JP6488933B2 - Paper information creation tool and paper information creation method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper information creation tool for creating paper information used in a printing apparatus and a paper information creation method.

A printing apparatus such as a label printer that prints on a label can print on various types of printing paper. Therefore, each time the type of paper to be printed is changed, the operator changes various settings of the printing apparatus according to the paper. In general, the number of operation buttons provided in the printing apparatus is small, and the size of the display screen is small. For this reason, it is not easy for the operator to change the setting of the printing apparatus as the setting items increase.
Therefore, in a label printer, only one type of label size specification (format) is stored in the memory, and printing is performed according to the label size to be used without bothering the operator. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-258343

  As in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-133620, paper information creation is important in a means that uses a pre-preparation related to printing paper (referred to as paper information in the present invention). In particular, the realization of means for efficiently creating paper information without omission has been a problem. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose any means for creating paper information.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

  (Application example 1) A paper information creation tool for creating paper information relating to paper to be printed by a printing apparatus, the display control unit performing processing for displaying setting items relating to the paper information and options corresponding to the setting items; An input control unit that performs selection of the option and generation of a character string based on an external input; a setting command that sets a setting value or the character string corresponding to the selected option in the printing apparatus; A command generation unit that generates a registration command in which a plurality of setting commands are collected, and a communication control unit that performs a process of transmitting the registration command as the paper information to the printing apparatus. Paper information creation tool.

According to this application example, the paper information creation tool displays setting items to be set in the printing apparatus with respect to the paper information and options related to the items, and selects options based on an external input. Therefore, the operator can select a necessary setting value or a desired setting value from the options while confirming the displayed setting items and the options. A unique character string is input to the paper information creation tool by an external input.
Further, the paper information creation tool generates a setting command for setting a setting value or character string corresponding to the option in the printing apparatus, and generates a registration command in which a plurality of setting commands are collected. For this reason, the registration command can be handled as sheet information in which the setting values of a plurality of setting items are combined. Furthermore, since the registration command includes the input unique character string, the character string can be used as a comment for the registration command.
Further, the paper information creation tool transmits a registration command as paper information to the printing apparatus in which the set value is to be set. Thereby, the selected setting value is reliably set in the printing apparatus. Also, by transmitting the registration command as a set of setting commands, the processing and time for transmission can be shortened compared to transmitting the setting commands individually.

  Application Example 2 In the application example described above, the setting item includes the setting item in which a background image to be printed on the paper is set.

  According to this application example, it is possible to change a background image printed as a background such as character information printed on paper.

  Application Example 3 In the above application example, the character string functions as an identifier indicating the registration command.

  According to this application example, since the character string input by the operator is set as an identifier indicating the registration command, the registration command can be specified by the character string. In other words, a desired character string can be set as the name of the registration command, and a plurality of setting values can be managed together.

  Application Example 4 In the application example described above, the communication control unit transmits an inquiry command requesting a return of setting value information indicating the current setting value of the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus, and from the printing apparatus The paper information creation tool, which receives the set value information to be returned, and the display control unit performs a process of displaying the set value based on the set value information.

  According to this application example, it is possible to display the setting value set in the printing apparatus by the inquiry command. For this reason, the operator only needs to work on the setting item to be changed, so that the man-hours for changing the setting value are reduced.

  Application Example 5 In the application example described above, the communication control unit transmits the inquiry command at the time of start-up.

  According to this application example, the paper information creation tool can acquire the setting value information of the printing apparatus by transmitting an inquiry command. Therefore, the setting value of the printing apparatus at that time can be displayed upon activation.

  Application Example 6 In the application example described above, the communication control unit transmits the inquiry command after a predetermined time after transmitting the registration command to the printing apparatus. .

  According to this application example, since the paper information creation tool transmits the inquiry command after transmitting the registration command, the setting value set in the printing apparatus can be acquired based on the registration command.

  Application Example 7 In the application example described above, the display control unit performs a setting error display process indicating that there is a difference between the setting value based on the transmitted registration command and the setting value based on the setting value information. A paper information creation tool characterized by performing.

