an error occurs that allows the backfeed to continue after the backfeed control unit 54 has started the backfeed but before the backfeed is completed, the printer 1 will not stop due to the error until the backfeed is completed.

[0098] This allows the position of the label 22 to be managed either before or after the backfeed, which simplifies the position management of the label 22.

[0099] When the printer 1 acquires print data in a pause state where no print data exists, the printer 1 transitions from the pause state to an operating state and the backfeed control unit 54 performs backfeed.

[0100] This is because in a pause state where no print data exists, the leading label 22 of the continuous label web ML is in a predetermined standby position.

[0101] The main effects of the printer 1 configured as above will now be summarized.

[0102] The printer 1, which prints on a plurality of labels 22 on a continuous label body ML based on print data, includes a backfeed control unit 54 that backfeeds the continuous label body ML to move the leading label 22 to a print start position, and a print control unit 56 that acquires a print start command after the backfeed control unit 54 starts backfeeding, and prints on the label 22 that has been moved to the print start position.

[0103] According to this, the print control unit 56 acquires a print start command (print request) after starting to backfeed the continuous label web ML. In other words, the backfeed of the continuous label web ML is performed without waiting for the print start command. Therefore, compared to when backfeeding is performed after receiving the print start command, the timing at which backfeeding is completed is quicker, and the timing at which printing on the labels 22 (printing process) that is performed after backfeeding is completed is also quicker. Therefore, the issuing speed of the labels 22 can be improved.

[0104] The printer 1 is provided with a data generation unit 53 that generates control data and drawing data to be supplied to the print control unit 56 based on the print data, the backfeed control unit 54 starts backfeeding after the print control unit 56 has completed acquiring the control data but before completing acquiring the drawing data, and the print control unit 56 acquires a print start command after completing acquiring the drawing data.

[0105] When the print control unit 56 acquires the control data, it is considered that it will also acquire a print start command afterwards. Therefore, when the print control unit 56 completes acquiring the control data, the backfeed control unit 54 starts backfeeding without waiting for the completion of acquisition of the subsequently acquired drawing data, assuming that the print control unit 56 will acquire the print start command, thereby maximizing the timing at which backfeeding is completed. As a result, when the print control unit 56 completes acquisition of the drawing data and acquires the print start command, printing processing is started promptly according to the progress of backfeeding. This allows the issuance speed of the label 22 to be improved.

[0106] The printer 1 comprises a first processor 4a and a second processor 4b that are communicatively connected to each other, the first processor 4a constituting a data generation unit 53, and the second processor 4b constituting a backfeed control unit 54 and a printing control unit 56.

[0107] According to this, the transfer of control data and drawing data from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56 takes more time than when the data generation unit 53 and the print control unit 56 are configured by a single processor. Therefore, in this case, it can be said that the effect of improving the issuance speed of the label 22 is greater than when the data generation unit 53 and the print control unit 56 are configured by a single processor. To explain in more detail, when the backfeed control unit 54 performs backfeeding after the transfer of control data and drawing data from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56 is completed and the print control unit 56 receives a print start command, the slower the data transfer speed from the data generation unit 53 to the print control unit 56, the greater the proportion of the data transfer time in the time required to issue the label 22. And, starting backfeed by the backfeed control unit 54 without waiting for the completion of acquisition of the drawing data means that the time required to issue the label 22 can be shortened by the time required for transferring the drawing data. In other words, the slower the data transfer speed from the data generation unit 53 to the printing control unit 56, the greater the proportion of time that can be saved in the time required to issue the label 22. Therefore, when the first processor 4a constitutes the data generation unit 53 and the second processor 4b constitutes the printing control unit 56, it can be said that there is a greater effect in improving the speed at which the label 22 is issued compared to when the data generation unit 53 and the printing control unit 56 are constituted by a single processor.

[0108] The printer 1 is provided with a memory unit 52 that stores the state of the printer 1, and if the print data disappears after the backfeed control unit 54 has completed the backfeed but before the print control unit 56 starts printing, the memory unit 52 stores the fact that the backfeed has been completed, and when new print data is acquired thereafter, printing is performed without performing a backfeed.

[0109] According to this, the label 22 is already at the print start position when the print data is acquired, so the print process can be started quickly, thereby improving the issuing speed of the label 22.

[0110] The printer 1 is provided with a forward feed control unit 55 that, when an error stop request or label feed request occurs after the backfeed control unit 54 has completed the backfeed, forward feeds the label continuum ML and further moves the label 22 that has been moved to the print start position to the label issuing position.

[0111] The amount of forward feed until the leading label 22 is moved to the label issuing position differs before and after the backfeed. Therefore, if an error stop request or label advance request occurs after the backfeed is completed, the forward feed control unit 55 performs a forward feed so that the amount of forward feed can be adjusted appropriately.

[0112] If an error occurs that allows the backfeed to continue after the backfeed control unit 54 has started the backfeed but before the backfeed is completed, the printer 1 will not stop due to the error until the backfeed is completed.

[0113] This simplifies the management of the position of the label 22.

