Printing device and print control program

Abstract

To provide a new technique for meeting user needs in setting the length of printed materials.SOLUTION: A printer 2 includes a print head 27 and a CPU 23a. The CPU 23a executes steps of: (S15) acquiring print setting information that includes an upper limit value of length of a print label L, created by printing on a label tape TP with the print head 27; (S5) acquiring data printed on the print label L; (S30) identifying the required print length of the print label L, required for printing of the data acquired in (S5); and (S50), if the length identified in (S30) is equal to or less than the upper limit value included in the print setting information acquired in (S15), determining the length of the print label L to be created as the identified, required print length, allowing the print head 27 to print the data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing on a tape and a printing control program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in Patent Document 1, there is disclosed a printing apparatus capable of arbitrarily setting the printing length on a label tape by an operator selecting "label printing" as a printing object in the display on the display unit and further selecting "arbitrary setting" on the length setting screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above conventional technology, when a user sets the printing length to a desired value, printing is performed only at the set printing length in a fixed manner, so it is hard to say that it necessarily meets the needs of the user. For example, there may be a case where the user wants to save the tape by shortening the length of the printed matter as much as possible within the allowable range of the user.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a new technology for meeting the needs of users regarding settings related to the length of printed matter.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus having a printing unit that prints on a long tape and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs a first acquisition process for acquiring setting information including an upper limit value for the length of a printed material to be produced by printing on the tape by the printing unit; a second acquisition process for acquiring data to be printed on the printed material; a specification process for specifying the length of the printed material necessary for the data acquired in the second acquisition process to be printed; and a printing process for determining the length of the printed material to be produced to the specified length and causing the printing unit to print the data if the length specified in the specification process is less than or equal to the upper limit value included in the setting information acquired in the first acquisition process.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the print control program of the present invention causes a calculation unit provided in an information terminal to execute: a setting reception process that receives setting information including an upper limit value for the length of a printed material to be produced by printing on a long tape; a text reception process that receives text to be printed on the printed material; a length determination process that identifies the length of the printed material necessary for the text received in the text reception process to be printed; a length determination process that determines the length of the printed material to be produced to the identified length if the length identified in the length determination process is less than or equal to the upper limit value included in the setting information obtained in the setting reception process; and an output process that outputs a print instruction to a printing device to produce a printed material of the length determined in the length determination process.

[0008] In the present invention, the setting information specifies the upper limit of the print length. If the length of the print required for text printing is shorter than the upper limit, the print will be generated with a length shorter than the upper limit. According to the present invention, regarding the setting of the print length, for example, it is possible to meet the needs of users who want to save tape by making the print length as short as possible, within the limits permitted by the user.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to printing apparatus and printing control program, but can be appropriately applied to, for example, printing methods or printing systems executed by the printing control program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a new technology can be provided to meet user needs regarding the setting of the length of printed materials. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is an external view showing an example of the external configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a label length setting screen displayed on the display unit and a printed label created in the "fixed" mode, and an example of a setting screen displayed on the display unit and a printed label created in the "range" mode, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a control procedure performed by the CPU of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] In the second embodiment of the present invention, this figure shows an example of the label length setting screen and the printed label created when the upper and lower limits are set to the same value in "range" mode, and an example of the label length setting screen and the printed label created when the upper and lower limits are set to different values. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of a control procedure performed by the CPU of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of another user interface for the label length setting screen displayed on the printer's display unit. [Figure 8] This is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]It is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal and a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure executed by the CPU of the information terminal in the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of another user interface of a label length setting screen displayed on a touch panel or a display unit of an information terminal.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is an embodiment in which, in a so-called stand-alone case where input of setting information and execution of printing are performed by a printing apparatus, an upper limit value of the length of a printed matter can be set.

[0013] <Configuration of Printing Apparatus> FIG. 1 shows an example of the external configuration of a printing apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 2 is, for example, a label printer that creates a printed label L, and has a display unit 21 and an input unit 22. The display unit 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays various information and messages. The input unit 22 is composed of a plurality of buttons or the like, and instructions and information from the user are input. The printed label L is an example of a printed matter.

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the printing apparatus 2 has the above-described display unit 21 and input unit 22, a control circuit 23, a cartridge holder 24, a cartridge sensor 25, a communication control unit 26, a printing head 27, a mass storage device 28, and a cutter 29. The printing head 27 is an example of a printing unit.