  According to this application example, when the setting value sent as the registration command is different from the setting value of the setting value information, the paper information creation tool displays a setting error and the setting has been completed normally. It can be announced that there is no.

  Application Example 8 A method for creating paper information in a paper information creation tool for creating paper information relating to paper to be printed by a printing apparatus, the step of displaying setting items related to the paper information and options corresponding to the setting items A step of selecting the option and generating a character string based on an input from the outside, a setting command corresponding to the selected option or a character string for setting the character string in the printing device, and a plurality of commands A method for creating paper information in a paper information creation tool, comprising: generating a registration command in which the setting commands are grouped; and transmitting the registration command as the paper information to the printing apparatus.

  According to this application example, the operator can select a necessary setting value or a desired setting value from the options while confirming the displayed setting items and options. Furthermore, since a plurality of setting commands are collected as registration commands, the setting values of a plurality of setting items can be handled as a set of paper information called registration commands. In addition, since the registration command as a set of setting commands is transmitted, the processing and time for transmission are reduced as compared with the case where the setting commands are transmitted individually.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a paper information creation tool according to an embodiment. The figure which shows the paper information creation screen by a paper information creation tool. The figure which shows the list screen of the registered paper information by a paper information creation tool. An example of a command generated by a paper information creation tool. The figure which shows the error display screen by a paper information creation tool.

(Embodiment)
Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or parts may be shown differently from the actual ones for convenience of description and illustration.

(Configuration of paper information creation tool)
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a paper information creation tool 1 according to the present embodiment. The paper information creation tool 1 includes a display control unit 10, an input control unit 11, a command generation unit 12, and a communication control unit 13.
The paper information creation tool 1 is a tool for creating paper information regarding a plurality of types of paper printed by the printing apparatus 5. The generated paper information includes a paper type, a paper form, a paper size, a paper feeding method, printing conditions, a background image, and the like. Here, the printing conditions include the presence / absence of color correction, the presence / absence of borderless printing, the printing start position, and the printing speed.
In the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 is software, and the display control unit 10, the input control unit 11, the command generation unit 12, and the communication control unit 13 are configured by programs. The paper information creation tool 1 that is software includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and further includes a display 19 as a display device and a keyboard 17 as an input device. It is mounted on a PC (Personal Computer) having a mouse 18 and an external interface 16 and operates.

The display control unit 10 controls the display 19 to display a paper information creation screen 20 (see FIG. 2), a registered paper information list screen 30 (see FIG. 3), a setting error screen 50 (see FIG. 5), and the like. I do. In particular, on the paper information creation screen 20, the display control unit 10 performs control to display setting items 22 relating to paper information and setting values 23 corresponding to the setting items 22. Further, in cooperation with the input control unit 11, a character string input from the keyboard 17 is displayed.
The input control unit 11 controls input devices such as a keyboard 17 and a mouse 18 and takes in external inputs into the paper information creation tool 1. In particular, on the paper information creation screen 20, the input control unit 11 cooperates with the display control unit 10 to select the setting value 23 displayed on the display 19 on the basis of the input that has been taken in, and the character string. Is generated.
The command generation unit 12 generates setting commands 40 to 47 (see FIG. 4 described later) based on the selected setting value 23. The setting commands 40 to 47 are commands for setting the setting value 23 in the printing apparatus 5 and transferring the input character string to the printing apparatus 5. Further, the command generation unit 12 generates a registration command 49 (see FIG. 4 described later) in which a plurality of setting commands 40 to 47 are collected.
The communication control unit 13 controls the external interface 16 to perform communication between the paper information creation tool 1 and an external device. In particular, the communication control unit 13 can transmit and receive information to and from the printing apparatus 5, and transmits a registration command 49 generated by the command generation unit 12 to the printing apparatus 5. Further, the communication control unit 13 transmits an inquiry command (described later) to the printing apparatus 5 and receives setting value information indicating the current setting value 23 in the printing apparatus 5 that is returned.
The display control unit 10, the input control unit 11, the command generation unit 12, and the communication control unit 13 operate in cooperation with each other by exchanging data and the like.

