Printing device and print data generation program

Abstract

To provide a printer and a printing data generation program which can create a self-laminate label to be wound around an object by using the same tape regardless of the outer circumferential length of the diameter of the object.SOLUTION: A control unit of a printer acquires the outer circumferential length of an object (S2), acquires an image (S3), and sets a printing region, an anchor region and a lamination region in which the length in the conveyance direction is equal to or greater than the sum of the difference between the outer circumferential length and the length in the conveyance direction of the printing region and the length from an end on one side in the conveyance direction of the printing region to an end on the other side in the conveyance direction of the image according to the outer circumferential length (S5 to S7). The control unit prints the image (S25), performs half-cut in the width direction of a tape in the boundary between the printing region and the anchor region and the boundary between the printing region and the lamination region (S27), and performs full-cut in the width direction of the tape in an end on the other side in the conveyance direction of the anchor region or in an end on the one side in the conveyance direction of the lamination region (S29).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device and a print data generation program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, the label is attached by wrapping it around the cable and the printing area is separated by a label. Mine A label having a transparent area for labeling is known. The label is composed of a transparent film having a first adhesive area, a non-adhesive flat area, and a second adhesive area. When the transparent film is wrapped around a cable in the order of the first adhesive area, the non-adhesive flat area, and the second adhesive area, the first adhesive area adheres to a portion of the cable's circumference. The non-adhesive flat area does not adhere to the cable and extends around the cable. The second adhesive area adheres to the non-adhesive flat area and extends around the cable. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2011-524154 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional labels are suitable for cables of a specific diameter. When creating labels to be attached to cables of multiple diameters, users must prepare different types of labels according to the diameter of the cables.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing device and a print data generation program that can create self-laminating labels that can be wrapped around an object using the same tape, regardless of the outer circumferential length of the diameter of the object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The printing device of the first aspect has a printing unit that prints an image on a substrate, a transport unit that transports in a transport direction a tape formed by bonding a release liner to the substrate on which the image has been printed by the printing unit, a cutting unit that performs a half cut to cut the release liner without cutting the substrate, and a full cut to cut the substrate and the release liner, and a control unit that controls the transport unit, the printing unit, and the cutting unit, and the control unit performs, as main processing, a length acquisition process that acquires the outer perimeter length of an object around which a label formed by cutting the tape is to be wrapped, an image acquisition process that acquires the image to be printed in a printing area, and, depending on the acquired outer perimeter length, calculates an anchor area adjacent to the printing area on one side of the transport direction, an anchor area adjacent to the printing area on the other side of the transport direction, and an anchor area adjacent to the printing area on the other side of the transport direction, the length in the transport direction being a difference between the outer perimeter length and the length of the printing area in the transport direction. and a laminating area that is equal to or greater than the sum of the length from the one end of the printing area in the feeding direction to the other end of the image in the feeding direction; a printing process that controls the printing unit and the feeding unit to print the image in the printing area; a first half-cut process that controls the cutting unit to perform the half-cut across the width of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the anchor area; a second half-cut process that controls the cutting unit to perform the half-cut across the width of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the laminating area; and a full-cut process that controls the cutting unit to perform the full-cut across the width of the tape at the one end of the anchor area in the feeding direction or the other end of the laminating area in the feeding direction.

[0007] The printing device of the first aspect can create labels in which the release material is cut at the boundaries between the printing area and the anchor area and between the printing area and the laminating area. For example, a user creates a label using tape whose substrate is a transparent film, peels the release material of the anchor area and the release material of the laminating area from the substrate, and, with the release material of the printing area still attached to the substrate, wraps the label around the target in the order of the anchor area, the printing area, and the laminating area. The anchor area is attached to the outer periphery of the target. Since the printing area has the release material attached, even if the substrate is transparent, the release material can be used as a background if the release material is colored. The laminating area is attached to at least one of the outer periphery of the target and the printing area, covering the image printed in the printing area. Therefore, the printing device can create self-laminating labels to be wrapped around targets using the same tape, regardless of the periphery length of the target.

[0008] A print data generation program of a second aspect is a print data generation program executed by a control unit of a print data generation device that generates print data to be printed by a printing device having a printing unit that prints an image on a substrate, a transport unit that transports, in a transport direction, a tape formed by bonding a release liner to the substrate on which the image has been printed by the printing unit, and a cutting unit that performs a half cut that cuts the release liner without cutting the substrate, and a full cut that cuts the substrate and the release liner. The print data generation program includes the following steps: a length acquisition process that acquires a perimeter length of an object around which a label formed by cutting the tape is to be wound; an image acquisition process that acquires the image to be printed in a print area; and, in accordance with the acquired perimeter length, acquires the print area, an anchor area adjacent to the print area on one side of the transport direction, and an anchor area adjacent to the print area on the other side of the transport direction, the length in the transport direction being determined based on the difference between the perimeter length and the length of the print area in the transport direction, and the length of the one side of the print area in the transport direction. the length of the image to be printed on the printing area, and a lamination area that is equal to or greater than the sum of the lengths from the end of the image to the end on the other side in the feed direction; a first half-cut setting process that sets a first half-cut position that instructs the half-cut to be made across the width of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the anchor area; a second half-cut setting process that sets a second half-cut position that instructs the half-cut to be made across the width of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the lamination area; a full-cut setting process that sets a full-cut position that instructs the full-cut to be made across the width of the tape at the end on one side in the feed direction of the anchor area or the end on the other side in the feed direction of the lamination area; and instructions to execute a generation process that generates the print data that includes data for printing the image in the printing area, the first half-cut position, the second half-cut position, and the full cut position.

