JP2013206004A - Portable template creation device, template creation program, and template creation method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve convenience by photographing an imaging target suitable for creation of a print label and creating a desired template using the imaging result on the site.SOLUTION: In an operation terminal 10 comprising a camera 111 for imaging an imaging target and generating corresponding image data PD, an object material included in a rectangular area SA in the generated image data PD is detected. A content of the detected object material is recognized, and print object data having a content equivalent to the content of the recognized object material is generated. An arrangement position of the generated print object data corresponding to an area R to be printed on a print label is determined. Then, a template T is created by arranging the print object data at the determined arrangement position, and the created template is transmitted to an external server 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable template creation device, a template creation program, and a template creation method for creating an operation terminal capable of operating a print label creation device and a template usable in the print label creation device.

  For example, a print label production system for producing a desired print label by an operation from an operation terminal such as a personal computer is already known (see Patent Document 1). In this system, when the operator specifies the print contents of a print label (label with adhesive material) to be created by operating the operation terminal (computer device), the corresponding print data is transferred from the operation terminal to the print label creation device (tape printing device). ). Then, printing corresponding to the print data is executed on the print medium (laminate film) by a printing means (thermal head) provided in the print label producing apparatus, and a print label is produced.

  When a print label is created by connecting the operation terminal to the print label producing apparatus as described above, it is very complicated to manually set all print objects such as text and images to be printed on the print label. Therefore, in this prior art, normally, a plurality of types of so-called templates are prepared in which a plurality of print object arrangement frames are allocated in a predetermined manner. The operator can easily create a desired print label by selecting a template suitable for the print mode intended by the operator and assigning a desired text or the like to a print object arrangement frame in the template.

JP 2006-99261 A

  The template as described above is usually created by an appropriate operation by an operator on the operation terminal. Therefore, the creation work is never easy. For example, when an unfamiliar operator creates a template, or when creating a template with complicated print contents, the labor load is large and inconvenient. For example, it is very convenient for an operator if an imaging target having a design suitable for creating a print label can be photographed and a desired template can be created on the spot using the imaging result. However, such a prior art has not existed conventionally.

  An object of the present invention is to shoot a suitable imaging target for creating a print label, create a desired template using the imaging result on the spot, and improve the convenience. An object of the present invention is to provide a template creation program and a template creation method used in the apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a portable template creation device for creating a template configured by assigning print object data in a predetermined manner, and an operation means operable by an operator, Wireless communication means capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the outside by wireless communication, imaging means for capturing a desired imaging target and generating corresponding image data triggered by a predetermined operation on the operation means, and generated by the imaging means A rectangular area determining means for determining a rectangular area to be processed in the image data, and an object material detecting means for detecting at least one object material included in the rectangular area determined by the rectangular area determining means; , An object for recognizing the content of the at least one object material detected by the object material detection means Material data recognition means, object data generation means for generating at least one print object data each having the same content as the at least one object material recognized by the object material recognition means, and the object data generation Means for determining an arrangement position of the at least one print object data generated by the means on a label printing range corresponding to a print area of a print label; and the at least one print object data. A template generation unit that generates the desired template at the determined arrangement position on the label printing range, and the template generated by the template generation unit in response to a predetermined operation on the operation unit Before Via the wireless communication means, characterized by having a a template transmission unit that transmits to the desired destination.

  The portable template creation device of the present invention is a device for an operator to create a desired template. This portable template creation device is carried by an operator and includes an operation unit, a wireless communication unit, and an imaging unit. When the operator performs a predetermined operation with the operation unit, the imaging target is imaged by the imaging unit, and corresponding image data is generated. A rectangular area determination unit determines a rectangular area to be processed (in other words, associated with the outer shape of the print label created by the template) included in the generated image data. Then, the object material detection means detects (= identifies that it exists) at least one object material included in the rectangular area in the determined image data. Examples of object materials include text, symbols, barcodes, symbols, marks, etc. appearing on appropriate equipment, structures, paper, screens, displays, etc. Thereafter, the object data generating means generates print object data having the same content as the detected object material. As a result, text print data, symbol print data, barcode print data, symbol print data, mark print data and the like corresponding to the detected text, symbol, barcode, symbol, mark, etc. are generated.

  When the print object data is generated in this way, the object placement determining means arranges the generated print object data in the label print range (the rectangular shape range corresponding to the print target area of the print label to be generated). Determine the position. And a template production | generation means produces | generates a desired template by arrange | positioning each corresponding print object data in the determined arrangement position. The generated template is transmitted to an appropriate transmission destination such as a server by the template transmission unit.

  As described above, the operator carries the portable template creation device of the present invention, and when a desired imaging target suitable for creating a print label including object materials such as text, symbols, and barcodes is found, A desired template including print object data equivalent to the object material can be created simply by imaging the imaging target on the spot. As a result, by obtaining the template from the transmission destination and using it with a print label producing apparatus (or an operation terminal for operating the template), the operator can obtain a desired print object such as the above-mentioned text, symbol, or barcode. Printed printed labels can be easily created. As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  In particular, it is possible not only to create a template with equivalent contents by imaging the label surface of a printed label that has already been used, but also by imaging an object other than the label, text, symbols, A template can be created by converting a barcode or the like into a print object. That is, there is an effect that the content equivalent to that which is not a label can be easily converted into a printed label.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to photograph a suitable imaging target for creating a print label and create a desired template using the imaging result on the spot, so that convenience for the operator can be improved.

