JP7631940B2 - Printing device and printing control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device and a printing control method.

Label printers, which print characters and images on tape, a long, narrow, strip-shaped printing medium, to create labels, are a type of printing device that is widely used. In many cases, the tape is wound lengthwise into a roll and attached to a tape cartridge, and the tape cartridge is replaceable in the main body of the label printer. After printing, the tape is ejected outside the label printer and cut using a cutting mechanism provided in the label printer to create labels of the specified length.

Recently, label printers have become capable of printing on a variety of different types of tape. Tape type refers to factors such as width, color, and material. However, there are cases where the type of tape specified in the print data entered by the user does not match the type of tape loaded in the label printer.

Patent document 1 describes a technology that, when a print command is issued, determines whether the tape width set in the print data matches the current tape width, and if they do not match, displays a dialogue screen on the display unit that prompts the user to change the tape, or enlarges or reduces the print content to match the tape width before printing.

JP 2013-15950 A

With the diversification of tape types used in label printers, it is becoming increasingly common for users not to own all types of tape. In addition, due to bulk purchases, users may only own a certain type of tape. In such cases, simply issuing a notification to encourage tape replacement, as in Patent Document 1, may result in the user being instructed to replace the tape with a tape that they do not currently own or a tape that is difficult to obtain. This can lead to problems such as not being able to continue printing until the specified tape is newly obtained, or not being able to make effective use of the tape that the user already owns. In addition, if the print content is enlarged or reduced to fit the tape width, the label may end up being a size that the user does not desire.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a printing device and a printing control method that can improve the efficiency of printing work and tape utilization.

A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an input unit through which a user inputs printing data, a display unit that displays information, a printing unit that prints the print contents of the printing data on tape, a memory unit that stores the usage history of tape used in previous printing, a tape identification unit that identifies the type of tape currently installed, and a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the printing data and the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit are different, causes the display unit to display a message suggesting a type of tape to use based on the usage history stored in the memory unit, and the notification control unit suggests a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history .

A printing control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a printing control method for printing the print contents of printing data input by a user onto tape, the method storing the usage history of a tape used in previous printing in a memory unit, identifying the type of tape currently attached by a tape identification unit, and, if the type of tape specified in the printing data is different from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, causing an alarm control unit to perform control to suggest a type of tape to use based on the usage history stored in the memory unit , and the step of suggesting a type of tape to use based on the usage history stored in the memory unit includes a step of suggesting a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history .

The printing device and printing control method described above can improve the efficiency of printing operations and the efficiency of tape usage.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a printing unit that constitutes the printing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of the printing apparatus. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of countermeasure control when the tape types do not match.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a printing device 1 of this embodiment. The printing device 1 is composed of a print control unit 10 and a print unit 20. The print control unit 10 issues instructions to the print unit 20 regarding the print contents, and is specifically an electronic device such as a smartphone. The print unit 20 is a label printer that creates labels by performing label creation processes such as printing, transporting, and cutting on tape T (see FIG. 2), which is a strip-shaped print medium, in response to instructions from the print control unit 10.

The print control unit 10 is equipped with a touch panel display 12 on the front of the housing 11. The touch panel display 12 is a display unit that displays various information related to label creation, and also an input unit through which the user inputs print data. The user inputs print data, such as text and other print content, and the type of tape T to be used in label creation. In addition to inputting print data, the user also inputs various operation commands related to label creation to the touch panel display 12. A label creation application is installed in the print control unit 10, and input and display related to label creation are performed while the label creation application is running. The various processes described below are realized as functions of the label creation application.

The print control unit 10 and the print unit 20 can send and receive data to each other through the communication units 13 and 14 (see FIG. 3). Print data input by the user to the print control unit 10 is sent to the print unit 20. In this embodiment, the communication units 13 and 14 are of a type that communicate wirelessly, but they may also communicate via a wired connection.

The printing unit 20 has a main body 21 that has the function of performing label creation processing, and a lid 22 that can be opened and closed relative to the main body 21. Figure 1 shows the lid 22 in a closed state, and Figure 2 shows the lid 22 removed from the main body 21. The main body 21 and the lid 22 are provided with a locking mechanism 23 (part of which is shown in Figure 2) that holds the lid 22 in a closed state. By pressing an open button 24 provided on the main body 21, the locking mechanism 23 can be released and the lid 22 can be opened.

The outer surface of the lid 22 is provided with a number of operation buttons 25. By operating the operation buttons 25, the power of the printing unit 20 can be turned on and off, the tape T can be transported, and the like. In addition, the network connection settings used for communication with the print control unit 10 can also be set by operating the operation buttons 25.

A tape discharge outlet 26 is formed on the outer surface of the printing unit 20. The tape discharge outlet 26 is a portion for discharging the tape T (printed label) that has been subjected to label creation processing by the printing unit 20 to the outside.

Next, the structure related to the label creation process in the printing unit 20 will be described, mainly with reference to FIG. 2. The label creation process performed by the printing unit 20 includes transporting the tape T using the platen roller 27, which is a transport unit, printing on the tape T using the thermal head 28, which is a printing unit, and cutting the tape T using the tape cutter 29, which is a cutting unit. The platen roller 27, thermal head 28, and tape cutter 29 are provided inside the main body 21.