[0009] By printing according to print data generated by the print data generation program of the second aspect, a printing device can create a label in which the release material is cut at the boundary between the print area and the anchor area and at the boundary between the print area and the lamination area. A user creates a label using, for example, tape whose substrate is a transparent film, peels the release material of the anchor area and the release material of the lamination area from the substrate, and, with the release material of the print area still attached to the substrate, wraps the label around the target in the order of the anchor area, the print area, and the lamination area. The anchor area is attached to the outer periphery of the target. Since the print area has the release material attached, even if the substrate is transparent, the release material is colored, making the printed content recognizable. The lamination area is attached to at least one of the outer periphery of the target and the print area, covering the image printed in the print area. Therefore, the print data generation program can generate print data that causes the printing device to create a self-laminating label to be wrapped around the target using the same tape, regardless of the outer periphery of the target. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a printing device 1. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a printing process. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process for setting the anchor area RA, print area RP, and lamination area RL of the label F produced when the type of cassette is the first type. [Figure 4] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of setting the anchor area RA and print area RP of the label J created when the type of cassette is the second type. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the process of setting the anchor area RA, the print area RP, and the adhesive area RG of the label E to be created when the type of cassette is the third type. FIG. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of an operation for wrapping a label F created in accordance with print data around a cable C. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation for wrapping a label J created in accordance with print data around a cable C. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an operation for wrapping a label E created in accordance with print data around a cable C. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A printing device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. In other words, the configuration and control of the device shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to be limiting.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 is a thermal transfer printer capable of printing characters (objects such as letters, symbols, numbers, and figures) on tape, which is a long print medium. The printing device 1 is capable of printing on tape based on print data created by the printing device 1 or print data acquired from an external device B. The printing device 1 includes a control unit 2, a memory unit 3, a communication unit 5, an attachment unit 21, a sensor 4, a transport unit 9, a printing unit 8, a cutting unit 16, an input unit 6, and a display unit 7. The memory unit 3, the communication unit 5, the sensor 4, the transport unit 9, the printing unit 8, the cutting unit 16, the input unit 6, and the display unit 7 are each electrically connected to the control unit 2.

[0013] The memory unit 3 includes, for example, ROM, RAM, and flash memory. The memory unit 3 stores various programs necessary for controlling the printer 1. The control unit 2 performs various calculations based on these programs. The memory unit 3 stores printing dot pattern data for printing various characters, classified by format and size, and associated with code data. The memory unit 3 has multiple storage areas, including a text memory and a print buffer. The text memory stores data to be printed. The print buffer stores printing dot patterns for the print target. Other storage areas of the memory unit 3 store a table 17 and various calculation data. The table 17 stores multiple templates corresponding to the type of cassette that can be installed in the printer 1 and the outer circumferential length of the cable C to which a label (described below) is to be affixed. The multiple templates include templates T1 to T3. Template T1 is used when the cassette type is Type 1 and the outer circumferential length of the cable C is Q1 mm. Template T2 is used when the cassette type is Type 1 and the outer circumferential length of the diameter of cable C is Q2 mm. Template T3 is used when the cassette type is Type 2 and the outer circumferential length of the diameter of cable C is Q1 mm. The communication unit 5 includes a communication module for connecting to a public line network. The printing device 1 can send and receive data to and from an external device B via the communication unit 5. The external device B is an information processing device such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

[0014] The mounting section 21 is removably fitted with a cassette containing at least a substrate. The mounting section 21 is a recess into which one of several types of cassettes, including cassettes 80 and 90, can be removably mounted. Cassette types are classified according to the length of the tape in the width direction W, the color of the substrate or release material, the printing color, and the tape material. The cassette 80 is a first type of cassette and contains a tape 81 and an ink ribbon (not shown). The tape 81 is a long print medium wound on a spool 82. The tape 81 has a substrate 85 and a release material 88, and the release material 88 is attached to the back surface 87 of the printing surface 86 of the transparent substrate 85 via an adhesive layer. In other words, the tape 81 is a single-sided adhesive tape in which an adhesive layer is formed on only one side of the substrate 85. "Transparent" means that the substrate 85 can be seen from one side to the other in the thickness direction T. The substrate 85 may be colorless and transparent, or colored and transparent. The release material 88 is attached to the adhesive layer. The printing surface 86 of the first type of tape 81 is not protected by any other tape and is exposed to the outside when it is ejected from the cassette 80.

[0015] The cassette 90 is a second or third type cassette and contains a substrate 91, a tape 93, an ink ribbon (not shown), etc. The substrate 91 is a long transparent film tape, and after printing, the tape 93 is attached to the printing surface 95 inside the cassette 90 via an adhesive layer. The tape 93 is long and wound around a spool 94. The tape 93 has a substrate 98 and a release material 99, with adhesive layers formed on both sides of the substrate 98, and the release material 99 attached to the substrate 98 via one of the adhesive layers. In other words, the tape 93 is a double-sided adhesive tape. The second type substrate 98 is opaque. "Optaque" means that one side of the substrate 98 cannot be seen from the other side in the thickness direction T. The third type substrate 98 is transparent. After printing, the printing surface 95 of the substrate 91 is stuck to the tape 93, and the label created by cutting the tape 100 is ejected from the cassette 90 with the printing surface 95 protected by the substrate 91.

[0016] The substrates 85, 91, 98 are formed of plastic films such as polyethylene film, polyamide film, polyester film, polypropylene film, and vinyl chloride film. Considering that the labels are wrapped around an object and curved to fit the object, the substrates 85, 91, 98 are preferably formed of vinyl films. The release materials 88, 99 are opaque and are formed, for example, by coating glassine paper, wood-free paper, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a release agent such as silicone and polyethylene.

