[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos.
2012-189077 filed on August 29, 2012, and 2012-189079 filed on
August 29, 2012, including specification, drawings and claims
5 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a recording device
10 and a control method of the recording device.
2. Related Art
[0003] Heretofore, there is known a system including a
recording device which performs recording using templates
previously prepared (e.g., see JP-A-2012-048415) . Such a
15 recording device performs the recording of a recording
material by disposing data inputted from a control-side
computer or the like according to the templates stored therein.
[0004] In the recording device of the related art, it is
conceivable to improve output representation of records, such
20 as a label, by changing the templates. In this instance, since
it is necessary that the control-side computer or the like
outputs the data suitable for the templates used by the
recording device, changing the template is needed to change
software of the control-side computer or the like. However,
25 since there are many cases where software is not easily
2
changed, for example, a case where the computer or the like
controlling the recording device constitutes a complicated
business system, for example, account processing, it is
difficult to improve the output representation of the records.
5
SUMMARY
[0005] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to
provide a recording device capable of easily changing a
recording form and a control method of the recording device.
10 [0006] (1) According an aspect of the invention, a
recording device includes a recording unit that performs a
recording operation, a first storage unit that stores a first
template associated with a recording form, a second storage
unit that store a second template corresponding to the first
15 template, and a recording control unit that takes the second
template corresponding to the designated first template from
the second storage unit and gets the recording unit to perform
the recording operation by using the second template when a
recording instruction containing data designating the first
20 template is input.
According to the configuration of (1) , the recording is
performed using the second template corresponding to the
designated first template if recording instruction designating
the first template is input. Accordingly, since a record is
25 recorded in a different recording form without changing the
3
recording instruction inputted to a recording device, it is
possible to easily change the recording form of the record.
[0007] (2) In the recording device of (1) , the first
template designates a recording form of data of a recording
5 element, and the second template is made by changing data of a
recording element in the first template or by adding data of
the recording element to the first template.
According to the configuration of (2) , the recording is
performed using the second template corresponding to the
10 designated first template if recording instruction designating
the first template is input. Accordingly, since a record is
recorded in a different recording form without changing the
recording instruction inputted to a recording device, it is
possible to easily change the recording form of the record.
15 [0008] (3) In the recording device of (2) , when the
recording instruction containing the data designating the
first template is input and the second template corresponding
to the designated first template is not stored in the second
storage unit, the recording control unit takes the first
20 template and gets the recording unit to perform the recording
operation by using the first template.
According to the configuration of (3) , since the
recording is performed even though there is no second template
corresponding to the designated first template, the second
25 template corresponding to all the first templates should not
4
be prepared. For this reason, the recording form can be
changed so that the second template is used for only a portion
of the first template. Therefore, limitation on the change of
the printing form is alleviated, and thus the printing form
5 can be easily changed.
[0009] (4) In the recording device of (2) or (3), wherein
the second template contains data designating the recording
form of the data of the recording element which is newly added
to the first template.
10 According to the configuration of (4) , as the template
used for the recording is substituted by the template to which
the data designating the recording form is newly added, it is
possible to further widen a range of output representation,
without changing the recording instruction to be input.
15 [0010] (5) In the recording device of (4) , wherein the
second template contains data designating a recording color of
the recording element, as the data designating the recording
form of the data of the recording element.
According to the configuration of (5) , as the template
20 is substituted by the template to which the data designating
the recording color is newly added, it is possible to newly
designate the recording color without changing the recording
instruction to be input, thereby further widening the range of
the output representation.
25 [0011] (6) In the recording device of (4) , the second
5
template contains data designating at least one of a position
and a size of the recording element in a recording region of a
recording medium, as the data designating the recording form
of the data of the recording element.
5 According to the configuration of (6) , it is possible to
flexibly change the position or the size of the recording
element without changing the recording instruction to be input,
thereby further widening the range of the output
representation.
10 [0012] (7) In the recording device of (1) , the first
template is data designating a recording form of a page unit,
and the second template is formed by adding data newly
designating the recording form of the whole page to the first
template.
15 According to the configuration of (7) , the recording
device performs the recording using the second template
corresponding to the designated first template if recording
instruction designating the first template is input.
Accordingly, since a record is recorded in a different
20 recording form without changing the recording instruction
inputted to the recording device, it is possible to easily
change the recording form of the record.
[0013] (8) In the recording device of (7) , when the
recording instruction containing the data designating the
25 first template is input and the second template corresponding
6
It
to the designated first template is not stored in the second
storage unit, the recording control unit takes the first
template and gets the recording unit to perform the recording
operation by using the first template.
5 According to the configuration of (8) , since the
recording is performed even though there is no second template
corresponding to the designated first template, the second
template corresponding to all the first templates should not
be prepared. For this reason, the recording form can be
10 changed so that the second template is used for only a portion
of the first template. Therefore, limitation on the change of
the printing form is alleviated, and thus the printing form
can be easily changed.
[0014] (9) In the recording device of (7) or (8) , the
15 second template contains data designating a background color
of the page, as the data newly designating the recording form
of the whole page.
According to the configuration of (9) , as the template
used when recording is substituted by the template to which
20 the data designating the background image of the page of the
record is newly added, it is possible to designate the
background image of the record, without changing the recording
instruction to be input to the recording device, thereby
further widening the range of output representation.
25 [0015] (10) In the recording device of (7) , the second
7
template contains data designating a background image for a
background of the page, as the data newly designating the
recording form of the whole page.
According to the configuration of (10), as the template
5 used for the recording is substituted by the template to which
the data designating the background color is newly added, it
is possible to designate the background color of the record,
without changing the recording instruction to be input to the
recording device, thereby further widening the range of output
10 representation.
[0016] (11) In the recording device of (7) , the second
template contains data designating a foreground color in the
page, as the data newly designating the recording form of the
whole page.
15 According to the configuration of (11) , as the template
used when recording is substituted by the template to which
the data designating the background image of the page of the
record is newly added, it is possible to designate the
background image of the record, without changing the recording
20 instruction to be input to the recording device, thereby
further widening the range of output representation.
[0017] (12) According to another aspect of the invention,
a control method for a recording device including a recording
unit that performs a recording operation a first storage unit
25 that stores a first template associated with a recording form,
8
a second storage unit that store a second template
corresponding to the first template, and a recording control
unit that gets the recording unit to perform the recording
operation, includes taking the second template corresponding
5 to the designated first template to get the recording unit to
perform the recording operation by using the second template
when a recording instruction containing data designating the
first template is input.
According to the configuration of (12), the recording is
10 performed using the second template corresponding to the
designated first template if recording instruction designating
the first template is input to the recording device.
Accordingly, since the recording form of the whole page of the
record is recorded in a different recording form, without
15 changing the recording instruction inputted to the recording
device, it is possible to easily change the recording form of
the record.
[0018] (13) In the control method of (12) , the first
template designates a recording form of data of a recording
20 element, and the second template is made by changing data of a
recording element in the first template or by adding data of
the recording element to the first template.
According to the configuration of (13), the recording is
performed using the second template corresponding to the
25 designated first template if recording instruction designating
9
the first template is input to the recording device.
Accordingly, since the recording form of the whole page of the
record is recorded in a different recording form, without
changing the recording instruction inputted to the recording
5 device, it is possible to easily change the recording form of
the record.
(14) In the control method of (12), the first template
is data designating a recording form of a page unit, and the
second template is formed by adding data newly designating the
10 recording form of the whole page to the first template.