(Operation of the paper information creation tool)
Next, the operation of the paper information creation tool 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a paper information creation screen 20 by the paper information creation tool 1. The paper information creation screen 20 is displayed on the display 19 by the display control unit 10. The display control unit 10 arranges and displays a plurality of setting items 22 relating to the paper information of the paper to be printed on the display 19. In this embodiment, the setting items 22 include paper type, paper form, paper detection, paper feeding method, paper size (paper width, paper length), printing conditions (color correction method, necessity of borderless printing, printing speed). , The print start position), and the background image are displayed. A setting value box 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the setting item 22 and a setting value 23 corresponding to the setting item 22 is displayed.
When the paper information creation tool 1 is activated, the communication control unit 13 transmits an inquiry command (described later) to the printing apparatus 5, receives the current setting value 23 from the printing apparatus 5, and the display control unit 10 receives the setting value 23. Is displayed on the paper information creation screen 20. If the printing apparatus 5 is not connected, a predetermined initial value is displayed in the setting value box 24 as the initial state of the paper information creation screen 20.
In FIG. 2, only the setting items 22, the setting values 23, and a part of the setting value box 24 are denoted by reference numerals in consideration of easy viewing.

  On the paper information creation screen 20, a cursor 70 linked to the operation of the mouse 18 controlled by the input control unit 11 is displayed. The input control unit 11 and the display control unit 10 cooperate to manage and control the position of the cursor 70 on the paper information creation screen 20 and manage the distance between the plurality of setting value boxes 24 and the cursor 70. As a result, the paper information creation tool 1 detects that the cursor 70 has moved to the position of the setting value box 24. Similarly, the input control unit 11 and the display control unit 10 manage the distances between the plurality of buttons 25 to 29 and the title input box 21 and the cursor 70.

A read button 26 is arranged on the paper information creation screen 20. When the mouse 18 is operated and the cursor 70 is moved to the position of the reading button 26 and confirmed, the communication control unit 13 transmits an inquiry command to the printing apparatus 5. The inquiry command is a command for requesting a return of setting value information indicating the setting value 23 of the printing apparatus 5. The communication control unit 13 receives the setting value information returned in response to the inquiry command, and the display control unit 10 sets the setting value 23 of the printing apparatus 5 in the corresponding setting value box 24 based on the setting value information. indicate.
Hereinafter, “the cursor 70 is moved to the position of the read button 26 and fixed” is described as “the read button 26 is operated by the cursor 70”, and the same applies to the cursor 70 and other buttons. Is used.

  When the cursor 70 is moved to the position of the set value box 24 and confirmed on the mark (black triangle in the present embodiment) arranged in the set value box 24, an option for selecting the set value 23 is pulled down. Displayed in menu format. Specifically, for example, when the setting item 22 is a paper type, the pull-down menu displays the paper types that can be used by the printing apparatus 5 such as mat paper 1, mat paper 2, plain paper, glossy paper, and photographic paper. Is done. If the setting item 22 is a background image, the file name of the background image is displayed in the pull-down menu. Further, a preview button 25 is arranged in the vicinity of the set value box 24. When the preview button 25 is operated by the cursor 70, a background image corresponding to the file name (IMG001.PNG in FIG. 2) as the setting value 23 is displayed on the display 19.

  Further, a title input box 21 is arranged on the paper information creation screen 20. When the cursor 70 is moved to the position of the title input box 21 and confirmed, characters can be input from the keyboard 17. FIG. 2 shows a state in which “Paper01” is input and displayed as a character string. The input character string is a comment set in the printing apparatus 5 by the setting command 41 included in the registration command 49 (see FIG. 4 for details later). The character string can also be set as an identifier indicating the registration command 49. In this embodiment, the character string is set as a favorite name indicating the registration command 49 and functions as an identifier indicating a set of setting values 23 selected on the paper information creation screen 20.

