JP2010240844A - Label printer, program, and label printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label allowing easy reading of information of a predetermined language and information of translation of this language into another language. <P>SOLUTION: This label printer includes an information acquiring section 51 acquiring Japanese character strings; a translating section 52 translating the acquired Japanese character strings into another language through a translation dictionary; a code image generating section 53 generating two-dimensional codes by encoding the information translated into another language; and a printing means 32 printing the acquired Japanese character strings and two-dimensional codes on a printing tape T. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label printer, a program, and a label printing system for printing predetermined print data on a label medium.

  Conventionally, as this type of label printer, information input means for inputting information (character string) in a predetermined language, translation means for translating the input information into another language, input information, and translated information (character string) ) Is printed on a label medium (see Patent Document 1). This label printer prints information in a predetermined language and information obtained by translating the information into another language, thereby creating a label for informing the user of the information.

JP 2007-79721 A

  However, in such a label printer, character strings in a predetermined language and other languages are printed on a label medium having a small print area, and thus it is necessary to print each character small. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes difficult for the user to read information in a predetermined language and translated information. In particular, when translating into a plurality of other languages and printing a plurality of character strings corresponding to the plurality of other languages, each character becomes more difficult to read.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a label printer, a program, and a label printing system capable of creating a label that can easily read information in a predetermined language and information obtained by translating the information into another language.

  The label printer of the present invention encodes an information acquisition unit that acquires information in a predetermined language, a translation unit that translates the acquired information into another language using a translation dictionary, and information that is translated into another language. A code image generation unit that generates an image, and a printing unit that prints the acquired information and the code image on a label medium are provided.

  In this case, it is preferable that the translation unit translates the acquired information into a plurality of other languages, and the printing unit prints the acquired information and a plurality of code images of a plurality of other languages on a label medium.

  The label print system according to the present invention includes an information input unit for inputting information in a predetermined language, a translation unit for translating the input information into another language by a translation dictionary, and information translated into the other language. An information processing apparatus having a code image generation unit that generates a code image, and a label printer having a printing unit that prints input information and a code image on a label medium. To do.

  According to these configurations, the information translated into another language is converted into a code image and printed together with information in a predetermined language, so that a print space for expressing the translated information can be represented as a character string. Compared to printing, it can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to print a large amount of information in a predetermined language, and it is possible to create a label that can easily read the information in the predetermined language. In addition, since the code image of the translated information is printed, the user can easily read the translated information by reading the code image and displaying the information indicated by the code image by a dedicated reading device. Furthermore, more information can be provided to the user by using the code image.

  In the above-described label printer, the printing unit preferably prints a plurality of code images arranged in a predetermined order.

  According to this configuration, by arranging a plurality of code images in a predetermined order, the arrangement order of the code images can be made common among the plurality of labels to be created. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the correspondence between the code image and the language.

  In this case, it is preferable that the printing unit prints a different background color for each code image.

  According to this configuration, by printing a background of a different color for each code image, the user can more easily recognize the correspondence between the code image and its language.

  In this case, it is preferable that the printing unit prints, for each code image, an image of a national flag of a country whose native language is the other language of the code image in the vicinity of the code image.

  According to this configuration, by printing a national flag image corresponding to the language in the vicinity of each code image, the user can more easily recognize the correspondence between the code image and the language. . The “near the code image” is a concept including not only the adjacent position of the code image but also the code image and the code image.

  The program according to the present invention causes a computer to function as each unit in the above-described label printer.

  According to this configuration, the computer can easily function as the above-described label printer simply by mounting the program on the computer.

It is the figure which showed the example of preparation of a label. 1 is an external view showing a label printing system of an embodiment. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a label printing system. It is the flowchart which showed the label production operation | movement of a label printer.

  Hereinafter, a label printing system to which a label printer of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this label printing system, predetermined print data is printed on a printing tape (label medium), and then a printed portion of the printing tape is cut to create a label. In particular, this label printing system includes a Japanese character string (information in a predetermined language) and a two-dimensional code (code image) of information obtained by translating the character string into other languages (for example, English, Chinese, and Korean), A label (see FIG. 1) on which is printed is created. Here, before describing the label printing system in detail, a label created by the label printing system and its use will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a label 1 created by the label printing system 11 has a Japanese character string 2 and its translation into a plurality of other languages (in this embodiment, English, Chinese, and Korean). A plurality of two-dimensional codes 3 of the information (character strings) are printed. Strictly speaking, a plurality of two-dimensional codes 3 arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction of the label 1 (the tape length direction of the printing tape T) are printed over a wide area of the label 1, and the translation source is displayed in the blank portion above the label 1. Japanese character string 2 is printed. Although not shown in the drawings, the background of different colors is printed on the two-dimensional code 3 of each other language (for example, two-dimensional code 3 such as yellow for English, red for Chinese, blue for Korean, etc.) A predetermined background color is printed every time). The plurality of two-dimensional codes 3 are arranged in a predetermined order. In this way, by sharing the background color and arrangement order of the plurality of two-dimensional codes 3 among the plurality of labels 1 to be created, the relationship between the two-dimensional code 3 and other languages can be more easily recognized. It is like that. Note that an image of a national flag of a country whose native language is each other language may be printed in the vicinity of each corresponding two-dimensional code 3 so that the relationship can be recognized more easily.

