JP2024091716A - Printing device, control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a situation that, in printing on a target printing medium to be cut, a cut target printing medium is not ejected from a printing device.SOLUTION: A control unit 110 of a printer 1 acquires first print data and second print data, causes a printing unit 162 to perform first printing on a target printing medium 3, based on the acquired first printing data, and causes the printing unit 162 to perform second printing on the target printing medium 3, based on the acquired second printing data. In this case, if at least one of the length of a first cut piece of the target printing medium 3, generated based on the first printing data, and the length of a second cut piece of the target printing medium 3, generated based on the second printing data, is shorter than a predetermined shortest length, the control unit sets so that a cutting unit 163 does not make a cut between a first printing area printed by the first printing and a second printing area printed by the second printing, in the target printing medium 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

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

Some printing devices that print on long, tape-like print media have the ability to automatically cut the printed portion of the print media and discharge it as a label. Some printing devices of this type, after finishing printing on the print media, perform a process to feed the print media empty so that the trailing margin of the printed area is an appropriate amount, and then feed the print media empty the distance between the thermal head and the cutter mechanism before cutting the print media (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-205529

In the printing device described above, if the length of the print medium cut by the cutter mechanism and discharged as a label is shorter than the length that can be discharged by the printing device, the label may not be able to be discharged.

In light of the above-mentioned circumstances, an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide technology that can prevent a situation in which cut print media is not ejected from a printing device when printing on print media that involves cutting the print media.

A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium, a printing unit that prints on the print medium, a transport unit that transports the print medium, a cutting unit that cuts the print medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit, the transport unit, and the cutting unit, and the control unit acquires first print data and second print data using the print data acquisition unit, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second print on the print medium based on the acquired second print data. When performing printing, the printing device determines whether or not at least one of the length of the first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and the length of the second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length, and if at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, sets the cutting unit not to cut between the first print area printed by the first printing and the second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium, causes the transport unit to transport the print medium, and causes the printing unit to perform the second printing on the print medium.

A control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printing device including a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium, a printing unit that prints on the print medium, a transport unit that transports the print medium, a cutting unit that cuts the print medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit, the transport unit, and the cutting unit, in which the control unit acquires first print data and second print data using the print data acquisition unit, causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired second print data. When performing a second printing on the printed medium, the control method determines whether or not at least one of the length of the first cut piece of the printed medium generated based on the first print data and the length of the second cut piece of the printed medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length, and if at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, sets the cutting unit not to cut between the first print area printed by the first printing and the second print area printed by the second printing on the printed medium, causes the transport unit to transport the printed medium, and causes the printing unit to perform the second printing on the printed medium.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program to be executed by a control unit in a printing device including a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium, a printing unit that prints on the print medium, a transport unit that transports the print medium, a cutting unit that cuts the print medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit, the transport unit, and the cutting unit, and the program acquires first print data and second print data by the print data acquisition unit, causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired second print data, The program includes a process for determining whether at least one of the length of the first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and the length of the second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length when performing a second print on the medium, and if at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, setting the cutting unit not to cut between the first print area printed by the first print and the second print area printed by the second print on the print medium, causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform a second print on the print medium.

According to the above aspect, when printing on a print medium that involves cutting the print medium, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the cut print medium is not ejected from the printing device.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing device according to an embodiment and an information processing device capable of cooperating with the printing device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a transport path of a print medium in the printing device. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a method for creating a label using an information processing device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a transport operation/cutting operation setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a transport operation/cutting operation setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a front margin setting process performed by a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a first specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a second specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a third specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a first specific example of a front margin setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a second specific example of a front margin setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of a printing device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, as an example of a printing device according to the present invention, a printing device that uses a thermal head to print on a heat-sensitive print medium and can automatically cut (sever) the printed area of the print medium with a cutter will be given. In the following description, detailed descriptions of the configuration, functions, and operations of the illustrated printing device that are the same as or similar to those of well-known printing devices will be omitted.

Figure 1 is an oblique view showing an example of the appearance of a printing device according to one embodiment.

The printing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a printing device capable of printing on a print medium 3 and cutting the print medium 3 based on print data from an information processing device 2 such as a smartphone to create a label. The printing device 1 includes various mechanisms and control circuits for printing and cutting the print medium 3 in a device housing formed by a container member 101 and a lid member 102. A media adapter that contains a tape roll 4 including a roll-shaped print medium 3 is also removably housed inside the device housing. The printing device 1 prints and cuts the print medium 3 supplied from the tape roll 4 in the media adapter based on print data. The print medium 3 supplied from the tape roll 4 passes through the inside of the device housing and is transported along a transport path leading to an outlet 103 provided in the device housing.

A number of buttons 104 and a number of operation lamps 105 are arranged on the outer surface of the device housing (e.g., container member 101) of the printing device 1. The number of buttons 104 include, for example, a button for turning the power on/off, a button for cutting the print medium 3, a button for feeding the print medium 3 (the operation of transporting the medium by a predetermined amount), a button for switching wireless communication, and a button for reprinting. The number of operation lamps 105 include, for example, a lamp indicating the power on/off state, a lamp indicating the state of wireless communication, and a lamp indicating the status of the printing operation, etc.

When creating labels using the printing device 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, a user can create print data by executing a linking application on an information processing device 2, such as a smartphone. The print data includes information such as a print image of the text or graphics to be printed, a method for cutting the print medium 3, the number of copies to be printed, and a setting for whether or not to continue printing, which is created by operating the touch panel 201 of the information processing device 2. The setting for whether or not to continue printing refers to whether or not to continue printing and cutting based on new print data after printing and cutting based on received print data. The information processing device 2 is not limited to a smartphone or tablet computer as illustrated in FIG. 1, but may also be a notebook or desktop computer.

The printing device according to the present invention is not limited to the printing device 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1, but may be, for example, a printing device in which a keyboard is provided on the device housing for inputting character strings and figures to be printed and for making various settings.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing device according to one embodiment and an information processing device that can cooperate with the printing device.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a control unit 110, a memory unit 120, an input unit 130, a display unit 140, a communication unit 150, and a print processing unit 160.

The control unit 110 controls various operations of the printing device 1. The control by the control unit 110 is performed, for example, by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing various programs such as an operating system and a program including the label creation process described below. The memory unit 120 stores various programs executed by the processor and various data (including the above-mentioned print data) used when executing the programs. The memory unit 120 also provides a working area for the processor to execute the various programs. The memory unit 120 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). Part of the control unit 110 and the memory unit 120 may be configured with an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

The control unit 110 in the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a judgment unit 111 and a setting unit 112. The judgment unit 111 judges, for example, whether or not to cut the print medium 3 based on the print data. The setting unit 112 sets the transport operation and cutting operation of the print medium 3 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 111 and the print data.

The input unit 130 is an input device that performs operation input to the printing device 1. The input unit 130 includes, for example, the multiple buttons 104 described above. The input unit 130 may include the above-mentioned keyboard arranged on the device housing. The display unit 140 is a display device that displays various information related to the printing device 1. The display unit 140 includes, for example, the multiple operation lamps described above. The display unit 140 may include, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display.