According to the configuration of (14), the recording is
performed using the second template corresponding to the
designated first template if recording instruction designating
the first template is input to the recording device.
15 Accordingly, since the recording form of the whole page of the
record is recorded in a different recording form, without
changing the recording instruction inputted to the recording
device, it is possible to easily change the recording form of
the record.
20 (15) The control method of (12) further includes, when
the recording instruction containing the data designating the
first template is input and the second template corresponding
to the designated first template is not stored in the second
storage unit, taking the first template and getting the
25 recording unit to perform the recording operation by using the
10
J
*
first template.
[0019] (16) According to another aspect of the invention,
a recording device includes a recording unit that performs a
recording operation, a storage unit that stores a first
5 template using a first command system and a second template
using a second command system and corresponding to the first
template, a recording control unit that takes the second
template corresponding to the designated first template from
the storage unit and gets the recording unit to perform the
10 recording operation by using the second template when a
recording instruction containing data designating the first
template is input.
(17) In the recording device of (16) , when the recording
instruction containing the data designating the template using
15 the first command system is input and the template using the
second command system corresponding to the designated template
using the first command system is not stored in the storage
unit, the recording control unit takes the template using the
first command system and gets the recording unit to perform
20 the recording operation.
According to the configurations of (16) and (17) , the
recording is performed using the second template corresponding
to the designated first template if recording instruction
designating the first template is input to the recording
25 device. Accordingly, since the recording form of the whole
11
page of the record is recorded in a different recording form,
without changing the recording instruction inputted to the
recording device, it is possible to easily change the
recording form of the record.
5 [0 020] With the configuration of an embodiment of the
invention, even though the recording instruction inputted to
the recording device is not changed, it is possible to perform
the recording using the different recording form, thereby
easily changing the recording form of the record.
10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printing
system according to a first exemplary embodiment.
FIGs. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
15 one example of a template for use in the printing system.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
operation of a template conversion process.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence
of the template conversion process.
20 FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
example of first and second templates.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
operation of a printing process.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence
25 of the printing process.
12
I
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
example of first and second templates.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
example of first and second templates.
5 FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
example of first and second templates.
FIGs. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
one example of first and second templates.
FIGs. 12A to 12C are explanatory diagrams of the
10 printing process of a printer.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
operation of a template conversion process in a second
exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
15 sequence of the template conversion process.
FIGs. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
one example of first and second templates.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
operation of a printing process.
20 FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a
sequence of the printing process.
FIGs. 18A and 18B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
one example of first and second templates.
FIGs. 19A and 19B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
25 one example of first and second templates.
13
I
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0 022] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention
will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First exemplary embodiment
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating the
configuration of a printing system 1 according to the
embodiment.
10 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the printing system 1
(recording system) is s system for printing (recording) a
label, for example, and includes a host computer 2 outputting
a printing command as printing instruction (recording
instruction), a printer 3 (recording device), and a template
15 terminal 5, which are connected to each other via a network 4.
FIG. 1 shows a printer with no printing system 1, for the sake
of explanation. Further, the printing system 1 may include a
POS system.
The host computer 2 is a computer composed of a CPU
20 executing a program, an ROM storing a basic control program
executed by the CPU or data processed by the CPU, an RAM
temporarily storing the program executed by the CPU or the
data processed by the CPU, and a non-volatile memory element
storing the program or data. The host computer 2 has an
25 application program 21 and a device driver 23, and outputs the
14
printing command to put the printer 6 to print. In this
embodiment, a description is given of an example in which the
printing system 1 prints characters or images on a printing
region of a label paper sheet, which is a recording medium,
5 with an adhesive material on its rear surface to print a cut
sheet of a label having a desired cut size.
[0023] The application program 21 has a function of
designating the template previously stored in the printer 6
and instructing the printing execution. As described later,
10 the printing system 1 is previously set with a plurality of
templates to be used for printing, and, for example, the
templates are stored in the printer 6. The application program
21 designates the template to be used for printing. The device
driver 23 is a program for controlling the printer 6, and is
15 prepared corresponding to hardware specifications and software
specifications of the printer 6. If the application program 21
instructs the printing execution, the device driver 23
prepares and outputs printing command which is made of
commands of a command scheme (hereinafter referred to as a
20 first command scheme) interpretable by the printer 6. The
device driver 23 creates a command including information about
the designated template to output it to the printer 6, if the
template is designated by the application program 21.
[0024] The printing system 1 actually does not include the
25 printer 6. The printing command sent to the printer 6 from the
15
host computer 2 is received and executed by the printer 3. The
printer 3 emulates the function of the printer 6, as described
later. The printer 3 interprets the printing command written
in the first command scheme, and prints the label in a
5 printing format different from the case where the printer 6
prints. That is, the printing system 1 excludes the printer 6
in the system combined with the host computer 2 and the
printer 6, and is alternatively connected to the printer 3. In
the printing system 1, there is no need to change the
10 application program 21 an the device driver 23 of the host
computer 2 from the state in which the printer 6 is used. In
this embodiment, a description is given of an example in which
the printer 6 performing monochrome printing is substituted by
the printer 3 capable of performing color printing.
15 [0 025] The network 4 is a network capable of connecting
the host computer 2, the printer 3, and the template terminal
5 in a communicable manner, and is composed of, for example, a
cable LAN or a wireless LAN specified in Ethernet (trademark)
standards.
20 The host computer 2 and the printer 3 may be connected
to each other in a communicable manner via an interface
specified in USB or RS-232C standards. In this instance, oneto-
one communication between the host computer 2 and the
printer 3 is performed in the printing process which will be
25 described later. In the case where the printer 3 is connected
16
to the host computer 2, instead of the printer 6, it is not
necessary to change information designating a printer of a
communication destination in the host computer 2, if a network
address of the printer 3 is set by the same address as that of
5 the network address of the printer 6 before the substitution.
Further, in the case where the printer 6 is connected to the
host computer 2 via the USB or the RS-232C, it is not
necessary to change the information designating the printer of
the communication destination in the host computer 2, if the
10 printer 3 is connected to the host computer 2 by the same
connection method. In this way, it is possible to substitute
the printer by the printer 3, without changing the host
computer 2 at all.
[0026] The printer 3 includes a printing execution unit
15 (recording unit) 39 having hardware executing the printing,
such as a printing head or a transfer roller, and a controller
controlling the hardware. The printing execution unit 3 9
prints the label paper sheet to output the label.
The printer 3 further includes a control unit 3 0
20 controlling each part of the printer 3. The control unit 30
includes a template conversion processing portion 31 and a
printing control portion (recording control unit) 32. The
template conversion processing portion 31 executes a
conversion process of the template according to a demand of
25 the template terminal 5. When the printing command including
17
the command of the first command scheme is sent from the host
computer 2, the printing control portion (recording control
unit) 32 interpreting the command of the printing command to
put the printing execution unit to execute the printing
5 (recording).
The printer 3 further includes a storage unit 3 3
(storage unit) storing the program or data in a nonvolatile
manner. A storage region of the storage unit 3 3 is provided
with a first template storage portion 34 (first storage unit)
10 and a second template storage portion 35 (second storage unit)
which are able to store the template, and a basic template
storage portion 36. Further, the storage unit 33 is stored
with a label printing program 37. The label printing program
37 is a program operable in a manner similar to the program
15 which is executed by the controller (not illustrated) of the
printer 6, and is used so that the printing control portion 32
emulates the operation of the printer 6.
