JP2014021910A - Printing system and template editing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and a template editing method capable of presenting an optimal editing method to a user when a recorded template is edited in a printer.SOLUTION: In a PC3, a template stored in an HDD32 is displayed on an editing screen. An extended value k is calculated indicating the difference between a label image edited on the editing screen and the template used for the editing, and is sent to a printer 2. In the printer 2, an extended template is generated when an editing operation is performed on a template stored in a flash memory 23. A label image edited by using the extended template is printed on a printing medium. Further, when the extended value k is received from the PC3, an operation procedure is notified for generating an extended template in a pattern according to the extended value k.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a template editing method capable of editing a template for creating a printing image to be printed by a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that allows a user to edit an image or document template is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, a template file is transferred from a client (registrant) to a server. The server automatically analyzes characters overlapping in the image area on the template from the template file, and sets the characters as the name (label) of the image. In the client (registrant), when a user edits a document or an image using a template, the image to be edited can be identified using a label on the editing screen.

JP 2006-309653 A

  In a conventional printing system, a user may edit an existing template using an editor on a PC, and further create and print a printing image using the edited template. On the other hand, some recent printing apparatuses have a function in which a user directly edits an image for printing or the like using a template stored in the printing apparatus. Furthermore, in such a printing apparatus, there is a printing apparatus in which a user can directly edit a stored template as in the case of editing a template using an editor on a PC.

  If the user can edit a template stored in the printing apparatus, it is not necessary to connect the printing apparatus to the PC in order to connect the template and the printing image on the PC. However, the printing apparatus is more limited in the size of the display, the number of operation keys, and the like than a PC or the like. Therefore, when a user edits a template stored in the printing apparatus, it is necessary to perform an editing operation unique to the printing apparatus, which is difficult for an unskilled user.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing system and a template editing method capable of presenting an optimum editing method to a user when editing a template stored in a printing apparatus.

  A printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a printing system in which an external device capable of editing a printing image and a printing apparatus capable of printing the printing image on a printing medium are connected, and the external device A first template storage means for storing a template indicating a layout of an object included in the print image, and for editing the print image using the template stored in the first template storage means The size of the difference between the editing screen display means for displaying the editing screen, the template stored in the first template storage means, and the printing image edited on the editing screen is shown. An extension value calculating means for calculating an extension value; and an extension value transmitting means for transmitting the extension value calculated by the extension value calculating means to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus includes: a second template storage unit that stores the same template as the template stored in the first template storage unit; an operation unit operable by a user; and When the editing operation is performed, a template generation unit that edits the template stored in the second template storage unit and generates an extended template from the template, and the template generated by the template generation unit The image editing means for editing the printing image, the printing means for printing the printing image edited by the image editing means on the print medium, and the extension value received from the external device. The extension template is generated with a pattern according to the extension value. And an operation procedure informing means for informing the that operating procedures.

  The template editing method according to the second aspect of the present invention is a template editing method executed in a printing system in which an external device capable of editing a printing image and a printing apparatus capable of printing the printing image on a printing medium are connected. In the method, the external device includes a first template storage unit that stores a template indicating a layout of an object included in the print image, and the printing apparatus is stored in the first template storage unit. A second template storage means for storing the same template as the template; and an operation means operable by a user. The template editing method uses the template stored in the first template storage means. An editing screen display step for displaying an editing screen for editing the print image, and An extension value calculating step for calculating an extension value indicating a magnitude of a difference between the template stored in the first template storage means and the printing screen edited on the editing screen; The extended value calculated in step is transmitted to the printing apparatus, and the template stored in the second template storage means when the template is edited by the operating means. A template generation step of editing a template and generating an extension template from the template, an image editing step of editing the print image using the template generated by the template generation step, and an image editing step A print scan for printing the edited image for printing on the print medium. Tsu comprising a flop, when receiving the extension value from the external device, and an operation procedure notification step of notifying the operating procedure for generating the extension template pattern corresponding to the extension value.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, in the external device, the template stored in the external device is displayed on the editing screen. An extension value indicating the size of the difference between the printing image edited on the editing screen and the template is calculated and transmitted to the printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus, when an editing operation of a template stored in the printing apparatus is performed, an extended template is generated. A print image edited using the extension template is printed on a print medium. Further, when an extension value is received from an external device, an operation procedure for generating an extension template with a pattern corresponding to the extension value is notified. Therefore, when editing a template stored in the printing apparatus, an optimal editing method can be presented to the user.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a printing system 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen 50. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a point table 80. FIG. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the point table. It is a flowchart of the editor process of PC3. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen 50. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure notification screen. 6 is a flowchart of label printing processing of the printer 2. It is a flowchart of a procedure notification process. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure notification screen 300. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings to be referred to are used for explaining technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the apparatus, the flowcharts of various processes, and the like described in the drawings are not intended to be limited to these, but are merely illustrative examples.