The communication unit 150 communicates with an information processing device 2 such as a smartphone. The communication unit 150 is, for example, a wireless communication device capable of short-range wireless communication such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 150 may be, for example, a communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device 2 via a transmission cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

The print processing unit 160 transports the print medium 3, prints on the print medium 3, and cuts the print medium 3 according to a control signal from the control unit 110. The print processing unit 160 includes a transport unit 161, a printing unit 162, and a cutting unit 163. The transport unit 161 performs a transport operation to transport the print medium 3 in a predetermined transport direction at a predetermined transport speed by a predetermined transport amount according to a control signal from the control unit 110. The printing unit 162 applies heat to the print medium 3 transported by the transport unit 161 according to a control signal from the control unit 110 to print (print) on the print medium 3. The cutting unit 163 cuts the print medium 3 according to a control signal from the control unit 110. The cutting unit 163 in the printing device 1 of this embodiment includes a cutter that cuts the entire print medium 3 (full cut) and a cutter that cuts a part of the print medium 3 (half cut), as described below.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 may include, for example, a sensor that detects the tape width of the printing medium 3 supplied from a media adapter inside the device housing.

On the other hand, the information processing device 2 that can cooperate with the printing device 1 includes a control unit 210, a memory unit 220, an input unit 230, a display unit 240, and a communication unit 250, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The control unit 210 controls various operations of the information processing device 2. The control by the control unit 210 is performed, for example, by a processor such as a CPU executing various programs such as an operating system and application programs including a label data creation process and a print data creation process described below. The memory unit 220 stores various programs executed by the processor and various data used when executing the programs. The memory unit 220 also provides a working area for the processor to execute the various programs. The memory unit 220 includes a ROM and a RAM. Part of the control unit 210 and the memory unit 220 may be configured with an FPGA, an ASIC, or the like.

The input unit 230 is an input device that performs operational input to the information processing device 2. The display unit 240 is a display device that displays various information related to the information processing device 2. The input unit 230 and the display unit 240 in the information processing device 2 may be, for example, a touch panel device 201 in which the input unit 230, such as a digitizer (position detection device), is arranged on the display surface of the display unit 240, such as a liquid crystal display.

The communication unit 250 communicates with the printing device 1 and the like. The communication unit 250 is, for example, a wireless communication device capable of short-range wireless communication such as wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The communication unit 250 may also be, for example, a communication device capable of communicating with the printing device 1 via a transmission cable such as a USB cable.

While the information processing device 2 is executing an application program including a label data creation process and a print data creation process for linking with the printing device 1, part of the control unit 210 operates as a print image creation unit 211 and a print data creation unit 212. The print image creation unit 211 creates a print image based on input information, such as the layout of character strings and figures to be printed on the print medium 3, input using the input unit 230. The print data creation unit 212 creates print data including the created print image and information, such as the cutting method, number of copies to be printed, and settings for whether or not to continue printing, input using the input unit 230.

Figure 3 is a diagram explaining the transport path of the print medium in the printing device. Note that in Figure 3, the transport path of the print medium 3 in the printing device 1 is shown as a straight line, and the dimensional and positional relationships of the components illustrated in Figure 3 do not necessarily match the dimensional and positional relationships in the actual printing device 1.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the print medium 3 supplied from the tape roll 4 (media adapter) passes between the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 and is sandwiched between them. The platen roller 5 is included in the conveying unit 161, and can be rotated by the power of a motor (not shown) to convey the print medium 3 in the discharge direction (first direction), and can be rotated to convey the print medium 3 in the opposite direction to the discharge direction (second direction). The thermal head 6 is included in the printing unit 162, and prints by applying heat to the print medium 3 according to a control signal from the control unit 110. In the following description, the position in the conveying path where the print medium 3 is sandwiched between the platen roller 5 and the thermal head 6 is referred to as the printing position. The discharge direction is the direction from the printing position toward the discharge port 103 of the device housing (e.g., the container member 101) in the conveying path. In the following description, the position of the discharge port 103 of the device housing in the conveying path is referred to as the discharge position. In the following explanation, the rotation of the platen roller 5 that transports the print medium 3 in the discharge direction is referred to as forward rotation, and transporting the print medium 3 by rotating the platen roller 5 forward is referred to as forward transport. In the following explanation, the rotation of the platen roller 5 that transports the print medium 3 in the direction opposite to the discharge direction is referred to as reverse rotation, and transporting the print medium 3 by reversing the platen roller 5 is referred to as reverse transport.

A cutter 7 that cuts the print medium 3 is disposed at a position between the print position and the discharge position on the transport path. The cutter 7 is included in the cutting unit 163. In the printing device 1 of this embodiment, a full cutter (first cutter) 701 and a half cutter (second cutter) 702 are disposed as the cutter 7. The full cutter 701 is a cutter that cuts the entire print medium 3, and the half cutter 702 is a cutter that cuts a portion of the print medium 3. The half cutter 702 cuts a portion of the print medium 3 so that two adjacent areas of the print medium 3 are held together by the position cut by the half cutter 702. For example, when the print medium 3 is a multi-layered medium having an adhesive tape layer on which printing (printing) is performed and a protective layer that protects the adhesive tape layer, the full cutter 701 cuts the adhesive tape layer and the protective layer to separate the print medium 3 into two pieces, while the half cutter 702 cuts only the adhesive tape layer, and the two separated adhesive tape layers are held together by the protective layer. The full cutter 701 is disposed at a position (hereinafter referred to as the "full cut position") that is a distance L1 from the printing position on the conveying path. The half cutter 702 is disposed between the full cut position and the discharge position on the conveying path, and at a position (hereinafter referred to as the "half cut position") that is a distance L2 from the full cut position on the conveying path. The distances L1 and L2 correspond to the length of the conveyed print medium 3. That is, the distance L1 corresponds to the length of the conveyed print medium 3 from the position on the print medium 3 at the printing position to the position on the print medium 3 at the full cut position. Distance L2 corresponds to the length of the transported print medium 3 from the position on the print medium 3 at the full cut position to the position on the print medium 3 at the half cut position.

At a position between the half-cut position and the discharge position on the conveying path, a discharge roller 8 for discharging the print medium 3 is disposed. The discharge roller 8 is, for example, included in the cutting unit 163, and operates to discharge the cut pieces of the print medium 3 cut by the full cutter 701 from the discharge port 103. The discharge roller 8 includes, for example, a first roller 801 and a second roller 802, and the print medium 3 passes between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 and is sandwiched between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802. In the following description, the position on the conveying path where the print medium 3 is sandwiched between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 is referred to as the discharge roller position. The discharge roller position is a position at a distance L3 from the full cut position on the conveying path, and the distance L3 corresponds to the length from the position on the print medium 3 at the full cut position to the position on the print medium 3 at the discharge roller position on the conveyed print medium 3.

The reference position for cueing, which is between the printing position and the full cut position on the transport path shown in FIG. 3 and is a distance L4 from the printing position, represents, for example, the position of the start of the area where printing is to be performed when printing on the print medium 3 starts based on the print data (print image).

The transport path of the print medium 3 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the full cut position and the half cut position may be reversed, or the half cutter 702 may be omitted.

When using the information processing device 2 to have the printing device 1 print and cut to create a label, an application compatible with the printing device 1 is executed on the information processing device 2 to create print data. The application can be obtained, for example, by downloading it from a specific website to the information processing device 2 via a communication network such as the Internet. The application can also be obtained, for example, by loading it into the information processing device 2 from a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

Figure 4 is a sequence diagram explaining a method for creating a label using an information processing device. Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method for creating a label when the information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 communicate wirelessly.

When creating a label using the printing device 1 and the information processing device 2, first, an application corresponding to the printing device 1 is started on the information processing device 2, and a print image creation process (step S21) and a print data creation process (step S22) are performed. The print image creation process is a process of inputting and selecting the character strings and figures to be printed (printed) on the print medium 3 to create a print image. The print data creation process is a process of inputting and selecting the width (tape width), cutting method, print density, and number of prints of the print medium 3 to be printed (i.e., used to create the label), as well as the setting of whether to continue printing, and creating print data including the print image and these settings. The setting of whether to continue printing is a setting of whether to have the printing device 1 perform a label creation process based on the second print data after the label creation process (printing and cutting) in the printing device 1 based on the first print data is completed. The information processing device 2 creates print data when it receives an operation to start (execute) printing after the user has performed operations such as inputting and selecting the width of the print medium 3 (tape width), cutting method, print density, and number of copies to be printed, as well as the setting of whether or not to continue printing.

