JP2020014115A - Program and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a program and an information processing apparatus, capable of causing a printer to appropriately convey a long recording medium with an image printed thereon.SOLUTION: An SDK module of a label creation program stored in a memory of a PC constituting a printer system is configured to: determine whether an effective pixel exists in each line of image data in a main scanning direction; specify an image length LEnd based on the number of lines where the effective pixels exist S53; convert a range of the image length LEnd in the image data into raster data S61 when the image length LEnd is equal to or longer than a minimum medium length LPrn that can be conveyed by a printer S59:YES; and output the converted raster data to the printer S65.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a program for removing a blank in image data to be printed and an information processing apparatus.

  The following patent document discloses an image forming apparatus for removing a blank portion in image data to be printed. The image forming apparatus removes a part of a margin between a leading portion and a trailing end portion of image data read from a document set on a document table, and sets the length of the margin to a preset length.

JP 2005-94413 A

  In some printers, a minimum length in the transport direction of the recording medium is determined in order to appropriately transport a long recording medium such as roll paper to an outlet. In such a printer, if the image data whose margins have been removed is printed as it is, if the length of the printed image data is shorter than the minimum length of the recording medium, the recording medium on which the image is printed is ejected. May not be properly transported. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a program and an information processing apparatus capable of appropriately transporting a long recording medium on which an image is printed by a printer.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a program according to the present application is a computer-readable program of an information processing apparatus, and is a program that outputs image data to be printed to a printer that performs printing on a long recording medium. In the computer, for a main scanning direction corresponding to a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction in which the printer conveys the recording medium, it is determined whether or not an effective pixel exists for each line of the image data in the main scanning direction. Determining an image length, which is a length based on the number of lines in which effective pixels are present, and which is a length in the sub-scanning direction of the image data according to the transport direction; and , The minimum length of the recording medium in the transport direction and the minimum length that is the minimum length capable of transporting the recording medium by the printer. A judging step of judging whether or not there is, and, when the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length, a conversion step of converting the range of the image length in the image data into raster data; and Outputting the raster data to the printer.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present application is an information processing apparatus that includes a control unit and outputs image data to be printed to a printer that prints on a long recording medium. For the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction for conveying the recording medium, it is determined whether or not there is an effective pixel for each line of the image data in the main scanning direction, and the line where the effective pixel exists is determined. A specifying process of specifying an image length that is a length based on a number and a length of the image data in a sub-scanning direction; and the image length is a length of the recording medium in the transport direction, and A determination process of determining whether or not the length is equal to or longer than a minimum medium length that is a minimum length capable of conveying the recording medium by a printer, and when the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length, Performing a conversion process for converting a range of the image length in over data into raster data, and an output process of outputting the converted the raster data to the printer, the.

  According to the program and the information processing apparatus according to the present application, the image length in the sub-scanning direction based on the number of lines in which effective pixels of image data exist is compared with the minimum medium length that can be carried by the printer. If the image length is equal to or greater than the minimum medium length, the range of the image length is converted into raster data, and the printer is caused to execute printing. As a result, the printing range of the printer can be reduced and the consumption of the recording medium can be suppressed. Further, in the transport direction, a minimum medium length can be secured as a length for the printer to print the image, and the recording medium on which the image is printed can be appropriately transported by the printer.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a printer system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram conceptually showing a relationship between programs and devices. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process by an edit screen control module. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of an SDK process by an SDK module. 5 is a flowchart showing the contents of an SDK process by an SDK module. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the process which calculates | requires a maximum length. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state of image data to be printed. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of image data when a margin is set on the leading end side. FIG. 7 is a diagram when the image length is shorter than the minimum medium length. FIG. 4 is a diagram when the minimum medium length is the longest. It is a figure in case the setting length is the longest. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case where a tail print is set and a trailing margin removal setting is performed to execute split printing. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a case where the alignment setting is set and the split printing is executed.

<Configuration of printer system>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process described below can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer system 1 according to the present embodiment. The printer system 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a PC 10 and a printer 50. The PC 10 mainly includes a CPU (an example of a computer) 12, a memory 14, a display I / F (abbreviation of interface) 15, an LCD 16, an input I / F 18, and a communication I / F 20. These components can communicate with each other via a bus 22.