It is the front view showing the external appearance of the operation terminal which is the portable template production apparatus of one Embodiment of this invention, and a right view. It is a front view showing the external appearance of the label production apparatus which is the operation object of an operation terminal. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of an operation terminal. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a label production apparatus. It is a flow showing the control procedure regarding label production which the control circuit of a label production apparatus performs. It is explanatory drawing explaining the outline of the method of producing | generating a template from imaging data. It is explanatory drawing showing an example in the case of producing | generating a template using the image of the target objects other than a label. It is a figure showing the template produced | generated from the image of the target objects other than a label. It is a flowchart showing the control procedure which the control circuit of an operating terminal performs. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of an object material detection process. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of object material recognition and object data generation processing. It is a flowchart showing the detailed procedure of an object arrangement | positioning determination process.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Outline of operation terminal and label producing apparatus>
First, an outline of an operation terminal and a label producing apparatus used in the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, an operation terminal 10 that is a portable template creation apparatus of the present embodiment includes an apparatus body 12 and a camera 111 (imaging means).

  The apparatus main body 12 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, displays various information and various messages, and includes a touch panel 112 on which an operator can perform various operations, and operation buttons 110 that can be operated by the operator.

  The camera 111 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 12 (upper part in FIGS. 1A and 1B), and is opposite to the surface of the apparatus main body 12 on which the display surface of the touch panel 112 is provided, that is, A lens 111A is provided on the lower surface side (the back surface side in FIG. 1A and the right surface side in FIG. 1B). For example, the operator displays an appropriate icon or the like on the touch panel 112 by operating the operation button 110, and the camera 111 is activated by selecting the icon by pressing the icon with a finger, and the object that the operator intends to shoot (imaging target). Can be taken. Then, when the operator operates a shutter button (not shown) or the like appropriately displayed on the touch panel 112 (corresponding to a predetermined operation described in each claim), imaging is performed through the lens 111A. By this imaging, corresponding image data PD (see FIG. 6 and the like described later) is generated.

  In FIG. 2, the label producing apparatus 20 has an apparatus main body 22. The apparatus main body 22 includes, for example, a display unit 212 that includes a liquid crystal display and displays various information and various messages, an operation unit 210 that allows an operator to perform various operations, and a cutter 207 (described later) disposed in the apparatus main body 22. And a cut lever 213 for driving (see FIG. 4).

  The operation unit 210 includes various function keys 210a including input keys for inputting characters, symbols, numbers, and the like.

<Electrical configuration of operation terminal and label producing apparatus>
Next, the electrical configuration of the operation terminal and the label producing apparatus will be described. In FIG. 3, the operation terminal 10 includes a communication control unit 108 (wireless communication means) for transmitting and receiving various types of information to and from the label producing apparatus 20 and an external server 30 (detailed functions will be described later), A memory 106 for storing various information, the operation buttons 110, the camera 111, and the touch panel 112. In addition, the said operation function part and the operation button 110 of the touchscreen 112 function as an operation means as described in each claim. Further, the display function of the touch panel 11 functions as display means described in each claim.

  The communication control unit 108 controls information communication performed between the label producing apparatus 20 and the external server 30 connected via wireless.

  The control circuit 102 includes a CPU (arithmetic unit), a RAM, and a ROM (not shown). The control circuit 102 executes various programs stored in advance in the ROM using the temporary storage function of the RAM by the arithmetic function of the CPU. The various programs include various processing programs such as the template creation program of the present embodiment for creating the template T from the imaging data PD. The control circuit 102 is connected to the label producing apparatus 20 and the external server 30 by wireless communication via the communication control unit 108, and can transmit and receive various information and data to and from the label producing apparatus 20 and the external server 30. ing.

  The memory 106 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) capable of adding and erasing stored contents.

  In FIG. 4, the label producing apparatus 20 includes a communication control unit 208, a control circuit 202, a memory 206 for storing various information, the operation unit 210, the display unit 212, the cut lever 213, a cartridge holder. 216, a transport device 209, a print head 205, and a cutter 207.

  The communication control unit 208 controls information communication performed with the operation terminal 10 connected via wireless as described above.

  The control circuit 202 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM (not shown). The control circuit 202 executes various programs stored in advance in the ROM while using the temporary storage function of the RAM. Thereby, the control circuit 202 controls the entire label producing apparatus 20. In addition, the control circuit 202 is connected to the operation terminal 10 via the communication control unit 208, and can send and receive data to and from the operation terminal 10.

  The memory 206 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) capable of adding and erasing stored contents. The memory 206 can store print data transmitted from the operation terminal 10.

  The cartridge holder 216 is configured to be detachable from the cartridge 201 that can supply the tape 203. The cartridge 201 includes a tape roll 204 (which is originally spiral but simplified and shown as a concentric circle) around which a tape 203 is wound around a reel member (not shown).

  The transport device 209 is provided to face the print head 205. The transport device 209 is controlled by the control circuit 202 and transports the tape 203 supplied from the cartridge 201 attached to the cartridge holder 216, that is, fed from the tape roll 204 of the cartridge 201.

  The print head 205 is controlled by the control circuit 202 to perform desired printing on the tape 203 fed out from the tape roll 204 and conveyed by the conveying device 209.

  When the operator operates the cut lever 213, the cutter 207 cuts the tape 203, which has been printed by the print head 205, into a predetermined length to form one print label (not shown) with print.