After steps S21 and S22, the information processing device 2 wirelessly communicates with the printing device 1 to obtain tape width information indicating the tape width of the print medium 3 attached to the printing device 1 and wireless status (step S23). The information processing device 2 and the printing device 1 wirelessly communicate, for example, by UDP (User Datagram Protocol). In step S23, the information processing device 2 transmits UDP to the printing device 1 and then receives a notification from the printing device 1. When the printing device 1 receives the UDP transmission from the information processing device 2, it notifies the information processing device 2 of the tape width information indicating the tape width of the print medium 3 currently attached to the device and wireless status (step S11). The printing device 1 recognizes the tape width of the print medium 3 by, for example, detecting which tape width the media adapter attached to the device is the media adapter that accommodates the print medium 3 (tape roll 4).

After step S23, the information processing device 2 compares and evaluates the tape width of the print medium 3 in the created print data with the tape width information acquired from the printing device 1, and transmits the print data to the printing device 1 (step S24). Note that, although not shown in FIG. 4, for example, if the tape width of the print medium 3 in the print data differs from the tape width information acquired from the printing device 1, the tape width of the print medium 3 in the print data may be changed or the print medium 3 (media adapter) of the printing device 1 may be replaced before transmitting the print data to the printing device 1.

When the printing device 1 receives the print data from the information processing device 2, it performs a label creation process (step S12) based on the received print data. The contents of the label creation process will be described later with reference to Figures 5, 6A and 6B, and 7. When the label creation process ends, the printing device 1, for example, sends an end command to the information processing device 2 to notify the information processing device 2 that label creation has ended (step S13).

When the information processing device 2 receives the end command, it determines whether the setting for whether to continue printing in the print data associated with the end command is set to continue printing (step S25). If the setting is not set to continue printing (step S25; NO), the information processing device 2 displays a screen notifying the user that the label creation process in the printing device 1 (i.e., printing and cutting on the print medium 3 based on the print data sent to the printing device 1) has ended (step S26).

If the setting is to continue printing (step S25; YES), the information processing device 2 performs a process of sending print data to the printing device 1 to cause the printing device 1 to continue printing (label creation process). If the setting is to continue printing, the information processing device 2 performs processes, for example, from the print image creation process (step S21). Also, for example, if the creation of the print data to be sent next to the printing device 1 is completed at the time of the judgment of step S25 and there is no change in the tape width of the printing medium 3 to be printed, the information processing device 2 may skip the processes of steps S21 to S23 after the judgment of step S25 and perform a process of sending the print data to the printing device 1 (step S24).

In this way, when the printing device 1 of this embodiment receives print data from the information processing device 2, it performs label creation processing based on the print data (step S12). As the label creation processing, the printing device 1 of this embodiment performs processing, for example, in accordance with the flowchart in FIG. 5.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment.

The printer 1 that has received the print data first reads from the memory unit 120 the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the previous label creation process (step S1210). The state of the print medium 3 includes, for example, information indicating the length from the start of the print medium 3 to the position on the print medium 3 at the printing position at the end of the previous label creation process, and information indicating whether printing was performed on that section in the previous label creation process.

The printer 1 then performs a transport operation/cut operation setting process based on the print data for the current (i.e., currently being performed) label creation process and the read state of the print medium 3 (step S1230). In the transport operation/cut operation setting process, the printer 1 sets the transport operation of the print medium 3 and the cut operation of the print medium 3 in the current label creation process. An example of the transport operation/cut operation setting process will be described later with reference to Figures 6A and 6B, and Figure 7.

After step S1230, the printing device 1 executes printing and cutting on the print medium 3 based on information such as the print image, print density, and number of copies included in the print data, and the setting information related to the transport operation of the print medium 3 and the cutting operation of the print medium 3 set in step S1230 (step S1250). When the processing of step S1250 ends, the printing device 1 ends the label creation process.

Figure 6A is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of a transport operation/cutting operation setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. Figure 6B is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a transport operation/cutting operation setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment.

In the transport operation/cut operation setting process, the printing device 1 first calculates the label length of the label to be created in the current label creation process based on the print data and the tape length required to create the label (step S1231), as shown in FIG. 6A. The label length is, for example, the length in the transport direction of one label to be created (generated) by printing (printing) on the print medium 3 based on one print image and tape width in the print data. The area on the print medium 3 that will become one label includes, for example, blank areas on the downstream and upstream sides of the print area where printing was performed. Downstream and upstream represent the relative positional relationship in the transport direction on the print medium 3, and in this specification, the direction in which the start end of the print medium 3 is located (in other words, the discharge direction) as viewed from an arbitrary position or area on the print medium 3 is referred to as downstream, and the side where the end end of the print medium 3 opposite the start end is located (in other words, the direction opposite the discharge direction) is referred to as upstream. The tape length is the sum of the label lengths of all labels to be created in the current label creation process. For example, if the number of prints is 1 (i.e., one label is created), the tape length will be equal to the label length. For example, if the number of prints is n (n>1) and all the labels created have the same label length LL, the tape length will be n times the label length LL.

Next, the printer 1 performs a front margin setting process based on the calculated label length and tape length, a setting for whether to continue printing, and the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the previous label creation process (step S1232). In the front margin setting process, the printer 1 sets whether to provide a margin portion (front margin) separate from the label downstream of the first label created by the first print in the current label creation process, and sets the length of the front margin if a front margin is provided. An example of the front margin setting process will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

After step S1232, the printing device 1 sets the variable n to 1 (step S1233). The variable n is used to identify the label to be created by printing based on the number of prints in the print data (total number of prints N).

Next, the printing device 1 determines whether or not to provide a leading margin (step S1234). If a leading margin is not to be provided (step S1234; NO), the printing device 1 then determines whether or not the label length of the nth label is less than the shortest label length (step S1236). On the other hand, if a leading margin is to be provided, the printing device 1 adds the length of the leading margin to the label length of the first label (step S1235), and then determines whether or not the label length of the nth label is less than the shortest label length (step S1236).

The shortest label length in the determination of step S1236 is the shortest value of the label length that allows the label (cut piece of the print medium 3) obtained by cutting the print medium 3 with the full cutter 701 to be discharged from the discharge port 103 of the device housing. In the printing device 1 having the conveying path illustrated in FIG. 3, when the print medium 3 is cut by the full cutter 701 while being clamped between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 of the discharge roller 8, the label obtained by cutting can be discharged by the discharge roller 8. That is, in the printing device 1 having the conveying path illustrated in FIG. 3, when the length (label length) from the start of the print medium 3 to the position where it is cut by the full cutter 701 is longer than the distance L3 from the full cut position to the discharge roller position on the conveying path, the label obtained by cutting by the full cutter 701 can be discharged by the discharge roller 8. In this case, the shortest label length is set to the distance L3 or a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin (for example, a length of about several mm) to the distance L3.

If the label length of the nth label is less than the shortest label length (step S1236; YES), the printing device 1 then determines whether there are any remaining labels contiguous with the nth label within the printing device 1 when the nth label is printed (step S1237). If there are any remaining labels within the printing device 1 (step S1237; YES), the printing device 1 sets the cutting setting for the boundary between the remaining labels and the nth label to not perform a full cut (step S1238).