[0027] The template is a set of data designating a
printing form (recording form) of the printing medium to be
20 printed by the printer 3 or the printer 6. In this embodiment,
a description is given of the case where the label paper sheet
is used as the printing medium. The label paper sheet is a
paper sheet with labels, which are cut in a desired size and
are applied with an adhesive material, arranged on a release
25 sheet long in a horizontal direction, and is accommodated in
18
the printers 3 and 6 while being wound in a roll shape. The
printers 3 and 6 print the characters or image of one page on
one sheet of label. The printing form may include attributes,
for example, a size of label, an internal position of label,
5 the number of characters per one row, the number of lines,
decoration of characters, a font size, a font style, a size of
image, a position of image, and top and bottom or left and
right margin. The template is a set of commands each
designating these attributes. That is, the template includes
10 data designating the printing form of the data of recording
elements (printing element) which are characters or images to
be recorded (printed) on the label.
[0028] FIGs. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams
illustrating one example of the template for use in the
15 printing system, in which FIG. 2A shows an example of
information included in a template Tl, and FIG. 2B shows an
example of a printing image Gl based on the template Tl. The
printing image based on the template schematically shows the
printing form in the case where the label paper sheet is
20 printed according to the template.
As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the template Tl includes a
value of "Label Width" which is data designating a width of
the label, and coordinates of "Home Position" which is the
data designating a reference position. Further, the template
25 Tl includes a plurality of frames (frames al to a4) and data
19
designating the printing form of character strings (character
strings bl to b3), as a printing element to be printed on the
label. The frames al to a4 are regions in which the characters
or image can be disposed, and are defined by the position,
5 shape and size (widths Wl to W4 and heights HI to H4) of the
frame, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The printing position of the
fames al to a4 are designated by position coordinates (XI to
X4 and Yl to Y4) , the origin point of which is the reference
position of the label, in the printing region (recording
10 region) of the label. Further, the frames al to a4 are
rectangular in the example of FIG. 2A. The rectangular frames
al to a4 are prescribed in advance so that its width direction
and height direction are printed parallel with a width
direction and height direction of the label. The position
15 coordinates (XI to X4 and Yl to Y4) indicate positions of
corners of an upper left side of the frames al to a4 in the
printing image Gl, respectively. What is disposed and printed
on the frames can be designated by a separate command. Further,
an empty frame may exist in the frames defined by the template
20 Tl, and, in this instance, nothing is printed in the region of
the frame.
In the example of FIGs. 2A and 2B, the images are
disposed in the frames al to a4. Since the frames al to a4 is
rectangular, the rectangular images are printed in the regions
25 of frames al to a4 in the printing image Gl of FIG. 2B.
20
4
*
[0029] The template Tl may include data of character
strings bl to b3 to be printed on the label, and data
designating the printing form of each character string. The
example of FIG. 2A includes data of characters "OOOO",
5 "AAAA", and " D D D D " included in the character strings for
the character strings bl to b3, data designating printing
positions (position coordinates X5 to X7 and Y5 to Y7) as the
printing form of the character strings bl to b3, and data
designating font sizes fsl to fs3.
10 Further, the contents of the template illustrated in
FIGs. 2A and 2B can be dynamically changed. That is, it is
possible to insert and print characters or images in the
frames contained in the existing template, or to add and print
other characters or images at a position which is not defined
15 by the frame or the character string in the template.
[0030] The first template storage portion 34 of the
printer 3 is stored with the first template composed of the
commands of the first command scheme.
The first template is the template illustrated in FIGs.
20 2A and 2B which is described using the commands of the first
command scheme. The first template is a template for use in
the printing of the printer 6. For example, when the printer 6
is substituted by the printer 3, all templates used by the
printer 6 is copied in the first template storage portion 34.
25 The second template storage portion 35 is stored with
21
the second template described by the command which is defined
by the second command scheme different from the first command
scheme. That is, the second template is the template
illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B which is described by the
5 command of the second command scheme. The second command
scheme may contain a command common to or uncommon to the
first command scheme. Further, the second command scheme
contains a command regarding to an attribute which is not
defined in the first command scheme, as the command
10 designating the printing form.
In this embodiment, the first command scheme is composed
of commands for monochrome printing, and a printing color
(recording color) of the printing elements is limited to a
black or gray scale. Whereas, the second command scheme
15 contains a command designating the printing color of the
printing elements to correspond to color printing of 16, 256,
65,536, or 16,770,000 colors. The printing color of the
printing elements can be designated using these commands,
except for the black or gray scale.
20 [0031] The second template stored in the second template
storage portion 3 5 corresponds to any one of the templates
stored in the first template storage portion 34, and is
composed to print the label in a printing form of which at
least a portion is different from the first template.
25 Specifically, the second template is a template of which at
22
least a portion of the data designating the printing elements
of the first template and the attribute of the printing
element is changed, added, or deleted.
In this embodiment, the first template and the second
5 template are denoted by a name, respectively, and the second
template is denoted by the same names as those of the first
template. That is, the first template storage portion 34 and
the second template storage portion 35 are stored with the
template of the same name. Herein, for the whole of the first
10 template stored in the first template storage portion 34, the
second template denoted by the same name is not necessarily
stored in the second template storage portion 35. For example,
for any one of the first templates stored in the first
template storage portion 34, it is allowed that the second
15 template denoted by the same name is not stored.
[0032] The basic template storage portion 36 is stored
with the basic template which is used by the printer 3 as a
template of default. The host computer 2 outputs printing
command which does not contain the information designating the
20 template. If the printing control portion 32 receives the
printing command, the printing control portion 3 2 arranges the
characters or images according to the basic template stored in
the basic template storage unit 36.
[003 3] The template terminal 5 is composed of, for example,
25 a personal computer as a terminal device for editing the
23
template designating the printing form of the label.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the
operation of the template conversion process, and
schematically shows the flow of the data in the printing
5 system 1. Further, FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram
illustrating a sequence of the template conversion process, in
which FIG. 4A shows the operation of the template terminal 5,
and FIG. 4B shows the operation of the template conversion
processing portion 31 of the printer 3. The template
10 conversion process will now be described with reference to
FIGs. 3 and 4.
In the template conversion process, the template
terminal 5 and the printer 3 transmit and receive the data to
and from each other. The template conversion processing
15 portion 31 executes, for example, the function of a web server,
and the template terminal 5 executes, for example, the
function of a web client. In this instance, the template
conversion processing portion 31 transmits the data of a web
page for the template process in response to the access of the
20 template terminal 5, and the template terminal 5 transmits a
request to the printer 3 based on the web page. In this
instance, the function of the template terminal 5 may be added
to the printer 5.
[0034] By manipulation of a user or operation of a preset
25 program, the template terminal 5 transmits a template demand
24
command for demanding transmittance of the first template to
the template conversion processing portion 31 of the printer 3
(step Sll) . The template terminal 5 may demand transmittance
of any one of the first templates stored in the first template
5 storage portion 34, or demand transmittance of all the first
templates. The template conversion processing portion 31 of
the printer 3 receives the template demand command transmitted
from the template terminal 5 (step S21). The template
conversion processing portion 31 reads the first template
10 demanded for the transmittance in the template demand command
from the first template storage portion 34 (step S22), and
transmits it to the template terminal 5 (step S23) . As
illustrated in FIG. 3, the first template denoted by a name
"Fragile" is transmitted to the template terminal 5 by way of
15 example herein.