[0017] Sensor 4 is a known sensor that mechanically detects the type of cassette installed in printing device 1 and outputs the result to control unit 2. Printing unit 8 prints an image on the substrate housed in the cassette. Roller 10 presses the printing surface of the substrate against printing unit 8. Printing unit 8 is a thermal head equipped with a heating element, and prints an image on the substrate by thermally transferring ink to the substrate. When the substrate is thermal paper, printing unit 8 performs thermal printing. Transporting unit 9 transports the substrate on which the image has been printed by printing unit 8 and the tape, which is made by bonding a release material to the substrate, in transport direction Q by rotating transport rollers 11 and 12 that hold the tape. Transporting unit 9 is, for example, a stepping motor.

[0018] The cutting unit 16 performs a half cut, which cuts the release liner without cutting the substrate, and a full cut, which cuts the substrate and the release liner. In this embodiment, the cutting unit 16 includes half cutters 14 and 15 that perform the half cut, and a full cutter 13 that performs the full cut. The half cutters 14 and 15 and the full cutter 13 are each located downstream of the conveying rollers 11 and 12 in the conveying direction Q. The half cutter 14 makes a cut in the tape from the roller 10 side in the direction from the roller 10 toward the printing unit 8. The half cutter 15 makes a cut in the tape from the printing unit 8 side in the direction from the printing unit 8 toward the roller 10. When the release liner of the tape is cut by the half cutters 14 and 15, the release liner divided into multiple pieces in the conveying direction Q remains adhered to the substrate via the adhesive layer. This allows the user to peel off any selected portion of the release material from the label to form an adhesive portion where the adhesive layer of the substrate is exposed and a non-adhesive portion where the release material has not been peeled off. The label created by cutting the tape with the full cutter 13 is discharged outside the printing device 1 through the discharge port 18. The input unit 6 inputs various instructions to the control unit 2. The input unit 6 is, for example, a touch panel. The display unit 7 displays various images.

[0019] 2 to 8, the printing process of the printer 1 will be described using specific examples 1 to 3. Specific example 1 illustrates the creation of a self-laminating label F, which is wrapped around a cable C having a circular outer circumference with a diameter of K mm, using a first-type cassette 80. Specific example 2 illustrates the creation of a laminate label J, which is wrapped around a cable C, using a second-type cassette 90. Specific example 3 illustrates the creation of a laminate label E, which is wrapped around a cable C, using a third-type cassette 90. The printing process is performed when cassette 80 or cassette 90 is installed in the printer 1. The printing processes of specific examples 1 to 3 are performed at different times, but for simplicity, they will be described in parallel below. When the control unit 2 detects an instruction to start the printing process via the input unit 6, it reads a print data generation program for executing the printing process from the memory unit 3. The control unit 2 executes the printing process, which has the following steps, in accordance with the instructions contained in the read print data generation program. Various data obtained during the printing process is stored in the memory unit 3 as appropriate. Hereinafter, step will be abbreviated as S. Since the diameter K mm of cable C is sufficiently larger than the thickness of the label created by the printing process, in this embodiment, the printing process is performed without considering the effect of the thickness of the label when wrapping the label around cable C. In Figures 6 to 8, the extension range of image G is indicated by a thick line.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 2 acquires the type of cassette installed in the installation unit 21 based on the detection result of the sensor 4 (S1). In Example 1, the control unit 2 acquires a first type as the cassette type, in Example 2, a second type as the cassette type, and in Example 3, a third type as the cassette type. The control unit 2 then acquires the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C, around which the cut tape label is to be wrapped (S2). The method for acquiring the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C may be determined appropriately. For example, the control unit 2 may acquire as the outer circumferential length M a value input by the user via the input unit 6, or may acquire as the outer circumferential length M a result of calculation using the diameter K input by the user via the input unit 6. If the memory unit 3 stores the relationship between the type of the cable C, such as the product name and model number, and the outer circumferential length M of the cable C, the control unit 2 may acquire from the memory unit 3 the outer circumferential length M corresponding to the type of cable C input by the user via the input unit 6. The control unit 2 then acquires the image G to be printed in the print area RP (S3), which will be described later. 3 to 5, image G in specific examples 1 to 3 is an image in which alphabetical characters ABCD are arranged at equal intervals from downstream to upstream in the conveying direction Q. The control unit 2 acquires the length LC of image G in the conveying direction Q.

[0021] The control unit 2 determines whether the cassette type acquired in S1 is a first type (S4). In specific example 1, if the cassette type is determined to be a first type (S4: YES), the control unit 2 executes the main process to create a self-laminating label F to be wrapped around a cable C. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 2 sets a printing area RP based on the type of cassette 80 acquired in S1 and the outer periphery length M acquired in S2 (S5). The length LW of the printing area RP in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 80. The control unit 2 sets the length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q to be equal to or less than the outer periphery length M acquired in S2. The length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q is equal to or greater than the length LC of the image G in the transport direction Q. The control unit 2 places the image G acquired in S3 at a predetermined position in the printing area RP. In specific example 1, image G is positioned at a position where the distance from the downstream end P1 of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q to the downstream end P7 of image G in the transport direction Q is distance D1, and the distance from the upstream end P6 of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q to the upstream end P8 of image G in the transport direction Q is distance D2. The control unit 2 may appropriately set the position of image G relative to the printing area RP, such as positioning image G closer to end P1 on one side of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q or end P2 on the other side.

[0022] The control unit 2 sets an anchor area RA (S6). The anchor area RA is an area adjacent to the printing area RP on one side of the conveying direction Q. In this embodiment, the downstream side in the conveying direction Q is defined as one side of the conveying direction Q, and the upstream side in the conveying direction Q is defined as the other side of the conveying direction Q. The control unit 2 of this embodiment does not arrange or print an image in the anchor area RA. The length LA in the width direction W of the anchor area RA is determined by the type of cassette 80, and is mutually related to the length LW in the width direction W of the printing area RP. to The anchor region RA of The length LA in the transport direction Q is shorter than the length LP. In this embodiment, the length LA is shorter than half the outer periphery length M obtained in S2.