If the label length of the nth label is equal to or greater than the shortest label length (step S1236; NO), if there are no remaining labels in the printing device 1 (step S1237; NO), or if the processing of step S1238 has been performed, the printing device 1 next determines whether the distance from the start of the printing medium 3 to the end of the nth label when the nth label is printed is less than the shortest label length (step S1239). The end of the nth label is the upstream end of the label area to be created as the nth label, including the printing area on the printing medium 3 where the nth label was printed. If the boundary between the nth label and the n-1th label is cut by the full cutter 701 before printing the nth label, the distance from the start of the printing medium 3 to the end of the nth label is the label length of the nth label. If the boundary between the nth label and the (n-1)th label is not cut by the full cutter 701 before the nth label is printed, the distance from the start of the print medium 3 to the end of the nth label will be equal to or greater than the sum of the label length of the nth label and the label length of the (n-1)th label.

If the distance from the start of the print medium 3 to the end of the nth label when printing the nth label is less than the shortest label length (step S1239; YES), the printer 1 then determines whether the cut setting for the end of the nth label is a full cut (step S1240). If the cut setting is a full cut (step S1240; YES), the printer 1 changes the cut setting for the end of the nth label to a setting that does not perform a full cut (step S1241).

If the distance from the start of the print medium 3 to the end of the nth label is equal to or longer than the shortest label length (step S1239; NO), if the cut setting for the end of the nth label is not a full cut (step S1240; NO), or if step S1241 has been performed, the printing device 1 next determines whether or not there is an n+1th label (step S1242). In step S1242, the printing device 1 determines whether the magnitude relationship between the number of prints in the print data (total number of prints N) and the current value of the variable n is n<N, and if n<N, determines that there is an n+1th label. If there is an n+1th label (step S1242; YES), the printing device 1 updates the variable n to n+1 (step S1243) and performs the determination of step S1236.

If there is no n+1th label (step S1242; NO), the printer 1 then determines whether the continuous printing setting is on for the current label creation process (step S1244), as shown in FIG. 6B. If the setting for continuous printing in the print data for the current label creation process is set to continuous printing, the printer 1 determines that the continuous printing setting is on.

If the setting to continue printing is on (step S1244; YES), the printing device 1 then determines whether the cut setting for the end of the nth label is a full cut (step S1245). The nth label determined in step S1245 is the last label (i.e. the Nth label) created based on the number of prints in the print data (total number of prints N). Therefore, if the cut setting is a full cut (step S1245; YES), the printing device 1 changes the cut setting for the end of the nth label to a setting that does not perform a full cut (step S1246).

If the setting to continue printing is not on (step S1244; NO), if the cut setting for the end of the nth label is not a full cut (step S1245; NO), or if step S1246 has been performed, the printer 1 next sets the transport operation of the print medium 3 based on the label length, tape length, leading margin, and cut setting for the current label creation process (step S1247).

Then, the printing device 1 saves (stores) in the memory unit 120 the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the current label creation process based on the label length and cutting settings (step S1248). The information indicating the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the current label creation process saved in the memory unit 120 is read out in step S1210 as the state at the end of the previous label creation process when continuing printing after the current label creation process.

In this way, in the transport operation/cut operation setting process performed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, when the first label creation process is performed based on the first print data, and then the second label creation process is performed based on the second print data, the setting is changed to not cut the end of the label area of the print medium 3 that will be the last label created in the first label creation process by the full cutter 701 (step S1246). In this case, the first label creation process can be ended at the time when printing of the print area included in the label area of the print medium 3 that will be the last label created is completed. In other words, when the setting is made to perform the second label creation process consecutively, the last label created in the first label creation process can be left in the printing device 1 in a state continuous with the print medium 3 on which printing is performed in the second label creation process.

In addition, in the conveying operation/cutting operation setting process performed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, if the label length of the label created as the first label in the second label creation process is less than the shortest label length, the cut setting of the boundary between the first label and the remaining labels created in the first label creation process and remaining in the printing device 1 is set to not full cut (step S1238). Furthermore, in the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, if the sum of the label length of the first label and the label length of the remaining labels is less than the shortest label length, the cut setting of the trailing end of the first label is set to not full cut (step S1241). Therefore, in the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the label cut by the full cutter 701 from becoming a label that is less than the shortest label length, and to prevent the cut printing medium 3 from remaining in the printing device 1 when printing on the printing medium 3 accompanied by cutting the printing medium 3 is performed continuously.

In addition, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, when the first label creation process is performed based on the first print data, and then the second label creation process is performed based on the second print data, the end of the label area of the print medium 3 that will be the last label created in the first label creation process is set not to be cut by the full cutter 701 (step S1246). Therefore, the first (previous) label creation process can be ended in a state where the end of the label area of the last label created on the print medium 3 is at the printing position of the transport path. In this case, the second (current) label creation process can be started with the end of the label area of the last label created in the first label creation process as the start of the label area of the second label. Therefore, for example, there is no need to set a leading margin in the second (current) label creation process, and the amount of the print medium 3 that is not used as a label can be reduced.

As described above, the printing device 1 according to this embodiment can also be set so that continuous printing is not performed. When continuous printing is not performed, the label area including the print area of the print medium 3 on which printing (printing) has been performed in one label creation process may be cut and discharged by the full cutter 701. In this case, the label length of one label area can be made shorter than the shortest label length, but if the label length of the label obtained by cutting with the full cutter 701 (cut piece of the print medium 3) is shorter than the shortest label length, it may not be possible to discharge the label from the discharge port 103 using the discharge roller 8. For this reason, in the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, the above-mentioned front margin setting process (step S1232) is performed, for example, according to the flowchart of FIG. 7.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a front margin setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. Figure 7 shows the steps of the front margin setting process when the number of pages to be printed in the print data is two.

In the front margin setting process performed by the printing device 1 according to this embodiment, first, based on the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the previous label creation process, it is determined whether or not the label printed in the previous label creation process remains in the printing device 1 (step S1232a). In step S1232a, the printing device 1 determines that the label printed in the previous label creation process remains in the printing device 1 if, for example, the state of the print medium 13 at the end of the previous label creation process includes information indicating that printing was performed in the previous label creation process in the section from the start of the print medium 3 to the position at the printing position. If the label remains in the printing device 1 (step S1232a; YES), the printing device 1 sets the front margin to none in the current label creation process (step S1232b) and ends the front margin setting process.

If no labels remain in the printing device 1 (step S1232a; NO), the printing device 1 then determines whether the continuous printing setting is on for the current label creation process (step S1232c). As described above, if the setting for whether or not to perform continuous printing in the print data is a setting for continuous printing, the printing device 1 determines that the continuous printing setting is on. If the continuous printing setting is on (step S1232c; YES), the printing device 1 sets the leading margin to the initial value (step S1232d) and ends the leading margin setting process.

If the setting to print continuously is not on (step S1232c; NO), the printer 1 next determines whether the label length of the first label is less than the shortest label length (step S1232e). As described above, the shortest label length is the shortest value of the label length that can be discharged from the discharge outlet 103 after cutting with the full cutter 701. In the conveying path illustrated in FIG. 3, the shortest label length is the distance L3 from the full cut position to the discharge roller position, or the distance L3 plus a predetermined margin (e.g., several mm). If the label length of the first label is equal to or greater than the shortest label length (step S1232e; NO), the printer 1 sets the leading margin to the initial value (step S1232d) and ends the leading margin setting process.

If the label length of the first label is less than the shortest label length (step S1232e; YES), the printer 1 then sets the cut setting for the boundary between the first and second labels to not perform a full cut (step S1232f) and determines whether the tape length is less than the shortest label length (step S1232e). As described above, in the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, since the number of prints in the print data is two (i.e., two labels are created), the tape length is the sum of the label length of the first label and the label length of the second label. If the tape length is equal to or greater than the shortest label length (step S1232g; NO), the printer 1 sets the front margin to the initial value (step S1232d) and ends the front margin setting process.