  This label 1 is assumed to be used by being attached to a restaurant menu sheet. For example, when it is desired to notify the name of each dish in Japanese and each other language, the label 1 on which the Japanese name of each dish is printed is pasted in the vicinity of the photograph of each dish. As a result, a customer who understands Japanese selects a dish by referring to the Japanese character string 2 on the label 1. On the other hand, a customer who does not understand Japanese and understands any of the above-mentioned other languages reads the two-dimensional code 3 of the other languages on the label 1 with a dedicated reader (such as a mobile phone having a reading function). Information (character string translated into the other language) indicated by the two-dimensional code 3 is displayed on the display unit of the reading device. Consider this and choose a dish. Note that the label 1 may be attached in the vicinity of the Japanese name of the food described in advance in the menu sheet. Further, the label 1 may be created by coding the description of the dish in this way.

  Here, the label printing system 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the label printing system 11 includes a label printer 12 that creates a label, and an information processing device 13 that transmits input information (a Japanese character string) to the label printer 12. ing.

  The information processing apparatus 13 has the same configuration as that of a general computer, and includes an input unit 21, a connection unit 22, and a control unit 23 that controls them. The input unit 21 is a user interface for allowing a user to input a Japanese character string 2 (input information) to be printed, and includes a display 24, a keyboard 25, and the like. The connection unit 22 connects the label printer 12 via the LAN 27 (or cable), and transmits the input information (Japanese character string 2) from the input unit 21 to the label printer 12.

  The label printer 12 has a mouse-like shape as a whole, and includes a connection unit 31, a printing unit (printing unit) 32, a cutting unit 33, and a control unit 34 for controlling them. The connection unit 31 is connected to the information processing apparatus 13 via the LAN 27 and receives input information from the information processing apparatus 13. The printing means 32 prints the print data D (see FIG. 1) on the print tape T that is fed out from the tape reel wound in a reel shape. The cutting means 33 cuts the printed part of the printing tape T. That is, the printing unit 32 prints the print data D on the printing tape T, and the cutting unit 33 cuts the printed portion of the printing tape T, thereby creating the label 1.

  Here, the print tape T to be processed will be described. The printing tape T is composed of a recording tape having a back surface coated with an adhesive and a release tape attached to the recording tape with the adhesive. The user peels off the peeling tape from the tape piece (label 1) of the printing tape T cut off after the printing process, and affixes the recording tape to the adherend (menu sheet).

  The control means 34 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42 storing a control program for performing various control processes by the CPU 41, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) serving as a work area for various control processes. ) 43 and an input / output control device (IOC: Input Output Controller) 44 for inputting / outputting input data and control signals to / from each part of the label printer 12, and these are connected to each other by an internal bus. The CPU 41 inputs various signals and data from each part of the label printer 12 via the IOC 44 according to the control program in the ROM 42. Further, the CPU 41 processes various data in the RAM 43 based on the various signals / data input, and outputs various signals / data to each part of the label printer 12 via the IOC 44 to control the printing process.

  In the ROM 42, an input information acquisition program 51, a translation program 52, a two-dimensional code generation program 53, a print data generation program 54, and a print processing program 55 are stored as control programs.

  The input information acquisition program 51 is a program for acquiring input information. The control means 34 that executes the input information acquisition program 51 acquires input information (Japanese character string 2) from the information processing apparatus 13 via the connection means 31 (information acquisition unit).

  The translation program 52 is a program that translates input information into a plurality of other languages using a translation dictionary. The translation dictionary here is a database in which Japanese character strings 2 are associated with character strings obtained by translating them into other languages. The control means 34 that executes the translation program 52 acquires each character string obtained by translating the input information into each other language from the translation dictionary (translation unit). This translation dictionary may be stored on the label printer 12 (in the ROM 42) or may be stored in the information processing apparatus 13. In the latter case, the translation dictionary is acquired via the connection means 31. Alternatively, it may be stored in an external server on the Internet and acquired via an interface (not shown).

  The two-dimensional code generation program 53 is a program that codes information translated into a plurality of other languages and generates each two-dimensional code 3. The control means 34 that executes the two-dimensional code generation program 53 generates the image data of the two-dimensional code 3 by encoding the character string translated into each other language (English, Chinese, and Korean) (code image) Generator).

  The print data generation program 54 is a program that generates print data D to be printed on the print tape T. The control means 34 that executes the print data generation program 54 uses the acquired input information and the generated image data of each two-dimensional code 3, and prints the print data D to be printed with the predetermined layout shown in FIG. Generate. Note that the background and national flag images of the two-dimensional code 3 are also incorporated into the print data D as a layout.