A cartridge storage section 30 is formed in the main body 21. The cartridge storage section 30 is a recess that opens toward the side covered by the lid 22 when closed, and is capable of storing a tape cartridge 40 inside. By opening the lid 22, the cartridge storage section 30 is exposed, and the tape cartridge 40 can be attached and detached to the cartridge storage section 30. Figure 2 shows the state in which the tape cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge storage section 30.

The tape cartridge 40 is a case for housing the tape T and the ink ribbon K. The tape T is stored in the tape cartridge 40 in a rolled state wound around the tape core 41. Inside the tape cartridge 40, in addition to the tape core 41 that supports the tape T, an ink ribbon supply core 42 and an ink ribbon take-up core 43 are provided. The ink ribbon K is wound in a roll around the ink ribbon supply core 42, and the tip of the ink ribbon K pulled out from the ink ribbon supply core 42 is wound around the ink ribbon take-up core 43.

The printing unit 20 is capable of printing on multiple types of tape T, and multiple types of tape cartridges 40 with partially different shapes are prepared to correspond to each type of tape T. When the tape cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge storage section 30, a tape identification sensor 31 provided inside the cartridge storage section 30 detects the difference in shape of the tape cartridge 40 and can identify the type of tape T. The printing unit 20 controls printing and transport according to the type of tape T detected.

The tape identification sensor 31 is one example of a tape identification unit, and other tape identification units may be used. For example, a recording medium such as an IC chip that records the type of tape T may be attached to the tape cartridge 40, and a tape identification unit that reads the record on the recording medium may be used.

The type of tape T identified by the tape identification sensor 31 includes the tape width, tape color, tape material, etc. The ink ribbon K housed in the tape cartridge 40 together with the tape T is pre-selected according to the type of tape T. For example, a light-colored tape T such as white is combined with a dark-colored ink ribbon K such as black, and conversely, a dark-colored tape T is combined with a light-colored ink ribbon K to ensure the readability of the printed content against the tape T background.

A tape core engagement shaft 32 and an ink ribbon winding drive shaft 33 are provided inside the cartridge storage section 30. When the tape cartridge 40 is stored in the cartridge storage section 30, the tape core 41 engages with the tape core engagement shaft 32, and the ink ribbon winding core 43 engages with the ink ribbon winding drive shaft 33. Then, the tape T pulled out from the tape core 41 and the ink ribbon K stretched across the ink ribbon supply core 42 and the ink ribbon winding core 43 can pass between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 in an overlapping state.

The platen roller 27 is a roller that transports the tape T and the ink ribbon K. The platen roller 27 is rotated by the driving force of a transport motor (not shown). The tape T and the ink ribbon K that are unwound from the tape cartridge 40 are sandwiched between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28. By rotating the platen roller 27 in this state, the tape T is transported in the longitudinal direction. The ink ribbon take-up drive shaft 33 is rotated in synchronization with the platen roller 27, and the ink ribbon K is unwound from the ink ribbon supply core 42 along with the transport of the tape T. As a result, the tape T and the ink ribbon K are transported between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 in an overlapping state.

The thermal head 28 is a print head that prints on the tape T. The thermal head 28 has multiple heating elements arranged in the main scanning direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (transport direction) of the tape T. By heating the ink ribbon K with the heating elements of the thermal head 28, the ink in the heated portion of the ink ribbon K is transferred to the tape T, and printing is performed by the thermal transfer method. The used ink ribbon K that has passed between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 is wound up on the ink ribbon take-up core 43.

The printed tape T that has passed between the platen roller 27 and the thermal head 28 is transported in the discharge direction (to the right in FIG. 2) by the rotation of the platen roller 27. A tape cutter 29 is provided at a position further in the discharge direction than the thermal head 28. The tape cutter 29 has a blade that can move perpendicularly to the transport direction of the tape T, and cuts the tape T by moving the blade. The movement of the blade of the tape cutter 29 may be configured to be performed either manually by the user or by driving a cutter drive motor.

The tape T cut by the tape cutter 29 is discharged from the tape discharge port 26 to the outside of the printing unit 20 as a completed label. In this way, a label is created on which the printing content specified by the user is printed.

However, there are cases where the type of tape T specified by the user when creating print data with the print control unit 10 differs from the type of tape T actually attached to the print unit 20. The tape T specified in the print data input to the print control unit 10 is referred to as the designated tape T1, and the tape T attached to the print unit 20 is referred to as the current tape T2. The printing device 1 has a function that makes certain suggestions and provides information to the user when the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match. The details of this function are described below.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the print control unit 10 and the print unit 20. The print control unit 10 is equipped with a computer 50 that controls each part of the print control unit 10 in an overall manner. The print unit 20 is equipped with a computer 51 that controls each part of the print unit 20 in an overall manner. Each of the computers 50 and 51 includes at least a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory).

The computer 51 of the printing unit 20 has a tape usage history storage unit 52, which is a storage unit that stores the tape usage history. The tape usage history storage unit 52 stores the types of tape T used in previous printing going back a predetermined number of prints. The usage history information stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 includes the number of times each type of tape T has been used and chronological information on the use. Therefore, by sorting based on the number of times, it is possible to obtain the tape usage history in order of frequency of use, and by sorting based on time, it is possible to obtain the tape usage history in order of most recent use.

The printing unit 20 transmits information on the type of the current tape T2 detected by the tape identification sensor 31 described above and tape usage history information stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 from the communication unit 14. The print control unit 10 receives this information transmitted from the printing unit 20 through the communication unit 13.