[0015] The control circuit 23 includes a CPU 23a, a RAM 23b, a ROM 23c, and the like. The CPU 23a is an example of a control unit.

[0016] The cartridge holder 24 detachably mounts the cartridge 5. The cartridge sensor 25 is provided on the cartridge holder 24 and detects the type of the cartridge 5 by a known appropriate method such as mechanical detection, optical detection, magnetic detection, etc. The communication control unit 26 controls the communication performed between the printing device 2 and an external device.

[0017] The large-capacity storage device 28 stores a printing program for causing the CPU 23a to execute each procedure of the sequence shown in FIG. 4 and the like described later, various types of data, etc. The printing program and various types of data, etc. may be stored in the RAM 23b or ROM 23c of the control circuit 23.

[0018] The cutter 29 cuts the long label tape TP on which printing has been performed by the print head 27 to a predetermined length, thereby creating the printed label L. The label tape TP is an example of a tape.

[0019] <Settings Screen and Printed Label> In the printing device 2, as modes for setting the length of the printed label L to be created, an "Automatic" mode, a "Fixed" mode, and a "Range" mode are prepared. The user can freely select the "Automatic" mode, the "Fixed" mode, and the "Range" mode. When the "Automatic" mode is selected, the length of the printed label L is automatically expanded or contracted according to the size of the data input by the user, for example, the number of characters of the text. Note that the data input by the user is not limited to text data and may be image data such as an object. When the "Fixed" mode is selected, the user can set the length of the printed label L as a fixed value to an arbitrary length. In the "Fixed" mode, for example, when the size of the text is set to be automatically variable, an appropriate size is selected from a plurality of preset text sizes so as to fit within the label length set by the user.

[0020] In "Fixed" mode, the text size is selected from several pre-set options and changed in stages, so the selected text size may not perfectly match the label length set by the user. For example, a text size smaller than the label length may be selected. In this case, even though the text would fit if the label length were shorter than the user-set length, the printed label L will be created at the user-set length. On the other hand, when a user selects "Fixed" mode and sets the label length, they do not necessarily want to generate a printed label L that is exactly that length. They may want to shorten the length of the printed label L as much as possible within the user's limits to save label tape TP.

[0021] Therefore, in the printing device 2 of this embodiment, in addition to the "automatic" mode and the "fixed" mode, a "range" mode is provided. In "range" mode, the user can set an upper limit value for the length of the print label L, rather than the length of the print label L itself. Based on the upper limit value set by the user, the text format (e.g., size, character width, character spacing, etc.) is determined, and the minimum required print length of the print label L necessary for the text entered by the user to be printed in the determined format is identified. If the identified required print length of the print label L is longer than the upper limit value set by the user, the text format is changed so that the required print length is less than or equal to the upper limit value. For example, the format is changed to make the character size smaller or to narrow the character width and character spacing. On the other hand, if the identified required print length of the print label L is less than or equal to the upper limit value set by the user, a print label L of that required print length is generated. Note that the "range" mode is an example of the first mode, the "fixed" mode is an example of the second mode, and the text format is an example of the text format.

[0022] Figure 3(a) shows an example of the label length setting screen displayed on the display unit 21 and the printed label created in "Fixed" mode. As shown in Figure 3(a), the setting screen displays a numerical input unit 51 and a mode selection unit 52. The numerical input unit 51 is an area for inputting a numerical value for the label length, and the value can be increased or decreased using, for example, the increase / decrease buttons or up / down buttons on the input unit 22. In Figure 3(a), the label length is set to, for example, 85 mm. Note that, for example, it may also be possible to input the numerical value itself. The mode selection unit 52 is an area for selecting the mode for setting the length of the printed label L, and the display information corresponding to each mode, "Automatic" mode, "Fixed" mode, and "Range" mode, can be selected using, for example, the increase / decrease buttons or up / down buttons on the input unit 22. In Figure 3(a), "Just," which is the display information corresponding to "Fixed" mode, is selected. "Just" is an example of second display information.

[0023] In the example shown in Figure 3(a), the "Fixed" mode is selected, so the printed label L is created to have the label length set by the user in the settings screen. For example, as shown in Figure 3(a), whether printed label L1 has the relatively long text "ABC 2021 Corporation" printed on it, or printed label L2 has the relatively short text "ABC 2021" printed on it, both labels are created to have a length of 85 mm. The text format (e.g., size, character width, character spacing, etc.) is set to appropriate values ​​according to the label length set in the numerical input unit 51.