  A printing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the printing system 1, a printer 2 and a personal computer (PC) 3 can be connected via a communication cable 8. The printer 2 is a small-sized label printer that prints characters (characters, symbols, figures, etc.) on a tape that is a long print medium and creates a label that can be pasted. Although not shown, the printer 2 is connected to a server described later via a network.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the electrical configuration of the printer 2 and the PC 3 will be described. The PC 3 includes a CPU 31 that controls the PC 3. The CPU 31 is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 32, a RAM 33, an external connection interface (I / F) 34, an input circuit 35, and an output circuit 36. The HDD 32 stores various programs executed by the CPU 31 and various data.

  Specifically, the HDD 32 stores an OS (Operating System), a label editing application (hereinafter referred to as an editor), a printer driver, a template, and the like. The template is a file indicating the layout of objects included in the print image. The object is a group of data indicating a text (character string such as a character, a figure, or a symbol) or a decoration image.

  The RAM 33 stores various temporary data. The external connection I / F 34 is an interface for connecting to an external device (for example, the printer 2). The input circuit 35 performs control to send an instruction from the input unit 37 (for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, etc.) to the CPU 31. The output circuit 36 performs control to display an image on the display 38 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 31.

  In the PC 3, the user can freely edit an image to be printed by the printer 2 (in this embodiment, a label image) using an editor. Specifically, when the editor is activated on the PC 3, a screen (editing screen 50) for editing the label image 100 is displayed on the display 38 as shown in FIG. 3. The user can freely edit the label image 100 on the editing screen 50 using the input unit 37. Further, the user can edit the label image 100 in which the objects are arranged in the layout defined in the template by using the template stored in the HDD 32.

  The label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a “birthday card” template stored in the HDD 32. The template of “Birthday card” shows a horizontally long rectangular label, and three objects (text 110, decorative image 120, frame 130) are arranged at a predetermined position and size. The user may print the label image 100 using the template as it is, or may print the label image 100 edited based on the template.

  Returning to FIG. The printer 2 includes a CPU 21 that controls the printer 2. The CPU 21 is connected to a ROM 22, a flash memory 23, a RAM 24, a CGROM 25, an external connection interface (I / F) 26, an input unit 27, a display unit 28, and drive circuits 41 to 43.

  Various programs executed by the CPU 21 are stored in the ROM 22. A control program for executing a label printing process (FIG. 9) described later is also stored in the CPU 21. Various temporary data are stored in the RAM 24. The CGROM 25 stores dot pattern data for printing for printing various characters (characters, numbers, figures, etc.) on a tape. The external connection I / F 26 is an interface for connecting to an external device (for example, the PC 3).

  The flash memory 23 stores various setting data, templates, help files, and various tables. The help file is text or an image indicating various operation procedures of the printer 2. The flash memory 23 also stores tables (see FIGS. 3 and 4) for calculating the extensibility k described later. In the present embodiment, the same template as that stored in the PC 3 is stored in the flash memory 23. The template and help file stored in the flash memory 23 are referred to as a built-in template and a built-in help file, respectively.