The print data input by the user to the print control unit 10 is stored in the print data storage unit 53 of the computer 50. The print data stored in the print data storage unit 53 includes the print content such as text and information about the specified tape T1.

The computer 50 of the print control unit 10 has a tape match determination unit 54. The tape match determination unit 54 determines whether the types of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 match or do not match based on the information on the designated tape T1 included in the print data stored in the print data storage unit 53 and the information on the current tape T2 sent from the print unit 20.

The computer 50 of the print control unit 10 further has a notification control unit 55. When the tape match determination unit 54 determines that the tape does not match, the notification control unit 55 controls the touch panel display 12 to display a specific message and present the user with a solution. This presentation is not simply a warning of an error state, but also includes a suggestion of a recommended tape based on the tape usage history stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the print unit 20.

Examples of the presentation of countermeasures under the control of the notification control unit 55 are shown in Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 shows a first form in which suggestions are made based on the order of frequency of use of the tape usage history (highest frequency of use). The second form shown in Fig. 5 is a modified version of the first form in which suggestions are made taking into account the width and color of the tape in addition to the order of frequency of use of the tape usage history. Fig. 6 shows a third form in which suggestions are made based on the order of most recent use of the tape usage history (newest usage). Screen displays 1 to 13 shown in Figs. 4 to 6 show the progression of screen displays on the touch panel display 12.

The first form will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the first form, the specified tape T1 in the printing data entered by the user is "tape T is white, ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width is 12 mm." The current tape T2 detected by the tape identification sensor 31 of the printing unit 20 is "tape T is white, ink ribbon K is black (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width is 9 mm."

The usage history stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the printing unit 20 is a type A tape with "brown tape T, beige ink ribbon K (beige characters printed on a brown background), and a tape width of 12 mm," a type B tape with "black tape T, white ink ribbon K (white characters printed on a black background), and a tape width of 9 mm," a type C tape with "black tape T, white ink ribbon K (white characters printed on a black background), and a tape width of 18 mm," a type D tape with "white tape T, black ink ribbon K (black characters printed on a white background), and a tape width of 12 mm," and a type E tape with "white tape T, black ink ribbon K (black characters printed on a white background), and a tape width of 18 mm." When arranged in order of frequency of use, the top is type A, type B, type C, type D, and type E (see Figure 4). When arranged in order of most recent use, the top is type C, type E, type B, type A, and type D (see Figure 6). Note that, here, when sorting by frequency of use or by most recent use, the top five are types A to E. Tape types other than types A to E (those used less frequently or those used a long time ago) may also be stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52.

If there is a mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, the notification control unit 55 displays the contents of screen display 1 shown in Figure 4. In this case, the mismatch is in the tape width, so a warning message stating "Tape widths differ" is displayed, and the specifications of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 are displayed. Of these specifications, the difference in tape width is underlined to emphasize it.

Screen display 1 also displays the question "Suggest a different tape?". The printing control unit 10 (alert control unit 55) is the entity that makes the suggestion, and the suggestion is to present recommended tapes that have been weighted based on usage history.

Screen display 1 displays three options: "Yes," "No," and "Replace with specified tape." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

When the user selects "Replace with specified tape" on screen display 1, the display content transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the specified tape T1. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the specified tape T1. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the specified tape T1 to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the control of notifying the touch panel display 12 of tape mismatches, etc. is completed. This resolves the mismatch between the specified tape and the current tape, and printing can be performed using the original print data.

If the user selects "No" on screen display 1, the print control unit 10 does not suggest an alternative tape to the user, and the process ends. In this case, the width of the specified tape T1 (12 mm) is larger than the width of the current tape T2 (9 mm), so if characters are printed at the size specified in the print data, they may extend beyond the width of the current tape T2. Therefore, the printing process is not executed, and the error state is put on hold. Alternatively, the print content may be reduced so that it fits within the width of the current tape T2, and printing may be executed.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 1, the display transitions to screen display 2. On screen display 2, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and displays a display suggesting the most frequently used type A tape. Screen display 2 displays three options: "Yes," "No," and "View other usage histories." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 2, the display transitions to screen display 4. The notification control unit 55 displays a message on screen display 4 to confirm whether type A tape is OK. Screen display 4 displays two options, "Yes" and "No." The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 4, the screen transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the A-type tape. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the A-type tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the current tape T2 that is attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 that corresponds to the A-type tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing specified tape T1 to the A-type tape. This allows printing to be performed with both the specified tape and the current tape unified as A-type tape.

It is also possible to control the device so that if the user selects "Yes" on screen display 2, the confirmation on screen display 4 is skipped and the device proceeds to screen display 5.

The tape width of Type A tape (12 mm) is the same as the tape width of the specified tape T1 in the original print data (12 mm). Therefore, even if the text or other print content is printed without being reduced, the print content will not overflow. The size of the completed label will also be as desired by the user as input in the print data.

If the user selects "No" on screen display 2, the print control unit 10 will not suggest an alternative tape to the user and will end the process. As with the case where the user selects "No" on screen display 1, the printing process will not be executed and will be put on hold as an error state, or the print content will be reduced so that it fits within the current width of tape T2 and printing will be executed.

When the user selects "View other usage history" on screen display 2, the display content transitions to screen display 3. On screen display 3, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and displays multiple tapes with high usage frequency as options for "candidates ordered by frequency of use."