[0023] The control unit 2 sets the laminating area RL (S7). The laminating area RL is adjacent to the printing area RP on the other side in the conveying direction Q. The control unit 2 of this embodiment does not arrange or print an image in the laminating area RL. The length LW of the laminating area RL in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 80, and is mutually equal to the length LW of the printing area RP in the width direction W. to The control unit 2 calculates the length LL of the lamination area RL in the transport direction Q by calculating the difference N between the outer periphery M acquired in S2 and the length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q acquired in S3, and the distance from the end P1 on one side of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q to the end P2 on the other side of the image G in the transport direction Q. 8The length LP must be equal to or greater than the sum H of the lengths (the sum of lengths D1 and LC) from the cable C to the lamination area RL. When the label F is wrapped around the cable C under the condition that the length LP is equal to the outer periphery length M, the printing area RP goes around the circumference of the cable C, and the other end P2 of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q comes into contact with one end P1 of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q. As shown in FIG. 6, when the label F is wrapped around the cable C under the condition that the length LP is smaller than the outer periphery length M, the printing area RP does not go around the circumference of the cable C, and the other end P2 of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q and one end P1 of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q are spaced apart along the circumference of the cable C by the difference N between the length LP and the outer periphery length M. When the label F is wrapped around the cable C under the condition that the length LL is equal to the sum H, the other end P6 of the lamination area RL in the conveying direction Q overlaps with the other end P8 of the image G in the conveying direction Q. In other words, the image G printed in the printing area RP is entirely covered by the laminating area RL. The area between the end P2 on the other side of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q and the end P8 on the other side of the image G in the conveying direction Q is not covered by the laminating area RL. The length LL of the laminating area RL in the conveying direction Q may be the sum of the difference N between the outer periphery length M and the length LP of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q, and the length LP from the end P1 on one side of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q to the end P2 on the other side of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q, i.e., the outer periphery length M or greater. When the label F is wrapped around the cable C under the condition that the length LL is equal to the outer periphery length M, the end P6 on the other side of the laminating area RL in the conveying direction Q overlaps with the end P2 on the other side of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q. In other words, the entire printing area RP is covered by the laminating area RL.

[0024] The control unit 2 of this embodiment executes the processes from S5 to S7 by reading out templates stored in the table 17 of the storage unit 3. Each template includes information representing the length LW of the label in the width direction W, the length LA of the anchor area RA in the conveying direction Q, the length LP of the print area RP in the conveying direction Q, and the length LL of the lamination area RL in the conveying direction Q.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 2 sets a first half-cut position HC1 (S8). The first half-cut position HC1 is a position where the cutting unit 16 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the anchor area RA. The control unit 2 sets a second half-cut position HC2 (S9). The second half-cut position HC2 is a position where the cutting unit 16 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the laminating area RL. The control unit 2 may set the cutting amount and cutting direction in S8 and S9. In specific example 1, the control unit 2 sets the thickness of the release material 88 as the cutting amount, and sets the direction from the roller 10 toward the printing unit 8 as the cutting direction.

[0026] The control unit 2 sets a full-cut position FC (S10). The full-cut position FC is a position where the cutting unit 16 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a full cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at an end P3 on one side of the anchor region RA in the feed direction Q or at an end P6 on the other side of the laminating region RL in the feed direction Q. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 sets the full-cut position FC at the end P6 on the other side of the laminating region RL in the feed direction Q. In this embodiment, the first half-cut position HC1, the second half-cut position HC2, and the full-cut position FC are each expressed as a distance from the end P3 on one side of the anchor region RA in the feed direction Q. That is, the first half-cut position HC1 is expressed by a length LA, the second half-cut position HC2 is expressed by the sum of the lengths LA and LP, and the full-cut position FC is expressed by a length LT, which is the sum of the lengths LA, LP, and LL. At least a portion of the first half-cut position HC1, the second half-cut position HC2, and the full-cut position FC may be set by a template stored in the table 17.

[0027] The control unit 2 generates print data (S11) including data for printing the image G acquired in S3 in the printing area RP set in S5, the first half-cut position HC1 set in S8, the second half-cut position HC2 set in S9, and the full-cut position FC set in S10.

[0028] In specific examples 2 and 3, the type of cassette 90 acquired in S1 is determined not to be the first type (S4: NO), and the control unit 2 determines whether an execution instruction to execute the main process including S5 to S11 has been detected (S12). To execute the main process, the user inputs the execution instruction via the input unit 6. If an execution instruction is detected (S12: YES), the main process including S5 to S11 is executed. If an execution instruction is not detected (S12: NO), the control unit 2 sets a printing area RP for when the type of cassette 90 is the second or third type, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (S13). The length LW of the printing area RP in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 90. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 sets the length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q to the outer periphery length M acquired in S2. As in S5, the control unit 2 places the image G acquired in S3 at a predetermined position in the printing area RP. The control unit 2 sets an anchor area RA (S14). The length LW of the anchor area RA in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 90 and is the same as the length LW of the print area RP in the width direction W. The control unit 2 sets the length LA of the anchor area RA in the transport direction Q to be shorter than the outer periphery length M. The length LT, which is the sum of the length of the print area RP in the transport direction Q and the length LA of the anchor area RA in the transport direction Q, is greater than the outer periphery length M obtained in S2. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 executes S13 and S14 by reading out a template stored in table 17 of the memory unit 3.

[0029] The control unit 2 determines whether the type of cassette 90 acquired in S1 is the second type (S15). In specific example 2, it is determined that the type of cassette 90 is the second type (S15: YES), and the control unit 2 sets the full cut position FC (S16). As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 2 sets the upstream end P2 of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q as the full cut position FC. The full cut position FC is expressed as the distance from an end P3 on one side of the anchor area RA in the transport direction Q. The control unit 2 generates print data including data for printing the image G acquired in S3 in the printing area RP set in S13 and the full cut position FC set in S15 (S17).