  The drive circuit 41 drives a thermal head 44 that prints on a tape. The drive circuit 42 drives a tape feed motor 45 that operates a platen roller (not shown) that transports the tape. The drive circuit 43 drives a cutter motor 46 that operates a cutter (not shown) that cuts the printed tape. The CPU 21 controls these drive circuits 41 to 43 to print on the transported tape, and then cuts the printed tape to create a label.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 2 can freely edit an image to be printed by the user. Specifically, the user can freely edit the label image 100 printed by the printer 2 on the editing screen displayed on the display unit 28 using the input unit 27. Furthermore, the user can edit the label image 100 in which the objects are arranged in the layout defined in the template by using the built-in template or the extended template described later.

  With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the point tables 80 and 90 used for calculating the expandability k will be described. The point table 80 illustrated in FIG. 4 is a table for calculating the total point r. The total point r indicates the size of a change made when editing the label image 100 with respect to the template used during editing. The point table 90 illustrated in FIG. 5 is a table for calculating the total upper limit value q. The total upper limit q indicates a value obtained by adding up points that can be given for each change point of all objects included in the label image 100.

  The expandability k is represented by a value (%) obtained by dividing the total point r by the total upper limit q. The extensibility k indicates the size of a change point with respect to the template of the label image 100 when the label image 100 is edited using the template on the editing screen 50. That is, the expandability k indicates how much the label image 100 has been changed to the base template. Therefore, the expandability k increases as the label image 100 and the template differ, and the expandability k decreases as the label image 100 and the template approximate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the point table 80, points to be given according to the contents of change are determined for each type of object (text, decorative image, frame). Specifically, if there is no change in the text (original), “0” points are given. When the typeface of the text is changed, “1” points are given. When the size of the text is changed, “3” points are given. If the text is changed to a text that does not exist in the template of the printer 2 (an unsupported text), “4” points are given.

  If there is no change point in the decorative image (original), “0” points are given. When the size of the decoration image is changed, “1” points are given. When the decoration image is changed to a combination of a plurality of decoration images existing in the template of the printer 2, “3” points are given. When the decoration image is changed to one that does not exist in the template of the printer 2 (uncorresponding decoration image), “4” points are given.

  If there is no change in the frame (original), “0” points are given. When the position of the frame is changed, “1” point is given. When the frame is changed to a combination of a plurality of frames existing in the template of the printer 2, “3” points are given. When the frame is changed to a frame that does not exist in the template of the printer 2 (an unsupported frame), “4” points are given.

  Furthermore, the difficulty level is defined for each type of object in the point table 80. The difficulty level is a point added to an unsupported object (text, decoration image, frame), and a higher value is set for data with a higher processing load. For example, the more complex the unsupported text is (for example, the greater the number of strokes and characters), the greater the difficulty level is in the range of “1-3”. A value obtained by multiplying the difficulty by the quantity of unsupported text is added as points. Similarly, as the uncorresponding decoration image is more complicated, the difficulty level is larger in the range of “1 to 7”, and a point obtained by multiplying the difficulty level by the number of uncorresponding decoration images is added. The more complex the unsupported frame is, the greater the difficulty level is in the range of “1 to 5”, and the value obtained by multiplying the difficulty by the number of unsupported frames is added.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the point table 90, an individual upper limit value and a type upper limit value are determined for each type of object (text, decorative image, frame). The individual upper limit value is an upper limit value of points that can be given to each individual object in each type. When the text is changed the most (that is, when the typeface, size, and all unsupported texts are changed), the total value of “8” points is defined as the individual upper limit value of the text. Similarly, with respect to the decorative image and the frame, “8” points given when each of the decoration image and the frame is changed the most are set as individual upper limit values.