<Creation of printed label using template>
When the print label L is created by the label producing device 20 by the operation from the operation terminal 10, all the contents of print objects such as text, symbols, barcodes, symbols, and marks to be printed on the print label are set manually. Is very cumbersome. Therefore, a so-called template T (see FIGS. 6 and 8 described later) in which a plurality of print object data is allocated in a predetermined manner is usually used. The operator can easily create a desired print label by selecting and using the template T suitable for the print mode intended by the operator.

<Contents of control in label production device>
A control procedure at the time of creating a print label executed by the control circuit 202 of the label producing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 5, the processing shown in this flow is started when the operation terminal 10 outputs an appropriate label creation instruction to the label creation device 20. It is assumed that the template T created by the operation terminal 10 is already stored in the memory 206 at the start of this flow.

  First, in step S <b> 10, the control circuit 202 outputs a control signal to the transport device 209 to start feeding the tape 203 from the tape roll 204 of the cartridge 201 mounted on the cartridge holder 216, that is, transporting the tape 203.

  In step S20, the control circuit 202 determines whether or not the tape 203 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a position where the leading end of a printing area (not shown) of the tape 203 (corresponding to a label printing range LG described later; see FIGS. 6 and 8 described later) substantially faces the print head 205. This is the transport distance that only reaches (so-called transport amount for the front margin). Until the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S20 is not satisfied (S20: NO), the loop waits. When the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S20 is satisfied (S20: YES), and the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, the control circuit 202 outputs a control signal to the print head 205, reads out the template T already stored in the memory 206 at this time for the print area of the tape 203 conveyed by the conveying device 209, Printing of print data generated using the template T is started.

  Thereafter, in step S40, the control circuit 202 determines whether or not printing of print data on the print area of the tape 203 by the print head 205 started in step S30 has been completed. The determination in step S40 is not satisfied until all the printing is completed (S40: NO), the loop waits. If all the printing is completed, the determination in step S40 is satisfied (S40: YES), and the process proceeds to step S50.

  In step S50, the control circuit 202 determines whether or not the tape 203 has been further transported by a predetermined amount (for example, a transport distance that the entire print area exceeds the cutter 207 by a predetermined length, a so-called rear margin transport amount). judge. The determination in step S50 is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed (S50: NO), the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S50 is satisfied (S50: YES), and the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the control circuit 202 outputs a control signal to the transport device 209, and stops feeding out the tape 203 from the tape roll 204 started in step S20, that is, transporting the tape 203.

  In step S <b> 70, the control circuit 202 outputs a display signal to the display unit 212 and operates the cut lever 213 to display that the tape 203 can be cut. Thereafter, the processing shown in this flow is terminated. When the operator operates the cut lever 213 according to the above display, the cutter 207 is activated and the tape 203 is cut. By cutting with the cutter 207, the portion of the tape 203 that has been printed by the print head 205 is cut off, and one print label is generated.

<Create template>
The feature of the present embodiment is that the template T can be easily created based on the imaging result simply by the operator holding the operation terminal 10 in his / her hand and imaging with the camera 111. Hereinafter, the details of the method will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Outline method from image data to template generation>
First, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the operator operates the touch panel 112 of the operation terminal 10 and the imaging target is photographed by the camera 111, corresponding image data PD is generated. FIG. 6A shows an example in which a label affixed to a medicine (hereinafter referred to as “imaging label” as appropriate) is photographed as the imaging target.

<Determination of rectangular area>
When the image data PD is generated as described above, the image data PD is then subjected to known image analysis and the like, as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not there is a frame portion F that is a rectangular outline (outer edge) (included in most cases if the imaging target is a label). When the presence of the frame part F is identified, the internal area of the frame part F is determined as the rectangular area SA to be processed for creating the template T. In other words, the rectangular area SA is associated with the outer shape of the print label created by the template T.

  In this example, the frame portion F of the image data PD includes the characters “no fire strict” on the upper left side and “flame” marks on both sides thereof, and “medicine name” “aspirin” “administrator name” below it. "Taro Hotta", "Storage No.", and "XYZ0012" are included in the table, and the characters "First Laboratory" are included in the upper right part and a bar code is included in the lower right part. Note that the background outside the frame portion F is trimmed.

<Detection of object material>
Thereafter, the presence of the object material (candidate that looks like a print object) included in the rectangular area SA is detected by a known method such as image analysis. Examples of object materials include text, symbols, barcodes, symbols, marks, etc. appearing on appropriate equipment, structures, paper, screens, displays, etc. Then, in order to detect these object materials, detection of a frame portion that is likely to include the object material is performed. In the example shown in FIG. 6C, the inclusion region H <b> 1 that includes the “fire strict” and “flame” marks in the upper left is detected. In addition, the frame line h1 used as the outer edge outline of the said inclusion area H1 exists in the inclusion area H1. In addition, an inclusion area H2 including a table in which the letters “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage no.”, And “XYZ0012” are arranged below is detected. In addition, the frame line h2 used as the outer edge outline of the said inclusion area H2 exists in the inclusion area H2. In addition, an inclusion region H3 that includes the “first laboratory” in the upper right part and an inclusion region H4 that includes a barcode on the lower side thereof are detected.

<Object material recognition and object data generation>
Then, as shown in FIG. 6D, the contents of the object material included in each of the detected inclusion areas H1 to H1 are recognized by a known image analysis method similar to the above. For example, in the inclusive area H1, the characters “fire strict” and “flame” are recognized. In the inclusion area H2, the characters “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” are recognized. In the inclusion area H3, the above-mentioned character “first laboratory” is recognized. In the inclusion area H4, the barcode (form and length) is recognized.