[0035] The template terminal 5 receives the first template
transmitted from the printer 3 (step S12) . As necessary, the
template terminal 5 exchanges the data of the printing element
(data of characters or data of images) by data of other
20 printing element, or adds the data of the printing element. In
addition, the attribute which is not defined in the first
template is additionally set (step S13) . For example, the
template terminal 5 additionally sets the attribute, for
example, whether or not color printing is performed for each
25 data of the printing elements in the first template.
25
If the set content of the attribute to be added to the
first template being processed is determined (step S14), the
template terminal 5 transmits a template preservation command
for making the printer 3 to preserve a new template containing
5 the attribute (step S15) . In step S15, the template terminal 5
transmits the data (containing the command) of the attribute
to be newly added to the command constituting the first
template to the printer 3 together with the template
conversion command. Further, in step S15, the template
10 terminal 5 may transmit it together with the processed first
template which is subjected to the process of setting the
attribute. In the case of editing or exchanging the data of
the printing element, the template terminal 5 transmits it
together with the data of the processed printing element.
15 [0036] The template conversion processing portion 31 of
the printer 3 receives the template conversion command
transmitted from the template terminal 5 (step S24) . The
template conversion processing portion 31 creates and
preserves the second template by the command defined by the
20 second command scheme, based on the data transmitted together
with template preservation command from the template terminal
5 (step S25). Specifically, the template conversion processing
portion 31 creates the second template which describes the
printing form using the command of the second command scheme,
25 the printing form being reflected by the attribute added or
26
changed by the process of the template terminal 5 to or
changed from the printing form of the first template which is
processed by the template terminal 5. Further, in the case
where the data of the printing element is transmitted together
5 with the preservation demand for the template, the template
conversion processing portion 31 creates the second template
containing the data of these printing elements, and the data
designating the printing form of the data. The template
conversion processing portion 31 denotes the created second
10 template by the same name as the first template processed by
the template terminal 5, and stores it in the second template
storage portion 35. Accordingly, it becomes clear that the
second template created by the template conversion processing
portion 31 in step S25 is the template to be used instead of
15 the first template processed by the template terminal 5.
[0037] Now, the first and second templates in a
corresponding relation and an example of printing images based
on these templates will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
20 example of the first template T2 and the second template T3 in
the corresponding relation, and shows printing images G2 and
G3 based on the first template T2 and the second template T3.
The printing image G2 based on the first template T2
denoted by the name of "Fragile" has a printing element which
25 is a rectangular frame a5, a character string b4 of "Fragile"
27
disposed in the frame a5, and a printing element which is a
character string b5 of " T UP T " . The first template T2
contains the data of the frame a5 and the character strings b4
and b5, and the data designating the printing form. In this
5 instance, the first template T2 is composed of commands of the
first command scheme which designate the printing form for the
monochrome printer 6, and does not contain the data
designating the printing color of the frame a5 and the
character strings b4 and b5.
10 [0038] The second template T3 denoted by the same name of
"Fragile" as the first template T2 exchanges the character
string b4 of the first template T2 by an image a6 attracting
attention to a fragile object. Further, the second template T3
is added by the data designating the printing color of the
15 image a6. The printing color may be, for example, a red color
suitable for the caution. The printing image G3 based on the
second template T3 is formed so that the color image a6 is
printed, while the character "Fragile" is omitted as compared
with the printing image G2.
20 As the template terminal 5 converts the first template
used by the printer 6 into the second template described by
the command of the second command scheme which can be executed
by the printer 3, and then prerserves it in the printer 3, the
printer 3 can employ the function of the color printing or the
25 like, which cannot be executed by the printer 6.
28
[0039] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the
operation of the printing process, and schematically shows the
flow of the data in the printing system 1. Further, FIG. 7 is
an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence of the printing
5 process, in which FIG. 7A shows the operation of the host
computer 2, and FIG. 7B shows the operation of the printing
control portion 32 of the printer 3. The printing process will
now be described with reference to FIGs. 6 and 7.
In the printing process, the host computer 2 and the
10 printer 3 transmit and receive the data to and from each other.
In a case where the host computer 2 and the printer 3 are
connected one-on-one via a communication line, such as USB or
RS-232C, the printing process is executed via the
communication line.
15 [0040] As the host computer 2 executes the application
program 21 by the manipulation of the user or the operation of
the preset program, the printing process starts. If the
application program 21 creates the printing data of the label
and instructs the printing execution, the printing command
20 contained the data designating the first template based on the
first command scheme is created and transmitted to the printer
3 by the device driver 23 (step S31) . In this instance, if the
data of the printing element is added to the first template,
the data of the printing element to be added is contained in
25 the printing command.
29
[0041] The printing control portion 32 of the printer 3
receives the printing command transmitted from the host
computer 2 (step S41). The printing control portion 32 refers
to the data of the second template stored in the second
5 template storage portion 35 (step S42) , and verifies whether
or not the second template storage portion 35 is stored with
the second template corresponding to the first template
designated by the printing command (step S43) . That is, the
printing control portion 3 2 searches whether the second
10 template having the same name as the template contained in the
printing command is in the first storage portion 35.
If the concerned second template is not in the second
template storage portion 3 5 (NO in step S43) , the printing
control portion 32 reads the designated first template from
15 the first template storage portion 34 (step S44), and proceeds
to step S46. If there is no concerned first template in the
first template storage portion 34, the printing control
portion 32 may read the basic template from the basic template
storage portion 36. Further, if it is verified that the
20 concerned second template is in the second template storage
portion 35 (YES in step S43), the printing control portion 32
reads the second template from the second template storage
portion 34 (step S45), and proceeds to step S46.
[0042] In step S46, the printing control portion 32
25 creates the printing data according to the read template. For
30
example, if the first template designated in the printing
command is denoted by the name of "Fragile", the template
having the same template name "Fragile" is read from the
second template storage portion 35, and the printing data is
5 created. As described above, the read second template is that
the data of the character string b4 of "Fragile" in the first
template is substituted by the data of the color image
(recording element) a5.
In steps S42 to S46, the printing control portion 32
10 converts the command of the first command scheme which is the
command scheme of the printer 6 into the command of the second
command scheme which is the command scheme of the printer 11,
and operates as an emulator for controlling the recording of
the printer 11.
15 Subsequently, the printing control portion 32 controls
the printing execution unit 3 9 to execute the printing of the
label based on the printing form designated by the second
template (step S47).
[0043] As described above, if the printing command
20 designating the first template is input, the printer 3
performs the printing based on the second template
corresponding to the first template. That is, at the time of
printing, the printer 3 substitutes the first template
designated in the printing command for the printer 3 by the
25 second template, and then performs the printing. Since the
31
second template is a template of which the first template T2
is subjected to at least one of change, addition, and deletion,
the printer 3 can perform the recording in a printing form
different from the printing form based on the first template.
5 For this reason, as the printer 6 is substituted by the
printer 3, the printing form of the label can be easily
changed using the function which is not provided in the
printer 6, without changing the printing command to be output
from the host computer 2.
10 If there is no second template corresponding to the
first template designated by the host computer 2, the printer
3 takes the designated first template for the recording,
thereby implementing the printing even with no the second
template corresponding to the designated first template.