[0114] When the printer 1 acquires print data in a pause state where no print data exists, the printer 1 transitions from the pause state to an operating state and the backfeed control unit 54 performs backfeed.

[0115] In a pause state where no print data exists, the leading label 22 of the continuous label web ML is in a predetermined standby position. Therefore, when the printer 1 transitions from a pause state to an operating state, the backfeed control unit 54 performs backfeeding.

[0116] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment merely shows one application example of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configuration of the above embodiment.

[0117] For example, the various programs of the printer 1 may be stored in a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Printer 2 Central main unit 3 Printing unit 4. Control unit (computer) 4a First processor (data generation unit) 4b Second processor (backfeed control unit, forward feed control unit, print control unit) 5 Power Supply Unit 6 Printing unit cover 9 Support Case 15 Mounting part 15A Upper center mounting hole 15B Upper left end mounting hole 15C Upper right end mounting hole 15D Lower left end mounting hole 15E Lower right end mounting hole 16 Printing section 18 Introduction 19 Outlet 20 Transport path 21 Mount 22 Label 23 Width regulation shaft 24 Auxiliary transport roller 25 Position detection sensor 26 Guide roller 28 Platen roller 29 Thermal head 30 Peeling board 31 Drive unit 32 Ribbon supply shaft 33 Ribbon winding shaft 34 First width restriction fixed wall 35 Width control movable ring 36 Second width restriction fixed wall 37 Backing paper guide roller 38 Pressure spring 39 First ribbon guide roller 40 Second ribbon guide roller 41 Opening / closing lever 42 Lever engagement pin 43 Power switch 44 Control section 45 Display 51 Communications Department 52 Storage section 53 Data Generation Unit 54 Backfeed control section 55 Forward feed control section 56 Printing control unit 70 Conveyor roller mechanism 100 Label Applicator 200 External Computer ML Label Continuum R Thermal transfer ink ribbon

Claims

1. A printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a label continuum based on print data, a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and performs the printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position; a forward feed control unit that, when an error stop request or a label feed request occurs after the backfeed control unit has completed the backfeed, forward feeds the continuous label sheet and further moves the label that has been moved to the print start position to a label issuing position; A printer comprising:

2. A printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a label continuum based on print data, a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and performs the printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position; a storage unit that stores the status of the printer; If the print data disappears after the backfeed control unit has completed the backfeed and before the print control unit starts printing, the memory unit stores the information that the backfeed has been completed, and when new print data is acquired thereafter, the printing is performed without performing the backfeed. Printer.

3. A printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a label continuum based on print data, a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and performs the printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position, If an error that allows the backfeed to continue occurs after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed but before the backfeed is completed, the backfeed control unit does not stop the backfeed due to the error until the backfeed is completed. Printer.

4. A printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a label continuum based on print data, a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and performs the printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position, When the print data is acquired in a pause state in which the print data does not exist, the state transitions from the pause state to an operating state, and the backfeed is performed by the backfeed control unit. Printer.

5. A printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a label continuum based on print data, a backfeed control unit that backfeeds the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a print control unit that receives a print start command after the backfeed control unit starts the backfeed and performs the printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position; a data generating unit that generates data to be supplied to the print control unit based on the print data; a first processor and a second processor communicatively connected to each other; the backfeed control unit performs the backfeed in parallel with the print control unit acquiring the data from the data generation unit, the first processor constitutes the data generation unit, the second processor configures the backfeed control unit and the print control unit; Printer.

6. 5. The printer according to claim 1, a data generating unit that generates data to be supplied to the print control unit based on the print data; the backfeed control unit performs the backfeed in parallel with the print control unit acquiring the data from the data generation unit. Printer.

7. 7. The printer according to claim 6, the data includes control data and drawing data; the backfeed control unit performs the backfeed in parallel with the print control unit acquiring the drawing data from the data generation unit. Printer.

8. 8. The printer according to claim 7, The backfeed control unit is configured to: and starting the backfeed after the start of the drawing process and before the drawing data acquisition is completed. Printer.

9. 9. The printer according to claim 7 or 8, The amount of the drawing data is greater than the amount of the control data. Printer.

10. 10. The printer according to claim 7, The print control unit acquires the print start command after completing acquisition of the drawing data. do, Printer.

11. A control method executed by a computer of a printer that prints on a plurality of labels included in a label strip based on print data, comprising: a step of backfeeding the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a step of obtaining a print start command after starting the backfeed and performing the printing on the label moved to the print start position; When an error stop request or a label feed request occurs after the backfeed is completed, forward feeding the continuous label, and further moving the label that has been moved to the print start position to a label issuing position; A method for controlling a printer including:

12. A program executable by a computer of a printer that prints on a plurality of labels in a continuous label stack based on print data, a step of backfeeding the continuous label sheet to move the leading label to a print start position; a step of obtaining a print start command after starting the backfeed and printing on the label that has been moved to the print start position; a step of feeding the continuous label forward when an error stop request or a label feed request occurs after the backfeed is completed, and further moving the label that has been moved to the print start position to a label issuing position; A program that causes the computer to execute the above.

Images