  Thereafter, print object data having the same content as each object material in which the inclusion areas H1 to H3 are detected is generated. As a result, text print object data, symbol print object data, barcode print object data, symbol print object data, mark print object data, etc. corresponding to the detected text, symbol, barcode, symbol, mark, etc., respectively. Generated. In the example of FIG. 6D, corresponding to the recognition result in the inclusion area H1, mark print object data including text print object data of “no fire flame” and “flame” is created. Corresponding to the recognition result in the inclusion area H2, text print object data of “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” are respectively created. Also, text print object data of “first laboratory” is created corresponding to the recognition result in the inclusion area H3. Corresponding to the recognition result in the inclusion area H4, equivalent bar code print object data (in a shape where the read result is the same information) is created.

<Determination of object placement and generation of template>
When each print object data is generated as described above, as shown in FIG. 6E, a label print range LG of a newly created print label (a rectangle corresponding to the print target area R of the print label to be generated) The layout position of each print object data in the shape data) is determined to be the same position as the layout position of each corresponding object material in the image data PD.

  That is, the print object data of the “fire strict prohibition” and “flame” marks are arranged in the arrangement frame G1 arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the inclusion area H1 of the image data PD described above. Each print object data of “name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” is arranged in a position corresponding to the position of the inclusion area H2 of the image data PD described above. Arranged in G2. The print object data of the “first laboratory” is arranged in the arrangement frame G3 arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the inclusion area H3 of the image data PD, and the print object data of the barcode is Are arranged in an arrangement frame G4 arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the inclusion area H4 of the image data PD described above.

  In this case, for each of the plurality of print object data, predetermined arrangement regularity (left alignment, right alignment, center alignment, equal allocation, etc.) with respect to the label print range LG is individually determined. In the example shown in the figure, the arrangement frame G1 including the marks “No fire” and “Flame”, the “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, “XYZ0012” The arrangement frame G2 including the table is aligned in a left-aligned arrangement with respect to the label printing range LG (approached to the left end via a predetermined margin). In addition, the arrangement frame G3 including the “first laboratory” and the arrangement frame G4 including the barcode are aligned in a right alignment with respect to the label printing range LG (in this example, the arrangement frame G3, G4 is brought to the right end through predetermined margins different from each other).

  In addition, the arrangement regularity (left alignment, right alignment, center alignment, equal allocation, etc.) in the relative positional relationship among a plurality of print object data is individually determined. In the example shown in the figure, the “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “ The vertical center position of the arrangement frame G2 including the tables of “Administrator name”, “Taro Hotta”, “Storage number”, and “XYZ0012” and the vertical center position of the arrangement frame G4 including the barcode are the vertical direction. Note that each of the “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “administrator name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” in the table of the arrangement frame G2 is optimal. In this example, “medicine name”, “administrator”, and “storage bin No.” are aligned to the left of the print range LG, and “aspirin” is evenly allocated. In and "Taro Hotta" "XYZ0012" is to centered, their three central position is consistent is centered in the lateral direction.

  Thereafter, the corresponding print object data is arranged at the arrangement positions determined as described above, thereby generating a desired template T as shown in FIG. The template T generated in this way is stored in the memory 106 and simultaneously transmitted (uploaded) to the external server 30 and stored as a data file of the template T.

<Labeling of imaging objects other than labels>
In addition, in this embodiment, even if it is a case where the imaging target object which does not contain a clear rectangular part (for example, other than a label) is imaged other than the imaging target containing a clear rectangular part like the said imaging label, The template T can be generated by the same method as described above corresponding to the imaging result. In that case, the operator can clearly instruct and input which part of the content captured by the camera 111 is the processing target for creating the template T.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the character ST “HASHITSUBA” formed in the vicinity of the knob N of the door D is to be labeled, the operator uses the camera 111 of the operation terminal 10 to label it. The image is displayed on the touch panel 112 (see FIG. 7). Then, the operator uses his / her finger F on the image to trace around the character ST along the arrow in a rectangular shape (= contour designation operation), thereby cutting out the displayed image in the image data. A contour portion Q representing the range is displayed on the touch panel 11.

  Thereby, the inside of the outline portion Q in the image data PD generated by imaging is cut out, and the cut out portion is determined as the rectangular area SA. Thereafter, the object material detection process, the object material recognition process and the object data generation process, the object arrangement determination process, and the template generation process are performed in the same manner as described above. As a result, a template T in which the text characters “HASHITSUBA” are arranged in the print area R inside the label print range LG as shown in FIG. 8 is finally generated.

<Control details>
Control contents executed by the control circuit 102 (specifically, the CPU) in order to execute the above-described method will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 9, when an operator holding the operation terminal 10 picks up characters, marks, etc. to be labeled with the camera 111 by the above-described operation, image data PD corresponding to the picked-up result is taken into the memory 106. Saved. First, in step S <b> 201, the control circuit 102 acquires from the memory 106 the image data PD for which the template T is to be created.

  Thereafter, in step S211, the control circuit 102 identifies the frame portion F (see FIG. 6B) included in the image data PD acquired in step S201 using a known image analysis or the like, and the identified frame. The inside of the portion F is determined as the rectangular area SA to be processed for creating the template T. In addition, this step S211 functions as data identification means described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S212, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not the identification in step S211 is successful. At this time, if the user recognizes the recognition result of the frame portion, the identification is assured. If it cannot be identified, the determination in step S212 is not satisfied (S212: NO), and the process proceeds to step S202 to wait for the user's contour designation. If it can be identified, the determination in step S212 is satisfied (S212: YES), and the process proceeds to step S204 described later.