  The type upper limit p is an upper limit obtained by adding up points that can be given to all objects in each type. Specifically, when “n1” text is included in the label image 100, the text type upper limit p1 is “individual upper limit (8) × n1”. Similarly, when the label image 100 includes “n2” decoration images, the decoration image type upper limit value p2 is “individual upper limit value (8) × n2”. When the label image 100 includes “n3” frames, the frame type upper limit p3 is “individual upper limit (8) × n3”. The total value of the different upper limit values p1 to p3 is the total upper limit value q.

  With reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 11, processing executed in the printing system 1 will be described separately for processing executed by the printer 2 and processing executed by the PC 3.

  With reference to FIG. 6, the editor process executed by the PC 3 will be described. The editor process is executed by the CPU 31 when the editor is activated on the PC 3. In the following description, a case where the user edits the label image 100 using a template on the PC 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the editor process, the label image 100 is edited using a template stored in the HDD 32 (S1). As described above, the user edits the label image 100 using the template on the editing screen 50 (see FIG. 3) displayed on the display 38. The edited label image 100 is transmitted to the printer 2 for printing or storage.

  Next, the extensibility k of the template is calculated as follows based on the point tables 80 and 90 (S3). In the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, the template is used as it is without being edited. The label image 100 includes three objects (one text 110, one decoration image 120, and one frame 130). In this case, referring to the point table 90, since the type upper limit values p1 to p3 are all “8”, the total upper limit value q is “24”. Each object (text 110, decoration image 120, frame 130) has no change (that is, “original”). In this case, the points given with reference to the point table 80 are “0” points for any object, and the total points r are “0” points. Therefore, in the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, the expandability k is “0%”.

  On the other hand, in the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 7, incompatible decoration images 121 to 123 are newly added in addition to the original decoration image 120. That is, since six objects (one text 110, four decoration images 120 to 123, and one frame 130) are included, the total upper limit q “48” is calculated with reference to the point table 90. Further, referring to the point table 80, “12” points obtained by multiplying 3 images by 4 points are given as points for evaluating the three unsupported decoration images 121 to 123. Furthermore, since the difficulty level of each of the decorative images 121 to 123 is “4”, “12” points obtained by multiplying three images by 4 points are given. That is, the total point r is “24” in total. Therefore, in the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 7, the expandability k is “50%”.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the expandability k is “0%” (S5). When the expandability k is “0%” (S5: YES), a procedure notification screen is displayed on the display 38 (S7). The procedure notification screen is a screen showing an operation procedure for using the template used for editing the label image 100 by the printer 2. In the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 3, since the expandability k is “0%”, the procedure notification screen 200 illustrated in FIG. 8 is displayed. The procedure notification screen 200 shows an operation procedure for reading out the same template used for label editing in the PC 3 from the flash memory 23 with the printer 2.

  On the other hand, when the expandability k is “0%” or more (S5: NO), reference data including template information is transmitted to the printer 2 (S9). The template information includes an ID unique to the template used for editing the label image 100, the extensibility k described above, and the like. In the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 7, since the expandability k is “50%”, reference data including the ID of the used template is transmitted. After execution of step S7 or step S9, the editor process is terminated.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the label printing process executed by the printer 2 will be described. In the following description, a case where the user edits the label image 100 using the template with the printer 2 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the label printing process, it is determined whether there is reference data received from the PC 3 (S31). When there is reference data (S31: YES), procedure notification processing is executed (S33). The procedure notification process is a process for notifying the user of an operation procedure for generating the same template (extended template) as the label image 100 edited by the PC 3, and will be described in detail later.

  After execution of step S33 or when there is no reference data (S31: NO), a template used for editing the label image 100 is set (S35). Specifically, the user operates the input unit 27 to set a template used for editing the label image 100 on the editing screen displayed on the display unit 28. At this time, the user can set the extended template on the editing screen by operating the input unit 27 in accordance with the operation procedure notified in step S33. In addition, when the user does not use the extended template, the built-in template may be set on the editing screen.