[0030] In Example 3, the type of cassette 90 is not determined to be the second type (S15: NO), and the control unit 2 sets the sticking area RG (S18), as shown in FIG. 5. The sticking area RG is adjacent to the printing area RP on the other side of the conveying direction Q. The length LW of the sticking area RG in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 90, and the length L of the printing area RP in the width direction W is determined by the type of cassette 90. W and each other to The control unit 2 sets a first half-cut position HC1 and a second half-cut position HC2 (S19). The first half-cut position HC1 is a position where the cutting unit 16 is controlled to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the anchor area RA. The second half-cut position HC2 is a position where the cutting unit 16 is controlled to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the adhesive area RG. The control unit 2 may also set the cutting amount and cutting direction in S19. In Example 3, the control unit 2 sets the cutting amount to the thickness of the release material 99, and the cutting direction to the direction from the printing unit 8 toward the roller 10. The control unit 2 sets a full-cut position FC (S20). The control unit 2 sets the upstream end P6 of the adhesive area RG in the conveying direction Q as the full-cut position FC. The control unit 2 generates print data including data for printing the image G acquired in S3 in the printing area RP set in S13, the half cut positions HC1 and HC2 set in S19, and the full cut position FC set in S20 (S21).

[0031] After S11, S17, or S21, the control unit 2 determines whether a print instruction has been detected (S22). When starting printing based on the print data generated in S11, S17, or S21, the user inputs a print instruction via the input unit 6. If a print instruction is not detected (S22: NO), the control unit 2 waits until a print instruction is detected. If a print instruction is detected (S22: YES), the control unit 2 drives the conveyance unit 9 to start conveying the tape (S23). The control unit 2 determines whether the tape is at the printing position based on the drive amount of the conveyance unit 9 (S24). If the tape is at the printing position (S24: YES), the control unit 2 drives the printing unit 8 according to the print data and prints on the tape substrate (S25). If the tape is not at the printing position (S24: NO), the control unit 2 determines whether the tape is at the first half-cut position HC1 or the second half-cut position HC2 based on the drive amount of the conveyance unit 9 (S26). In specific example 1, if the tape 81 is at the first half-cut position HC1 or the second half-cut position HC2 (S26: YES), the control unit 2 drives the half cutter 14 of the cutting unit 16 by an amount corresponding to the cut amount based on the cut amount and cut direction included in the print data, and half-cuts the tape 81 from the release material 88 side (S27). In specific example 3, if the tape 100 is at the first half-cut position HC1 or the second half-cut position HC2 (S26: YES), the control unit 2 drives the half cutter 15 of the cutting unit 16 by an amount corresponding to the cut amount based on the cut amount and cut direction included in the print data, and half-cuts the tape 100 from the release material 99 side (S27).

[0032] If the tape is not at the first half-cut position HC1 or the second half-cut position HC2 (S26: NO), the control unit 2 determines whether the tape is at the full-cut position FC based on the drive amount of the conveying unit 9 (S28). If the tape is at the full-cut position FC (S28: YES), the control unit 2 drives the full cutter 13 of the cutting unit 16 to fully cut the tape (S29). Following S25, S27, or S29, the control unit 2 performs the process of S30.

[0033] If the tape is not at the full-cut position FC (S28: NO), the control unit 2 determines whether printing is complete (S30). Based on the drive amount of the conveyance unit 9, the control unit 2 determines that printing is complete when a predetermined amount of tape has been conveyed after the full-cut process in S29. If printing is not complete (S30: NO), the control unit 2 returns the process to S24. If printing is complete (S30: YES), the control unit 2 stops driving the conveyance unit 9 (S31), thereby completing the printing process. Through the printing process, label F of FIG. 3 is produced in Specific Example 1, label J of FIG. 4 is produced in Specific Example 2, and label E of FIG. 5 is produced in Specific Example 3.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 6, the operation of wrapping the self-laminating label F created by the printing process of Example 1 around a cable C will be described. The user uses the cuts formed at the half-cut positions HC1 and HC2 to peel off the release material 88 of the label F, from the release material 88 of the anchor area RA and the release material 88 of the lamination area RL. The user aligns the width direction W of the label F with the extension direction of the cable C, and with the side with the exposed adhesive layer facing the cable C, wraps the label F around the cable C in the winding direction V in the order of the anchor area RA, the printing area RP, and the lamination area RL. The anchor area RA is attached to the cable C. The printing area RP contacts the cable C and a portion of the anchor area RA. The lamination area RL is attached to a portion of the anchor area RA and the printing area RP. The substrate 85 of the printing area RP is covered and protected by the substrate 85 of the lamination area RL. Since the substrate 85 is transparent, the user can see the image G printed in the print area RP. Since the anchor area RA is attached to the cable C, the position of the label F relative to the cable C is fixed.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 7, the operation of wrapping the laminate label J created by the printing process relating to the second specific example around the cable C will be described. The user peels off all of the release material 99 from the label J. JThe width direction W of the label J is the extension direction of the cable C, the side with the exposed adhesive layer is the cable C side, and the label J is wrapped around the cable C in the winding direction V in the order of the anchor area RA and the printing area RP. The anchor area RA is attached to the cable C. The printing area RP is attached to the cable C and a part of the anchor area RA. The printed surface 95 of the substrate 91 in the printing area RP is attached to the substrate 98 and is therefore protected by the substrate 91. The substrate 91 is transparent, so the user can see the image G printed in the printing area RP. The substrate 98 is opaque, so the substrate 98 of the printing area RP forms the background of the printing area RP.