Of the five types of tape included in the usage history information, type B tape, which has a narrower tape width (9 mm) than the specified tape T1 (12 mm), is excluded from the candidates for frequency of use. This is because the difference between the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2 is the tape width, and proposing a type B tape with the same width as the current tape T2 (or a tape with a narrower tape width than the current tape T2) would not contribute to resolving the mismatch. In addition, even if printing were to be done on a type B tape, the print content would need to be reduced, and the label would not be the print size desired by the user.

The same applies to screen display 2 described above. If type B tape is the most frequently used type, the type of tape suggested on screen display 2 will not be type B, but the second most frequently used type.

As a result, on screen display 3, types A, C, D, and E are displayed in descending order of frequency of use as candidate tape options. In addition, a message "Do not select tape" is displayed to indicate that these tapes should not be selected. The user selects the desired option by touch operation.

Note that type D is the same type of tape as designated tape T1. At the stage of screen display 3, the user has already selected in previous screen display 1 that they will not replace the tape with designated tape T1, so screen display 3 may suggest excluding type D from the candidates for frequency of use.

When the user selects one of the four types of tape proposed as candidates for order of frequency of use in screen display 3, the screen transitions to a screen similar to screen display 4. Here, the portion of screen display 4 that states Type A tape is rewritten to the type of tape selected in screen display 3 (hereafter referred to as the selected tape).

If the user selects "Yes" on a screen similar to screen display 4, the screen transitions to screen display 5. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the selected tape selected on screen display 3. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 5, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the selected tape. This allows printing to be performed with both the designated tape and the current tape unified as the selected tape.

The tape width of each of the types A, C, D, and E presented on screen display 3 is either the same as the tape width (12 mm) of the specified tape T1 in the original print data, or a larger tape width (18 mm). Therefore, no matter which type of tape is selected, the text and other print content can be printed as is without being reduced, and the print content will not overflow.

If the user selects "Do not select tape" on screen display 3, the print control unit 10 does not display any further tape suggestions to the user and ends the process. As with the case when the user selects "No" on screen display 1 or screen display 2, the printing process may not be executed and may be put on hold as an error state, or the print content may be reduced so that it fits within the current width of tape T2 and then printed.

Next, the second form will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the first form shown in FIG. 4, screen display 2 and screen display 3 suggest tape types in order of frequency of use. In contrast, the second form shown in FIG. 5 suggests types based on frequency of use, while also taking into account similarities in tape width and color. Note that the second form also displays screens equivalent to screen displays 4 and 5 in FIG. 4, but these are omitted in FIG. 5.

The designated tape T1 and current tape T2 in the second form are both the same as those in the first form. In the usage history stored in the tape usage history storage section 52 of the printing unit 20 in order of frequency of use, the fourth highest ranking tape is not the above-mentioned D type, but an F type tape in which "the tape T is black, the ink ribbon K is white (white characters printed on a black background), and the tape width is 12 mm." All other conditions are the same as in the first form.

Screen display 6 shown in FIG. 5, like screen display 1 described above, indicates that the tape width of the specified tape T1 is different from the tape width of the current tape T2.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 6, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and suggests a tape type that takes into account not only frequency of use, but also the similarity of tape width and tape color. Specifically, among the candidate tapes, a tape with the same tape width as the specified tape T1 is given a high proposal priority. In addition, among the candidate tapes, a tape with a tape color that is highly similar to the tape color of the specified tape T1 is given a high proposal priority. Because differences in tape width are related to the need to enlarge or reduce the print content, here, the priority is determined by placing more importance on tape width than tape color.

Note that high similarity in tape colors means, in the narrow sense, that the colors are the same, but in the broad sense, it is a concept that includes close hue relationships. For example, if the specified tape T1 is specified as "black text on a white background," the inverted version, "white text on a black background," would be determined to be highly similar because the color elements used are the same.

As a result of judging the ranking based on the above conditions (usage history information, tape width, tape color), Type A and Type F, which have the same tape width (12 mm) as designated tape T1, are selected as the top two in the proposed order. Of these, Type A has a different tape color and text color than designated tape T1, while Type F has an inverted relationship to the tape color and text color of designated tape T1. Therefore, in terms of tape color, Type F is determined to be more similar to designated tape T1, and Type F is proposed as the top type. Type A is then placed second in the proposed order.

Types C and E have the same tape width (18 mm), but the tape color of Type C is different from designated tape T1, and the tape color of Type E is the same as designated tape T1. Based on the high degree of similarity of the tape colors (the tape colors match), Type E is suggested higher than Type C.

Therefore, the proposed order, which includes the condition of similarity of tape type in addition to frequency of use, would be Type F, Type A, Type E, and Type C, from top to bottom. As with the first form, Type B has a narrower tape width than the designated tape T1, so it is excluded from the proposed candidates.

The notification control unit 55 causes a display on the screen display 7 to suggest the highest level F type determined based on the above criteria. Also, if the user selects "View other usage history" on the screen display 7, the screen display 8 will suggest replacement candidate tapes in the following order: F type, A type, E type, and C type.

In this way, by making suggestions that include classifications such as tape width and color in addition to the tape usage history, the possibility of selecting a tape type that is relatively similar to the print data (specified tape T1) entered by the user increases. This has the advantage that it becomes easier to obtain print results that are close to what the user desires, even when using a different type of tape T than the specified tape T1.