  The PC 10 and the printer 50 can communicate by wire through the communication I / F 20 and the communication line 56. The communication line 56 can employ, for example, a LAN cable as a wire. Note that the cable is not limited to the LAN cable, but may be a USB cable or the like. The communication line 56 may be, for example, a LAN (including a wired LAN and a wireless LAN) or a WAN (including the Internet). Further, the printer of the present application is not limited to a printer that can be connected by wire, but may be a printer that can be connected wirelessly. As a method of wireless communication, for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark) standards can be adopted.

  The printer 50 is, for example, a label printer, transmits and receives various information and instruction signals to and from the PC 10, and creates a label on which a desired text or image is printed based on control by the PC 10. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the printer 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 50 includes a control circuit 61, a transport roller 63, a print head 64, and a cutter 65. The printer 50 prints a text or the like on a long tape 67 such as a laminated film to create a label. A tape roll 68 around which a tape 67 is wound is attached to the printer 50. The control circuit 61 includes a CPU and a ROM (not shown), executes various programs stored in the ROM in advance, and controls the printer 50. The transport roller 63 is provided so as to face the print head 64, and sandwiches the tape 67 fed from the tape roll 68 with the print head 64. The transport roller 63 transports the tape 67 in the transport direction 69 while being fed out of the tape roll 68 by rotating.

  The print head 64 prints text and the like on the tape 67 transported by the transport rollers 63. The cutter 65 operates under the control of the control circuit 61 and cuts the tape 67 after printing. Note that the cutter 65 may be configured to operate in response to a manual operation by a user.

  The printer 50 discharges the printed tape 67 from the discharge port 71. In such a configuration, for example, when the tape 67 is cut with a length less than the length from the cutting position of the cutter 65 to the discharge port 71, the cut tape 67, that is, the tape 67 after printing is removed from the discharge port 71. There is a possibility that it will not be discharged and fall into the printer 50. In addition, for example, when the user pulls out the tape 67 cut by the cutter 65 from the outlet 71, it is necessary to make the tape 67 protrude from the outlet 71 by a certain amount as a part held by the hand. For this reason, in the printer 50 having such a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a minimum medium length LPrn, which is a minimum length that allows the printer 50 to appropriately convey the tape 67 as a recording medium, can be defined. It is preferable to cut the tape 67 at a length equal to or longer than the minimum medium length LPrn. The minimum medium length LPrn shown in FIG. 2 is an example, and may be appropriately determined according to the distance between the discharge port 71 and the cutter 65, the position and number of the conveying rollers 63 that convey the tape 67, the shape of the discharge port 71, and the like. The value to be changed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the CPU 12 executes processing according to the label creation program 26 and the OS 32 in the memory 14. The label creation program 26 is a program for editing an image and creating a label by the printer 50 using the edited image. The label creation program 26 includes an edit screen control module 27, an image data creation module 28, and an SDK (short for Software Development Kit) module 29 as processing modules. It should be noted that the label creation program 26 may be constituted by a single program instead of an aggregate of a plurality of programs as described above. Further, the label creation program 26 is not limited to a program for printing an edited image on a label. For example, the label creation program 26 may be a program that instructs the edited image to be printed on another long recording medium such as roll paper.

  The OS 32 is a program that provides basic functions used by the label creation program 26. The OS 32 is, for example, an operating system such as Windows (registered trademark), MacOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), and iOS (registered trademark). In the following description, the CPU 12 that executes the label creation program 26 and the like may be described simply by the program name. For example, the description "the label creation program 26 is" may mean "the CPU 12 executing the label creation program 26".

  FIG. 3 conceptually shows the relationship between each program and each device. The edit screen control module 27 is, for example, a program that displays an edit screen for creating a label or editing a label on the LCD 16. The edit screen control module 27 executes a display instruction to the OS 32 by using, for example, an API provided by the OS 32, and executes a display process using a display program of the OS 32. The OS 32 controls the display I / F 15 in accordance with an instruction from the editing screen control module 27, and performs display on the LCD 16. The edit screen control module 27 instructs the image data creation module 28 to create image data for displaying an object indicating the label to be edited on the edit screen, and generates an image based on the image data received from the image data creation module 28. It is displayed on the LCD 16. The object referred to here is a text, a figure (such as a straight line or a rectangle), an image, or the like that forms a label.

  The edit screen control module 27 receives an input operation for editing an object at the input I / F 18 and performs display processing on the LCD 16. Further, the edit screen control module 27 instructs the image data creation module 28 to create image data for printing the label edited on the edit screen from the printer 50. The edit screen control module 27 receives the image data created by the image data creation module 28 from the image data creation module 28, and prints the label from the printer 50 by passing the received image data and the print instruction to the SDK module 29. Let it.