[0024] Figure 3(b) shows an example of the settings screen displayed on the display unit 21 and the printed label created in "Range" mode. In Figure 3(b), "less than or equal to", which is the display information corresponding to "Range" mode, is selected in the mode selection unit 52. In this case, the numerical input unit 51 becomes an area for inputting the upper limit of the label length. In Figure 3(b), the upper limit is set to, for example, 85 mm. "Less than or equal to" is an example of the first display information.

[0025] In Figure 3(b), since the "Range" mode is selected, the text format is determined based on the upper limit set in the numerical input unit 51, and the minimum required print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L necessary for the user-entered text to be printed in the determined format, is identified. In Figure 3(b), for example, for both the print label L3 with many characters and the print label L4 with few characters, the identified required print length is shorter than the upper limit of 85 mm set by the user. As a result, the label lengths of print labels L3 and L4 are determined to be the required print length, and print labels L3 and L4 are created with label lengths shorter than 85 mm.

[0026] As described above, by simply changing the information selected in the mode selection unit 52 on the settings screen, the user can treat the numerical values ​​entered in the numerical input unit 51 as values ​​corresponding to the appropriate mode. Therefore, the user can selectively set the length of the printable label and the upper limit of the printable label length within a common settings screen.

[0027] Although not shown in the diagram, in Figure 3(b), for example, if the minimum length of the print label L3 is longer than the upper limit set by the user, the text format is changed so that the minimum length becomes less than or equal to the upper limit. Although not shown in the diagram, if, for example, "Automatic" is selected in the mode selection unit 52, the system is set to "Automatic" mode.

[0028] In Figures 3(a) and 3(b) above, the label length setting screen is an example of a display screen, the numerical input unit 51 is an example of a first area, and the mode selection unit 52 is an example of a second area.

[0029] <Control Procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 23a of the printing device 2 to realize the label length setting function and the like in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 4.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, in step S5, the CPU 23a displays the input screen on the display unit 21, receives input of data to be printed on the print label L via the input unit 22, and acquires data based on the input in the input unit 22. The data consists of, for example, text data. Step S5 is an example of the second acquisition process.

[0031] In step S10, the CPU 23a displays a label length setting screen, including the numerical input unit 51 and the mode selection unit 52, on the display unit 21. Step S10 is an example of screen display processing.

[0032] In step S15, the CPU 23a receives print setting information via the input unit 22, including the upper limit of the length of the printed label L generated by printing on the label tape TP by the print head 27, and acquires print setting information based on the input in the input unit 22. Specifically, the CPU 23a acquires print setting information corresponding to the mode selected in the mode selection unit 52. For example, if "Just" is selected in the mode selection unit 52, the CPU 23a acquires print setting information as a "Fixed" mode, where the numerical value entered in the numerical input unit 51 is the length of the printed label L. Also, if "Less than or equal to" is selected in the mode selection unit 52, the CPU 23a acquires print setting information as a "Range" mode, where the numerical value entered in the numerical input unit 51 is the upper limit. Step S15 is an example of the first acquisition process, and print setting information is an example of setting information.

[0033] In step S20, the CPU 23a determines whether the user has issued a print command via the input unit 22. If the CPU 23a determines that no print command has been issued (step S20: No), it returns to step S5. As a result, steps S5 to S15 are repeated while the user inputs text data and print setting information before executing the print job. On the other hand, if the CPU 23a determines that a print command has been issued (step S20: Yes), it proceeds to step S25.

[0034] In step S25, the CPU 23a determines the format (e.g., size, character width, character spacing, etc.) for printing the text obtained in step S5 onto the label tape TP, based on the upper limit value obtained in step S15.

[0035] In step S30, the CPU 23a determines the minimum print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L required for the text to be printed, based on the text obtained in step S5 and the format determined in step S25. Step S30 is an example of the identification process.

[0036] In step S35, the CPU 23a determines whether the required print length identified in step S30 is less than or equal to the upper limit obtained in step S15. If the CPU 23a determines that the required print length exceeds the upper limit (step S35: No), it proceeds to step S40.

[0037] In step S40, the CPU 23a modifies the text format determined in step S25 so that the required print length identified in step S30 is less than or equal to the upper limit. Step S40 is an example of a modification process.

[0038] In step S45, the CPU 23a determines the minimum print length required for the print label L to print the modified text, based on the text obtained in step S5 and the format modified in step S40. Then, it returns to step S35.