[0036] 8, the operation of wrapping the laminate label E created by the printing process of the specific example 3 around the cable C will be described. The user uses the cuts formed at the half-cut positions HC1 and HC2 to wrap the label E around the cable C. E The user peels off the release material 99 in the anchor area RA and the release material 99 in the adhesive area RG. The user aligns the width direction W of the label E with the extension direction of the cable C, and places the side with the exposed adhesive layer facing the cable C. The user wraps the label E around the cable C in the winding direction V in the order of the anchor area RA, the printing area RP, and the adhesive area RG. The anchor area RA is attached to the cable C. The printing area RP contacts the cable C and a portion of the anchor area RA. The adhesive area RG is attached to a portion of the anchor area RA and the printing area RP. The printed surface 95 of the substrate 91 in the printing area RP is attached to the substrate 98 and is therefore protected by the substrate 91. Because the substrate 91 is transparent, the user can see the image G printed in the printing area RP. Because the substrate 98 is transparent, the release material 99 in the printing area RP forms the background of the printing area RP.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the printing device 1, control unit 2, sensor 4, input unit 6, conveying unit 9, cutting unit 16, memory unit 3, and mounting unit 21 are examples of the printing device, control unit, detection unit, input unit, printing unit, conveying unit, cutting unit, memory unit, and mounting unit of the present invention, respectively. The half cutters 14 and 15 are examples of the half cutter of the present invention. The full cutter 13 is an example of the full cutter of the present invention. The process of S2 is an example of the length acquisition process of the present invention. The process of S3 is an example of the image acquisition process. The processes of S5 to S7 are an example of the area setting process of the present invention. The process of S25 is an example of the printing process of the present invention. The process of S27 is an example of the first half cut process of the present invention. The process of S27 is an example of the second half cut process of the present invention. The process of S29 is an example of the full cut process of the present invention. The process of S8 is an example of the first half cut setting process of the present invention. The process of S9 is an example of the second half cut setting process of the present invention. The process of S10 is an example of the full cut setting process of the present invention. The process of S11 is an example of the generation process of the present invention. The process of S13 is an example of the print area setting process of the present invention, and the process of S29 is an example of the cutting process of the present invention.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the printing device 1 includes a printing unit 8, a conveying unit 9, a cutting unit 16, and a control unit 2. The printing unit 8 prints an image G on a substrate 85. The conveying unit 9 conveys the tape 81, which is made by bonding together the substrate 85, on which the image G has been printed by the printing unit 8, and a release liner 88, in the conveying direction Q. The cutting unit 16 performs a half cut to cut the release liner 88 without cutting the substrate 85, and a full cut to cut both the substrate 85 and the release liner 88. The control unit 2 controls the conveying unit 9, the printing unit 8, and the cutting unit 16. The control unit 2 performs the following main processing. The control unit 2 acquires the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C around which the label obtained by cutting the tape 81 will be wrapped (S2). The control unit 2 acquires the image G to be printed in the printing area RP (S3). In accordance with the acquired outer perimeter length M, the control unit 2 sets the printing area RP, an anchor area RA adjacent to the printing area RP on one side in the conveying direction Q, and a laminating area RL adjacent to the printing area RP on the other side in the conveying direction Q, whose length LL in the conveying direction Q is equal to or greater than the sum H of the difference N between the outer perimeter length M and the length LP of the printing area RP in the conveying direction Q and the length from the end P1 of the printing area RP on one side in the conveying direction Q to the end P2 of the image G on the other side in the conveying direction Q (S5 to S7). The control unit 2 sets a first half-cut position HC1 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the anchor area RA, which instructs to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81. The control unit 2 sets a second half-cut position HC2 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the laminating area RL, which instructs to perform a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 (S9). The control unit 2 sets a full-cut position FC where a full cut is made across the width direction W of the tape 81 at an end P3 on one side of the anchor area RA in the conveying direction Q, or at an end P6 on the other side of the laminating area RL in the conveying direction Q (S10). The control unit 2 generates print data including data for printing an image G in the printing area RP, a first half-cut position HC1, a second half-cut position HC2, and a full-cut position FC (S11). The control unit 2 controls the printing unit 8 to print the image G in the printing area RP (S25). The control unit 2 controls the cutting unit 16 to make a half-cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the anchor area RA. cormorantThe control unit 2 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a half cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at the boundary between the printing area RP and the laminating area RL (S27). The control unit 2 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a full cut across the width direction W of the tape 81 at an end P3 on one side of the anchor area RA in the feeding direction Q or an end P6 on the other side of the laminating area RL in the feeding direction Q, thereby cutting off the label F (S29).

[0039] The printing device 1 can create labels F in which the release material 88 is cut at the boundaries between the printing area RP and the anchor area RA and between the printing area RP and the laminating area RL. For example, a user creates a label F using tape 81 whose substrate 85 is a transparent film, peels the release material 88 of the anchor area RA and the release material 88 of the laminating area RL from the substrate 85, and, with the release material 88 of the printing area RP still attached to the substrate 85, wraps the label F around a cable C in the order of the anchor area RA, the printing area RP, and the laminating area RL. The anchor area RA is attached to the outer periphery of the diameter of the cable C. Because the release material 88 is attached to the printing area RP, the user can recognize the printed image G even if the substrate 85 is transparent, as long as the release material 88 is colored. The laminating area RL is attached to at least one of the outer periphery of the diameter of the cable C and the printing area RP, covering the image G printed in the printing area RP. Therefore, the printing device 1 can use the same tape 81 to create a self-laminating label F to be wrapped around the cable C, regardless of the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C. The background color of the label F can be changed by changing the color of the surface of the release material 88 facing the substrate 85 of the tape 81. Because the tape 81 has no fixed length, when creating the self-laminating label F, by obtaining the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C in S2, lengths LP and LL are each set to match the outer circumferential length M, making it possible to create a label with less waste than conventional labels.