  The image data creation module 28 includes a library for creating and editing image data for creating a label, and is a program that executes creation and editing of image data. The image data creation module 28 creates image data for displaying a label on the LCD 16 and image data for printing the label with the printer 50 according to an instruction from the edit screen control module 27.

  The SDK module 29 is a program for causing the printer 50 to execute printing via the communication I / F 20. The SDK module 29 receives, for example, image data for printing a label from the printer 50 and a print instruction from the edit screen control module 27. The print instruction includes instruction information for removing the trailing margin set by the user (S25 in FIG. 5), instruction information on the minimum recording medium length (set length by the user) (S27 in FIG. 5), Instruction information (S33 in FIG. 5) for adjusting the print length in split printing or the like is included. The SDK module 29 generates, for example, image data to be printed and sets a print range according to the received print instruction. The SDK module 29 performs rasterization in the print range set for the generated image data, and generates print data that is raster data used for printing. The SDK module 29 causes the printer 50 to execute printing by transmitting the generated print data to the printer 50. The SDK module 29 transmits print data via the communication I / F 20, for example, by instructing the OS 32.

  The memory 14 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a data storage area 34. The data storage area 34 is an area for storing data necessary for executing the label creation program 26 and the like. The memory 14 is configured by combining a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory detachable from the PC 10, a buffer included in the CPU 12, and the like. Further, the memory 14 includes a device context 35. The device context 35 is an area secured in the memory 14 by the OS 32, and is a storage area for drawing. The device context 35 includes a drawing area used for drawing an object by the image data creation module 28.

  The memory 14 may be a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs in addition to the above examples. Further, a non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electric signal that carries a program downloaded from a server or the like on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Not included in the medium.

  The LCD 16 displays various information of the PC 10. The LCD 16 is connected to the bus 22 via the display I / F 15. The LCD 16 acquires display data via the display I / F 15. The display of the present application is not limited to a liquid crystal display, but may be a display of another display method such as an organic EL display.

  The input I / F 18 is an interface for inputting a user operation, including a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The input I / F 18 is not limited to a keyboard or the like, and may be a film-shaped touch sensor superimposed on a display screen of the LCD 16.

<About print processing>
Next, the printing process executed by the label creation program 26 will be described. FIG. 4 shows a procedure of a printing process by the edit screen control module 27. For example, when an operation for making print settings is performed on an edit screen for creating image data, the edit screen control module 27 displays a pop-up screen for print settings on the LCD 16 and starts the processing shown in FIG. . The edit screen control module 27 displays an input field for inputting print settings, a print button for instructing start of printing, and the like on a pop-up screen.

  When the processing of FIG. 4 is started, the edit screen control module 27 determines whether or not the print button has been pressed (S11). The edit screen control module 27 repeatedly executes the determination processing of S11 until the print button is pressed (S11: NO). When the print button is pressed (S11: YES), the edit screen control module 27 initializes the printer information (S13), and initializes the print job settings (S15). The printer information is, for example, printer ID information for identifying the printer. The print job setting includes, for example, setting of the number of prints, setting of whether or not the printed tape 67 (see FIG. 2) is cut by the cutter 65, and instructing the order of pages to be printed when printing a plurality of copies. This is the setting of collation to be performed.

  Next, the edit screen control module 27 sets the printer information and the print job settings of the printer 50 to execute printing based on the print settings received on the pop-up screen, and generates a print instruction according to the set values (S17). ). The print instruction is information for instructing the SDK module 29 on the content of the print processing as described above, and includes information for instructing margin removal. The edit screen control module 27 transfers the image data to be printed and the generated print instruction to the SDK module 29, and causes the SDK module 29 to start a print process (SDK process in FIG. 4) by the SDK module 29 (S19). .

<SDK processing>
5 and 6 show the contents of the SDK process. Upon receiving the image data to be printed and the print instruction from the edit screen control module 27 in S19 in FIG. 4, the SDK module 29 starts the SDK processing in FIGS.

  Here, the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment specifies the length of the image data based on the positions of the valid pixels for the image data received from the edit screen control module 27, and based on the specified length, The margin on the rear end side can be removed. The edit screen control module 27 accepts a setting as to whether or not to remove the margin on the rear end side (hereinafter, may be referred to as a tail margin removal setting) on, for example, a pop-up screen of a print setting as an SDK module 29 as a print instruction. Hand over to The SDK module 29 can determine whether or not the tail margin removal setting is set based on the print instruction received from the edit screen control module 27.

