JP4266769B2 - Printer system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printer system, and more particularly to a printer system in which a host computer (hereinafter simply referred to as a host) and a printer are connected via a communication line and printing is performed by the printer in accordance with an instruction from the host.

Generally, in this type of printer system, print data and label size data as a print medium are input by a host and transmitted to a printer via a communication line. The printer sets the print start position and the like based on the received size data, and the print data is drawn on the image data. Based on the size data and the image data, the printer performs predetermined printing on the label.
By the way, in a conventional general printer system, size data different from the size of the label loaded in the printer is input from the host and transmitted to the printer, or the label size data is not set by the operator. When the incorrect size data is sent, the size of the label actually loaded and the received size data are not appropriate in the printer, so the print data is printed out of the label, or the error has stopped. .
Also, the input of size data from the host is performed after the operator confirms the size of the label loaded in the printer.

Therefore, in the printer, it is determined whether the loaded label is appropriate for the size data received from the host immediately before the printing operation. If the result is not appropriate, a warning is issued without printing operation, and the label sticks out of the label. There has been proposed a printer system that prevents printing (for example, see Patent Document 1).
When the printer is turned on, the label loaded in the printer is detected, the label size data obtained by the detection is set in the printer and transmitted to the host, and the host uses the label size data based on the label size data. There has been proposed a printer system that generates print data, transmits it to a printer, and issues a print (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Furthermore, when the printer is turned on, the label loaded in the printer is detected, the label size data obtained by the detection is set in the printer, and the host only creates print data without recognizing the label size. A printer which prints the print data and transmits the print data to the printer, and resizes the print data so that it fits the loaded label based on the set size data. A system has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-194529 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-30071 JP-A-11-71034

However, in the printer system described in Patent Document 1 described above, when the printing operation is stopped and a warning is issued when the label loaded for the size data is not appropriate, the printing operation of the printer is temporarily stopped and the operation is interrupted. Therefore, there is a problem that the working efficiency of the operator is lowered.
Further, in Patent Document 2, in the case of a printer system in which print data is generated and transmitted to a printer based on label size data received from a printer at a host, and is issued by the printer, for example, a plurality of hosts In a network system in which the printer is connected to a single printer, if the label is exchanged by another host operator during print data creation, the data must be created again when printing is issued. Alternatively, there is a problem that the error stops due to the fact that the label sticks out as it is and is printed.
Further, in Patent Document 3, when print data is received from the host by the printer, the printer system that resizes the received print data so as to fit the loaded label and issues the print is permitted. There is a problem in that even a label having a size outside the range is printed, and many labels are wasted.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and even if the size of the label specified in the host is different from the size of the label actually loaded in the printer, the operator can accept it. An object of the present invention is to provide a printer system capable of printing and issuing a label that conforms to the label without stopping an error if the label has a size within the range.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer system that does not print on a label having a size outside the range allowed by the operator.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when a label is exchanged by an operator of another host in a network system in which a plurality of hosts are connected to a printer, it is not necessary to create data again for setting the label size. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printer system capable of improving the efficiency of operator work.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention focuses on a printer system, and the print data and paper size transmitted from the host computer via a communication line capable of bidirectional data communication with the host computer. A printer that prints on a sheet based on the printer, the printer having a sheet size detecting unit that detects the size of the sheet, and a transmission unit that transmits the detected size of the sheet to the host computer. The host computer generates print data to be printed on the paper based on the paper size transmitted by the transmission means, and a paper size designation means for designating a plurality of different paper sizes. And have.
Then, the printer system sends the created print data and the specified plurality of different paper sizes from the host computer to the printer, and sets the plurality of different paper sizes received by the printer. When the size of the paper loaded in the printer is contained, the print data is printed in conformity with the paper.

As described above, the effects listed below can be obtained in the present invention.
In the printer system according to the present invention, even if the size of the paper specified in the host computer is different from the size of the paper actually loaded in the printer, the printer system stops the error if the paper is within the range allowed by the operator. Without printing, there is an effect that printing can be issued so as to match the label.
Further, since printing is not performed on paper having a size outside the range allowed by the operator, there is an effect that printing can be issued without wasting paper.
In addition, even when the paper loaded in the printer is replaced by another operator during print data creation and the paper size is changed, if the paper size is within the range allowed by the operator, the paper setting Therefore, there is no need to create data again, so that the operator's work efficiency can be improved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

A printer system according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer system 100, FIG. 2 is a side view of the printer 200 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printer system 100 shown in FIG.