[0039] In step S35 above, if the CPU 23a determines that the required printing length is less than or equal to the upper limit (step S35: Yes), it proceeds to step S50. Note that if the required printing length is determined again in step S45 above and then the system returns to step S35, the required printing length is less than or equal to the upper limit, and therefore the determination in step S35 is satisfied.

[0040] In step S50, the CPU 23a determines the label length of the printable label L to be generated, which is the required printing length identified in step S30 or step S45. The print head 27 then prints the text onto the label tape TP, which is then cut by the cutter 29 to the determined length, thereby creating the printable label L. Step S50 is an example of the printing process. This concludes this flowchart.

[0041] <Effects of the First Embodiment> As described above, in the printing device 2 of this embodiment, steps S15, S5, and S30 are executed by the CPU 23a. In step S15, print setting information is acquired. The print setting information includes the upper limit value of the length of the print label L generated when the print head 27 of the printing device 2 prints on the label tape TP. In step S5, data to be printed on the print label L, such as text data, is acquired. In step S30, the minimum required print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L necessary for the text acquired in step S5 to be printed, is identified. If the required print length identified in step S30 is less than or equal to the upper limit value included in the setting information acquired in step S15, step S50 is executed by the CPU 23a. In step S50, the length of the print label L to be generated is determined to be the required print length identified in step S30, and the print head 27 is instructed to print the text.

[0042] In this embodiment, the print setting information specifies not the length of the print label L, but the upper limit of the print label L's length. If the required print length of the print label L identified in step S30 as necessary for printing text is less than or equal to the upper limit, a print label L of that identified length is generated in step S50. If the required print length of the print label L necessary for printing text is shorter than the upper limit set by the user, a print label L shorter than that upper limit is generated. When a user sets the length of the print label L, they do not necessarily want to generate a printout of exactly that length. For example, if adjusting the text size of the input text to fit the length of the print label L to the user's desired length results in a margin on the print label L, then a printout shorter by that margin might be preferable. In this way, within the limits the user allows, there may be cases where they want to save tape by shortening the length of the print label L as much as possible.

[0043] According to this embodiment, regarding the setting of the length of the printed label L, for example, it is possible to meet the needs of users who want to save label tape TP by making the length of the printed label L as short as possible.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the user can input an upper limit value for the length of the print label L included in the print setting information at the input unit 22 provided in the printing device 2.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment in particular, the user can choose whether to set an upper limit for the length of the print label L or to set the length of the print label L as a fixed value in the input unit 22 provided in the printing device 2, thereby improving convenience.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user can set the length of the printed label L by selecting "Just" in the mode selection unit 52 on the setting screen displayed in step S10 and entering a specific length value in the numerical input unit 51. Alternatively, the user can set the upper limit of the length of the printed label L by selecting "Less than or equal to" in the mode selection unit 52 on the setting screen displayed in step S10 and entering a specific length value in the numerical input unit 51. According to this embodiment, by simply changing the information selected in the mode selection unit 52, the numerical value entered in the numerical input unit 51 can be treated as a value corresponding to the appropriate mode. Therefore, the user can selectively set the length of the printed label L and the upper limit of the length on a common setting screen, which is highly convenient.

[0047] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the required printing length identified in step S30 exceeds the upper limit set by the user, the text format is changed in step S40 to adjust the required printing length of the print label L to be less than or equal to the upper limit. Then, in step S45, the minimum required printing length of the print label L necessary for printing the formatted text is identified again, and in step S50, the print label L is generated with the newly identified length. According to this embodiment, the print label L can be generated with a length necessary for printing the formatted text that falls within a range acceptable to the user.

[0048] <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The second embodiment is a so-called standalone case in which a printing device inputs setting information and performs printing, and in which case a lower limit can be set in addition to the upper limit of the length of the printed material.

[0049] The configuration of the printing device 2 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above. The input unit 22 of the printing device 2 is configured to allow input of a lower limit value in addition to the upper limit value of the length of the print label L.

[0050] <Settings screen and printable labels> In the printing device 2 of this embodiment, in addition to the "automatic" mode and "fixed" mode, a "range" mode is provided. In "range" mode, the user can set not only an upper limit but also a lower limit for the length of the print label L. Based on the set upper limit, the text format is determined, and the minimum required print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L necessary for the text entered by the user to be printed in the determined format, is identified. If the identified required print length of the print label L is longer than the upper limit set by the user, the text format is changed so that the required print length is less than or equal to the upper limit. If the identified required print length of the print label L is less than or equal to the upper limit set by the user and greater than or equal to the lower limit, a print label L of the required print length is generated. If the identified required print length of the print label L is less than the lower limit set by the user, a print label L of the lower limit length is generated instead of the required print length.