15 Therefore, it does not need to prepare the second template
corresponding to all the first templates. For this reason, the
recording form can be changed so that the second template is
used for only a portion of the first template. Therefore,
limitation on the change of the printing form is alleviated,
20 and thus the printing form can be easily changed.
[0044] In addition, an example in which the second
template T3 is contained with the data designating the
printing color as the data designating the printing form of
the data of the image a6 is illustrated. The printing system 1
25 substitutes the template used in the printing by the second
32
template to which the data designating the printing color is
newly added. Thereby, it is possible to designate the printing
color without changing the printing instruction outputted from
the host computer 2. Accordingly, it is possible to widen a
5 range of the output representation, without changing the
software configuration of the host computer 2. Like this
embodiment, for example, as the second template is used
instead of the first template corresponding to the monochrome
printer 6, it is possible to widen the range of the output
10 representation by colorization, without changing the printing
command to be input.
[0045] The second template contains the data designating
at least one of the position and size of the data, such as the
frame a5, the image a6, and the character string b5, in the
15 printing region having the label which is the printing medium.
For this reason, since the arrangement and size of the frame
a5, the image a6, and the character string b5 is flexibly
changed by substituting the template used for the printing by
the second template, the range of the output representation
20 can be further widened.
[0046] Although one example of the first and second
templates has been described with reference to FIG. 5 in the
above description, the present invention is not limited
thereto. Another example of the first templates and an example
25 of a second template corresponding to each first template will
33
be described with reference to FIGs. 8 to 12.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates printing images G2 and G4 each
corresponding to a first template T2 and a second template T4
which corresponds to the first template T2. The first template
5 T2 and the printing image G2 in this example are identical to
those which have been described with reference to FIG. 5.
The second template T4 is that the printing element of
the first template T2 is added by data of an image a7
attracting attention to a fragile object, as a printing
10 element, and also is added by the data designating the
printing form (printing color and printing position) of the
image a7. The position of the image a7 is designated by a
position which is not overlapped with the character string b4
or the character string b5.
15 For this reason, the printing image G4 based on the
second template T4 is disposed with the color image a7 which
is not provided in the printing image G2.
The second template T4 illustrated in FIG. 8 contains
the data of the image a7 and the data designating the printing
20 form which are newly added to the first template T2. For this
reason, as the first template T2 designated in the printing
command outputted from the host computer 2 is substituted by
the second template T4, the image is added to widen the range
of the output representation.
25 [0048] FIG. 9 illustrates the printing images G2 and G5
34
each corresponding to the first template T2 and a second
template T5 which corresponds to the first template T2. The
first template T2 and the printing image G2 in this example
are identical to those which have been described with
reference to FIG. 5.
The second template T5 is that the first template T2 is
added by data designating the printing color of the character
string b4. For this reason, the printing image G5 printed
based on the second template T5 is that the character string
b4 of the monochrome printing image G2 is colored by the
designated color, such as red or blue.
[0049] FIG. 10 illustrates the printing images G6 and G7
each corresponding to a first template T6 and a second
template T7 which corresponds to the first template T6.
The first template T6 is that the first template T2
described with reference to FIG. 5 is added by data (data of
printing element) of an image a8 attracting attention to a
fragile object, and data designating the printing form. The
first template T6 is not contained with the data designating
the printing color.
Further, the second template T7 corresponding to the
first template T6 contains data designating the printing color
of the data of the image a8.
The printing image G7 based on the second template T7 is
that the monochrome image a8 in the printing image G6 based on
35
the first template T6 is colorized to form an image a9.
[0050] As illustrated in the examples of FIGs. 9 and 10,
the second templates T5 and T7 are that a portion of the data
of the printing element in the first templates T2 and T6 are
5 newly added by data designating the printing form which is not
provided in the first templates T2 and T6. According to these
examples, it is possible to further widen the range of the
output representation by using the second templates T5 and T7,
instead of the first templates T2 and T6 designated by the
10 printing command outputted from the host computer 2 to the
printer 6.
[0051] In FIGs. 7 to 10, the second template is that the
corresponding first template is subjected to change, addition,
and deletion of the data designating the printing form of the
15 printing element, but the present invention is not limited to
these examples.
FIGs. 11A and 11B are explanatory diagrams illustrating
printing images G8 and G9 each corresponding to a first
template T8 (FIG. 11A) and a second template T9 (FIG. 11B)
20 corresponding to the first template.
The first template T8 of FIG. 11A contains an image 40,
a character 41, and a frame 42 as the printing elements to be
printed on the label. The data of the first template T8
contains image data of the image 40, data designating a size
25 and position of the image 40, and a character code, a font, a
36
size, and a position of the character 41. Further, the frame
42 is provided as a frame to insert the characters. The data
of the first template T8 does not contain the data, that is,
character code, of the character to be inserted in the frame
5 42, but the frame 42 contains the data designating the font,
the size and the position of the character.
[0052] If the first template is used, the host computer 2
outputs data designating a name of the first template, and
data containing the character code of the character to be
10 inserted in the frame 42, as well as a command of printing
command. In the example of FIG. 11A, the address data can be
inserted in the frame 42, so that the host computer 2 outputs
a name "Summer" of the first template T8, and the address data
"123 XX Street, 12345" to be inserted in the frame 42, as well
15 as the printing command.
[0053] The second template T9 corresponding to the first
template T8 contains an image 50, a character 51, and the
frame 4 2 as the printing elements, as illustrated in FIG. 11B.
The data of the second template T9 contains image data of the
20 image 50, data designating a size and position of the image 50,
and a character code, a font, a size, and a position of the
character 51. Further, the image 50 is the image data
substituting the image 40, and the character 51 is the data
substituting the character 41. If the image 50 and the
25 character 51 is able to be disposed in the range falling
37
*
within the size of the label, it is not necessary to arrange
the image 40 and the character 41 in the size, the position,
and the font, and an arbitrary size, position and font can be
set.
5 Since the printer 3 is able to perform color printing,
the second template T9 contains the data designating the
printing color of the image 50, and the data designating the
printing color of the character 51.
[0054] In addition, the second template T9 contains the
10 frame 52 as the printing element. The frame 52 is a frame in
which it is disposed at the same size and position of the
frame 42 of the first template T8, and a character can be
inserted. The frame 52 which is inserted by the same number of
characters as that of the fame 42 can be printed. Accordingly,
15 if the host computer 2 outputs the data of the name of the
first template T8 and the character to be inserted in the
frame 42, the printer 3 can print the frame 52 in which the
entire characters (herein, address data) to be inserted in the
frame 42 are inserted. In this way, for the frame in which the
20 data is dynamically inserted or changed by the data outputted
from the host computer 3 together with the printing command,
the second template 2 preferably has the frame in which at
least the same data as the first template. Furthermore, the
character or image stationarily contained in the template may
25 be changed in the frame without deviating from the printing
38
region of a printing surface of the label. For example, if the
printing image G8 has a size occupying the half of the label,
the printing size of the printing image G9 may be set to be
the almost entire surface of one sheet of the label.
5 [0055] Comparing the printing image G8 of the first
template T8 and the printing image G9 of the second template
T9, the image alO and the image al2, and the character b6 and
the character b7 may be largely different from each other. The
character c2 is not necessarily set to have the same font or
10 size as that of the character cl, and may be set in different
font or size, since the same number of characters should be
printed.