  1, the printer system 100 is configured by connecting a printer 200 and a host 300 via a communication line 1 such as a LAN. The host 300 is operated by a program, print data is created by an operator, the print data is transmitted to the connected printer 200 via the communication line 1, and the printer 200 performs printing operation.

Referring to FIG. 2, the printer 200 includes a supply unit 2, a printing unit 3, a sensor 4, a cutter 5, and a control unit 10 that controls each unit.
The supply unit 2 is a roll in which a plurality of labels 7 are temporarily attached to the surface of a strip-like mount 6 so as to be adjacent to each other at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the mount 6 so as to be peelable and wound in a roll shape. The paper 8 is rotatably held by the supply shaft 9.

The printing unit 3 includes a print head 11 and a platen roller 12, and the print head 11 is provided so as to be able to contact with and separate from the platen roller 12. The platen roller 12 is rotationally driven by a stepping motor (hereinafter simply referred to as a motor 13), which will be described later, and roll paper 8 drawn out from the supply unit 2 and drawn out to the printing unit 3 side through the guide roller 14 is connected to the printing head 11. Between the supply unit 2 and the printing unit 3 is formed as a conveyance path. Further, the ink ribbon 15 to which the heat-soluble ink is applied is fed out from the supply reel 16 disposed above the print head 11 and overlaps the roll paper 8 between the print head 11 and the platen roller 12. It is inserted and taken up by the take-up reel 17.
The print head 11 performs printing by transferring the ink to the label 7 by dissolving the ink of the conveyed ink ribbon 15 by heat.
In addition, when using thermal paper in which a coloring layer is formed in advance on the label 7, the ink ribbon 15 is not used because the coloring layer is colored by the heat of the print head 11 for printing.

  A sensor 4 composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided on the transport path between the supply unit 2 and the printing unit 3 for the roll paper 8, and the light emitting element is moved from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element toward the roll paper 8. The position of the label 7 and the length in the transport direction of the label 7 (hereinafter simply referred to as label length L) are detected based on the intensity of light received by the light receiving element, and a detection signal is output to the control unit 10 To do.

The cutter 5 is composed of a movable blade and a fixed blade, and cuts the conveyed roll paper 8 in the width direction at a predetermined position to form a single-leaf label 7.
The control unit 10 controls each unit described above according to a program.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the control unit 10 of the printer 200 mainly includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a flash ROM 24, a motor control unit 25, a sensor control unit 26, a print control unit 27, and a cutter control unit. 28, an external interface 29, and an interface 30, each of which is connected via a bus 31.

The CPU 21 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 22 and controls each unit.
The RAM 23 functions as a work area and temporarily stores various data.
The flash ROM 24 is a ROM that can be electrically erased and written any number of times. Since the memory does not disappear even if power is not supplied from the outside, the stored contents are preserved even when the printer 200 is turned off. Is done. The flash ROM 24 stores setting information of the printer 200 and the like.
The motor control unit 25 drives the motor 13 to rotate the platen roller 12 and convey the roll paper 8.
The sensor control unit 26 inputs a detection signal from the sensor 4 and controls other various driving units via the CPU 21 based on the detection signal to position the label 7 at a predetermined position.
The print control unit 27 develops print data to be printed on the label 7 into image data, generates a corresponding control signal, and supplies the control signal to the print head 11 for printing operation.
The cutter control unit 28 operates the cutter 5 to cut the roll paper 8 conveyed in the width direction at a predetermined position for each label 7.
The external interface 29 can send and receive various data to and from the host 300 connected to the outside via the communication line 1.
Further, an input unit 33 for inputting various data and a display unit 32 for displaying data and various information input from the input unit 33 are connected via an interface 30.