  Next, the label image 100 is edited using the template (S37). As described above, the label image to be printed by the printer 2 on the editing screen displayed on the display unit 28 is displayed in the layout defined in the template by the user using the built-in template or the above-described extension template. You can edit the label image where the object is placed. Next, the label image 100 edited in step S35 is printed (S39). As a result, a label on which the label image 100 is printed is created, and the label printing process ends.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the procedure notification process, when the expandability k included in the reference data received from the PC 3 is greater than “0%” and less than “30%” (S51: YES), The extension template has relatively small changes from the original template. In this case, the built-in help file is read from the flash memory 23 (S53). Specifically, in step S53, an internal help file that defines an operation procedure for processing the internal template to be the same as the extended template is read. A procedure notification screen is displayed on the display unit 28 based on the read built-in help file (S55). Thereafter, the procedure notification process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the expandability k is greater than “30%” and less than “60%” (S51: NO, S57: YES), the extension template has a relatively large change from the original template. In this case, it is determined whether or not there is a corresponding help file in the built-in help file (S59). The corresponding help file is a built-in help file that can explain an operation procedure for processing the built-in template into the same as the expanded template even when the extension template has a relatively large change from the original template.

  If there is no corresponding help file (S59: NO), it is determined whether the printer 2 can be connected to the network (S61). When it is possible to connect to the network (S61: YES), a command (request command) for requesting procedure data is transmitted to the server (not shown) (S63). The request command includes model information specific to the model of the printer 2 and template information included in the reference data received from the PC 3.

  When a request command is received, a server (not shown) generates procedure data indicating an operation procedure for processing the built-in template into the same as the extended template by the printer 2 used by the user based on the model information and the template information. The procedure data generated by the server is transmitted to the printer 2 that is the transmission source of the request command. The printer 2 receives the procedure data transmitted from the server (S65).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the received procedure data can be displayed on the printer 2 (S67). For example, when the procedure data includes complicated image explanations and operation details, it is determined that the printer 2 cannot display the information because all information cannot be displayed on the display unit 28 having a narrow display area (S67: NO). In this case, instead of displaying the procedure data on the display unit 28, the procedure data is alternatively output by other means (S69). As an alternative output of the procedure data, the printer 2 prints the procedure data on paper, sends an email indicating the procedure data to the user's address, or displays a URL for accessing the procedure data on the PC 3. Is exemplified.

  If the procedure data can be explained by the printer 2 (S67: YES), a procedure notification screen is displayed on the display unit 28 based on the received procedure data (S55). Further, when there is a corresponding help file (S59: YES) or when connection to the network is not possible (S61: NO), the built-in help file is read out in the same manner as described above, and a procedure notification screen is displayed on the display unit 28. (S55). Note that the procedure notification process is terminated after the execution of step S69.

  On the other hand, when the expandability k is greater than “60%” (S57: NO), the extended template has a large change from the original template. In this case, it is determined whether or not the printer 2 has a memory capable of storing the template (S71). If there is a memory that can store the template (S71: YES), it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to save the extended template (S73). For example, in step S73, a screen for selecting whether or not to save the label image 100 edited on the PC 3 as an extension template is displayed on the display unit 28. When the user inputs an instruction to save the extension template on this screen (S73: YES), it is determined whether or not there is a free space for saving the extension template in the memory of the printer 2 (flash memory 23 in the present embodiment). (S75).

  If there is no free space (S75: NO), it is determined whether or not to replace the template in the memory (S77). For example, in step S77, a screen for selecting whether or not to replace the template stored in the flash memory 23 is displayed on the display unit 28. When the user inputs a replacement instruction on this screen (S77: YES), unnecessary templates are deleted from the memory (S79).

  After execution of step S79 or when there is free space (S75: YES), the label image 100 edited by the PC 3 is stored in the memory as an extension template (S81). Thereafter, a procedure notification screen showing an operation procedure for reading the extension template stored in the memory from the flash memory 23 is displayed on the display unit 28 (S55). If there is no memory that can store the template (S71: NO), there is no instruction to save the extension template (S73: NO), and no template is replaced (S77: NO), the process returns to step S59. .