  The print processing program 55 is a program for creating the label 1 by printing the print data D on the print tape T. The control means 34 that executes the print processing program 55 feeds out the print tape T by the printing means 32 and prints the print data D, and cuts (separates) the printed portion of the print tape T by the cutting means 33. A) Label 1 is created.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 4, the label production operation by the label printer 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, this operation is executed by using the input information acquisition program 51 as a trigger to acquire input information (Japanese character string 2).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the control means 34 acquires input information from the information processing apparatus 13 (S1: Yes), the translation program 52 translates the acquired input information into a plurality of other languages (S2). Thereafter, the information translated into each other language is coded by the two-dimensional code generation program 53 to generate image data of each two-dimensional code 3 (S3).

  After generating the image data of each two-dimensional code 3, the print data generation program 54 generates print data D for printing them based on the input information and each image data (S4). Finally, the print processing program 55 prints the print data D on the print tape T and separates the printed portion of the print tape T (S5). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 1, a label 1 on which a Japanese character string 2 and each two-dimensional code 3 of information obtained by translating the character string 2 into other languages is printed.

  According to the configuration as described above, the print space for expressing the translated information by converting the information translated into another language into the two-dimensional code 3 and printing it together with the translation source information (input information). Can be reduced as compared with the case where each information is printed as a character string. Therefore, the information of the translation source can be printed greatly, and the label 1 from which the information of the translation source can be easily read can be created. Further, in order to print the two-dimensional code 3 of the translated information, the user can easily read the translated information by reading the two-dimensional code 3 with a dedicated reading device and displaying the information indicated by the two-dimensional code 3. Can be read. Furthermore, by using the two-dimensional code 3, more information can be provided to the user. Instead of the two-dimensional code 3, a color code or a one-dimensional code (bar code or the like) may be used.

  In this embodiment, the information of the translation source is acquired by inputting the information of the translation source (information in a predetermined language). However, the displayed information is read by a reading device such as a scanner. The translation source information may be acquired. For example, a character string of a dish name described on a menu sheet may be read by a reading device to obtain translation source information, or a translation source may be read by reading a two-dimensional code 3 or a one-dimensional code on the menu sheet. You may acquire the information. In this case, the information acquisition unit in the claims includes a connection mechanism (not shown) connected to the reading device.

  In the present embodiment, the label printer 12 has a configuration including a translation unit and a code image generation unit. Instead, the information processing device 13 includes a translation unit and a code image generation unit. The configuration may be such that the information input by the input unit (information input unit) 21 is translated and encoded to generate the two-dimensional code 3. In this case, the information processing apparatus 13 transmits the two-dimensional code 3 (image data thereof) or the print data D to the label printer 12.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 13 has a configuration having an input unit (input unit 21), but the label printer 12 may have a configuration having an input unit (character key group).

  In the present embodiment, the Japanese character string 2 is used as information on the translation source, but character strings in other languages may be used as information on the translation source. The other languages are English, Chinese, and Korean, but other languages may be used as other languages. Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which a user can each select the language of a translation origin, and another language.

  In addition, in the label 1 to be created, the image of the flag and the English language name (“English”, “Chinese”, etc.) It may be printed. The background of the two-dimensional code 3 may be an image showing each other language or a country whose native language is each other language. In this case, it is preferable to use an image that does not use the color used for the two-dimensional code 3 so as not to hinder the reading of the two-dimensional code 3.

  In the present embodiment, the two-dimensional code 3 is generated for each of a plurality of pieces of information translated into a plurality of other languages. However, a plurality of pieces of information translated into a plurality of other languages are recorded in one two-dimensional code 3. It may be configured to do so. In this case, it is preferable to set a language that can be read by the customer in the dedicated reading device, and extract and display only the information of the language.

  2: Japanese character string, 3: Two-dimensional code, 11: Label printing system, 12: Label printer, 13: Information processing device, 21: Input unit, 31: Connection means, 32: Printing means, 34: Control means 51: Input information acquisition program 52: Translation program 53: Two-dimensional code generation program T: Printing tape

Claims (7)

An information acquisition unit for acquiring information in a predetermined language;
A translation unit that translates the acquired information into another language using a translation dictionary;
A code image generation unit that codes information translated into another language and generates a code image;
A label printer comprising: a printing unit that prints the acquired information and the code image on a label medium. The translation unit translates the acquired information into a plurality of other languages,
The label printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit prints the acquired information and the plurality of code images of other languages on the label medium.   The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints the plurality of code images in a predetermined order.   The label printer according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit prints a different background color for each code image.   The said printing part prints the image of the national flag of the country which uses the other language of the said code image as a native language in the vicinity of the said code image for every said code image. Label printer described in 1.   The program for functioning a computer as each part in the label printer in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. An information input unit for inputting information in a predetermined language;
A translation unit that translates the input information into another language using a translation dictionary;
An information processing apparatus having a code image generation unit that encodes information translated into another language and generates a code image;
A label printing system comprising: a label printer having a printing unit that prints the input information and the code image on a label medium.

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