[0040] The cutting unit 16 of the printing device 1 is equipped with half cutters 14 and 15 that perform half cuts, and a full cutter 13 that performs full cuts. When producing labels F using a first type of cassette 80, the control unit 2 controls the conveying unit 9 and the half cutter 14 to perform a first half cut process and a second half cut process (S27). When producing labels E using a third type of cassette 90, the control unit 2 controls the conveying unit 9 and the half cutter 15 to perform a first half cut process and a second half cut process (S27). The control unit 2 controls the conveying unit 9 and the full cutter 13 to perform a full cut process. The printing device 1 can execute the main process by selectively using the half cutters 14 and 15 and the full cutter 13.

[0041] The printing device 1 includes a mounting unit 21 to which a cassette containing at least a substrate is removably mounted, and a sensor 4 that detects the type of cassette mounted in the mounting unit 21. The control unit 2 can execute the main process when the type detected by the sensor 4 is a first type that contains tape 81 having a release material 88 attached via an adhesive layer to the back surface 87 of the printing surface 86 of a transparent substrate 85. The printing device 1 can avoid problems that occur when the main process is executed using tape 93 whose substrate 98 is not a transparent film. Furthermore, by executing the main process, the printing device 1 can cover the printing surface 86 of the substrate 85 with the lamination region RL of the substrate 85, thereby creating a self-laminating label F that protects the image G.

[0042] If the detected type is the second type, which contains a tape 93 in which a release material 99 is adhered to a non-transparent substrate 98 via an adhesive layer (S4: NO), the control unit 2 of the printing device 1 performs the following process. The control unit 2 sets the printing area RP according to the outer periphery length M obtained in S2 (S13). The control unit 2 obtains the image G to be printed in the printing area RP (S3). The control unit 2 controls the printing unit 8 to print the image G in the printing area RP (S25). The control unit 2 controls the cutting unit 16 to perform a full cut across the width direction W of the tape 100 at either the upstream end P2 of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q or at a position upstream of the end P2 (S29). The printing device 1 performs the following process based on the outer periphery length M detected by the sensor 4. species If the type is the second type, the print area RP is set according to the acquired outer perimeter length M, and labels J and E can be created.

[0043] The printing device 1 includes a storage unit 3 that stores templates corresponding to the type of cassette detected by the sensor 4 and the outer periphery length M. The control unit 2 stores templates corresponding to the detected type and the outer periphery length M. In response The printing device 1 executes S5 to S7 by reading the template from the storage unit 3. By reading the template, the printing device 1 can execute the processes from S5 to S7 and S13 relatively easily.

[0044] The printing device 1 includes an input unit 6. When an instruction is detected via the input unit 6 (S12: YES), the control unit 2 executes the main process. The printing device 1 can execute the main process when an instruction is detected. The printing device 1 can improve user convenience compared to when the main process is not executed in response to a user instruction.

[0045] The length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q is less than the outer circumferential length M. The printing device 1 can reduce the amount of tape 81 used compared to when the length LP of the printing area RP in the transport direction Q is longer than the outer circumferential length M of the diameter of the cable C.

[0046] The length LL of the laminating area RL in the conveying direction Q is equal to or greater than the outer circumferential length M. When the label F, whose substrate 85 is a transparent film, is wrapped around the outer circumferential diameter of the cable C, the laminating area RL covers the entire printing area RP, so that the image G can be reliably covered by the laminating area RL regardless of the position of the image G relative to the printing area RP.

[0047] The printing device and print data generation program of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be made as appropriate. The present invention can be implemented in various forms, and may be realized, for example, in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a print data generation program, or a print control method executed by the control unit 2 of the printing device 1.

[0048] The configuration of the printing device 1 may be changed as appropriate. The printing device 1 does not have to include at least one of the sensor 4, communication unit 5, input unit 6, and display unit 7. The input unit 6 may be a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, or the like. The printing device 1 may include only one of the half cutters 14 and 15. The cutting unit 16 may be a single cutter that can perform both half cutting and full cutting.

[0049] 2 may be stored in a storage device of the printing device 1 before the control unit 2 executes the corresponding program. Therefore, the program acquisition method, acquisition path, and device that stores the program may each be changed as appropriate. The program executed by the printing device 1 may be received from another device via a cable or wireless communication and stored in a storage device such as a storage unit. The other device may include, for example, a PC and a server connected via a network.

[0050] Each step of the printing process is not limited to being executed by the control unit 2, but may be executed in part or in whole by other electronic devices (for example, ASIC). Each step of the printing process may be distributed among multiple electronic devices (for example, multiple CPUs). The order of each step of the printing process may be changed, and steps may be omitted or added as necessary. The following modifications may be made to the printing process as appropriate.

[0051] The object onto which the label is to be wrapped is not limited to a cable. The outer periphery of the object onto which the label is to be wrapped may be any shape, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon. The control unit 2 may acquire the image G after setting the printing area RP according to the type of cassette. The control unit 2 may set at least one of the lengths LA, LP, LL, and LG, taking into account the influence of the label thickness. One side of the conveying direction Q may be the upstream side of the conveying direction Q, and the other side of the conveying direction Q may be the downstream side of the conveying direction Q. The cutting amount in S27 may be an amount that does not cut off the tape 81 in the thickness direction T, and may be an amount that reaches a portion of the base material 85 to which the release material 88 is attached. The printing device 1 may be capable of only executing the process of creating the label F using the first-type cassette 80, and the processes from S12 to S21 may be omitted as appropriate. In the process of creating the label J using the second-type cassette 90, the printing device 1 sets the full-cut position FC in the conveying direction Q of the printing area RP. of It may be set upstream of the other end P2. ofThe processes S1 to S21 for generating the label data may be executed by external device B. In this case, in S1, the cassette type may be acquired based on a user input, and the printer 1 may create labels by executing processes S22 to S31 based on the print data generated by external device B. The control unit 2 does not need to accept instructions in process S12. The length LL of the lamination area RL in the conveying direction Q may be equal to or greater than the sum H. The memory unit 3 does not need to store table 17 and does not need to execute processes S5 to S7 based on a template. When producing multiple labels consecutively, the printer 1 may perform a half cut, cutting only the substrate from the substrate side and not cutting the release material, rather than a full cut between one label and the next label. In this case, the printer 1 can produce multiple labels connected via the release material. The control unit 2 may place or print an image in the anchor area RA. The above-mentioned variations may be combined as appropriate within a consistent range. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1: Printing device, 2: Control unit, 3: Storage unit, 4: Sensor, 5: Communication unit, 6: Input unit, 7: Display unit, 8: Printing unit 、9 : Conveying section, 13: Full cutter, 14, 15: Half cutter, 16: Cutting section, FC: Full cut position, G: Image, HC1: First half cut position, HC2: Second half cut position, Q: Conveying direction, RA: Anchor area, RL: Laminating area, RP: Printing area, W: Width direction