  As described above, in the case of the label image 100 illustrated in FIG. 7, the reference data is transmitted to the server (not shown). In the server, since the expandability k is “50%” (S57: YES), the corresponding help file is searched from the flash memory 23 (S59). If there is no corresponding help file, the procedure data is acquired from the server (S59: YES to S65) and displayed on the procedure notification screen of the display unit 28 (S67: YES, S55), or alternatively output (S67: NO, S69). For example, in step S55, the procedure notification screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 11 is displayed. The procedure notification screen 300 shows an operation procedure for creating an extension template corresponding to the label image 100 (see FIG. 7) edited by the PC 3.

  As described above, according to the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the template stored in the HDD 32 is displayed on the editing screen 50 in the PC 3. An extension value k indicating the size of the difference between the label image 100 edited on the editing screen 50 and the template used for the editing is calculated and transmitted to the printer 2. In the printer 2, when an editing operation of a template stored in the flash memory 23 is performed, an extended template is generated. The label image 100 edited using the extension template is printed on the print medium. Further, when the extension value k is received from the PC 3, an operation procedure for generating an extension template with a pattern corresponding to the extension value k is notified. Therefore, when editing a template stored in the printer 2, an optimum editing method can be presented to the user.

  In the printer 2, when the extension value k received from the PC 3 is included in the first range (for example, 0% <extension value k ≦ 30%), the built-in help file stored in the flash memory 23 is displayed on the procedure notification screen. 200. Therefore, when the difference between the label image 100 edited on the PC 3 and the template used for the editing is relatively small, the user edits the PC 3 based on the built-in help file stored in the printer 2. It is possible to quickly know the procedure for generating the extension template corresponding to the labeled image 100.

  In the printer 2, when the extension value k received from the PC 3 is included in the second range (for example, 30% <extension value k ≦ 60%), the procedure data acquired from the server via the network is the procedure notification screen 200. Or it is alert | reported by the alternative method. Therefore, when the difference between the label image 100 edited on the PC 3 and the template used for the editing is relatively large, the user edits the label edited on the PC 3 based on the procedure data acquired from the server. It is possible to know the optimum generation procedure of the extension template corresponding to the image 100.

  In the printer 2, when the extension value k received from the PC 3 is included in the third range (for example, 60% <extension value k), the procedure for setting the label image 100 received from the PC 3 as the extension template is a procedure notification screen. 200. Therefore, when the difference between the label image 100 edited on the PC 3 and the template used for the editing is very large, the user knows the procedure for using the label image 100 edited on the PC 3 as the extension template. Can do.

  In the above embodiment, the PC 3 corresponds to the “external device” of the present invention. The HDD 32 corresponds to the “first template storage unit” of the present invention. The CPU 31 executing step S1 corresponds to “editing screen display means” and “image transmission means” of the present invention. The CPU 31 that executes step S3 corresponds to the “expansion value calculation means” of the present invention. The CPU 31 executing step S9 corresponds to the “expansion value transmission means” of the present invention.

  The printer 2 corresponds to the “printing apparatus” of the present invention. The flash memory 23 corresponds to the “second template storage unit” and the “help information storage unit” of the present invention. The input unit 27 corresponds to the “operation means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S35 corresponds to the “template generation unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S37 corresponds to the “image editing unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S33 corresponds to the “operation procedure notifying unit” of the present invention.

  Step S1 corresponds to the “edit screen display step” of the present invention. Step S3 corresponds to the “expansion value calculation step” of the present invention. Step S9 corresponds to the “extended value transmission step” of the present invention. Step S35 corresponds to the “template generation step” of the present invention. Step S37 corresponds to the “image editing step” of the present invention. Step S33 corresponds to the “operation procedure notification step” of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and modifications can be made without changing the gist of the invention. In the printing system 1 of the above embodiment, the printer 2 and the PC 3 are connected. However, after the reference data is transferred to the printer 2, the connection between the printer 2 and the PC 3 may be released. In this case, the printer 2 may perform the label printing process (FIG. 9) while not connected to the PC 3.