If the tape length is less than the shortest label length (step S1232g; YES), the printing device 1 sets a leading margin such that the sum of the tape length and the leading margin length is equal to or greater than the shortest label length (step S1232h), and ends the leading margin setting process. For example, if the shortest label length is 29 mm and the tape length is 14 mm, the printing device 1 sets the leading margin length to 15 mm or greater.

The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7 shows the steps of the leading margin setting process when the number of sheets to be printed in the print data is two, as described above. The leading margin setting process performed by the printing device 1 of this embodiment is not limited to the process according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7, and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the number of sheets to be printed in the print data may be three or more. For this reason, the leading margin setting process may, for example, instead of step S1232f, repeat a process of setting the boundary between adjacent labels not to be fully cut, and a process of determining whether the sum of the label lengths of multiple consecutive labels with the setting not to be fully cut is less than the shortest label length.

In this way, when the printing device 1 of this embodiment is not set to perform continuous printing, the setting of the full cut position on the print medium 3 and the length of the front margin are adjusted from the label length and tape length calculated based on the current print data so that the length of the portion of the print medium 3 cut by the full cutter 701 and discharged from the discharge outlet 103 is equal to or longer than the shortest label length. Therefore, even when the printing device 1 of this embodiment is not set to perform continuous printing, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the length of the cut piece of the print medium 3 cut by the full cutter 701 and discharged from the discharge outlet 103 is shorter than the shortest label length and the cut piece is not discharged. Therefore, when printing on the print medium 3 that involves cutting the print medium 3, it is possible to prevent the cut print medium 3 from remaining in the printing device 1.

Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a first specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. (a1) to (a5) in Figure 8 show, in chronological order, an example of the operation of the printing device 1 during a first label creation process based on first print data, which is performed when the setting for whether to continue printing in the print data for the previous label creation process was not set to continue printing.

Figure 8 (a1) shows the state of the print medium 3 on the transport path at the start of the first label production process based on the first print data. The print medium 3 is stopped with its starting edge 301 at the full cut position on the transport path.

When the first label creation process is started, the printing device 1 first calculates the label length and tape length (step S1231) and performs a front margin setting process (step S1232). When the print image in the first print data corresponds to the character string "AAAAA meeting materials" as illustrated in (a5) of FIG. 8, the printing device 1 calculates the label length LL1 by setting the print area 353 where printing is performed based on the print image, and the margin area 352 downstream of the print area 353 and the margin area 354 upstream of the print area 353 as the label area. When the number of prints in the first print data is one, the printing device 1 sets the label length LL1 to the tape length. Furthermore, since the label length LL1 is longer than the distance L3 from the full cut position to the discharge roller position, which is the shortest label length, in the front margin setting process, the printing device 1 sets the length of the front margin 351 to an initial value (for example, the length L5 illustrated in (a2) of FIG. 8).

The printer 1 then performs cutting settings for the end 305 of the label area. If the setting for whether to continue printing in the first print data is set to continue printing, the printer 1 changes the cutting setting for the end 305 of the label area to a setting that does not perform a full cut (step S1246). After step S1246, the printer 1 performs the processes of steps S1247 and S1248, and executes printing and cutting on the print medium 3 (step S1250).

When the processing of step S1250 is started, the printing device 1 conveys the print medium 3 in the forward direction by a distance L2+L5, as illustrated in (a2) of FIG. 8, and cuts a position 302 on the print medium 3 that is a distance L5 upstream from the starting end 301 with the half cutter 702. The position 302 on the print medium 3 cut by the half cutter 702 becomes the starting end of the label area. The printing device 1 then conveys the print medium 3 in the reverse direction, as illustrated in (a3) of FIG. 8, so that the starting end 302 of the label area on the print medium 3 reaches the cue reference position. The printing device 1 starts conveying the print medium 3 in the forward direction and printing on the print medium 3, with the position 303 on the print medium 3 at the printing position on the conveying path as the print start position. The print start position 303 is the boundary between the print area 353 in the label area of the print medium 3 and the margin area 352 downstream of the print area 353, and is also the starting point of the print area 353.

The printing device 1 controls the thermal head 6 arranged at the printing position on the transport path based on the transport speed and transport amount of the print medium 3 transported in the forward direction and the print image in the first print data, and prints on the print medium 3. Therefore, as shown in (a4) of FIG. 8, a character string corresponding to the print image is printed on the portion of the print area 353 of the print medium 3 that has passed the printing position on the transport path.

When the end 304 of the print area 353 of the print medium 3 passes the print position on the transport path and moves toward the discharge position from the print position, the printing device 1 ends printing on the print medium 3. After that, as shown in (a5) of FIG. 8, the printing device 1 further transports the print medium 3 in the forward direction until the end 305 of the label area on the print medium 3 reaches the print position on the transport path.

If the setting for whether to continue printing in the first print data is set to continue printing, the printer 1 stops transporting the print medium 3 when the end 305 of the label area reaches the print position, and ends the label creation process based on the first print data. At this time, the printer 1 holds information indicating that a label with label length LL1 remains in the printer 1 in a continuous state with the print medium 3 to be used in the next label creation process, as the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the label creation process based on the first print data. This state of the print medium 3 is read out as the state of the print medium 3 at the end of the previous label creation process in the subsequent label creation process based on the second print data.

Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating a second specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. Figure 9 (b1) to (b5) show, in chronological order, an example of the operation of the printing device 1 during a second label creation process based on second print data, which is performed when the first label creation process illustrated in Figure 8 is the previous label creation process and the setting for whether to continue printing in the first print data for the previous label creation process is set to continue printing. The character string "FILE" in dotted outline characters on the print medium 3 illustrated in Figure 9 (b1) to (b4) represents a character string that is to be printed on the print medium 3 based on the print image in the second print data, and that has not yet been printed on the print medium 3.

Figure 9 (b1) shows the state of the print medium 3 on the transport path at the start of the second label creation process based on the second print data. At this time, the print medium 3 is stopped with the end 305 of the first label area 361, on which printing was performed based on the print image in the first label creation process based on the first print data, at the printing position on the transport path. In other words, the first label area 361, on which printing was performed in the first label creation process, remains in the printing device 1 in a state continuous with the part of the print medium 3 that will be printed in the second label creation process. For this reason, the printing device 1 sets the leading margin to none in the leading margin setting process performed in the second label creation process (step S1232b). Therefore, the printing device 1 performs printing on the print medium 3 in the second label creation process, with the end 305 of the first label area 361 as the boundary between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 (in other words, the start 305 of the second label area 362).

The second label area 362 illustrated in (b1) of FIG. 9 is an area extending from the starting end 305 to a position (terminal end 306) a distance LL2 upstream of the starting end 305, and includes a print area in which the character string "File" is printed based on the print image in the second print data, and a margin area upstream of the print area and a margin area downstream of the print area. That is, in the second label creation process, the distance LL2 from the starting end 305 to the terminal end 306 of the second label area 362 is calculated as the label length, and this label length LL2 is set as the tape length.

The label length LL2 of the second label area 362 illustrated in FIG. 9 is longer than the shortest label length (the distance L3 from the full cut position to the discharge roller position on the transport path). Therefore, if the cutting method in the second print data for the second label creation process is set to full cut, the printer 1 sets the cut setting for the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362, which is the end of the first label area 361 and the start of the second label area 362, to full cut in the transport operation/cut operation setting process (step S1230). Also, if the setting for whether to perform continuous printing in the second print data is set to continuous printing, the printer 1 sets the cut setting for the end 306 of the second label area 362 to not full cut in the transport operation/cut operation setting process (step S1246).