[00 56] The work of preparing the second template using the
template terminal 5 can be carried out by two methods: a
15 method of reading the first template using the template
terminal 5; and a method of preparing a new template without
using the first template. In the example illustrated in FIGs.
11A and 11B, the character 41 or the image 4 0 can be changed
by the character 51 or the image 50 which is largely different
20 from the character 41 or the image 40. In this instance, it
seems that the method of preparing the new template is easier
than the former method.
[0057] In the printing system 1, by the printing command
outputted from the host computer 2, other data memorized in
25 the printers 3 and 6 are designated together with the template,
39
and the printers 3 and 6 can print the designated data
according to the template. FIGs. 12A to 12C are explanatory
diagrams of the printing process.
In addition to the image data or character data of the
5 printing elements and the data designating a printing aspect
of each printing element, the first template can contain a
file name of the image data to be inserted in the template for
the printing. The printer 6 stores, for example, data of an
image al4 in FIG. 12A, as well as the first template. If the
10 first template designated by the printing command outputted
from the host computer 2 contains a file name "sun" of the
image al4, the data of the image al4 is read, and then is
printed together with other printing elements of the first
template.
15 [0058] In this way, the second template corresponding to
the first template is prepared to contain the file name "sun"
of the image al4. In addition, another image al5 illustrated
in FIG. 12B may be denoted by the same file name "sun" as the
image al4, and then be stored in the second template storage
20 portion 35. In this instance, characters al6 and 17 and the
image al5 of the image G10 (FIG. 12C) to be printed in
practice may be changed in characters and image different from
the original first template, without changing the printing
command and the data outputted from the host computer 2.
25 Further, like the above example, since the second template
40
newly contains data designating printing colors of the
characters al6 and 17 and the image al5, it is possible to
easily print the colorized label.
Further, if the data outputted from the host computer 2
5 does not contain the file name of the image data, but the
first template contains the file name, as illustrated in FIG.
12B, it is not necessary to denote the image data to be newly
used by the same file name. The second template storage
portion 3 5 should be stored with the image data of the same
10 file name as that contained in the second template.
Second exemplary embodiment
[0059] Next, a second exemplary embodiment will be
described herewith.
15 In the second embodiment, the same reference sign is
assigned to a component which is common to the aforementioned
first embodiment.
In the first embodiment, the template terminal 5
receives the first template transmitted from the printer 3.
20 Then, as necessary, the template terminal 5 replaces the
printing element data with another printing element data and
adds another printing element data. In the second embodiment,
the template terminal 5 executes the process explained in the
first embodiment and performs change or addition of an
25 attribute, which is not defined in the first template,
41
designating the printing form of the whole page.
[0060] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the
operation of the template conversion process in the second
exemplary embodiment, and schematically shows the flow of the
5 data in the printing system 1. Further, FIG. 14 is an
explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence of the template
conversion process in the second exemplary embodiment, in
which FIG. 14A shows the operation of the template terminal 5,
and FIG. 14B shows the operation of the template conversion
10 processing portion 31 of the printer 3. The template
conversion process will now be described with reference to
FIGs. 13 and 14.
In the template conversion process, the template
terminal 5 and the printer 3 transmit and receive the data to
15 and from each other. The template conversion processing
portion 31 executes, for example, the function of a web server,
and the template terminal 5 executes, for example, the
function of a web client. In this instance, the template
conversion processing portion 31 transmits the data of a web
20 page for the template process in response to the access of the
template terminal 5, and the template terminal 5 transmits a
request to the printer 3 based on the web page. In this
instance, the function of the template terminal 5 may be added
to the printer 5.
25 [0061] By manipulation of a user or operation of a preset
42
program, the template terminal 5 transmits a template demand
command for demanding transmittance of the first template to
the template conversion processing portion 31 of the printer 3
(step S51) . The template terminal 5 may demand transmittance
of any one of the first templates stored in the first template
storage portion 34, or demand transmittance of all the first
templates. The template conversion processing portion 31 of
the printer 3 receives the template demand command transmitted
from the template terminal 5 (step S61). The template
conversion processing portion 31 reads the first template
demanded for the transmittance in the template demand command
from the first template storage portion 34 (step S62) , and
transmits it to the template terminal 5 (step S63) . As
illustrated in FIG. 13, the first template denoted by a name
"Summer" is transmitted to the template terminal 5 by way of
example herein.
[0062] The template terminal 5 receives the first template
transmitted from the printer 3 (step S52) . The template
terminal 5 performs change or addition of an attribute, which
is not defined in the first template, designating the printing
form of the whole page (step S53). For example, the change or
addition of an attribute, which is not defined in the first
template, designating the printing form of the whole page
includes designation of a background color of the whole page,
designation of a color background image constituting the whole
43
page, and designation of the color of the printing element
disposed at a foreground inside the page. As necessary, the
template terminal 5 exchanges the data of the printing element
(data of characters or data of images) by data of other
printing element, or adds the data of the printing element. In
this instance, the template terminal 5 sets the attribute, for
example, whether or not color printing is performed for each
data of the printing elements, as necessary.
If the content of the change or addition of the
attribute which is performed on the whole page of the first
template being processed is determined (step S54), the
template terminal 5 transmits a template preservation command
for making the printer 3 to preserve a new template containing
the above-described attribute (step S55) . In step S54, the
template terminal 5 newly adds a background color of the whole
page as the attribute which is set by the command constituting
the first template. Also, the template terminal 5 transmits
the data (containing the command) designating the attribute
which is newly designated to the command constituting the
first template to the printer 3 together with the template
conversion command. In step S55, the template terminal 5 may
transmit it together with the processed first template which
is subjected to the process of designating the attribute. In
the case of editing or exchanging the data of the printing
element, the template terminal 5 transmits it together with
44
•* <
the data of the processed printing element.
[0063] The template conversion processing portion 31 of
the printer 3 receives the template conversion command
transmitted from the template terminal 5 (step S64) . The
5 template conversion processing portion 31 creates and
preserves the second template by the command defined by the
second command scheme, based on the data transmitted together
with template preservation command from the template terminal
5 (step S65). Specifically, the template conversion processing
10 portion 31 creates the second template which describes the
printing form using the command of the second command scheme,
the printing form being reflected by the attribute designating
the background color of the whole page added or changed by the
process of the template terminal 5 to or from the printing
15 form of the first template which is processed by the process
of the template terminal 5. The template conversion processing
portion 31 denotes the created second template by the same
name as the first template processed by the template terminal
5, and stores it in the second template storage portion 35.
20 Accordingly, it becomes clear that the second template created
by the template conversion processing portion 31 in step S65
is the template to be used instead of the first template
processed by the template terminal 5.
[0064] Now, the first and second templates in a
25 corresponding relation and an example of printing images based
45
on these templates will be described.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating one
example of the first template T2 and the second template T3 in
the corresponding relation, in which FIG. 5A schematically
5 shows the configuration of the first template T12 and the
printing image G12 based on the first template T12, and FIG.
5B schematically shows the configuration of the second
template T13 and the printing image G13 based on the second
template T13.
10 [0065] The first template T12 is composed of a command of
the monochrome printing. The first template T12 does not
contain the data designating a color (background color) of a
background 51 of a label 50 which is an object to be printed.
The first template T12 is a template used when the label is
15 printed by the printer 6, and the background 151 is white,
that is, the background should not be printed, since the
printer 6 does not perform the color printing.