[0051] Figure 5(a) shows an example of the label length setting screen displayed on the display unit 21 and the printed label created in "Range" mode. As shown in Figure 5(a), the setting screen displays a numerical input area 54 for entering a lower limit value and a numerical input area 55 for entering an upper limit value. The numerical values ​​in numerical input areas 54 and 55 can be increased or decreased, for example, using the increase / decrease buttons or up / down buttons on the input unit 22. Alternatively, it may be possible to input the numerical value itself. In Figure 5(a), both the lower and upper limits are set to 80 mm, for example. In this case, the operation is the same as when the label length is set to 80 mm in "Fixed" mode.

[0052] In the example shown in Figure 5(a), both the lower and upper limits are set to, for example, 80 mm, so the printed label L is created to have a label length of 80 mm regardless of the number of characters. For example, as shown in Figure 5(a), whether the printed label L5 has the relatively long text "ABC 2021 Corporation" printed on it, or the printed label L6 has the relatively short text "ABC 2021" printed on it, both labels are created to have a label length of 80 mm. The text format (e.g., size, character width, character spacing, etc.) is set to appropriate values ​​according to the upper limit set in the numerical input unit 55.

[0053] Figure 5(b) shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the display unit 21 and the printed label created when the upper and lower limits are set to different values ​​in "Range" mode. In Figure 5(b), the lower limit is set to, for example, 60 mm and the upper limit is set to, for example, 80 mm.

[0054] In Figure 5(b), the text format is determined based on the upper limit set in the numerical input unit 55, and the minimum required print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L necessary for the text entered by the user to be printed, is identified. In Figure 5(b), for example, for print label L7 with a large number of characters, the identified required print length is shorter than the upper limit of 80 mm set by the user, and longer than the lower limit of 60 mm. As a result, print label L7 is created so that the label length is the required print length. Also, for example, for print label L8 with a small number of characters, the identified required print length is shorter than the lower limit of 60 mm. As a result, print label L8 is created so that the label length is the lower limit of 60 mm.

[0055] Although not shown in the diagram, users can switch from the "Range" mode setting screen shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) to the "Automatic" mode or "Fixed" mode setting screen by performing the appropriate switching operations.

[0056] <Control Procedure> To realize the label length setting function and other features described above in this embodiment, an example of the control procedure executed by the CPU 23a of the printing device 2 is explained using the flowchart in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the same procedures as those described in Figure 4 are omitted from explanation as appropriate.

[0057] Steps S105 and S110 are the same as steps S5 and S10 in Figure 4 above, so their explanation is omitted. Step S105 is an example of the second acquisition process, and step S110 is an example of the screen display process.

[0058] In step S115, the CPU 23a receives print setting information, including the upper and lower limits of the length of the print label L set in the input unit 22, and acquires the print setting information. Specifically, the CPU 23a acquires print setting information, including the lower limit entered in the numerical input unit 54 and the upper limit entered in the numerical input unit 55 on the setting screen. Step S115 is an example of the first acquisition process.

[0059] Steps S120 to S145 are the same as steps S20 to S45 in Figure 4 above, so their explanation is omitted. Step S130 is an example of a specific process. In step S135, if the CPU 23a determines that the required print length identified in step S130 is less than or equal to the upper limit obtained in step S115 (step S135: Yes), it proceeds to step S150.

[0060] In step S150, the CPU 23a determines whether the required printing length identified in step S130 is greater than or equal to the lower limit value obtained in step S115. If the CPU 23a determines that the required printing length is greater than or equal to the lower limit value (step S150: Yes), it proceeds to step S155.

[0061] In step S155, the CPU 23a determines the label length of the printable label L to be generated, which is the required printing length identified in step S130 or step S145. The print head 27 then prints the text onto the label tape TP, which is then cut by the cutter 29 to the determined length, thereby creating the printable label L. Step S155 is an example of the printing process. This concludes the flowchart.

[0062] On the other hand, in step S150, if the CPU 23a determines that the required print length is less than the lower limit (step S150: No), it proceeds to step S160.

[0063] In step S160, the CPU 23a determines the minimum label length of the printed label L to be generated, and cuts the label tape TP, on which the text has been printed by the print head 27, to the determined length using the cutter 29 to create the printed label L. Step S160 is an example of the printing process. This concludes this flowchart.