When the transport operation/cut operation setting process in the second label creation process is completed, the printing device 1 prints and cuts the print medium 3. First, as shown in FIG. 9B2, the printing device 1 forward transports the print medium 3 so that the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 reaches the full cut position on the transport path. Then, as shown in FIG. 9B3, the printing device 1 cuts the print medium 3 with the full cutter 701 (not shown). After cutting, the label 11 including the first label area 361 printed in the previous label creation process is discharged from the discharge outlet 103 of the device housing by the discharge rollers 8 (not shown) to the outside of the printing device 1.

After cutting the boundary 305, the printing device 1 conveys the print medium 3 in the reverse direction so that the starting end 305 of the second label area 362 on the print medium 3 reaches the cue reference position, as shown in FIG. 9 (b4) to print within the second label area 362 of the print medium 3, starting from the boundary 305. The printing device 1 then conveys the print medium 3 in the forward direction and prints (prints) on the print medium 3 using the thermal head 6. When printing on the print medium 3 is completed, the printing device 1 stops conveying the print medium 3 when the end 306 of the second label area 362 reaches the printing position, as shown in FIG. 9 (b5), and ends the second label creation process.

In this way, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, when a first label creation process based on the first print data and a second label creation process based on the second print data are performed consecutively, the first label creation process is terminated without cutting the end of the first label area 361 including the print area where printing was performed last in the first label creation process. Also, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to make the end of the first label area 361 the start of the second label area 362 without providing a leading margin downstream of the second label area 362 including the print area where printing is performed first in the subsequent second label creation process. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of the portion of the printing medium 3 that is not used as a label, compared to when a leading margin is provided each time a label creation process based on different print data is performed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a third specific example of a label creation process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. (c1) to (c5) of FIG. 10 show another example of the operation of the printing device 1 during a second label creation process based on second print data, which is performed when the first label creation process illustrated in FIG. 8 is the previous label creation process and the setting of whether to continue printing in the first print data for the previous label creation process is set to continue printing, in a time series. Note that the second print data and the second label creation process related to the explanation with reference to FIG. 10 are different from the second print data and the second label creation process related to the explanation with reference to FIG. 9. For example, the second print data related to the explanation with reference to FIG. 9 is print data for printing a character string "file" to create a label, whereas the second print data related to the explanation with reference to FIG. 10 is print data for printing a character string "A01" to create a label. The dotted outlined character string "A01" on the print medium 3 shown in (c1) and (c2) of FIG. 10 is a character string that is printed on the print medium 3 based on the print image in the second print data, and represents a character string that has not yet been printed on the print medium 3.

Figure 10 (c1) shows the state of the print medium 3 on the transport path at the start of the second label creation process based on the second print data. At this time, the print medium 3 is stopped with the end 305 of the first label area 361, where printing was performed based on the print image in the first label creation process based on the first print data, at the printing position on the transport path. In other words, the first label area 361, where printing was performed in the first label creation process, remains in the printing device 1 in a state continuous with the part of the print medium 3 that will be printed in the second label creation process. For this reason, the printing device 1 sets no leading margin in the leading margin setting process performed in the second label creation process described with reference to Figure 10. Therefore, the printing device 1 performs printing on the print medium 3 in the second label creation process, with the end 305 of the first label area 361 as the boundary between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 (in other words, the start 305 of the second label area 362).

The second label area 362 illustrated in (c1) of FIG. 10 is an area extending from the starting end 305 to a position (terminal end 306) a distance LL2 downstream from the starting end 305, and includes a print area in which the character string "A01" is printed based on the print image in the second print data, and a margin area upstream of the print area and a margin area downstream of the print area. That is, in the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10, the distance LL2 from the starting end 305 to the terminal end 306 of the second label area 362 is calculated as the label length, and this label length LL2 is set as the tape length.

The label length LL2 of the second label area 362 illustrated in FIG. 10 is shorter than the shortest label length (the distance L3 from the full cut position to the discharge roller position on the conveying path). Therefore, when the cutting method in the second print data for the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10 is set to full cut, the printing device 1 sets the cut setting for the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362, which is the end of the first label area 361 and the start of the second label area 362, to not perform a full cut in the conveying operation/cutting operation setting process (step S1230) (step S1238). Also, when the setting for whether to perform continuous printing in the second print data is set to perform continuous printing, the printing device 1 sets the cut setting for the end 306 of the second label area 362 to not perform a full cut in the conveying operation/cutting operation setting process.

When the transport operation/cut operation setting process in the second label creation process is completed, the printing device 1 prints and cuts the print medium 3. In the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10, as described above, the cut setting for the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is set so as not to perform a full cut. Therefore, the printing device 1 omits the operation of fully cutting the boundary 305 of the print medium 3, and performs printing in the second label area 362 of the print medium 3 starting from the boundary 305. First, as illustrated in (c2) of FIG. 10, the printing device 1 forward transports the print medium 3 so that the starting end 305 of the second label area 362 on the print medium 3 reaches the cue reference position. After that, the printing device 1 continues forward transport of the print medium 3 and performs printing (printing) on the print medium 3 by the thermal head 6.

In the second print data for the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10, when the setting for whether to perform continuous printing is set to continuous printing, the cut setting for the end 362 of the second label area 362 is set to not perform a full cut as described above. In this case, when printing on the print medium 3 is completed, the printer 1 stops the transport operation of the print medium 3 when the end 306 of the second label area 362 reaches the printing position, as shown in (c3) of FIG. 10, and ends the second label creation process.

In the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10, the printing device 1 determines whether to full-cut the end 362 of the second label area 362 based on whether the sum of the label length of the first label area 361 and the label length of the second label area 362 is less than the shortest label length L3 (steps S1239 to S1241). The sum of the label length of the first label area 361 and the label length of the second label area 362 illustrated in FIG. 10 is longer than the shortest label length L3. Therefore, in the second print data for the second label creation process described with reference to FIG. 10, if the setting for whether to print continuously is not set to printing continuously and the setting for the cutting method is set to full cut, the printing device 1 sets the cutting setting for the end 306 of the second label area 362 to full cut. In this case, when printing on the print medium 3 is completed, the printing device 1 forwardly conveys the print medium 3 so that the end 306 of the second label area 362 reaches the full cut position on the conveying path, as shown in FIG. 10(c4). The printing device 1 then cuts the print medium 3 with the full cutter 701 (not shown), as shown in FIG. 10(b5). After cutting, the label 12 including the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is discharged from the discharge outlet 103 of the device housing by the discharge rollers 8 (not shown) to the outside of the printing device 1.

In this way, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, when the first label creation process based on the first print data and the second label creation process based on the second print data are performed consecutively, the first label creation process is terminated without cutting the end of the first label area 361 including the print area where printing was performed last in the first label creation process. Also, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, if the label length LL2 of the second label area 361 including the print area where printing is performed in the second label creation process is less than the shortest label length L3, printing is performed on the second label area 362 without fully cutting the boundary between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362. Therefore, when the setting of whether to perform continuous printing in the second print data is not set to perform continuous printing and the end of the second label area 362 is fully cut, a label (cut piece of the print medium 3) with a label length less than the shortest label length L3 is generated, and it is possible to prevent the label from being unable to be discharged from the printing device 1. This prevents labels with a label length less than the minimum label length L3 from remaining in the transport path of the printing device 1.