Further, a registration button 27 is arranged on the paper information creation screen 20. When the registration button 27 is operated by the cursor 70, a set of set values 23 and a character string are stored in the RAM as registered data (see FIG. 3). Further, the command generation unit 12 generates setting commands 40 to 47 and a registration command 49. Subsequently, the generated registration command 49 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 5 by the communication control unit 13.
The setting commands 40 to 47 are commands for setting the setting value 23 and the character string in the printing apparatus 5. The registration command 49 is a command in which a plurality of setting commands 40 to 47 are combined into one.

  The paper information creation screen 20 is also provided with a close button 28 for ending the paper information creation screen 20 and a help button 29 for popping up an explanation of the operation method.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list screen 30 of registered paper information by the paper information creation tool 1. The list screen 30 is displayed on the display 19 by the display control unit 10. On the list screen 30, an index box 31 and a detail box 32 are arranged. Information for specifying registered data is displayed in the index box 31, and setting items 22 and setting values 23 of registered data are displayed in the detail box 32.

  In the index box 31, a character string input on the paper information creation screen 20 (see FIG. 2) is displayed as a favorite name. Further, the date and time when the registered data is saved in the RAM is displayed as the save date and time. On the list screen 30, a cursor 70 similar to that on the paper information creation screen 20 is displayed. When the cursor 70 is moved to a position of any favorite name and confirmed, the favorite name and the storage date / time are highlighted. Then, details of the set value 23 of the registered data specified by the highlighted favorite name are displayed in a list in the detail box 32. FIG. 3 shows a state in which registered data with a favorite name “Paper01” is selected and its setting value 23 is displayed in the detail box 32.

A new registration button 35 is arranged on the list screen 30. When the new registration button 35 is operated by the cursor 70, the display control unit 10 switches the screen to the paper information creation screen 20. As a result, new paper information can be created and registered. At this time, a predetermined initial value is displayed as the set value 23 in the set value box 24.
Further, a delete button 36 is arranged on the list screen 30. When the delete button 36 is operated by the cursor 70, the registered data of the selected favorite name is deleted from the list.
Further, an edit button 37 is arranged on the list screen 30. When the edit button 37 is operated by the cursor 70, the screen is switched to the paper information creation screen 20. At this time, the setting value 23 of the registered data of the selected favorite name is displayed in the setting value box 24. As a result, the selected registered data can be edited.
The list screen 30 is also provided with a close button 38 for ending the list screen 30 and a help button 39 for pop-up displaying an explanation of the operation method.

FIG. 4 shows an example of setting commands 40 to 47 and registration command 49 generated by the command generation unit 12.
“^ DF: file name” of the setting command 40 is a command for setting the file name of the registration command 49. The file name is the name of the registration command 49, and functions as an identifier as with the input character string. The character string is a favorite character string created by the operator as a favorite name, while the file name is a name created by the paper information creation tool 1 based on a predetermined rule.
The setting command 41 “^ FXTITLE: Paper01” is a command for transferring the input character string “Paper01” as a favorite name of the registration command 49 to the printing apparatus 5. “^ FXDATE: 20150702184051” of the setting command 42 is a command for transferring the storage date and time of the registration command 49 to the printing apparatus 5 and indicates that it was stored at “18:40:51 on July 2, 2015”. .
Setting commands 43 to 47 “^ S (T: paper type”, “^ S (F: paper type”, “^ S (D: paper detection”, “^ S (P: paper size”), and “^ S (B: background image name) is a command for setting a paper type, a paper form, a paper detection method, a paper size, and a background image.
The registration command 49 is generated in a format in which all setting commands 40 to 47 are inserted between the header “^ XA” and the footer “^ XZ”. In FIG. 4, as an example in which the registration command 49 includes setting commands 40 to 47, “^ XA ^ DF: file name ^ FXTITLE: Paper01 ^ FXDATE: 20150702184051 ^ S (T: paper type ^ S (F: paper) Form ^ S (D: paper detection ^ S (P: paper size ^ S (B: background image name ^ XZ). Note that the registration command 49 is set to the setting value 23 of the setting item 22 on the paper information creation screen 20. Although all the corresponding setting commands can be included, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplification of description, only the setting commands 40 to 47 are illustrated.