For example, Type F and Type A, which are the first and second highest in the suggested order, are the same width as the specified tape T1 and can be printed without reducing or enlarging the print content, allowing you to create labels of the size you want.

Although Type F has a different tape color than the specified tape T1, it is printed in "white text on a black background", which is the inverse of the specified "black text on a white background", so the tape color and the printed text are swapped (inverted) to create a relationship of the same color, and there is a high degree of hue similarity. Therefore, it is expected that users will be more likely to accept the print results if Type F, which has a high hue similarity, is used, rather than if Type A, which is a different color system (brownish) from Specified Tape T1, is used.

In the second embodiment of FIG. 5, the notification control unit 55 adjusts the proposed content taking into account both the tape width and the tape color, but the proposed content may be adjusted based on only either the tape width or the tape color. For example, when making adjustments taking into account only the tape width, between types A and F, type A, which is used more frequently, will be at the top of the proposed order. When making adjustments taking into account only the tape color, type E, which has the same color as the specified tape T1, will be at the top of the proposed order.

Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. Screen displays 9 to 13 in FIG. 6 correspond to screen displays 1 to 5 in FIG. 4, and the processing content of each is basically the same. Therefore, only the parts of the third embodiment that are different from the first embodiment will be described.

The designated tape T1 and current tape T2 in the third form are both the same as those in the first form. Also common to the first form is that the usage history stored in the tape usage history storage section 52 of the printing unit 20 ranges from type A to type E. However, if these are arranged in order of most recent usage, the order from top to bottom is type C, type E, type B, type A, and type D.

When the user selects "Yes" on screen display 9 shown in FIG. 6, the display transitions to screen display 10. On screen display 10, the notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from the printing unit 20 and displays a display suggesting the C type tape, which has the most recent usage history.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 10, the screen transitions to screen display 12. The notification control unit 55 causes screen display 12 to display a message to confirm whether or not a C-type tape is acceptable.

If the user selects "Yes" on screen display 12, the display transitions to screen display 13. Here, the "XX" part displays the model number of the C type tape. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the C type tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the current tape T2 that is attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 that is compatible with the C type tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 13, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing specified tape T1 to the C type tape. This allows printing to be performed with both the specified tape and the current tape unified as C type tape.

It is also possible to control the device so that if the user selects "Yes" on screen display 10, the confirmation on screen display 12 is skipped and the device proceeds to screen display 13.

The tape width of type C tape (18 mm) is larger than the tape width of the specified tape T1 in the original print data (12 mm). Therefore, even if the text or other print content is printed without being reduced in size, the print content will not go beyond the edge of the paper.

When the user selects "View other usage histories" on screen display 10, the display content transitions to screen display 11. On screen display 11, notification control unit 55 refers to the usage history information received from print unit 20 and displays the tape with the most recent usage history as a "latest usage order candidate" option. On screen display 11, types C, E, A, and D are displayed in order of most recent usage history as the most recent usage order candidate tape options. In addition, "Do not select tape" is displayed to indicate that these tapes are not to be selected. The user selects the desired option by touch operation. Note that type D is the same as the designated tape T1 that the user did not select for use at the image display 9 stage, so the proposed content may be excluded from the usage frequency candidates on screen display 11.

When the user selects one of the four types of tape proposed as candidates for the most recent order of use on screen display 11, the screen transitions to a screen similar to screen display 12. Here, the portion of screen display 12 that lists type C tape is rewritten to the type of tape selected on screen display 11 (referred to as the selected tape).

If the user selects "Yes" on a screen similar to screen display 12, the screen display 13 will be displayed. Here, the "XX" part will display the model number of the selected tape selected on screen display 11. The user refers to the displayed model number and prepares a tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape. Then, the user removes the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the current tape T2 attached to the cartridge storage section 30 of the printing unit 20, and attaches the tape cartridge 40 corresponding to the selected tape to the cartridge storage section 30 instead. When the user operates "OK" on screen display 13, the computer 50 of the print control unit 10 rewrites the content of the print data stored in the print data storage section 53 from the existing designated tape T1 to the selected tape. This allows printing to be performed with both the designated tape and the current tape unified as the selected tape.

The tape width of each of the types C, E, B, A, and D presented on the screen display 11 is either the same as the tape width (12 mm) of the specified tape T1 in the original print data, or a larger tape width (18 mm). Therefore, no matter which type of tape is selected, the text and other print content can be printed as is without being reduced, and the print content will not overflow.

In addition, in screen display 10 and screen display 11, of the five types of tape included in the usage history information, type B tape, which has a narrower tape width (9 mm) than the tape width (12 mm) of specified tape T1, is excluded from the suggested candidates.

As a variation of the third embodiment, candidate tape types may be proposed based on the most recent order of use in the usage history, while also taking into account the similarity of tape width and tape color to the specified tape T1, as in the second embodiment (Figure 5) described above.

In the first form (Fig. 4), second form (Fig. 5), and third form (Fig. 6) described above, when "Yes" is selected on screen displays 1, 6, and 9, the display transitions to screen displays 2, 7, and 10, which suggest the most frequently used tape (Type A), the most frequently used and similar tape (Type F), and the most recent usage history (Type C). When "View other usage history" is selected on screen displays 2, 7, and 10, multiple candidates are listed on screen displays 3, 8, and 11. Alternatively, when "Yes" is selected on screen displays 1, 6, and 9, the display can be controlled to skip screen displays 2, 7, and 10 and proceed directly to the display of multiple candidates on screen displays 3, 8, and 11.