  In step S <b> 202, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not a contour designation operation has been performed by an appropriate operation on the touch panel 112. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 7, for example, the control circuit 202 determines whether or not there has been a contour designation operation (tracing operation) performed by the operator when an imaging object other than a label is imaged. If there is no contour designation operation, the determination in step S202 is not satisfied (S202: NO), and the process returns to step S201 and the same procedure is repeated. If there is a contour designation operation, the determination in step S202 is satisfied (S202: YES), and the process proceeds to step S203.

  In step S203, the control circuit 102 cuts out the inside of the contour portion Q (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the contour designating operation performed in step S202 from the image data PD acquired in step S201. The cut-out portion is determined as the rectangular area SA to be processed for creating the template T. In addition, this step S203 functions as data extraction means described in each claim. Further, Step S203 and Step S211 correspond to the rectangular area determination procedure described in each claim and function as a rectangular area determination means.

  After that, in step S204, the control circuit 102 uses the same known image analysis method as that described above, and the object material (text, symbol, barcode, symbol, mark, etc.) included in the rectangular area SA determined in step S203. (See FIG. 10 described later for details). This step S204 corresponds to the object material detection procedure described in each claim and functions as an object material detection means.

  Thereafter, in step S205, the control circuit 102 recognizes the contents of each object material whose presence is detected in step S204, and generates print object data having contents equivalent to the detected object material. (See FIG. 11 for details).

  In step S206, the control circuit 102 determines an arrangement position of the print object data generated in step S205 on the label print range LG (refer to FIG. 12 described later for details). This step S206 corresponds to the object arrangement determining procedure described in each claim and functions as an object arrangement determining means.

  Thereafter, in step S207, the control circuit 102 arranges at least one print object data generated in step S205 at the arrangement position on the label printing range LG determined in step S206, and generates a template T. . This step S207 corresponds to the template generation procedure described in each claim and functions as a template generation means.

  In step S208, the control circuit 102 displays the template T generated in step S207 on the touch panel 112. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the control circuit 102 determines whether to upload the template T displayed on the touch panel 112 in step S208 to the external server 30. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the upload instruction (corresponding to a predetermined operation described in each claim) has been made by the operator using an appropriate button or operation button 110 displayed on the touch panel 112. To do. If no upload instruction is given, the determination in step S209 is not satisfied (S209: NO), and the process proceeds to step S213. If an upload instruction has been given, the determination in step S209 is satisfied (S209: YES), and the process proceeds to step S210 described later.

  In step S213, the control circuit 102 stores the template T displayed on the touch panel 112 in step S208 in the memory 106, and ends this flow.

  On the other hand, in step S210, the control circuit 102 stores the template T displayed on the touch panel 112 in step S208 in the memory 106, and transmits it to the external server 30 by the communication control unit 108 and uploads it. Thereby, the external server 30 stores the transmitted template T as a data file. This step S210 corresponds to the template transmission procedure described in each claim and functions as a template transmission unit. Thereafter, the flow ends.

<Detailed procedure of object material detection processing>
The detailed procedure of the object material detection process in step S204 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S301, the control circuit 102 determines whether frame lines h1, h2,... Exist in the rectangular area SA determined in step S211 or step S203. For example, when there is no frame line portion as in the above-described inclusion areas H3 and H4 shown in FIG. 6B, the determination in step S301 is not satisfied (S301: NO), and the process proceeds to step S302 described later. For example, when the frame lines h1 and h2 exist like the inclusion areas H1 and H2 shown in FIG. 6A described above, the determination in step S301 is satisfied (S301: YES), and the process proceeds to step S306 described later. To do.

  In step S306, the control circuit 202 detects the inside of the frame portion as one object material. In the above-described example, the inclusion area H1 and the inclusion area H2 inside the frame lines h1 and h2 are recognized (detected) as object materials. That is, in the example of FIG. 6C, the entire “fire strictly prohibited” text and “flame mark” within the frame line h1 of the inclusion area H1 are recognized as one print object. Further, the entire table of “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” in the frame line h2 of the inclusion area H2 is recognized as one print object. And it transfers to step S305 mentioned later.

  On the other hand, in step S302, the control circuit 102 determines the vertical and horizontal dimensions in advance in the rectangular area SA determined in step S211 or step S203 (for example, vertical 0.5 [mm] × horizontal 0.5 [ mm] etc.) The object material is recognized by using a known method such as image recognition while using the smallest rectangular enclosure. Thereby, if at least a part of the object material exists in the enclosure, the existence is recognized, and the enclosure is recognized as “one rectangle including one object material”. Therefore, when a relatively large object material exists (such as when a large character is formed on a label or the like), a plurality of quadrangular boxes are continuously recognized so as to be adjacent to each other, and one character is Some parts (such as radicals, dots, scoops, splashes, etc. that are separated from other parts) are recognized as a plurality of enclosures slightly separated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not the interval between adjacent ones of the minimum rectangle is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. If it is larger than the threshold value, the determination in step S303 is not satisfied (S303: NO), and the process proceeds to step S307 described later. If it is equal to or less than the threshold value, the determination in step S303 is satisfied (S303: YES), and the process proceeds to step S304.

  In step S304, the control circuit 102 recognizes a part of a relatively large object material continuously as described above because the interval between the adjacent minimum rectangles is extremely small (or 0). The adjacent squares are merged, and the large square after the merge is detected as one object material. Accordingly, even a relatively large object material as described above can be correctly detected as one object material. In the example of FIG. 6C, the entire “first laboratory” character in the inclusion area H3 is recognized as one print object, and the entire barcode in the inclusion area H4 is recognized as one print object. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S305.