The communication control unit 13 transmits the generated registration command 49 to the printing apparatus 5 when the registration button 27 (see FIG. 2) is operated with the cursor 70. Further, after transmitting the registration command 49 to the printing apparatus 5, the communication control unit 13 transmits an inquiry command to the printing apparatus 5 after a predetermined time. As described above, the inquiry command is a command that requests a return of setting value information indicating the setting value 23 of the printing apparatus 5. Therefore, the predetermined time is preferably a time for the printing apparatus 5 to complete the setting of the setting value 23 based on the registration command 49. As a result, the setting value information indicates a result set based on the registration command 49.
Subsequently, the communication control unit 13 receives setting value information returned from the printing apparatus 5. Thereafter, the setting value 23 based on the transmitted registration command 49 is compared with the current setting value 23 based on the received setting value information to detect a difference. If a difference is detected, the display control unit 10 displays a setting error on the display 19.
FIG. 5 shows an example of setting error display. In the setting error display, the setting error screen 50 is displayed so as to overlap the paper information creation screen 20. The setting error screen 50 displays a comment notifying that there is the above difference, in other words, that the setting value 23 has not been correctly set in the printing apparatus 5.

(Function and effect)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 selects the setting value 23 from the options for the plurality of setting items 22 and combines the paper information combined with the input character string. create. In addition, a plurality of pieces of paper information are assigned names, managed individually, and transferred to the printing apparatus 5. Therefore, a plurality of pieces of paper information that can be used by the printing apparatus 5 can be efficiently created without omission and delivered to the printing apparatus 5 reliably in a short time.
Further, the input control unit 11 and the display control unit 10 cooperate to display a set value 23 candidate corresponding to the setting item 22 and a character string to be input on the display 19 based on the captured input. Therefore, the operator can select the setting value 23 and input an arbitrary character string by operating the keyboard 17 and the mouse 18 while confirming the display on the display 19.
Further, the setting item 22 includes a background image setting. Therefore, when using the printing apparatus 5, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of sheets of the same type and the same shape on which different background images are printed in advance for each background image. The paper information on which the selected background image is printed together with the character information to be printed can be created. Therefore, it helps to provide the printing apparatus 5 that saves the space for managing a plurality of sheets and the trouble of replacing the sheets.
Furthermore, the paper information creation tool 1 has a function of inputting a character string, and the character string is also used as the name of the paper information to be created. Therefore, the operator can manage the paper information with a favorite name.
Further, in the paper information creation tool 1, when the registration button 27 is operated by the cursor 70, the selected setting value 23 and the input character string are saved, a registration command 49 is generated, and the printing apparatus 5 is transmitted. In the registration command 49, since the setting value 23 and the character string are collected, the operator does not need to individually transmit the setting value 23 to the printing apparatus 5, but efficiently creates paper information and sends it to the printing apparatus 5. Can be sent.
Further, the paper information creation tool 1 transmits an inquiry command to the printing apparatus 5 and receives setting value information from the printing apparatus 5. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether the selected setting value 23 and the character string are correctly set in the printing apparatus 5 from the transmitted registration command 49 and the received setting value information. Furthermore, when the setting is not performed correctly, a display indicating a setting error can be displayed on the display 19 to notify the operator of the abnormality.

(Modification 1)
In this embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 has a configuration in which the display control unit 10, the input control unit 11, the command generation unit 12, and the communication control unit 13 operate in cooperation with each other by exchanging data and the like. It was. However, a separate main control unit that manages the operations of the display control unit 10, the input control unit 11, the command generation unit 12, and the communication control unit 13 and controls the order and timing of data transfer and processing is separately provided. It may be provided.

(Modification 2)
In the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 is software configured by a program and is configured to operate by being mounted on a PC. However, the display control unit 10, the input control unit 11, the command generation unit 12, and the communication control unit 13 may each be configured by hardware, and further include a display device, an input device, and an external interface 16. Also good.