In the first embodiment (FIG. 4), the second embodiment (FIG. 5), and the third embodiment (FIG. 6), the case where the tape width of the current tape T2 is smaller than the tape width of the designated tape T1 has been described. Conversely, if the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger than the tape width of the designated tape T1, the printing itself can be performed without any problems, since the printed content does not extend beyond the width of the current tape T2 even if characters are printed in the size according to the print data. Therefore, in the case where "the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match, but the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger," the notification control unit 55 may perform printing as it is, without performing the process of proposing a recommended tape based on the usage history as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. Alternatively, the notification control unit 55 may only perform a notification of the mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, and leave it to the user to select whether or not to perform printing.

The advantage of suggesting the type of tape to use this time based on past usage history, as in each of the above forms, is that the suggested tape is likely to be in the user's possession or is likely to be readily available to the user. For example, if a user purchases the same type of tape in bulk, the frequency with which that tape is used increases, and it is likely that the user has a stock of any that were not used up the previous time. In addition, it is likely that the user also possesses a type of tape that has been used recently, and even if the user does not possess it, it is assumed that it is easily obtainable.

Therefore, by making a suggestion to replace the tape with one identified in such usage history, it is more likely that printing can be performed quickly even if the same type of tape as the specified tape T1 is not on hand. It also makes it possible to make effective use of stocked tapes and promote their use. Furthermore, since the tapes included in the usage history have actually been used to create labels in the past, they are more likely to match the user's preferences. For these reasons, it is possible to greatly improve user convenience compared to simply warning the user that the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process flow corresponding to each of the above-mentioned forms. In step S100, it is determined whether or not a command to execute printing has been input by the user. The process waits until a command to execute printing has been input (step S100: NO). When a command to execute printing is input (step S100: YES), the process proceeds to step S101, where the tape matching determination unit 54 determines whether or not the type of the specified tape T1 specified in the print data matches the type of the tape T2 currently attached to the printing unit 20.

If the type of the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2 match (step S101: YES), proceed to step S102, where printing is performed, and then exit the flowchart.

If the types of the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match (step S101: NO), proceed to step S103.

Note that if the discrepancy is that "the tape width of the current tape T2 is larger than the tape width of the specified tape T1," printing can be performed without any problems without reducing the print content, so the discrepancy is not treated as occurring (do not proceed to step S103), and control may be exercised to proceed to step S102 and execute printing.

In step S103, the notification control unit 55 controls the touch panel display 12 to display tape mismatch information to notify the user. This corresponds to the display contents of screen display 1 (FIG. 4), screen display 6 (FIG. 5), and screen display 9 (FIG. 6).

Then, the process proceeds to step S104, where it is determined whether or not to replace the current tape T2 with the designated tape T1. If the user selects "Replace with designated tape" in screen display 1 (Figure 4), screen display 6 (Figure 5), or screen display 9 (Figure 6), step S104 becomes YES.

When step S104 is YES, the notification control unit 55 causes a display to be displayed, such as screen display 5 (Figure 4) or screen display 13 (Figure 6), encouraging the user to change to the designated tape T1. Then the process proceeds to step S105, where the user replaces the current tape T2 with the same type of tape as the designated tape T1. This replacement operation ensures that the tape types of the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 match. Now the process returns from step S105 to step S100, and the determination is made in step S101, whereupon step S101 becomes YES and printing is performed in step S102.

If the user does not select replacement with the specified tape T1, step S104 becomes NO and the process proceeds to step S106. In step S106, it is determined whether the user has requested a suggestion of a recommended tape based on the usage history.

If the user does not wish to have a recommendation for a tape based on usage history suggested, step S106 will be NO. This is the case when the user selects "No" on screen display 1 (Fig. 4), screen display 6 (Fig. 5), or screen display 9 (Fig. 6). In this case, neither replacement with the specified tape T1 nor a suggestion of a candidate tape for replacement will be made. In other words, since no measures are taken to address the mismatch between the specified tape T1 and the current tape T2, printing is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S107 and ends.

If the user wishes to be suggested recommended tapes based on usage history, step S106 will be YES. This corresponds to the case where the user selects "Yes" on screen display 1 (Figure 4), screen display 6 (Figure 5), or screen display 9 (Figure 6). In this case, proceed to step S108.

In step S108, the notification control unit 55 controls the tape recommendation process to recommend a tape based on the usage history. Specifically, this process is implemented by steps S109 to S113. As shown in the first embodiment (FIG. 4) and the third embodiment (FIG. 6) above, the tape recommendation process can be broadly divided into two types: one that recommends tapes based on the frequency of use in past printing, and one that recommends tapes based on the most recent order of use. Furthermore, as in the second embodiment (FIG. 5), it is also possible to include in the recommendation order the similarity of tape width or tape color between the designated tape T1 and the tape used in past printing. However, in this case, the process is broadly divided into two types: one that recommends tapes based on the frequency of use and one that recommends tapes based on the most recent order of use, including adjustments to the recommendation order for each tape type as in the second embodiment.

In step S109, it is determined whether to use the most frequently used order or the most recently used order as the basis for the proposal. The user may select in advance which basis to use, the most frequently used order or the most recently used order, from a setting item of the label creation application running on the print control unit 10, for example.