The first template T12 is data designating the printing
form of the label 15 0, and contains data 14 0a and 14 0b of a
20 character input area which is disposed in the label 150 and is
inputted by the character, and image attribute designating
data 141 designating the printing form of the image to be
printed on the label 150.
The character input area is a region in which the
25 character data outputted from the host computer 2 together
46
with the command of the printing instruction is inserted. In
this embodiment, a character string "HAPPY" and a character
string "Summer Festival" are output from the host computer 2,
and these character strings are input in each character input
5 area. As a result, as illustrated in the printing image G12 of
FIG. 15A, a character string yl composed of characters "HAPPY"
and a character string y2 composed of characters "Summer
Festival" are printed.
[0066] Data 140a and 140b of the character input area
10 contained in the first template T12 contain a command and data
designating a size, a position, and a font of the character.
The character string yl is printed on the label 150 in the
printing form designated by the data 14 0a of the character
input area, and the character string y2 is printed on the
15 label 150 in the printing form designated by the data 140b of
the character input area.
The image attribute designating data 141 contains data
designating the image to be printed on the label 150. The
image is selected from the images stored in the first template
20 storage portion 34 together with the first template T12. The
data designating the image is a file name of the image data,
for example. As illustrated in the printing image G12 of FIG.
15A, the image x5 designated by the image attribute
designating data 141 is printed on the label 150 to form the
25 foreground.
47
[0067] The second template T13 illustrated in FIG. 15B is
that data 14 2 of the background color is added to the data of
the corresponding first template T12. The data 142 of the
background color is data designating the background color for
every page of the label 150 which is a printing unit. The
data 14 0a and 14 0b of the character input area of the second
template T13 may contain data designating colors of the
character strings yl and y2 to be printed, and data
designating a background color inside the area.
[0068] In the printing image G13 based on the second
template T13, the background is colorized by the color
designated by the data 14 2 of the background color. Further ,
in the printing image G13, the character strings yl and y2 and
the image x5 are printed in the printing form designated by
the data 14 0a and 14 0b of the character input area and the
image attribute designating data 141, as well as the printing
image G12.
As the template terminal 5 converts the first template
T12 used by the printer 6 into the second template T13
described by the command of the second command scheme which
can be executed by the printer 3, and then preserves it in the
printer 3, the printer 3 can perform the printing using the
function of the color printing or the like, which cannot be
executed by the printer 6, thereby colorizing the background
color on the whole page of the label 150 which is the printing
48
unit.
[0069] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the
operation of the printing process, and schematically shows the
flow of the data in the printing system 1. Further, FIG. 7 is
5 an explanatory diagram illustrating a sequence of the printing
process, in which FIG. 17A shows the operation of the host
computer 2, and FIG. 17B shows the operation of the printing
control portion 32 of the printer 3.
The printing process will now be described with
10 reference to FIGs. 16 and 17.
In the printing process, the host computer 2 and the
printer 3 transmit and receive the data to and from each other.
In a case where the host computer 2 and the printer 3 are
connected one-on-one via a communication line, such as USB or
15 RS-232C, the printing process is executed via the
communication line.
[0070] As the host computer 2 executes the application
program 21 by the manipulation of the user or the operation of
the preset program, the printing process starts. If the
20 application program 21 creates the printing data of the label
and instructs the printing execution, the printing command
contained the data designating the first template based on the
first command scheme is created and transmitted to the printer
3 by the device driver 23 (step S71).
25 [0 071] The printing control portion 32 of the printer 3
49
receives the printing command transmitted from the host
computer 2 (step S81). The printing control portion 32 refers
to the data of the second template stored in the second
template storage portion 35 (step S82), and verifies whether
5 or not the second template storage portion 3 5 is stored with
the second template corresponding to the first template
designated by the printing command (step S83) . That is, the
printing control portion 32 searches whether the second
template having the same name as the template contained in the
10 printing command is in the first storage portion 35.
If the concerned second template is not in the second
template storage portion 35 (NO in step S83), the printing
control portion 32 reads the designated first template from
the first template storage portion 34 (step S84) , and proceeds
15 to step S46. If there is no concerned first template in the
first template storage portion 34, the printing control
portion 3 2 may read the basic template from the basic template
storage portion 36. Further, if it is verified that the
concerned second template is in the second template storage
20 portion 35 (YES in step S83) , the printing control portion 32
reads the second template from the second template storage
portion 34 (step S85), and proceeds to step S86.
[0072] In step S86, the printing control portion 32
creates the printing data according to the read template. For
25 example, if the first template designated in the printing
50
%
command is denoted by the name of "Summer", the template
having the same template name "Summer" is read from the second
template storage portion 35, and the printing data is created.
The read second template is to designate the background color
5 of the whole page which is the printing unit, on the label 15 0
which is the object to be printed in the first template.
In steps S82 to S86, the printing control portion 32
converts the command of the first command scheme which is the
command scheme of the printer 6 into the command of the second
10 command scheme which is the command scheme of the printer 11,
and operates as an emulator for controlling the recording of
the printer 11.
Subsequently, the printing control portion 32 controls
the printing execution unit 3 9 to execute the printing of the
15 label 15 0 based on the printing form designated by the second
template (step S87).
[0073] As described above, if the printing command
designating the first template is input, the printer 3
performs the printing based on the second template
20 corresponding to the first template. That is, at the time of
printing, the printer 3 substitutes the first template
designated in the printing command for the printer 3 by the
second template T13, and then performs the printing. Since the
second template contains the information designating the
25 attribute of the background color of the whole page, the
51
*
printer 3 can perform the printing in a printing form
different from the printing form based on the first template.
For this reason, as the printer 6 is substituted by the
printer 3, it is possible to designate the background color of
the label 150, without changing the printing command to be
output from the host computer 2, thereby widening the range of
the output representation of the label 150.
[0074] Further, if there is no second template
corresponding to the first template designated by the host
computer 2, the printer 3 takes the designated first template
for the recording, thereby implementing the printing even with
no the second template corresponding to the designated first
template. Therefore, it does not need to prepare the second
template corresponding to all the first templates. For this
reason, the recording form can be changed so that the second
template is used for only a portion of the first template.
Therefore, limitation on the change of the printing form is
alleviated, and thus the printing form can be easily changed.
[0075] Although one example of the first and second
templates has been described with reference to FIGs. 15A and
15B in the above description, the present invention is not
limited thereto. Another example of the first templates and an
example of a second template corresponding to each first
template will be described with reference to FIGs. 18 and 19.
FIG. 18A is a view illustrating another example of the
52
*
first template and the second template, in which FIG. 18A
shows a first template T14 and a printing image G14 based on
the first template T14, and FIG. 18B shows a second template
T15 and a printing image G15 based on the second template T15.
5 The first template T14 is composed of a command of gray
scale printing, and is denoted by a name "Fragile".
The first template T14 contains data 140c and 140d of
input areas designating the printing form of the character
input area provided in the label 150, and data (not
10 illustrated) designating the printing form of the frame to be
printed on an edge of the label 150. The data 140c and 140d of
the input area contain data designating a size, a position,
and a font of the characters inputted in the character input
area, and a command and data designating printing density of
15 the characters. In this instance, the characters inputted in
the input areas are characters outputted from the host
computer 2 together with the printing instruction, as
described above. In the example of FIG. 18A, the characters
are composed of "Fragile" (character string y3) and " t UP
20 T " (character string y4) . In the printing image G14, the
character strings y3 and y4 are printed on the label 15 0 in
the gray scale according to the data 14 0c and 14 Od of the
input area.