  Further, the label creation program 26 of the present embodiment allows the user to set the length of the image data to be printed in the print settings, similarly to the tail margin removal setting. The SDK module 29 compares the length set by the user (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a set length LUsr) with another length or the like to change the print range in the image data. In addition, the label creation program 26 of the present embodiment can set whether or not to execute split printing and whether or not to make the lengths equal at the time of execution of split printing in the print setting, similarly to the tail margin removal setting. In the following description, as an example, a case where a tail margin removal setting is set and a setting length LUsr and a setting for aligning the length (hereinafter, also referred to as an alignment setting) are not set (hereinafter, referred to as case 1). explain.

  First, when the SDK printing process is started, the SDK module 29 determines whether or not a recording medium used for printing is a recording medium having a determined length (S21). For example, in a die-cut tape from which a sealing recording medium can be peeled, the length of the recording medium to be peeled is defined in advance. Therefore, in such a recording medium in which the length of the printing range in the transport direction 69 (see FIG. 2) is determined, even if the blank of the image data described later is removed and the length of the image to be printed is changed. The physical length of the recording medium after printing does not change. For this reason, in the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment, when the recording medium used for printing is a recording medium having a predetermined printing length such as a die-cut tape, the image data received from the edit screen control module 27 is directly converted to raster data. Convert to and print.

  The method of determining whether or not the print medium is a recording medium having a determined length is not particularly limited. For example, when the edit screen control module 27 receives the information of the recording medium used by the printer 50 on the print setting pop-up screen, the edit screen control module 27 includes the received information of the recording medium in the print instruction and passes it to the SDK module 29. Accordingly, the SDK module 29 can determine the type of the recording medium, that is, the determination in S21 based on the content of the print instruction. Alternatively, the SDK module 29 executes an inquiry to the printer 50 to obtain information on the tape roll 68 and the tape 67 (see FIG. 2) attached to the printer 50, and executes the determination in S21 based on the obtained information. You may. In addition, the SDK module 29 may determine whether the print instruction of the edit screen control module 27 matches the information acquired from the printer 50, and if they match, may make an affirmative determination in S21 (S21: YES). In this case, the SDK module 29 may report an error when the information does not match.

  In S21, if the SDK module 29 determines that the recording medium used for printing is a recording medium having a determined length (S21: YES), the SDK module 29 converts the image data received from the edit screen control module 27 into raster data as it is. Then, the converted raster data is transmitted to the printer 50 as print data (S23). As a result, the image data to be printed can be printed as it is on the recording medium in which the length of the print range is determined. The SDK module 29 ends the SDK processing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and the edit screen control module 27 ends the printing processing shown in FIG.

  As will be described later, the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment can perform split printing in which image data is divided and printed along the transport direction 69 (see FIGS. 13 and 14). For this reason, when the setting to execute the split printing is made, the rasterizing is executed only for the divided image, and each raster data is transmitted to the printer 50 (S23). Further, the printer 50 of the present embodiment is a label printer that prints an image on the tape 67. However, the above-described processing according to the recording medium having the determined length can be similarly executed in an inkjet printer or the like that executes printing on a recording medium such as roll paper or A4 paper. For example, when printing is performed on a recording medium such as A4 paper whose length in the transport direction 69 is determined, the rasterizing process is performed as it is, as in S23, and printing is performed on long roll paper. In such a case, the process from S25 onward described later is executed. As a result, an appropriate printing process can be performed even on a recording medium having a determined length such as A4 paper.

  In S21, if the SDK module 29 determines that the recording medium used for printing is not a recording medium having a determined length (S21: NO), the SDK module 29 determines whether the trailing margin removal setting is valid based on the print instruction. Is determined (S25). If the SDK module 29 determines that the trailing margin removal setting is set (valid) (S25: YES), the SDK module 29 executes S27. If it determines that it is not valid (S25: NO), it executes S41. This time, since the trailing margin removal setting is set (S25: YES), the SDK module 29 executes S27.

  In S27, the SDK module 29 determines whether or not the length set by the user has been set. If the SDK module 29 determines that the set length LUsr has been set based on the print instruction (S27: YES), it executes S29. If it determines that it has not been set (S27: NO), it executes S31. . This time, since the set length LUsr has not been set, the SDK module 29 executes S31.