If frequency of use is selected in step S109, the process proceeds to step S110. In step S110, a suggested tape based on frequency of use is displayed on the touch panel display 12. Specifically, the tape with the highest recommendation ranking is displayed as in screen display 2 (FIG. 4) or screen display 7 (FIG. 5), or multiple types of tape are displayed in order of recommendation ranking as in screen display 3 (FIG. 4) or screen display 8 (FIG. 5).

If the most recent order of use is selected in step S109, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, a suggested tape based on the most recent order of use is displayed on the touch panel display 12. Specifically, the tape with the highest recommended order may be displayed as in screen display 10 (Figure 6), or multiple types of tape may be displayed in order of recommended order as in screen display 11 (Figure 6).

After the display process (tape suggestion) of step S110 or step S111 is performed, the process proceeds to step S112. In step S112, it is determined whether the user has selected to use the recommended tape displayed in step S110 or step S112.

If the user selects "No" on screen display 2 (Fig. 4), screen display 7 (Fig. 5), or screen display 10 (Fig. 6), or if the user selects "Do not select tape" on screen display 3 (Fig. 4), screen display 8 (Fig. 5), or screen display 11 (Fig. 6), the determination in step S112 will be NO. In this case, neither replacement with the designated tape T1 nor replacement with another candidate tape will be performed. In other words, since no measures are taken to address the mismatch between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2, printing is not performed, and the process proceeds to step S107 and ends.

If the user selects to use any of the suggested types of tape in screen displays 2 and 3 (FIG. 4), screen displays 7 and 8 (FIG. 5), or screen displays 10 and 11 (FIG. 6), the determination in step S112 is YES. In this case, the process proceeds to step S113.

In step S113, the contents of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 53 are updated, and the information about the designated tape to be used in this print is rewritten from the existing designated tape T1 to the tape (selected tape) selected by the user in the tape suggestion process (step S112).

In addition, in step S113, the notification control unit 55 causes a display to be displayed encouraging the user to change to the selected tape, such as screen display 5 (Figure 4) or screen display 13 (Figure 6).

Then, the process proceeds from step S113 to step S105, where the user replaces the current tape T2 with the selected tape (the tape selected in step S112). Next, the process returns from step S105 to step S100, and when a command to execute printing is issued, the process proceeds to step S101. In the previous step S113, the specified tape in the print data was rewritten to the selected tape selected by the user in the tape suggestion process, so the specified tape and the current tape match (both become the selected tape), and the determination in step S101 is YES. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S102, where printing is executed, and the process is completed.

In the first form (Fig. 4) and third form (Fig. 6) described above, recommended tapes are suggested based on the tape usage history (in order of frequency of use or most recent use), while in the second form (Fig. 5), the priority of suggestions is changed taking into account tape width and tape color. Both of these suggestions make use of information about the tape itself, but it is also possible to determine the priority of suggestions by linking the tape usage history with the print content. This concept is shown in Fig. 8 as the fourth form.

The label creation application installed in the print control unit 10 has a function of supporting print data creation using word lists. A word list is a group of words with high content relevance grouped by field and registered. For example, words related to the kitchen and cooking are organized into a word list for the "Kitchen" category. Also, words related to horticulture and landscaping are organized into a word list for the "Gardening" category. A number of such word lists are stored in the memory of the print control unit 10. When the user inputs print content into the print control unit 10, the user can display the word list and select the desired words, allowing the user to efficiently create a series of labels with high content relevance without the trouble of inputting each character one by one.

When content selected from the word list is printed, the word list information, which is the printed content, is stored in the tape usage history storage unit 52 of the printing unit 20 along with the usage history of the tape T. In the example shown in FIG. 8, similar to FIG. 6 (third embodiment), the usage history is sorted by most recent usage, and information is attached to type A tape that the content of the word list for the "Kitchen" category has been printed, and information is attached to type C tape that the content of the word list for the "Gardening" category has been printed. When printing using the other types B, D, and E tapes, content input by the user is printed, and the word list usage history is not included.

Under these conditions, the print data input by the user this time is to print the word "coffee" included in the word list for the "Kitchen" category on a specified tape T1 of type "white tape T, black ink ribbon K (black characters printed on a white background), and tape width 12 mm." On the other hand, the current tape T2 detected by the tape identification sensor 31 of the printing unit 20 is "black tape T, white ink ribbon K (white characters printed on a black background), and tape width 12 mm."

In this case, the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 have the same tape width but different tape colors. The tape match determination section 54 of the print control unit 10 determines that the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 do not match based on the difference in tape color. Then, based on this determination result, the notification control section 55 causes the touch panel display 12 to display information about the tape mismatch, such as the screen display 14 in Figure 8.

When the user selects "Yes" on screen display 14, the display transitions to screen display 15. Here, the notification control unit 55 suggests type A tape as the recommended tape. Type A tape is the fourth most recently used tape, but there is a similarity in the printed content in that it printed the same word list as the "Kitchen" category that is currently being printed. Due to this similarity in the printed content, the recommendation order is changed to type A tape so that it is at the top. Type A tape is then presented together with the basis for the suggestion that it was previously used to print similar content.

When the user selects "Yes" on screen display 15, the screen transitions to screen display 16. Here, the "XX" portion displays the model number of the A-type tape selected on screen display 15.