10, in the second label creation process in which printing is performed on a second label area 362 whose label length LL is shorter than the shortest label L3, when the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is fully cut, the end 306 of the second label area 362 is fully cut before the start 305 of the second label area 362 has reached the discharge roller position. In this case, since the second label area 362 is not clamped by the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 of the discharge rollers 8, it may not be possible to discharge the second label area 362 from the discharge port 103 by the discharge rollers 8 after the full cut. In contrast, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, when the label length LL2 of the second label area 362 is less than the minimum label length L3, the boundary between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is not fully cut, and the two areas are made continuous and longer than the minimum label length L3. Therefore, as described above, the printing device 1 of this embodiment can prevent a label (printed medium 3) with a label length less than the minimum label length L3 from remaining on the transport path of the printing device 1.

In addition, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, margin areas are provided on the downstream and upstream sides of the printing area on the print medium 3 where printing is performed based on the print data, and the label area for one label is an area that includes the printing area and margin areas. Therefore, as described above, when a label 12 is discharged in which the boundary between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 has not been fully cut, there is a margin between the printing areas of each label area, making it easy for the user to cut the print medium 3 at that boundary using scissors or the like.

Note that in the label creation process shown in Figures 8 to 10, a case is exemplified in which one label is printed in one label creation process based on one piece of print data, but two or more sheets may be printed in one label creation process.

As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, the length of the leading margin provided downstream of the label area can be adjusted in the leading margin setting process. In the leading margin setting process described above with reference to FIG. 7, if the setting for whether to perform continuous printing in the print data for the previous and current label creation processes is not set to continuous printing, the length of the leading margin can be adjusted based on the label length and tape length of the label created in the current label creation process.

Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating a first specific example of the front margin setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment. Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating a second specific example of the front margin setting process performed by a printing device according to an embodiment.

(d1) of Figure 11 shows an example of a label area 361 and the state of the print medium 3 at the time of full cut when the length LF of the leading margin 351 is at its initial value (for example, the length L5 illustrated in (a2) of Figure 8). The label area 361 is the section from the end 302 of the leading margin on the print medium 3 to a position 305 a distance LL upstream of the end 302, and includes a print area where the letter "A" is printed (printed) based on the print data, and a margin area downstream and an upstream margin area of the print area. In such a case, the sum of the label length LL of the label area 361 and the length LF of the leading margin is shorter than the shortest label length L3. Therefore, when the end 305 of the label area 361 is cut by the full cutter 701 (not shown), a label (print medium 3) with a label length shorter than the shortest label length L3, including the leading margin 351 and the label area 361, may remain between the full cut position and the discharge roller position on the transport path.

In contrast, the printing device 1 of this embodiment performs the above-mentioned front margin setting process, and adjusts the length of the front margin so that the label length of the label (cut piece of the print medium 3) cut by the full cutter 701 is equal to or longer than the shortest label length L3. For example, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, as shown in (d2) of FIG. 11, the length LFA of the front margin 351 is set so that the sum of the label length LL of the label area 361 and the length of the front margin 351 is longer than the shortest label length L3 by ΔLF. In this way, with the front margin 351 of the print medium 3 being clamped between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 of the discharge roller 8, the position of the rear end 305 of the label area 361 of the print medium 3 can be fully cut, and the label including the front margin 351 and the label area 361 after full cutting can be discharged from the discharge port 103.

Also, for example, when the number of prints in the print data is two, the printer 1 can print the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 consecutively in one label creation process, as illustrated in (d3) of FIG. 12. In this case, the cut setting of the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is set to a setting that does not perform a full cut (step S1232f), and the length LFB of the front margin 351 is set so that the sum of the tape length (the sum LL of the label length LL of the first label area 361 and the label length LL of the second label area 362 (LL x 2)) and the length of the front margin 351 is longer by ΔLF than the shortest label length L3 (step S1232h). By doing this, while the leading margin 351 of the print medium 3 is clamped between the first roller 801 and the second roller 802 of the discharge rollers 8, the position of the rear end 306 of the second label area 362 of the print medium 3 can be fully cut, and the label including the leading margin 351, the first label area 361, and the second label area 362 after the full cut can be discharged from the discharge port 103.

In addition, when the number of prints in the print data is two, as shown in (d4) of FIG. 12, it is possible to perform printing based on the first print image (the letter "A") and printing based on the second print image (the letter "B") once each. In such a case, by performing the front margin setting process as described above, it is possible to eject a label including the front margin 351 after full cutting, the first label area 361, and the second label area 362 from the ejection port 103.

As described above, in the printing device 1 of this embodiment, when the first printing data and the second printing data are acquired, and the first printing based on the first printing data and the second printing based on the second printing data are performed, if at least one of the lengths of the label (cut piece of the print medium 3) generated based on the first printing data and the label (cut piece of the print medium 3) generated based on the second printing data is less than the shortest label length, the second printing is performed by setting the cutting unit 163 (full cutter 701) not to cut between the first printing area printed by the first printing and the second printing area printed by the second printing. This prevents a label with a label length less than the shortest label length from being generated and not being ejected from the printing device 1, and prevents the generated label from remaining in the printing device 1.

The above-described embodiment is a specific example shown to facilitate understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. The printing device, control method, and program can be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the next print data was sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 each time one label creation process was completed, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a set of multiple print data, such as the set of the first print data and the second print data described above, may be sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 as one print data, and the printing device 1 may perform multiple label creation processes based on each print data consecutively (collectively). In other words, one print data sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 may be print data that includes multiple print images, and the lengths of the labels (cut pieces of the print medium 3) generated based on each of the multiple print images may be different. Even when printing each print image on the print medium 3 based on such one print data to create a label, by performing steps S1236 to S1241 illustrated in FIG. 6A, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the label is not discharged from the printing device 1 due to the length of the created label including a print image that is shorter than the shortest label length. Also, for example, one piece of print data including multiple print images as described with reference to (d4) in FIG. 12 and settings for the number of prints and cutting for each print image may be sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1, and the printing device 1 may be caused to perform label creation processing for each of the multiple print images in succession.

In addition, in the case of a printing device 1 equipped with a half cutter 702 as described above, for example, the cut setting based on the print data is set to perform a full cut, but the cut setting for a position on the print medium 3 where a full cut is not set in the transport operation/cut operation setting process (for example, the boundary 305 between the first label area 361 and the second label area 362) may be set to perform a half cut by the half cutter 702. In this way, after the label 12 including the first label area 361 and the second label area 362 is discharged, the user does not have to use scissors or the like to separate the first label area 361 and the second label area 362.

The printing device 1 is not limited to a device that performs label creation processing based on print data from the information processing device 2 as described above, but may be a device that is capable of performing label creation processing based on print data created using an input device such as a keyboard provided on the device itself.