  In S31, the SDK module 29 sets the minimum medium length LPrn (see FIG. 2) as the reference minimum length LThr, and after that, executes S33. The reference minimum length LThr is a value used to determine a print range in S55 of FIG. 6 described below. In step S33, the SDK module 29 determines whether the alignment setting is set (valid). If the SDK module 29 determines that the alignment setting is set based on the print instruction (S33: YES), it executes S35, and if it determines that it is not set (S33: NO), it executes S41 and subsequent steps. In this case, since the alignment setting has not been set, the SDK module 29 executes S41. When split printing is set or when printing of a plurality of images is received collectively, the SDK module 29 performs the processing from S41 to S67 in FIG. 6 for the image to be printed (in the case of split printing, Repeat for the number of images). Processing for split printing and printing of a plurality of images will be described later.

  In S41, the SDK module 29 performs a process of reading image data to be printed. For example, the editing screen control module 27 temporarily stores the image data to be printed in the memory 14 when starting the SDK processing. The SDK module 29 executes the transfer of the image data by reading the image data from the memory 14 in S41. After reading the image data, the SDK module 29 determines whether the reading was successful (S43 in FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the reading of the image data is successful (S43: YES), the SDK module 29 executes S45, and when the reading fails, executes S47. In S47, the SDK module 29 executes a print error process for notifying the LCD 16 or the like that the reading has failed, and ends the SDK process shown in FIGS. If there are a plurality of image data to be printed, for example, in the case of split printing, the SDK module 29 stops printing only the image data that failed to be read, resumes the processing from S41, and executes processing for other image data. May be attempted. That is, the printing of other image data does not have to be stopped in accordance with the failure in reading one image data.

  In step S45, the SDK module 29 executes a process according to the print setting included in the print instruction. For example, the SDK module 29 enlarges or reduces the image data according to the magnification set for printing. Alternatively, when the printer 50 supports only monochrome printing, the SDK module 29 may execute a binarization process for converting color image data into monochrome image data.

  Next, the SDK module 29 stores the length Lorg of the print image (S49). FIG. 8 shows a state of image data to be printed. A display image 73 at the top of FIG. 8 shows a state displayed on the LCD 16 by the edit screen control module 27. The image data 75 in the middle of FIG. 8 indicates the image data at the time of being transferred from the edit screen control module 27 to the SDK module 29, that is, the image data at the time of starting the SDK processing. The sub-scanning direction of the display image 73 and the image data 75 is, for example, a direction along the transport direction 69 of the tape 67 (see FIG. 2). The main scanning direction is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction 69. The sub-scanning direction may be a direction that forms a predetermined angle with the transport direction 69.

  The display image 73 is provided with a physical margin 77 generated due to, for example, a structural limitation of the printer 50. The margin 77 is added at a predetermined width to both sides of the display image 73 in the sub-scanning direction. The user inputs, for example, the letters “TEXT” and gives a print instruction while viewing the display image 73 displayed in this manner. As shown in the image data 75, the SDK module 29 receives data in a state where the margin 77 has been removed, that is, data starting from characters or the like input by the user. After executing the image processing (enlargement / reduction processing or the like) on the image data 75 in S45, the SDK module 29 acquires the length in the sub-scanning direction as the length LOrg. Although FIG. 8 shows the display image 73 and the image data 75 with the same length except for the margin 77 in order to avoid complicating the drawing, the margin 77 may be omitted depending on the content of the scaling processing. The displayed image 73 and the image data 75 do not have the same length.

  The SDK module 29 acquires the length LOrg of the print image based on the number of pixels in the sub-scanning direction of the image data 75 after executing S45, for example. The SDK module 29 stores the acquired length LOrg in the memory 14 (S49), and executes S51. In S51, the SDK module 29 determines again whether the trailing margin removal setting is valid (S51: YES), executes S53 if it is valid, and determines that it is not valid (S51: NO). , S57.

  Since the trailing margin removal setting is effective this time, the SDK module 29 obtains the image length LEnd from the leading end 79 (see FIG. 8) of the image data 75 to the farthest effective pixel in S53. The SDK module 29 performs a raster scan for each line 81 in the main scanning direction, as indicated by a line 81 indicated by an arrow pointing downward in FIG. 8, and specifies a line where valid pixels exist. For example, the SDK module 29 determines that a plurality of pixels included in the image data 75 are valid pixels if they are colored, and determines that they are not valid pixels if they are colorless (white). The SDK module 29 specifies, for example, a line 81A including an effective pixel closest to the rear end 80 of the image data 75 in the sub-scanning direction as a position of an effective pixel farthest from the front end 79, and specifies a line from the front end 79 to the line 81A. The distance is specified as the image length LEnd. The method for specifying the image length LEnd is not limited to the above-described method. For example, the line 81 on which the effective pixel is first detected by raster scanning from the rear end 80 may be specified as the line 81A.