  In the above embodiment, the editor process (FIG. 6) and the label printing process (FIG. 9) are executed by the CPU, but may be executed by another electronic component (for example, ASIC). The editor process (FIG. 6) and the label printing process (FIG. 9) may be distributed by a plurality of electronic devices (that is, a plurality of CPUs). For example, a part of the editor process (FIG. 6) may be executed by a server connected to the PC 3. Part of the label printing process (FIG. 9) may be executed by the PC 3 or server connected to the printer 2.

1 Printing system 2 Printer 3 PC
21 CPU
23 Flash memory 27 Input unit 28 Display unit 31 CPU
32 HDD
38 Display 50 Editing Screen 80 Point Table 90 Point Table 100 Label Image 110 Text 120 Decoration Image 130 Frame 200 Procedure Notification Screen 300 Procedure Notification Screen

Claims (5)

A printing system in which an external device capable of editing a printing image and a printing apparatus capable of printing the printing image on a printing medium are connected,
The external device is
First template storage means for storing a template indicating a layout of an object included in the print image;
Edit screen display means for displaying an edit screen for editing the print image using the template stored in the first template storage means;
Extended value calculating means for calculating an extended value indicating the size of the difference between the template stored in the first template storage means and the printing image edited on the editing screen;
An extension value transmitting means for transmitting the extension value calculated by the extension value calculating means to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes:
Second template storage means for storing the same template as the template stored in the first template storage means;
Operation means that can be operated by the user;
A template generation means for editing the template stored in the second template storage means and generating an extension template from the template when an editing operation of the template is performed by the operation means;
Image editing means for editing the printing image using the template generated by the template generating means;
Printing means for printing the printing image edited by the image editing means on the printing medium;
An operation procedure notifying unit for notifying an operation procedure for generating the extension template in a pattern corresponding to the extension value when the extension value is received from the external device. The printing apparatus includes help information storage means for storing help information that predefines the operation procedure,
The operation procedure notifying unit notifies the help information stored in the help information storing unit when the extension value received from the external device is included in a first range. The printing system according to 1. The printing apparatus is connected via a network to a server that stores help information in which the operation procedure is defined in advance.
The operation procedure notifying unit notifies the help information acquired from the server via the network when the extension value received from the external device is included in a second range. The printing system according to 1. The external device includes image transmission means for transmitting the printing image edited on the editing screen to the printing apparatus,
The operation procedure notifying unit notifies the procedure of setting the print image received from the external device in the extension template when the extension value received from the external device is included in a third range. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein: A template editing method executed in a printing system in which an external device capable of editing a printing image and a printing apparatus capable of printing the printing image on a printing medium are connected,
The external device includes a first template storage unit that stores a template indicating a layout of an object included in the print image,
The printing apparatus includes a second template storage unit that stores the same template as the template stored in the first template storage unit, and an operation unit that can be operated by a user.
The template editing method is:
An edit screen display step for displaying an edit screen for editing the print image using the template stored in the first template storage means;
An extended value calculating step for calculating an extended value indicating the size of the difference between the template stored in the first template storage means and the printing screen edited on the editing screen;
An extension value transmission step of transmitting the extension value calculated by the extension value calculation step to the printing device;
A template generation step of editing the template stored in the second template storage unit and generating an extension template from the template when the template is edited by the operation unit;
An image editing step of editing the print image using the template generated by the template generation step;
A printing step of printing the printing image edited in the image editing step on the print medium;
An operation procedure notifying step for notifying an operation procedure for generating the extension template in a pattern corresponding to the extension value when the extension value is received from the external device.

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