Claims

1. a printing unit that prints an image on the substrate; a conveying unit that conveys, in a conveying direction, the tape in which the base material on which the image is printed by the printing unit and a release material are bonded together; a roller disposed at a position facing the printing unit; A cutting unit that performs a half cut to cut the release material without cutting the base material, and a full cut to cut the base material and the release material, a first half cutter positioned downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the transport direction, the first half cutter making a cut in the tape in a first direction from the roller toward the printing unit; a second half cutter positioned downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the transport direction, the second half cutter making a cut in the tape in a second direction from the printing unit toward the roller; a full cutter that is located downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the transport direction and cuts the tape; The cutting portion including a control unit that controls the conveying unit, the printing unit, and the cutting unit; and The control unit performs the following main processing: a length acquisition process for acquiring the outer circumferential length of an object onto which the cut label from the tape is to be wrapped; an image acquisition process for acquiring the image to be printed in the printing area; an area setting process that sets, according to the acquired outer perimeter length, the print area, an anchor area adjacent to the print area on one side in the transport direction, and a lamination area adjacent to the print area on the other side in the transport direction, the length in the transport direction being equal to or greater than the sum of the difference between the outer perimeter length and the length of the print area in the transport direction and the length from the end of the print area on one side in the transport direction to the end of the image on the other side in the transport direction; a printing process for controlling the printing unit and the transport unit to print the image in the printing area; a first half-cutting process for controlling the first half-cutter or the second half-cutter of the cutting unit to perform the half-cutting across the width direction of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the anchor area; a second half-cutting process for controlling the first half-cutter or the second half-cutter of the cutting unit to perform the half-cut across the width direction of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the laminating area; a full cut process in which the full cutter of the cutting unit is controlled to perform the full cut across the width direction of the tape at the end of the anchor region on one side in the feeding direction or the end of the laminating region on the other side in the feeding direction; A printing device capable of executing the above.

2. a mounting portion to which a cassette containing at least the substrate is detachably mounted; a detector for detecting the type of the cassette attached to the attachment portion, The control unit A printing device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the main processing is executed when the detected type is a first type that contains the tape in which the release material is attached to the back side of the printing surface of the transparent substrate via an adhesive layer.

3. The control unit When the detected type is a second type containing the tape in which the release material is attached to the non-transparent base material via the adhesive layer, a print area setting process for setting the print area in accordance with the acquired outer periphery length; the image acquisition process; the printing process; a cutting process of controlling the cutting unit to perform a full cut across the width direction of the tape at an end of the print area on the upstream side in the transport direction or at a position upstream of the end; 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus executes the following steps.

4. a storage unit that stores a template according to the detected type and the outer perimeter length; The control unit 4. The printing device according to claim 3, wherein the area setting process and the print area setting process are each executed by reading out the template corresponding to the detected type and the outer periphery length.

5. further comprising an input unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the main process is executed when an instruction is detected via the input unit.

6. 6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the printing area in the transport direction is equal to or less than the outer periphery.

7. The printing device according to claim 6 , wherein the length of the lamination area in the transport direction is equal to or greater than the outer periphery length.

8. a roller positioned opposite the printing unit; and a cutting unit that performs a half cut to cut the release material without cutting the substrate, and a full cut to cut the substrate and the release material, the cutting unit including a first half cutter located downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the feed direction, that makes an incision in the tape in a first direction from the roller toward the printing unit; a second half cutter located downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the feed direction, that makes an incision in the tape in a second direction from the printing unit toward the roller; and a full cutter located downstream of the printing unit and the roller in the feed direction, that cuts the tape, The control unit a length acquisition process for acquiring the outer circumferential length of an object onto which the cut label from the tape is to be wrapped; an image acquisition process for acquiring the image to be printed in the printing area; an area setting process that sets, according to the acquired outer perimeter length, the print area, an anchor area adjacent to the print area on one side in the transport direction, and a lamination area adjacent to the print area on the other side in the transport direction, the length in the transport direction being equal to or greater than the sum of the difference between the outer perimeter length and the length of the print area in the transport direction and the length from the end of the print area on one side in the transport direction to the end of the image on the other side in the transport direction; a first half-cut setting process for setting a first half-cut position that instructs the half-cut to be performed by the first half-cutter or the second half-cutter across the width direction of the tape at the boundary between the print area and the anchor area; a second half-cut setting process for setting a second half-cut position that instructs the half-cutting to be performed by the first half-cutter or the second half-cutter across the width direction of the tape at the boundary between the printing area and the laminating area; a full cut setting process for setting a full cut position where the full cut is performed by the full cutter across the width direction of the tape at the end of one side in the feeding direction of the anchor region or the end of the other side in the feeding direction of the laminating region; a generation process for generating the print data including data for printing the image in the print area, the first half-cut position, the second half-cut position, a cut direction, and the full-cut position; A print data generating program comprising instructions for executing the above.

Images