  Next, in S55, the SDK module 29 compares the image length LEnd with the reference minimum length LThr set in S31, and sets a longer value as the print image length LENPrt. Note that the description of max (A, B) in FIGS. 5 to 7 indicates that the longer one of A and B is selected. In this case, since the set length LUsr is not set (S27: NO in FIG. 5), the minimum medium length LPrn is set as the reference minimum length LThr. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the image length LEnd of the four characters “TEXT” is longer than the minimum medium length LPrn. Therefore, in S55, the SDK module 29 sets the image length LEnd as the print image length LENPrt.

  Next, the SDK module 29 determines whether or not the print image length LENPrt is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59). If the SDK module 29 determines that the print image length LENPrt is greater than or equal to the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: YES), the SDK module 29 executes S61, and if not, executes S63. As described above, the image length LEnd is set to the print image length LENPrt. In the example shown in FIG. 8, since the image length LEnd is longer than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: YES), the SDK module 29 , S61.

  In S61, the SDK module 29 converts the portion from the leading end 79 of the image data 75 to the print image length LENPrt, that is, the image length LEnd, into raster data. The SDK module 29 transmits the converted raster data to the printer 50 as print data, and causes the printer 50 to print the raster data (S65). Next, in S67, the SDK module 29 determines whether or not processing has been completed for all print images. If the SDK module 29 determines that the processing has been completed for all print images (S67: YES), the SDK module 29 ends the SDK processing, and if the processing has not been completed for all print images (S67: NO), The processing from S41 in FIG. 5 is executed again for the next unprocessed print image. In this case, since split printing is not set, the SDK module 29 does not execute the processing from S41 in FIG. 5 again, and ends the SDK processing.

  Here, as shown in the lowermost part of FIG. 8, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75A into raster data from the leading end 79 of the image data 75, that is, from the print start position to the image length LEnd. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a blank area 83 is set in the image data 75 after the character “TEXT” (toward the rear end 80). The margin area 83 is an area in which pixels that are not effective pixels, such as blank characters and a margin set by the user, are set. If the margin area 83 is printed as it is, the tape 67 is unnecessarily consumed. On the other hand, when the trailing margin removal setting is valid, the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment executes the above-described steps S53, S55, S61, and S65 to narrow the printing range to the range of the effective pixels, Remove 83 and print. Thereby, excessive consumption of the tape 67 can be suppressed. Further, the SDK module 29 executes the determination processing of S59 to secure the minimum medium length LPrn to a minimum and print. This allows the printer 50 to appropriately convey the tape 67 after printing.

  In step S53, the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment executes a process of making the margin width on the leading end 79 side of the image data 75 equal to the margin width on the trailing end 80 side. FIG. 9 shows image data 75 when a margin 85 is input to the tip 79 side. As shown in FIG. 9, in the image data 75, a margin 85 is input before the character “TEXT”. The margin width 87 from the leading end 79 of the image data 75 in the sub-scanning direction to the position of the leading end line 81B where the effective pixel exists is the width of the margin 85, that is, a size corresponding to the number of blank characters and the set margin size. It will be.

  In this case, in step S53, the SDK module 29 adjusts the position of the margin 81 on the leading end 79 side with respect to the position of the line 81A where the effective pixels on the rear end 80 side exist. The SDK module 29 executes processing for shifting the position of the line 81A toward the rear end 80 by the margin width 87. Then, the SDK module 29 specifies the image length LEnd including the margin 85A on the rear end 80 side as the image length. Thus, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75A in which the margin 79 is set at the leading end 79 and the margin 85A is set at the trailing end into raster data.

  If the adjustment is not performed and the margin on the rear end 80 side is removed based on the position of the line 81A before the adjustment, that is, the position of the line 81A of the effective pixel of the last character “T”, the SDK module 29 The length LEnd2 is specified as the image length. In this case, the margin 85 exists only on the front end 79 side, and the print image is a print result shifted to the rear end 80 side. On the other hand, the SDK module 29 can improve the balance of the printing result by adding a margin 85A to the rear end 80 side.