[0064] <Effects of the second embodiment> As described above, in the printing device 2 of this embodiment, the user can input not only the upper limit value of the length of the print label L included in the print setting information, but also the lower limit value of the length of the print label L, using the input unit 22 provided in the printing device 2.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if the required printing length of the print label L, which is identified in step S130 as the minimum length required for printing text, is shorter than the lower limit set by the user, then in step S160, a print label L with the length of the lower limit, rather than the identified required printing length, is generated. According to this embodiment, by increasing the length of the print label L to fall within a range acceptable to the user, it is possible to generate a print label L with the minimum length that the user wants to ensure.

[0066] <Modifications of the First and Second Embodiments> In the first and second embodiments described above, the user simply changes the information selected in the mode selection unit 52 on the settings screen, and the numerical value entered in the numerical input unit 51 is treated as the value corresponding to the appropriate mode. This configuration allows the user to set both the mode and the numerical value with the feeling that they are entering a single piece of information, or in other words, without intending to set a mode. However, the user interface of the settings screen is not limited to the above. For example, the user interface could be one in which the user directly selects the label length setting mode.

[0067] Figures 7(a) to 7(c) show an example of the label length setting screen displayed on the display unit 21 in this modified example. As shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(c), the user can select the label length setting mode for the printed label L to be created from "Automatic" mode, "Range" mode, and "Fixed" mode by moving the cursor 56, for example, using the left and right buttons on the input unit 22. As shown in Figure 7(a), the numerical input unit is not displayed when "Automatic" mode is selected.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7(b), when the "Fixed" mode is selected, the numerical input section 51 is displayed. Similar to the first embodiment described above, the numerical input section 51 is an area for inputting the label length as a fixed value, and the value can be increased or decreased using, for example, the increase / decrease buttons or up / down buttons on the input section 22. In Figure 7(b), the label length is set to, for example, 80 mm.

[0069] As shown in Figure 7(c), when the "Range" mode is selected, numerical input sections 54 and 55 are displayed, for example. Similar to the second embodiment described above, numerical input section 54 is an area for entering a lower limit value, and numerical input section 55 is an area for entering an upper limit value. The numerical values ​​in numerical input sections 54 and 55 can be increased or decreased, for example, using the increase / decrease buttons or up / down buttons on the input section 22. In Figure 7(c), the label length range is set to, for example, 60 mm to 80 mm. Note that when the "Range" mode is selected, the configuration may be such that only the upper limit value is entered, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0070] In the above modified example, the same effects as those of the first and second embodiments described above can be obtained.

[0071] <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The third embodiment is an embodiment in which, when setting information is input on an information terminal and print data is sent to a printing device for printing, the upper limit of the length of the printed material can be set on the information terminal.

[0072] <Overall System Configuration> Figure 8 shows an example of the overall configuration of the printing system according to the third embodiment. In Figure 8, the printing system 1 includes a printing device 2 and information terminals 3 and 4. Information terminals 3 and 4 may be either one or both. The configuration of the printing device 2 is the same as in the first embodiment described above, so its explanation is omitted. Information terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile terminal, and may be a smartphone equipped with a touch panel 37 as shown in Figure 8, or a tablet terminal, etc. Information terminal 4 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and may be a notebook PC equipped with an input unit 33 and a display unit 34 as shown in Figure 8, or a desktop PC, etc. Information terminals 3 and 4 are each connected to the printing device 2 so as to be able to send and receive information from each other. For example, information terminal 3 is connected via wireless communication, and information terminal 4 is connected via wired communication. Note that information terminal 3 may be connected via wired communication, or information terminal 4 may be connected via wireless communication.

[0073] <Information Terminal> Figure 9 shows an example of the hardware configuration of information terminals 3 and 4. As shown in Figure 9, information terminals 3 and 4 are equipped with a CPU 31, a memory 32 which includes, for example, RAM and ROM, an input unit 33, a display unit 34, a communication control unit 35, and a mass storage device 36. The CPU 31 is an example of an arithmetic unit.

[0074] The input unit 33 receives instructions and information from the user. The display unit 34 displays various information and messages. The information terminal 3 is configured as a touch panel 37 that combines the functions of the input unit 33 and the display unit 34. The communication control unit 35 controls communication with the communication control unit 26 of the printing device 2.