  Referring to FIG. 3, the host 300 mainly includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a hard disk (hereinafter simply referred to as HD 44), an interface 46, a display unit 48 and an input unit 49 connected by the interface 46. An external interface 45 connected to the external peripheral device (the printer 200 in the present case) via the communication line 1, and the respective units are connected and configured via a bus 47.

The HD 44 stores various operation systems (OS), various application software, and various data. In addition, various kinds of data store a plurality of different label lengths La to Le, which are generally issued frequently, which will be described later.
The CPU 41 operates according to a control program stored in the ROM 42 or the HD 44 and controls each unit.
The RAM 43 functions as a work area and temporarily stores various data.
The external interface 45 can transmit / receive various data to / from the printer 200 connected to the outside.
Further, an input unit 49 such as a keyboard or a mouse for inputting various data and a display unit 48 for displaying data and various information input from the input unit 49 are connected via an interface 46.

Next, the printing control in the printer system 100 having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining printing control in the printer system 100 having the above-described configuration, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a label length designation screen 50 displayed on the display unit 48 of the host 300.

  Referring to FIG. 4, the printer 200 is initialized (step S <b> 1) to confirm the operation of each unit when the power is turned on, and is mounted on the mount 6 of the roll paper 8 loaded in the supply unit 2 by the sensor 4. Detection of the continuously attached label 7 and detection of the label length L are performed (step S2).

  Then, the detected label length La is set in the printer 200, and the print start position and the like are corrected based on the set label length La (step S3).

Next, the detected label length La is transmitted to the host 300. (Step S4).
The host 300 creates print data to be printed on the label 7 based on the received label length La (step S5).
Note that the processing in steps S2 and S3 is performed each time the roll paper 8 loaded in the printer 200 is replaced. In this case, detection is performed in response to a request from the host 300. The label length La thus transmitted is transmitted to the requested host 300.

Next, in order to designate the label length L of the label 7 to be printed, the label length designation screen 50 is displayed on the display unit 48 of the host 300 (step S6).
A label length designation screen 50 displayed on the display unit 48 of the host 300 is shown in FIG. According to FIG. 5, a plurality of different label lengths La to Le stored in the HD 44 by program processing are displayed on the display unit 48 as corresponding label icons 54 a to 54 e, respectively, and further received from the printer 200. Depending on the label length La, a label 51 is attached to the label icon 54a of the label length La, and is displayed so as to be different from the label icons 54b to 54e of the other label lengths Lb to Le. Thereby, the label length La of the label 7 loaded in the printer 200 can be recognized.

Then, the label length L of the label 7 to be printed is designated by an input from the operator input unit 49 (step S7). Here, a plurality of designated label lengths L can be designated. In other words, the label icon 54a with the received label length La and the label icons 54b and 54c with the label length Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator can be specified, and a plurality of hosts can be assigned to one printer 200. In the case of a connected network system, the roll paper 8 loaded in the printer 200 is replaced and the label length La is changed by the operator of another host during the creation of print data by the operator in step S5. Even in such a case, if the label lengths Lb and Lc are within the range allowed by the operator, the printer 200 causes the label 7 to perform a printing operation.
In FIG. 5, a selection frame 53 is displayed by moving the cursor 52 by the input unit 49. The label icon 54 a of the received label length La and the label length within the range allowed by the operator are surrounded by the selection frame 53. Label icons 54b and 54c for Lb and Lc are selected.

  The print data created in step S5 and a plurality of different label lengths La to Lc corresponding to the plurality of label icons 54a to 54c designated in step S7 are transmitted to the printer 200 (step S8).

The printer 200 analyzes the print data received from the host 300 and a plurality of different label lengths La to Lc (step S9), and the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is the label length La transmitted in step S4. It is determined whether or not the same (step S10).
As a result, when the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is the same as the label length La transmitted in step S4, that is, the operator of the host 300 is based on the label length La transmitted in step S4. When the roll paper 8 loaded in the printer 200 is not replaced by the operator of another host and the label length La is not changed during the generation of the print data and transmission to the printer 200 (steps S5 to S8). The print data is developed into image data and a control signal is generated (step S13), and the printing operation is started with the setting of the label length La (step S14).