  On the other hand, in step S307, since the interval between the adjacent minimum rectangles is relatively large, the control circuit 102 assumes that the object is correctly recognized so as to include the entire relatively small object material, and surrounds the minimum rectangle. The inside is detected as one object material. Then, the process proceeds to step S305.

  In step S305, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not there is an object material that has not yet been processed by the processing in steps S301 to S307 in the rectangular area SA determined in step S211 or step S203. To do. If there is no unprocessed object material, the determination in step S305 is not satisfied (S305: NO), and the process returns to step S205 in the flow of FIG. 9 described above. If unprocessed object material exists, the determination in step S305 is satisfied (S305: YES), and the process returns to step S301 to repeat the same processing. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 6C, a total of four print objects (corresponding to the respective inclusion areas H1, H2, H3, and H4) are recognized by the recognition in step S306 and the recognition in step S304. Become.

<Object material recognition / object data generation processing>
Detailed procedures of the object material recognition process and the object data generation process in step S205 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S401, the control circuit 102 uses a known OCR (matching of the read result and a prestored character pattern) method for text character content to the contents of the object material detected in step S204. Recognition (detection) is performed.

  Thereafter, in step S402, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not the text character recognition (detection) in step S401 is successful. If the recognition fails, the determination in step S402 is not satisfied (S402: NO), and the process proceeds to step S403 described later. If the recognition is successful, the determination in step S402 is satisfied (S402: YES), and the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, the control circuit 102 generates text print object data having the same content as the text successfully detected in step S402. Thereby, for example, in the example of FIG. 6D, the print object data of “first laboratory” corresponding to the character “first laboratory” in the inclusion area H3 is generated. In addition, when this step S411 is executed through the division processing from step S406 to step S413, which will be described later, the printing of “first laboratory” corresponding to the character “no fire” in the frame line h1 of the inclusion area H1. In addition to the generation of object data, similarly, the “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “administrator name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” respectively corresponding to the characters in the frame h2 of the inclusion area H2 Print object data of “name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” is generated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406 to be described later.

  On the other hand, in step S403, the control circuit 102 performs barcode reading by a known method on the contents of the object material detected in step S204. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S404.

  In step S404, the control circuit 102 determines whether the barcode reading executed in step S403 is successful. If the reading is not successful, the determination in step S404 is not satisfied (S404: NO), and the process proceeds to step S408 described later. If the reading is successful, the determination in step S404 is satisfied (S404: YES), and the process proceeds to step S405.

  In step S405, the control circuit 102 generates barcode print object data having the same content as the barcode successfully detected and determined in step S404 (the same information can be acquired at the time of reading). Thereby, for example, in the example of FIG. 6D, barcode print object data equivalent to the barcode of the inclusion area H4 is generated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406 to be described later.

  On the other hand, in step S408, the control circuit 102 saves the contents of the object material detected in step S204 as an image in the memory 106 and binarizes it into compressed data. Note that step S408, step S401, and step S403 correspond to the object material recognition procedure described in each claim and function as object material recognition means.

  Thereafter, in step S409, the control circuit 102 accesses the external server 30, and uses the compressed data of the image generated in step S408 as a key, and the compressed data and the existing content (so-called clip art, Performs a collation search with Auto Shape etc.).

  In step S410, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not the compressed data matches the existing content in the external server 30 in the search in step S409. If they do not match, the determination in step S410 is not satisfied (S410: NO), and the process proceeds to step S412 described later. If they match, the determination in step S410 is satisfied (S410: YES), and the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, the control circuit 102 generates print object data using the existing content matched in step S410. Thereby, when this step S411 is executed through the division processing from step S406 to step S413, which will be described later, for example, in the example of FIG. 6D, the “flame” mark in the frame line h1 of the inclusion region H1. Is in the content server SV, the print object data is generated using the existing content of the “flame” mark. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S406.

  On the other hand, in step S412, the control circuit 102 uses the image saved in step S408 as print object data as it is. Then, the process proceeds to step S406. Note that step S412, step S411, step S407, and step S405 correspond to the object data generation procedure described in the claims and function as object data generation means.

  In step S406, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not all of the object material contents detected in step S204 have been recognized by the processes in steps S401 to S405 and steps S407 to S412. Determine. Until the contents of all object materials are completely recognized, the determination in step S406 is not satisfied (S406: NO), and the process proceeds to step S413. In step S413, the control circuit 202 appropriately divides the unprocessed (that is, not yet recognized) object material by a known method. Thereafter, the process returns to step S401 and the same processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the contents of all object materials have been recognized in step S406, the determination in step S406 is satisfied (S406: YES), and the process returns to step S206 in the flow of FIG.

<Object placement determination process>
The detailed procedure of the object placement determination process in step S206 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in step S501, the control circuit 102 controls the label printing range LG corresponding to the print target area R of the print label, which is a placement part for placing each print object data in each of the following procedures (FIG. 6D). Alternatively, see FIG. 8), for example, is set in an appropriate area in the RAM. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S502.

  In step S502, the control circuit 102 determines whether the print object data generated in step S205 is data with a frame line. If it is not framed print object data, the determination in step S502 is not satisfied (S502: NO), and the process proceeds to step S504 described later. For example, in the case of print object data with a frame line such as print object data (respective print object data generated corresponding to the inclusion areas H1 and H2) in the arrangement frames G1 and G2 in FIG. When the determination in step S502 is satisfied (S502: YES), the process proceeds to step S503.