<When the trailing margin removal setting is not set>
Next, a case where the tail margin removal setting is not set (hereinafter, referred to as case 2) will be described. In the following description, the description of the same contents as in the case 1 described above will be appropriately omitted. In case 2, the SDK module 29 makes a negative determination in S25 of FIG. 5 (S25: NO), and also makes a negative determination in S51 of FIG. 6 (S51: NO). The SDK module 29 sets the image length LOrg of the image data 75 as the print image length LENPrt which is the range to be printed (S57).

  Next, in S59, when the SDK module 29 determines that the print image length LENPrt (in this case, the length LOrg) is equal to or more than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: YES), printing is performed based on the length LOrg. That is, the image data 75 created and printed by the user is printed (S61, S65). On the other hand, when the SDK module 29 determines that the print image length LENPrt is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: NO), it notifies a print error (S63). Therefore, the SDK module 29 reports an error to the LCD 16 or the like when the length Lorg of the print image created and set by the user is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn. The SDK module 29 ends the SDK processing shown in FIGS. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress printing of an image having a length shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn, and to prevent the cut tape 67 from dropping into the printer 50 or to prevent the cut tape 67 from being jammed.

  Note that the SDK module 29 may set the minimum image length LPrn to the print image length LENPrt in S63 and execute printing. That is, when the print image length LENPrt is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn, the SDK module 29 may convert the range of the minimum medium length LPrn in the image data 75 into raster data and execute printing (S63). ). Thus, even when the print image length LENPrt is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn, it is possible to cause the printer 50 to appropriately execute printing with the minimum medium length LPrn. In step S63, if there is a plurality of image data to be printed such as split printing, the SDK module 29 stops printing only the image data 75 whose print image length LENPrt is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn. The processing may be restarted.

<When the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn>
Next, a case where the tail margin removal setting is set, the set length LUsr and the alignment setting are not set, and the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn (hereinafter, referred to as Case 3) will be described. . In case 3, the SDK module 29 executes steps S21 to S51 and executes step S53, as in case 1 described above.

  FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn. As shown in FIG. 10, for example, in the image data 75 in which only one character of “A” is input, there is a possibility that the image length LEnd specified by the raster scan in S53 is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn. is there. In this case, in the next S55, the SDK module 29 compares the image length LEnd with the reference minimum length LThr (the minimum medium length LPrn set in S31 of FIG. 5), and determines a longer reference minimum length LThr. Is set as the print image length LENPrt. Then, the SDK module 29 makes an affirmative determination in S59 (S59: YES), and executes the print processing in S61 and thereafter. As shown in FIG. 10, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75A from the leading end 79 to the minimum medium length LPrn into raster data, thereby securing the minimum medium length LPrn and performing printing. . Accordingly, even when the input of characters or the like is small and the specified image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn, the printer 50 can appropriately execute printing.

<When the set length LUsr is set>
Next, a case where the tail margin removal setting and the set length LUsr are set and the alignment setting is not set (hereinafter, referred to as case 4) will be described. In case 4, the SDK module 29 makes an affirmative determination in S25 and S27 of FIG. 5 (S25: YES, S27: YES), and executes S29. In S29, the SDK module 29 sets the longer one of the set length LUsr received in the print setting and the minimum medium length LPrn as the reference minimum length LThr. The SDK module 29 executes S41 to S53 after making a negative determination in S33 as in Case 1 (S33: NO). In S55, when the image length LEnd is longer than the reference minimum length LThr, that is, when the image length LEnd is the longest among the image length LEnd, the set length LUsr, and the minimum medium length LPrn, case 1 As in (see FIG. 8), printing of the image length LEnd is executed.

  FIG. 11 shows a case where the minimum medium length LPrn is the longest among the image length LEnd, the set length LUsr, and the minimum medium length LPrn. In this case, in S55, the SDK module 29 sets the minimum medium length LPrn (reference minimum length LThr) as the print image length LENPrt. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75A from the leading end 79 to the minimum medium length LPrn into raster data, thereby obtaining the minimum medium length LPrn and the set length received in the print setting. Printing can be executed while securing LUsr.

  FIG. 12 shows a case where the set length LUsr is the longest of the image length LEnd, the set length LUsr, and the minimum medium length LPrn. In this case, in S55, the SDK module 29 sets the set length LUsr (reference minimum length LThr) as the print image length LENPrt. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75A from the leading end 79 to the set length LUsr into raster data, thereby securing the minimum medium length LPrn and the set length LUsr for printing. Can be executed. In other words, the user or the like can instruct to secure the minimum set length LUsr in addition to removing the blank space.