[0076] The second template T15 is that the first template
25 T14 is added by the background image designating data 143
53
a
* c
•
designating the printing form of a background image x6
constituting the background of the label 150. The second
template T15 is denoted by the same name as the first template
T14, and is stored in the second template storage unit 35.
5 The background image designating data 14 3 is data
designating the background image x6 to be printed as the
background of the label 150. For example, if the second
template storage portion 35 is previously stored with data of
the plurality of images which can be used as the background
10 image, the background image designating data 143 is data (e.g.,
file name) designating one image data from a group of these
image data. In the example of FIG. 18B, the background image
designating data 143 contains a file name "Imagel" of the
image data to be used as the background image x6, and thus the
15 background image x6 is designated as the background image. In
the printing image G15 of FIG. 18B, the background image x6
designated by the background image designating data 14 3 is
disposed as the background of the label 150. The background
image a6 is a color image.
20 If the printing command designating the first template
T14 is outputted from the host computer 2, the printer 3
performs the printing based on the second template T15
corresponding to the first template T14. Accordingly, it is
possible to print the colorized background image x6 as the
25 background of the page of the label 150, thereby widening the
54
m
*
range of the output representation of the label 150.
[0077] FIGs. 19A and 19B are views illustrating another
example of the first template and the second template, in
which FIG. 19A shows a first template T6 and a printing image
5 G6 based on the first template T6, and FIG. 19B shows a second
template T17 and a printing image G17 based on the second
template T17.
The first template T16 of FIG. 19A is composed of a
command of gray scale printing. The first template T16
10 contains data 140e and 140f of input areas designating the
printing form of the character input area in the label 150 as
the data designating the printing form, and image attribute
designating data 144 designating the printing form of the
image to be printed on the label 150. The data 140c and 140d
15 of the input area contain data designating a size, a position,
and a font of the characters, like the data 14 0b and 14 0c of
the input area. In the example of FIG. 19A, the characters to
be input in the character input area are "Fragile" (character
string y3) and "t UP T" (character string c4) outputted from
20 the host computer 2.
The image attribute designating data 144 is data
designating an image x8 to be printed on the label 150. For
example, if the storage portion 33 is previously stored with
data of the plurality of images which can be used as the image
25 for the label, the image attribute designating data 144 is
55
* «
data (e.g., file name) designating one image data from a group
of these image data.
[0078] The second template T17 is that the first template
T16 is newly added by a foreground attribute designating data
5 145 designating the printing color of the printing element,
such as an image x8 and characters y3 and y4 which constitute
the foreground. In other words, the foreground attribute
designating data 14 5 is data designating the foreground color
of the label 150 in a lump. The foreground attribute
10 designating data 14 5 may be data designating one color in the
whole page, or data designating the plurality of different
colors for every portion. If the second template T17 is used,
it is possible to print the characters y3 and y4 or the image
x8 in color, like the printing image G17 of FIG. 19B.
15 [0079] Preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described above, but the present invention is not limited
thereto. For example, although the above embodiment has been
explained in which the second template stored in the second
template storage portion 3 5 provided in the printer 3 is
20 denoted by the same name as the corresponding first template
to make the first template correspond to the second template,
the present invention is not limited thereto. The information
defining the correspondence between the first template and the
second template may be stored in the storage unit 3 3 or other
25 storage units. In this instance, the printing control portion
56
*
32 selects the second template corresponding to the first
template designated by the printing command sent from the host
computer 2 on the basis of the information, and it is not
necessary to make the names of the templates same.
Further, in the above embodiments, for example, it has
been described the configuration of taking the first template
from the first template storage portion 34 to create the
printing data if the second template corresponding to the
first template in the printing command is not stored in the
second template storage portion 35. It is possible to create
the printing data by determining whether the first template or
the second template is used by use of the contents of the data
sent together with the printing command, or parameters of the
command contained in the printing command, and then
selectively using the first template and the second template.
Although the above embodiments have been described using
the case where the label is printed by the printer 3, the
present invention can be applied to a case where the record is
recorded by using other printing mediums or recording mediums.
[0080] In addition, the function blocks shown in each
block diagram are achieved by cooperation between hardware and
software, but the specifics of the hardware and software
configurations can be determined as desired, and other
detailed aspects of the configuration can be changed as
desired. The printer 3 is not specifically limited to a
57
specific configuration if it can perform the printing, and can
be applied to various devices, such as a SIDM type printer, an
inkjet type printer, a thermal printer, or a laser printer. Of
course, the present invention is not limited to stand-alone
5 devices, and the invention can obviously be applied to devices
that are incorporated into another device such as an ATM
(automated teller machine) or cash dispenser. The data
processing device of the present invention is not limited to
the printer 3 including the printing control portion 32 as the
10 processing unit, and can be applied to a device which creates
the printing data using an apparatus installed separately from
the printer 3.
Explanation of reference signs
15 [0081]
1 printing system
2 host computer
3 printer (recording device)
34 first template storage portion (first storage unit)
20 32 printing control portion (recording control unit)
35 second template storage portion (second storage unit)
39 printing execution unit (recording unit)
T2, T6, T8, T12, T14, T16 first template
T3, T4, T5, T7, T9, T13, T15, T17 second template
58

**
>
We claim:
1. A recording device comprising:
a recording unit that performs a recording operation;
a first storage unit that stores a first template
5 associated with a recording form;
a second storage unit that store a second template
corresponding to the first template; and
a recording control unit that takes the second template
corresponding to the designated first template from the second
10 storage unit and gets the recording unit to perform the
recording operation by using the second template when a
recording instruction containing data designating the first
template is input.
15 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the
first template designates the recording form of data of a
recording element, and
the second template is made by changing data of the
recording element in the first template or by adding data of
20 the recording element to the first template.
3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein when
the recording instruction containing the data designating the
first template is input and the second template corresponding
25 to the designated first template is not stored in the second
59
t
*
taking the second template corresponding to the
designated first template to get the recording unit to perform
the recording operation by using the second template when a
recording instruction containing data designating the first
template is input.
16. The control method according to claim 15, wherein the
first template designates the recording form of data of a
recording element, and
the second template is made by changing data of the
recording element in the first template or by adding data of
the recording element to the first template.
17. The control method according to claim 15, wherein the
first template is data designating a recording form of a page
unit, and
the second template is formed by adding data newly
designating the recording form of the whole page to the first
template.
18. The control method according to claim 15 further
comprising, when the recording instruction containing the data
designating the first template is input and the second
template corresponding to the designated first template is not
stored in the second storage unit, taking the first template
63
and getting the recording unit to perform the recording
. operation by using the first template.
19. A recording device comprising:
5 a recording unit that performs a recording operation;
a storage unit that stores a template using a first
command system and a template using a second command system
and corresponding to the template using the first command
system;
10 a recording control unit that takes the template using
the second command system corresponding to the designated
template using the first command system from the storage unit
and gets the recording unit to perform the recording operation
when a recording instruction containing data designating the
15 template using the first command system is input.
20. The recording device according to claim 19, wherein when
the recording instruction containing the data designating the
template using the first command system is input and the
20 template using the second command system corresponding to the
designated template using the first command system is not
stored in the storage unit, the recording control unit takes
the template using the first command system and gets the
recording unit to perform the recording operation.