[0075] The large-capacity storage device 36 stores, for example, a printing application that causes the CPU 31 to execute each step of the sequence shown in Figure 10 (described later), such as text input, input of print setting information, and editing of print data, as well as various other programs and various data. The printing application, various programs, and various data may also be stored in memory 32. The printing application is an example of a print control program.

[0076] The CPU 31 performs various processes and communicates with the printing device 2 according to programs stored in the ROM and mass storage device 36, while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM in the memory 32.

[0077] In this embodiment, the label length setting screen shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) above is displayed on the touch panel 37 of the information terminal 3 or on the display unit 34 of the information terminal 4. The user inputs print setting information, including the text to be printed on the print label L and the upper limit of the length of the print label L, via the touch panel 37 or the input unit 33. The contents of the setting screen and the print label L created by the printing device 2 are the same as those shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) above, so a description is omitted.

[0078] <Control Procedure> An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 in order to realize the label length setting function and the like in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0079] As shown in Figure 9, in step S205, the CPU 31 displays a text input screen on the display unit 34 or touch panel 37, and receives text input to be printed on the print label L via the input unit 33 or touch panel 37, and acquires the text. Step S205 is an example of text reception processing.

[0080] In step S210, the CPU 31 displays a label length setting screen, including the numerical input unit 51 and the mode selection unit 52, on the display unit 34 or touch panel 37.

[0081] In step S215, the CPU 31 receives print setting information, including the upper limit of the length of the printed label L generated by printing on the label tape TP by the print head 27, via the input unit 33 or touch panel 37, and acquires the print setting information. Step S215 is an example of the setting acceptance process.

[0082] In step S220, the CPU 31 determines whether the user has issued a print command via the input unit 33 or the touch panel 37. If the CPU 31 determines that no print command has been issued (step S220: No), it returns to step S205. As a result, steps S205 to S215 are repeated while the user enters text and print setting information before executing the print. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that a print command has been issued (step S220: Yes), it proceeds to step S225.

[0083] In step S225, the CPU 31 determines the format (e.g., size, character width, character spacing, etc.) for printing the text obtained in step S205 onto the label tape TP, based on the upper limit value obtained in step S215.

[0084] In step S230, the CPU 31 determines the minimum required print length, which is the minimum length of the print label L necessary for the text to be printed in the determined format, based on the text obtained in step S205 and the format determined in step S225. Step S230 is an example of the length determination process.

[0085] In step S235, the CPU 31 determines whether the required print length identified in step S230 is less than or equal to the upper limit obtained in step S215. If the CPU 31 determines that the required print length exceeds the upper limit (step S235: No), it proceeds to step S240.

[0086] In step S240, the CPU 31 modifies the text format determined in step S225 so that the required print length identified in step S230 is less than or equal to the upper limit.

[0087] In step S245, the CPU 31 determines the minimum printable length L required for the modified text to be printed, based on the text obtained in step S205 and the format modified in step S240. Then, it returns to step S235.

[0088] In step S235 above, if the CPU 31 determines that the required printing length is less than or equal to the upper limit (step S235: Yes), it proceeds to step S250. Note that if the required printing length is determined again in step S245 and the system returns to step S235, the required printing length is less than or equal to the upper limit, and therefore the determination in step S235 is satisfied.

[0089] In step S250, the CPU 31 determines the label length of the printable label L to be generated to the required printing length specified in step S230 or step S245. Step S250 is an example of the length determination process.

[0090] In step S255, the CPU 31 outputs a print command to the printer 2 to print the text received in step S205 and generate a printable label L with the label length determined in step S250. The print command includes text data, print setting information, and data such as the label length determined in step S250. The printer 2 receives the print command and creates the printable label L based on the command. Step S255 is an example of the output process. This concludes this flowchart.

[0091] <Effects of the Third Embodiment> As described above, the printing system 1 of this embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment described above. In this embodiment, as with the second embodiment described above, it may be possible to set a lower limit in addition to the upper limit of the length of the printed label L. In this case, the same effects as the second embodiment described above can be obtained. <Modified form of the third embodiment> In the third embodiment described above, the label length setting screen shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b) above is displayed on the touch panel 37 of the information terminal 3 or the display unit 34 of the information terminal 4, but other user interfaces may also be used.

