Print data generation apparatus and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

• US 9,373,232 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Moriyama, Satoru, Kanda, Mitsuhiro, Ishida, Minako
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tammy
• Assistant Examiner(s): MILIA, MARK R
• Application Number:
  US14/037,533
• Publication Number:
  US 20140139881A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.18, 358/1.15
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 5/00 Receipt-giving machines cash registers giving receipts G07G1/00

Abstract

A print data generation apparatus generating print data to print texts on a print medium, includes a processor, and a memory configured to store a database having a plurality of records in which texts are respectively set for fields and associating the records with operation keys, template data in which at least arrangement positions of the texts to be printed on a print medium are set, link information associating the arrangement positions in the template data with the fields of the database, and computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to execute steps including detecting operation of the operation keys, and generating, when it is detected that one of the operation keys has been operated, print data such that the texts that are respectively set, in the database, for the fields of the record that corresponds to the operated operation key are arranged in the arrangement positions associated with the fields.

Claims

1. A printing device comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of operation keys for receiving an operation from a user;

a printer configured to print texts on a print medium; and

a memory configured to store two or more databases having two or more adjoining records in which texts are respectively set for fields and associating each set which is grouped records into a predetermined number with the operation keys, template data linked to the database in which at least arrangement positions of the texts to be printed on the print medium are set, link information associating the arrangement positions in the template data with the fields of the database, a set of records of the database being respectively associated with the plurality of operation keys using the template data and computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor to execute steps comprising;

detecting operation of the operation keys by the user;

determining whether a database group number is the same as a number of the operated operation key, when it is detected that one of the operation keys has been operated by the user, the database group number being a variable that is set to a value corresponding to a database group in the data base, the database group being set as a group in the data base;

setting, when it is determined that the database group number is the same as the number of the operated operation key, a record number corresponding to the record to be used for printing in accordance with a number of times of operation of the operation key, the record number being a variable to select texts to be arranged in the arrangement positions of the template data;

setting, when it is determined that the database group number is not the same as the number of the operated operation key, the database group number to the number of the operated operation key, and setting a record number corresponding to the record to be used for printing in accordance with a state in which a selection key is operated, the selection key being included among the operation keys and being used to select the record to be used for printing from among the plurality of records of the database;

generating print data such that the texts that are respectively set for the fields of the record corresponding to the set record number are arranged in the arrangement positions that are associated with the fields by link information, the record being selected from the set of records and used for printing; and

causing the printer to print the generated print data on the print medium.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a touch pad that is provided on a top surface of the printing device, and

a sheet that is arranged on an upper side of the touch pad, such that the sheet is replaceable.

3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein

the touch pad is operated to set the operation keys.

4. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein

the sheet, on which keys corresponding to the operation keys set on the touch pad are drawn, is arranged on a surface of the touch pad.