  On the other hand, when the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is different from the label length La transmitted in step S4, that is, the operator of the host 300 prints the print data based on the label length La transmitted in step S4. When the roll paper 8 loaded in the printer 200 is replaced by the operator of another host 300 and the label length La is changed during the generation and transmission to the printer 200 (steps S5 to S8), the process proceeds to step S11. Transition.

Then, it is determined whether or not the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is included in the label lengths Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator of the host 300 specified in step S7 (step S11).
As a result, when it is determined that it is included in the label lengths Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator, editing is performed so as to conform to the label lengths Lb and Lc (step S12). For example, when the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is larger than the label length La transmitted in step S4, the print data is enlarged to match the label length Lc and set in the current printer 200. If the label length L is a label length Lb smaller than the label length La transmitted in step S4, the print data is reduced so as to match the label length Lb.
After the adaptation process, the print data is developed into image data, a control signal is generated (step S13), and the printing operation is started (step S14).

On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not included in the label lengths Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator of the host 300, that is, the label length L currently set in the printer 200 is within the range allowed by the operator of the host 300. When the label length is outside the label length Ld, Le, the error is stopped and the fact is notified to the operator of the host 300 (step S15).
When all the labels 7 are issued, the printing operation is completed.

Thus, according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the printer system 100 is configured so that the label length La designated in the host 300 and the label length L of the label 7 actually loaded in the printer 200 are different. However, the label 7 having the label lengths Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator can be printed and issued so as to conform to the label 7 without stopping the error.
Further, since the label 7 having the label lengths Ld and Le outside the range allowed by the operator is not printed, the label 7 can be printed and printed without being wasted.
Even when the roll paper 8 loaded in the printer 200 is replaced by another operator and the label length La is changed during print data creation, the labels 7 with the label lengths Lb and Lc within the range allowed by the operator are displayed. If so, it is not necessary to specify the label length L again, so that the efficiency of the operator's work can be improved.

In the best mode for carrying out the present invention, a plurality of labels 7 are temporarily attached to the surface of a belt-like mount 6 so as to be adjacent to each other at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the mount 6 so as to be peelable. The roll paper 8 wound in a roll shape is not limited to this, but the detection marks detected by the sensor 4 are attached to the back surface of the belt-like paper at regular intervals in the transport direction. A roll paper 8 that is cut for each detection mark to form a single sheet may be used.
Needless to say, modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer system according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a printer according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control unit of the printer system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing label issuance in the printer system according to the present invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the label length L designation screen displayed on the display part of the host which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication line 2 Supply part 3 Print part 4 Sensor 5 Cutter 6 Mount 7 Label 7 Roll paper 9 Supply shaft 10 Control part 11 Print head 12 Platen roller 13 Motor 14 Guide roller 15 Ink ribbon 16 Supply reel 17 Take-up reel 21,41 CPU
22,42 ROM
23, 43 RAM
24 Flash ROM
25 Motor control unit 26 Sensor control unit 27 Print control unit 28 Cutter control unit 29, 45 External interface 30, 46 Interface 31, 47 Bus 32, 48 Display unit 33, 49 Input unit 44 HD
50 Label length L designation screen 51 Mark 52 Cursor 53 Selection frame 54a, 54b, 54c, 54d, 54e Label icon 100 Printer system 200 Printer 300 Host L, La, Lb, Lc, Ld, Le Label length

Claims (1)

A printer system comprising: a host computer; and a printer that performs printing on a sheet based on print data and a sheet size transmitted from the host computer via a communication line capable of bidirectional data communication.
The printer is
Paper size detection means for detecting the size of the paper;
Transmission means for transmitting the size of the paper detected by the paper size detection means to the host computer,
The host computer
Print data creation means for creating print data to be printed on the paper based on the paper size transmitted by the transmission means;
Paper size designation means that can designate a plurality of different paper sizes.
From the host computer, the created print data and a plurality of designated different paper sizes are transmitted to the printer,
A printer system, wherein when the sizes of the plurality of different sheets received by the printer include the sizes of sheets loaded in the printer, the print data is printed in conformity with the sheets.

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