The invention as described in the claims of the present application as originally filed is set forth below.
[Appendix 1]
a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
Including,
The control unit is
When the print data acquisition unit acquires first print data and second print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is shorter than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform the second printing on the print medium;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 2]
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
a setting such that, when a length of the second cut piece of the print medium is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 3]
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
a setting such that, when a length of the first cut piece of the print medium is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 4]
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
the first print data includes information indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium based on the second print data after printing on the print medium based on the first print data;
The control unit is
When the information in the first print data indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating that printing should be continued, determining whether or not a length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length based on the second print data;
a setting such that, when the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 5]
In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the second print data includes information indicating whether or not to cut the print medium after printing on the print medium based on the second print data, and information indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium based on third print data after printing on the print medium based on the second print data,
The control unit is
when the information in the second print data indicating whether to cut the print medium is information indicating cutting and the information indicating whether to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating continuing, after printing on the print medium based on the second print data is performed, the operation of the transport unit and the cutting unit is controlled so as not to cut the print medium;
when the information in the second print data indicating whether to cut the print medium is information indicating cutting and the information indicating whether to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating not to continue, after printing on the print medium based on the second print data is performed, the operation of the transport unit and the cutting unit is controlled so as to cut the print medium.
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 6]
In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit is
determining whether or not a length of the cut piece of the print medium generated based on the print data is less than the minimum length;
When the length of the cut piece is less than the minimum length, a front margin having a length that makes the length of the cut piece equal to or greater than the minimum length is provided downstream of a printing area on the print medium where printing is performed by the printing unit.
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 7]
In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The control unit is
calculating a length of the cut piece based on a length of a printing area in the print medium where printing is performed by the printing unit and lengths of margin areas provided on the downstream side and upstream side of the printing area;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 8]
In the printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
the cutting unit includes a full cutter that cuts the entire print medium and a half cutter that cuts a portion of the print medium,
The control unit is
when the second print data includes information indicating that the print medium is to be cut by the half cutter at a position between the second print area and the first print area, and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the half cutter is used to cut the print medium between the first print area and the second print area.
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 9]
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
when both the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece are equal to or longer than the shortest length, causing the printing unit to perform the first printing according to the first print data and the second printing according to the second print data without changing a setting of whether or not the cutting unit cuts between the first print area and the second print area, which is set based on the first print data and the second print data;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 10]
2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
The first print data including a first print image and the second print data including a second print image are acquired as one piece of print data by the print data acquisition unit, and the printing unit is caused to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired first print image, and the printing unit is caused to perform a second print on the print medium based on the acquired second print image,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print image and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print image is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the printing unit to perform the second printing on the print medium;
A printing device comprising:
[Appendix 11]
a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:
When the control unit acquires first print data and second print data by the print data acquisition unit, causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium;
A control method comprising:
[Appendix 12]
a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
A program to be executed by the control unit in a printing device, comprising:
When the print data acquisition unit acquires first print data and second print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium;
A program comprising the steps of:

1 Printing device 101 Container member 102 Lid member 103 Discharge port 104 Button 105 Operation lamp 2 Information processing device 201 Touch panel 3 Print medium 4 Tape roll 5 Platen roller 6 Thermal head 7 Cutter 701 Full cutter 702 Half cutter 8 Discharge roller 801, 802 Roller 110, 210 Control unit 120, 220 Memory unit 130, 230 Input unit 140, 240 Display unit 150, 250 Communication unit 160 Print processing unit 111 Determination unit 112 Setting unit 161 Transport unit 162 Printing unit 163 Cutting unit 211 Print image creation unit 212 Print data creation unit 351 Front margin 352, 354 Margin area 353 Print area 361, 362 Label area 11, 12 Label

A printing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a printed medium, a printing unit that prints on the printed medium , a cutting unit that cuts the printed medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the cutting unit, wherein the control unit acquires first print data and second print data for successive printing, and controls the operation of the cutting unit during a printing operation based on the first print data and the second print data based on whether at least one of the length of a first cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the first print data and the length of a second cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length.

A control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a control method for a printing device including a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a printed medium , a printing unit that prints on the printed medium, a cutting unit that cuts the printed medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the cutting unit , characterized in that the control unit acquires first print data and second print data for successive printing, and controls the operation of the cutting unit during a printing operation based on the first print data and the second print data based on whether at least one of the length of a first cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the first print data and the length of a second cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program to be executed by a control unit in a printing device including a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a printed medium , a printing unit that prints on the printed medium, a cutting unit that cuts the printed medium, and a control unit that controls the operation of the printing unit and the cutting unit, the program including a process of acquiring first print data and second print data for successive printing, and controlling the operation of the cutting unit during a printing operation based on the first print data and the second print data based on whether at least one of the length of a first cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the first print data and the length of a second cut piece of the printed medium derived based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length.

Claims (12)

a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
Including,
The control unit is
When the print data acquisition unit acquires first print data and second print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is shorter than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform the second printing on the print medium;
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
a setting such that, when a length of the second cut piece of the print medium is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
a setting such that, when a length of the first cut piece of the print medium is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
the first print data includes information indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium based on the second print data after printing on the print medium based on the first print data;
The control unit is
When the information in the first print data indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating that printing should be continued, determining whether or not a length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length based on the second print data;
a setting such that, when the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, the cutting unit does not cut between the first print area and the second print area;
A printing device comprising: The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
the second print data includes information indicating whether or not to cut the print medium after printing on the print medium based on the second print data, and information indicating whether or not to continue printing on the print medium based on third print data after printing on the print medium based on the second print data,
The control unit is
when the information in the second print data indicating whether to cut the print medium is information indicating cutting and the information indicating whether to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating continuing, after printing on the print medium based on the second print data is performed, the operation of the transport unit and the cutting unit is controlled so as not to cut the print medium;
when the information in the second print data indicating whether to cut the print medium is information indicating cutting and the information indicating whether to continue printing on the print medium is information indicating not to continue, after printing on the print medium based on the second print data is performed, the operation of the transport unit and the cutting unit is controlled so as to cut the print medium.
A printing device comprising: The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit is
determining whether or not a length of the cut piece of the print medium generated based on the print data is less than the minimum length;
When the length of the cut piece is less than the minimum length, a front margin having a length that makes the length of the cut piece equal to or greater than the minimum length is provided downstream of a printing area on the print medium where printing is performed by the printing unit.
A printing device comprising: 7. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
calculating a length of the cut piece based on a length of a printing area in the print medium where printing is performed by the printing unit and lengths of margin areas provided on the downstream side and upstream side of the printing area;
A printing device comprising: The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
the cutting unit includes a full cutter that cuts the entire print medium and a half cutter that cuts a portion of the print medium,
The control unit is
when the second print data includes information indicating that the print medium is to be cut by the half cutter at a position between the second print area and the first print area, and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the half cutter is used to cut the print medium between the first print area and the second print area.
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
when both the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece are equal to or longer than the shortest length, causing the printing unit to perform the first printing according to the first print data and the second printing according to the second print data without changing a setting of whether or not the cutting unit cuts between the first print area and the second print area, which is set based on the first print data and the second print data;
A printing device comprising: 2. The printing device according to claim 1,
The control unit is
The first print data including a first print image and the second print data including a second print image are acquired as one piece of print data by the print data acquisition unit, and the printing unit is caused to perform a first print on the print medium based on the acquired first print image, and the printing unit is caused to perform a second print on the print medium based on the acquired second print image,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print image and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print image is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the printing unit to perform the second printing on the print medium;
A printing device comprising: a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
A method for controlling a printing device, comprising:
When the control unit acquires first print data and second print data by the print data acquisition unit, causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium;
A control method comprising: a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data including a print image to be printed on a print medium;
A printing unit that prints on the print medium;
A conveying unit that conveys the print medium;
A cutting unit that cuts the print medium;
A control unit that controls operations of the printing unit, the conveying unit, and the cutting unit;
A program to be executed by the control unit in a printing device, comprising:
When the print data acquisition unit acquires first print data and second print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a first printing on the print medium based on the acquired first print data, and causes the transport unit to transport the print medium and the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium based on the acquired second print data,
determining whether or not at least one of a length of a first cut piece of the print medium generated based on the first print data and a length of a second cut piece of the print medium generated based on the second print data is less than a predetermined minimum length;
when at least one of the length of the first cut piece and the length of the second cut piece is less than the minimum length, a setting is made so that the cutting unit does not cut between a first print area printed by the first printing and a second print area printed by the second printing on the print medium;
causing the transport unit to transport the print medium and causing the printing unit to perform a second printing on the print medium;
A program comprising the steps of:

Images