  In step S503, the control circuit 102 arranges each print object data within the frame line (in this case, the print object data after the above-described division processing) in an optimal arrangement by an appropriate method. That is, according to the detection result of the corresponding object material in step S204 and the recognition result of the object material in step S205, a predetermined arrangement regularity (left alignment, right alignment) with respect to each label print range LG of each print object data , Center alignment, uniform allocation, etc.) are determined individually, and the arrangement regularity (vertical center alignment, horizontal center alignment, etc.) of each print object data is also determined.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 6E, in the arrangement frame G2, “medicine name”, “administrator”, and “storage bin No.” are all left-aligned with respect to the label printing range LG and are positioned at the left ends of each other. The sequences are determined so that they are the same. In addition, “Aspirin” is allocated evenly within the arrangement space, “Hotaro Taro” and “XYZ0012” are centered within the arrangement space, and the arrangement mode for the label printing range LG is determined, and “Aspirin”, “Taro Hotta”, “ Each of “XYZ0012” has the same horizontal center position. Further, “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “administrator”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage cabinet No”, and “XYZ0012” have the same vertical center position in each group.

  Similarly, in the arrangement frame G1, one “flame” mark is left-aligned within the arrangement frame G1, the other “flame” mark is right-aligned within the arrangement frame G1, and “no fire” is center-aligned. The sequence is determined so as to be an embodiment of. In addition, these two “flame” marks and “fire strict” characters have the same vertical center position. When step S503 is completed, the process proceeds to step S504.

  In step S504, the control circuit 102 controls the center line and the boundary line (outer edge line, hereinafter: print object data (in this case, the print object data before the division process is indicated when the above-described division process is performed)). And the positional relationship between the center line and the boundary line (outer edge line; the same applies hereinafter) of the print area R. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S505.

  In step S505, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not the center line and the boundary line of each object data substantially match the center line and the boundary line of the print area R in the comparison in step S504. If they do not substantially match, the determination in step S505 is not satisfied (S505: NO), and the process proceeds to step S508 described later. If they substantially match, the determination in step S505 is satisfied (S505: YES), and the process proceeds to step S506.

  In step S506, the control circuit 102 appropriately aligns each print object data with respect to the print area R of the label print range LG. For example, in the example of FIG. 6E described above, the print object data in the arrangement frame G1 including the two “flame” marks and “no flame” is left-aligned (the left end substantially matches the left end of the label print range LG). ), And the print object data in the arrangement frame G2 including “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “administrator name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” in the table format as a whole (the left end is labeled) And the left end of the printing range LG). In addition, this step S506 functions as the 1st arrangement | sequence determination means as described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S508.

  In step S508, the control circuit 102 compares the center line and boundary line of each print object data with the center line and boundary line of other print object data. That is, the relative positional relationship between a plurality of print object data in the print area R of the label print range LG is compared. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S509.

  In step S509, the control circuit 102 appropriately aligns the relative positional relationship between the plurality of print object data in accordance with the comparison result in step S508 (left alignment, right alignment, center alignment, etc.). For example, in the example of FIG. 6E, the upper and lower sides of the print object data in the arrangement frame G2 including “medicine name”, “aspirin”, “manager name”, “Taro Hotta”, “storage number”, and “XYZ0012” in a table format. The center position in the direction and the center position in the vertical direction of the print object data of the barcode in the arrangement frame G4 are aligned with each other. In addition, this step S509 functions as the 2nd arrangement | sequence determination means as described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S510.

  In step S510, the control circuit 102 determines whether or not appropriate arrangement processing in the label print range LG has been completed for all the print object data generated in step S205 by the processing in steps S502 to S509. Determine. Until the arrangement process of all print object data is completed, the determination in step S510 is not satisfied (S510: NO), and the process returns to step S502 and the same process is repeated. When the arrangement processing of all print object data is completed, the determination in step S510 is satisfied (S510: YES), and the process returns to step S207 in the flow of FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the operator carries the operation terminal 10 and finds a desired imaging target suitable for creating a print label that includes object materials such as text, symbols, and barcodes. A desired template T including print object data equivalent to the object material can be created simply by imaging the imaging target on the spot. As a result, by using the template T in the label producing apparatus 20 or the operation terminal 10 for operating the template T, the operator can print a print label on which a desired print object such as the above-described text, symbol, or barcode is printed. Can be easily created. As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 6A, not only can a label T of an already used print label be imaged to create a template T having the same contents, but also a label other than the label as shown in FIGS. Also, the template T can be created by imaging text, symbols, barcodes and the like formed on the target object. That is, there is an effect that the content equivalent to that which is not a label can be easily converted into a printed label.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when an imaging object other than a label is imaged as described above with reference to FIG. 7, the operator determines which part of the imaging content is a processing target for template creation. It is possible to clearly input an instruction by an outline designating operation (see step S202 in FIGS. 7 and 9). As a result, a printed label having the same content as that which is not a label can be reliably produced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above with reference to FIG. 6B, the internal region of the frame portion F of the label can be obtained simply by imaging a label that has already been completed (or a label that has been used). It can be used as a processing target for creating the template T as it is (see step S211 in FIG. 9). Thereby, the template T which can reproduce the printed label of the same aspect as the imaged label can be easily created.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in step S506 of FIG. 12, each print object data is appropriately aligned with the print area R of the label print range LG. As a result, when a plurality of object materials such as text, symbols, and barcodes are included in the captured image data PD, they can be reproduced as print objects, and each can be reproduced at the same position with respect to the print area R of the print label. A template T that can be reproduced so as to be in a relationship can be surely created.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, in step S509 of FIG. 12, the relative positional relationship among the plurality of print object data is appropriately aligned according to the comparison result in step S508. As a result, when a plurality of object materials such as text, symbols, and barcodes are included in the captured image data PD, they can be reproduced as print objects, and the relative positional relationship between each other can be equally reproduced. The template T can be created reliably.