[0092] Figures 11(a) to 11(c) show an example of the label length setting screen displayed on the touch panel 37 of the information terminal 3 or the display unit 34 of the information terminal 4 in this modified example. As shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(c), the user can turn numerical setting on or off, and range setting on or off, for example, by moving the slide button 57. Note that turning range setting on or off becomes possible when numerical setting is turned on.

[0093] As shown in Figure 11(a), when the numerical setting is turned on and the range setting is also turned on, it is equivalent to when the "Range" mode is set, and the user can input a range of label lengths numerically. In this case, for example, numerical input areas 54 and 55 are displayed. Numerical input area 54 is an area for inputting the lower limit, and numerical input area 55 is an area for inputting the upper limit. Alternatively, when the numerical setting is turned on and the range setting is also turned on, the configuration may be such that only the upper limit is input.

[0094] As shown in Figure 11(b), when the numerical setting is turned on and the range setting is turned off, it is equivalent to when the "fixed" mode is set, and the user can input a fixed value for the label length. In this case, for example, the numerical input section 51 is displayed.

[0095] As shown in Figure 11(c), when both the numerical setting and the range setting are turned off, it is equivalent to when "Automatic" mode is selected. In this case, the numerical input section is not displayed.

[0096] In the above modified example, the same effects as those of the third embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0097] In summary, the flowcharts shown in Figures 4, 6, and 10 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowcharts above. Procedures may be added, deleted, or their order changed without departing from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0098] In addition to what has already been described above, the methods described in the above embodiments and their respective modifications may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0099] Furthermore, although not to be exemplified individually, the present invention may be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1. Printing System 2 Printing device 3. Information terminals 4. Information terminals 22 Input section 23a CPU (Control Unit) 27 Print head (printing section) 31 CPU (arithmetic unit) 51 Numerical Input Section (First Area) 52 Mode Selection Section (Second Area) L Printed label (printed material) L1~L8 Printed labels (printed materials) TP Label Tape (Tape)

Claims

1. A printing unit that prints on long pieces of tape, Input section, Control unit and A printing apparatus having, The aforementioned input unit is The system is configured to allow input of both an upper limit and a lower limit for the length of the printed material generated by printing on the tape by the printing unit. The control unit, A first acquisition process that acquires setting information including the upper limit and lower limit set in the input unit, A second acquisition process for acquiring data to be printed on the aforementioned printed material, A specification process to determine the length of the printout necessary for the data acquired in the second acquisition process to be printed, If the length specified in the specified process is less than or equal to the upper limit value included in the setting information acquired in the first acquisition process, a printing process is performed to determine the length of the printed material to be generated to the specified length and to print the data to the printing unit. A printing device that performs this task.

2. The setting information includes, as modes for setting the length of the printed material, a first mode for setting an upper limit for the length of the printed material, and a second mode for setting the length of the printed material as a fixed value. In the first acquisition process, the control unit, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, which acquires the setting information corresponding to the mode selected in the input unit.

3. The control unit further The system executes a screen display process that displays a screen including a first area for entering numerical values ​​and a second area for selecting either the first display information or the second display information. In the first acquisition process described above, The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the first display information is selected in the second area, the setting information for the first mode is obtained with the numerical value entered in the first area set as the upper limit, and when the second display information is selected in the second area, the setting information for the second mode is obtained with the numerical value entered in the first area set as the length of the printed material.

4. The control unit, in the printing process, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the length specified in the specified process is less than the lower limit value included in the setting information obtained in the first acquisition process, the length of the printed material to be generated is determined to be the lower limit value and the printing unit is instructed to print the data.

5. The control unit further, If the length identified in the aforementioned identification process exceeds the upper limit value included in the setting information acquired in the first acquisition process, the modification process changes the form of the text constituting the data so that the length of the printed material required for the text to be printed is less than or equal to the upper limit value. Execute, The length of the printed material required for the text to be printed after the text's form has been changed in the modification process is determined again. A printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the printed material to be generated is determined to the length specified again, and the text is printed on the printed material.

6. To the processing unit installed in the information terminal, A setting acceptance process that accepts setting information including the upper and lower limits of the length of printed materials produced by printing on long-length tape, A text reception process that accepts input of text to be printed on the aforementioned printed material, A length determination process that determines the length of the printout necessary for the text received in the text reception process to be printed, A length determination process is performed to determine the length of the printed material to be generated to the specified length if the length specified in the length determination process is less than or equal to the upper limit value included in the setting information obtained in the setting acceptance process. Output processing to output a print command to a printing device that generates the printed material of the length determined in the length determination process, A print control program to execute the following.

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