When label printers are used, the same type of tape is often used to print a series of content contained in the same word list. There is also a high possibility that the user has the same type of tape as when previously printing using the same word list. Therefore, by suggesting a recommended tape that takes into account the similarity of the printed content in addition to the tape usage history, as in the fourth embodiment, it is more likely that a type of tape that is more suited to the user's usage environment can be suggested.

Note that storing and referencing the history of all print content, including free input by the user, can easily place a heavy burden on processing and control, but judging matches or similarities on a word list basis has the advantage of requiring less storage space and requiring less processing load. For example, each category in a word list can be managed using a number with a small number of digits.

The above embodiment is a concrete example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, the printing device 1 of the above embodiment is a separate type in which the print control unit 10, where the user inputs print data, and the printing unit 20, which prints on the tape T, are separate. Since the input of the designated tape T1 is managed by the print control unit 10 and the current tape T2 is attached to the printing unit 20, mismatches between the designated tape T1 and the current tape T2 are likely to occur, making this a configuration in which the present invention is highly useful. However, it is also possible to apply the present invention to an integrated printing device that includes both the print data input unit and the printing unit.

In the above embodiment, the focus is on width and color as elements for identifying the type of tape, but the type of tape may also be identified based on differences in tape material. For example, known tape materials include paper and synthetic resin. Tapes may or may not have an adhesive layer. Tapes that have a magnetic layer that can be magnetically attached instead of an adhesive layer are also known. It is also possible to apply the present invention by distinguishing types of tape based on such differences in material and tape structure.

In the above embodiment, the printing method involves overlapping the tape T and the ink ribbon K and thermally transferring the ink, but the printing method in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a thermal method that uses a heat-sensitive tape that changes color when heated, or an inkjet method that sprays fine ink droplets onto the tape.

The invention as described in the claims of the original application is set forth below.
[Appendix 1]
an input unit for inputting print data by a user;
A display unit that displays information;
a printing unit that prints the print content of the print data on a tape;
A memory unit that stores the usage history of a tape used in previous printing;
a tape identification unit for identifying the type of tape currently installed;
a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the print data and the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit are different, causes the display unit to display a suggestion for a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit; and
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 2]
The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the notification control unit suggests a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history.
[Appendix 3]
The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have the same width as the tape width specified in the printing data.
[Appendix 4]
The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes among the tapes included in the usage history that have a color that is highly similar to the color of the tape specified in the printing data.
[Appendix 5]
The storage unit stores the print contents together with the usage history of the tape used in the previous printing,
The printing device described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have been used to print content that is highly similar to the print content of the print data.
[Appendix 6]
A printing device as described in any of Appendices 1 to 5, characterized in that when the width of the tape identified by the tape identification unit is larger than the width of the tape specified in the printing data, the notification control unit performs printing without suggesting the type of tape to use.
[Appendix 7]
a print control unit including the input unit, the display unit, and the notification control unit;
a printing unit including the printing section, the tape identification section, and the memory section;
7. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising:
[Appendix 8]
A print control method for printing content of print data input by a user onto a tape, comprising:
The usage history of the tape used in previous printing is stored in the memory unit,
The type of tape currently installed is identified by the tape identification section.
When the type of tape specified in the print data is different from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, a notification control unit is caused to perform control to suggest a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit.
A printing control method comprising:

1 Printing device 10 Print control unit 12 Touch panel display (input unit, display unit)
20 Printing unit 27 Platen roller 28 Thermal head (printing section)
30 Cartridge storage section 31 Tape identification sensor (tape identification section)
40 Tape cartridge 50 Computer 51 Computer 52 Tape usage history storage unit (storage unit)
53 Print data storage unit 54 Tape match determination unit 55 Notification control unit K Ink ribbon T Tape T1 Designated tape T2 Current tape

Claims (7)

an input unit for inputting print data by a user;
A display unit that displays information;
a printing unit that prints the print content of the print data on a tape;
A memory unit that stores the usage history of a tape used in previous printing;
a tape identification unit for identifying the type of tape currently installed;
a notification control unit that, when the type of tape specified in the print data and the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit are different, causes the display unit to display a suggestion for a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit; and
Equipped with
The notification control unit suggests a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history.
A printing device comprising: 2 . The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification control unit preferentially suggests, from among the tapes included in the usage history, a tape having the same width as the tape width specified in the print data. The printing device according to claim 1 , wherein the notification control unit preferentially suggests, from among the tapes included in the usage history, a tape having a color highly similar to the color of the tape specified in the print data. The storage unit stores the print contents together with the usage history of the tape used in the previous printing,
The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification control unit preferentially suggests tapes included in the usage history that have been used to print content that is highly similar to the print content of the print data. A printing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the width of the tape identified by the tape identification unit is larger than the width of the tape specified in the printing data, the notification control unit performs printing without suggesting the type of tape to use. a print control unit including the input unit, the display unit, and the notification control unit;
a printing unit including the printing section, the tape identification section, and the memory section;
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: A print control method for printing content of print data input by a user onto a tape, comprising:
The usage history of the tape used in previous printing is stored in the memory unit,
The type of tape currently installed is identified by the tape identification section.
when the type of tape specified in the print data is different from the type of tape identified by the tape identification unit, a notification control unit performs control to suggest a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit ;
The step of proposing a type of tape to be used based on the usage history stored in the storage unit includes a step of proposing a type of tape that has been used frequently in the usage history or a type of tape that has been used recently in the usage history.
A printing control method comprising:

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