  The arrows shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

  In addition, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above flow, and the procedure is not deviated from the gist and technical idea of the invention. You may add / delete or change the order.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

10 Operation terminal (portable template creation device)
20 Label production apparatus 102 Control circuit (calculation means)
108 Communication control unit (wireless communication means)
110 Operation buttons (operation means)
111 camera (imaging means)
112 Touch panel (operation means, display means)
LG label printing range PD image data SA rectangular area T template

Claims (7)

A portable template creation device for creating a template configured by allocating print object data in a predetermined manner,
Operation means that can be operated by the operator;
Wireless communication means capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the outside by wireless communication;
An imaging unit that captures a desired imaging target and generates corresponding image data triggered by a predetermined operation on the operation unit;
A rectangular area determining means for determining a rectangular area to be processed in the image data generated by the imaging means;
Object material detection means for detecting at least one object material included in the rectangular area determined by the rectangular area determination means;
Object material recognition means for recognizing the content of the at least one object material detected by the object material detection means;
Object data generating means for generating at least one print object data, each having the same content as the at least one object material recognized by the object material recognizing means;
An object arrangement determining means for determining an arrangement position of the at least one print object data generated by the object data generating means on a label printing range corresponding to a print target area of a print label;
Template generating means for generating the desired template by arranging the at least one print object data at the determined arrangement position on the label printing range;
Triggered by a predetermined operation at the operation means, a template transmission means for transmitting the template generated by the template generation means to a desired transmission destination via the wireless communication means;
A portable template creation device characterized by comprising: The portable template creation device according to claim 1,
Display means capable of displaying the image data;
The rectangular area determining means includes
Data cut-out means for cutting out the inside of the contour portion corresponding to the contour designation operation by the operation means from the image data displayed on the display means and determining the cut-out portion as the rectangular area. A portable template creation device. The portable template creation device according to claim 1,
The rectangular area determining means includes
A portable template creation device, characterized in that it is data identification means for identifying a frame portion included in the image data and determining the inside of the identified frame portion as the rectangular area. In the portable template creation device according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The object arrangement determining means is
When a plurality of object materials are detected by the object material detection means and a plurality of corresponding print object data are generated by the object data generation means, each of the plurality of print object data has a predetermined print range corresponding to the label printing range. A portable template creation device comprising first arrangement determination means for individually determining arrangement regularity. The portable template creation device according to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The object arrangement determining means is
In the case where a plurality of object materials are detected by the object material detection means and a plurality of corresponding print object data are generated by the object data generation means, the arrangement regularity in the relative positional relationship between the plurality of print object data is obtained. A portable template creation device comprising second placement rule determination means for individually determining. Printed object data is allocated and configured in a predetermined manner, and is configured to be able to create a print label creating device that creates a printed label or a template that can be used on the operation terminal of the printed label creating device, and is operated by an operator. The calculation of the portable template creation apparatus comprising: an operable operation unit; an imaging unit that captures a desired imaging target and generates corresponding image data; a wireless communication unit that can transmit and receive information to and from the outside through wireless communication; For means,
A rectangular area determination procedure for determining a rectangular area to be processed in the image data generated by the imaging means;
An object material detection procedure for detecting at least one object material included in the rectangular region determined by the rectangular region determination procedure;
An object material recognition procedure for recognizing the content of the at least one object material detected in the object material detection procedure;
An object data generation procedure for generating at least one print object data, each having the same content as the at least one object material recognized in the object material recognition procedure;
An object arrangement determination procedure for determining an arrangement position of the at least one print object data generated in the object data generation procedure on a label print range corresponding to a print target area of a print label;
A template generation procedure for generating the desired template by arranging the at least one print object data at the determined arrangement position on the label printing range;
A template transmission procedure for transmitting the template generated in the template generation procedure to a desired transmission destination via the wireless communication unit in response to a predetermined operation in the operation unit;
A template creation program for running Printed object data is allocated and configured in a predetermined manner, and is configured to be able to create a print label creating device that creates a printed label or a template that can be used on the operation terminal of the printed label creating device, and is operated by an operator. Template creation executed by a portable template creation device comprising: an operable operation means; an imaging means for imaging a desired imaging target and generating corresponding image data; and a wireless communication means capable of transmitting / receiving information to / from the outside through wireless communication A method,
A rectangular area determination procedure for determining a rectangular area to be processed in the image data generated by the imaging means;
An object material detection procedure for detecting at least one object material included in the rectangular region determined by the rectangular region determination procedure;
An object material recognition procedure for recognizing the content of the at least one object material detected in the object material detection procedure;
An object data generation procedure for generating at least one print object data, each having the same content as the at least one object material recognized in the object material recognition procedure;
An object arrangement determination procedure for determining an arrangement position of the at least one print object data generated in the object data generation procedure on a label print range corresponding to a print target area of a print label;
A template generation procedure for generating the desired template by arranging the at least one print object data at the determined arrangement position on the label printing range;
A template transmission procedure for transmitting the template generated in the template generation procedure to a desired transmission destination via the wireless communication unit in response to a predetermined operation in the operation unit;
A template creation method characterized by comprising:

Images