(Modification 3)
In the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 may include a process in which the communication control unit 13 transmits an execution command that causes the printing apparatus 5 to execute the setting commands 40 to 47 included in the registration command 49. According to this configuration, the setting timing of the setting value 23 can be determined by the paper information creation tool 1.

(Modification 4)
In the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 generates setting commands 40 to 47 together with the registration command 49 when the registration button 27 is operated by the cursor 70. However, the setting commands 40 to 47 may be generated every time an option is selected.

(Modification 5)
In the present embodiment, the paper information creation tool 1 compares the setting value transmitted as the registration command 49 with the setting value returned as the setting value information to detect whether they are different, and the two are different. In such a case, a configuration error is displayed. However, the printing device 5 may compare the setting value of the registration command 49 with the setting value of the setting value information. In the case of this configuration, the paper information creation tool 1 can receive a comparison result from the printing apparatus 5 and display a setting error according to the comparison result.

(Modification 6)
Further, the paper information creation tool 1 detects a connection abnormality and a communication abnormality by communicating test data with the printing apparatus 5 and the like, and displays a connection error display and communication in the same form as the setting error screen 50. An error display may be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper information creation tool, 5 ... Printing apparatus, 10 ... Display control part, 11 ... Input control part, 12 ... Command generation part, 13 ... Communication control part, 16 ... External interface, 19 ... Display, 20 ... Paper information creation Screen, 21 ... Title input box, 22 ... Setting item, 23 ... Setting value, 24 ... Setting value box, 25 ... Preview button, 26 ... Read button, 27 ... Registration button, 30 ... List screen, 31 ... Index box, 32 ... Detail box, 35 ... New registration button, 36 ... Delete button, 37 ... Edit button, 40-47 ... Setting command, 49 ... Registration command, 50 ... Setting error screen, 70 ... Cursor.

Claims (8)

A paper information creation tool for creating paper information to be set in a printing device,
A display control unit that performs processing to display selectable setting values corresponding to the setting items according to the setting items of the paper information;
An input control unit for receiving selection of the set value ;
A command generation unit that generates a setting command to be set in the printing apparatus from the setting value that has been selected ;
A communication control unit that performs processing for transmitting a command as the paper information to the printing apparatus ,
The command generator is
When there are a plurality of selected setting values according to a plurality of the setting items, a plurality of the generated setting commands are collected to generate a registration command,
The communication control unit
After the registration command is transmitted to the printing apparatus as the paper information, a process for transmitting an inquiry command requesting setting value information indicating the setting value set in the printing apparatus to the printing apparatus is performed. Paper information creation tool. In claim 1,
The setting item, the paper information creation tool which comprises the setting items related to the background image you print on the paper. In claim 1 or 2,
The input control unit can generate a character string based on an input from the outside,
The paper information creation tool, wherein the character string functions as an identifier indicating the registration command. In any one of Claim 1 to 3,
The paper information creation tool, wherein the display control unit performs a process of displaying the setting value based on the setting value information. In claim 1 ,
The communication control unit performs a process of transmitting the inquiry command at the time of start-up. In claim 4 ,
The display control unit performs display processing of a setting error indicating that there is a difference between the setting value based on the transmitted registration command and the setting value based on the setting value information. . In any one of Claim 1 to 6 ,
The registration command includes a plurality of setting commands provided between a header and a footer. A method for creating paper information to be set in a printing apparatus,
In accordance with the setting item of the paper information , a setting value corresponding to the setting item is displayed to be selectable ,
Accept selection of the set value ,
From undergoing said selected set value, and generates a setting command for setting said printing apparatus,
When there are a plurality of selected setting values according to a plurality of the setting items, a plurality of the generated setting commands are collected to generate a registration command,
The generated registration command is transmitted to the printing apparatus as the paper information ,
An inquiry command for requesting setting value information indicating the setting value set in the printing apparatus is transmitted to the printing apparatus after the registration command is transmitted to the printing apparatus .

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