<When split printing or printing multiple images>
Next, a case will be described where split printing or print settings for printing a plurality of images collectively are received. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which split printing and trailing margin removal settings are set, and the set length LUsr and alignment settings are not set (hereinafter, referred to as case 5). In case 5, the SDK module 29 executes steps S21 to S41 as in case 1.

  FIG. 13 shows the image data 75 in a case where the tail margin removal setting is set and the split printing is executed. As shown in FIG. 13, in the split printing, the image data 75 to be printed is divided along the sub-scanning direction by the number set in the print setting. For example, the SDK module 29 generates divided image data 91 and 92 obtained by dividing the image data 75 to be printed into two along the sub-scanning direction. Then, the SDK module 29 prints each of the divided image data 91 and 92. Accordingly, for example, by arranging a plurality of printed tapes 67 in the main scanning direction and pasting them, it is possible to represent a large character or the like that cannot be represented by one tape 67. In the following description, the case of dividing into two is described as an example.

  In S41, the SDK module 29 generates and reads divided image data 91 divided along the sub-scanning direction from the image data 75 stored in the memory 14. The SDK module 29 executes the processing of S43 to S67 in FIG. 6 using the divided image data 91. When the SDK module 29 transmits the raster data obtained by converting the divided image data 91 to the printer 50 as print data in S65, the processing of the remaining divided image data 92 is not completed in S67 (S67: NO). Is executed again from S41. In the second time S41, the SDK module 29 generates and reads the divided image data 92 from the image data 75 stored in the memory 14, and executes the processing after S43. In the second S65, the SDK module 29 transmits the raster data obtained by converting the divided image data 92 to the printer 50. Since there is no other print image processing in S67 (S67: YES), the SDK processing ends. Therefore, the SDK module 29 determines the image length LEnd (S53), determines the image length LEnd (S59), and determines the print image length LENPrt for each of the plurality of divided image data 91 and 92. A rasterizing process (S61) and the like are executed. The SDK module 29 may create all the divided image data 92 other than the divided image data 91 and store it in the memory 14 when executing the first S41.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, the image data 75 of “T ″ ″ ″ ″ ″ ″ is divided into two divided image data 91 and 92. Since the upper divided image data 91 in FIG. 13 includes “″ ″ ″ ″ ″”, the image length LEnd of the divided image data 91 is the image length LEEnd of the divided image data 92. It is longer than. The image length LEnd of the divided image data 91 is longer than the minimum medium length LPrn. Therefore, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 91A from the leading end 79 of the divided image data 91 to the image length LEnd into raster data. On the other hand, the image length LEnd of the divided image data 92 is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn. Therefore, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 92A from the leading end 79 of the divided image data 92 to the minimum medium length LPrn into raster data. As described above, when split printing is set, the SDK module 29 individually applies a process of removing a blank space for each of the divided image data items 91 and 92. Note that, even when printing of a plurality of images is received collectively, by executing the same processing as the above-described split printing, it is possible to individually apply processing for removing a blank space for each of the plurality of image data 75.

<In the case of alignment setting>
Next, a case where split printing or an instruction to print a plurality of images at once and an alignment setting are received will be described. FIG. 14 shows the image data 75 when the alignment setting has been made. As shown in FIG. 14, the alignment setting is a setting for aligning the length of the tape 67 after printing. The dots in FIG. 14 indicate that the color of the tape 67 is colored. In the following description, as an example, a case will be described in which split printing, trailing margin removal setting, and alignment setting are set, and the set length LUsr is not set (hereinafter, referred to as case 6).

  More specifically, in case 6, as in case 1, the SDK module 29 executes steps S21 to S31 and then executes step S33. In S33, if the SDK module 29 determines that the alignment setting is set based on the print instruction received from the edit screen control module 27 (S33: YES), it executes S35.

  It should be noted that the SDK module 29 may determine whether or not to execute the process of adjusting the length of the tape 67 after printing by a method other than the print setting. Here, as in case 5 (FIG. 13) described above, when the process of adjusting the print image length LENPrt is performed for each of the divided image data 91 and 92, the length of the tape 67 on which the divided image data 91 is printed ( The image length LEnd) is longer than the length of the tape 67 on which the divided image data 92 is printed (minimum medium length LPrn). As a result, when the two tapes 67 after printing are arranged and bonded in the main scanning direction, the lengths in the sub scanning direction are different. When the same processing is performed on the colored tape 67, the difference in length becomes clearer due to the addition of the background color, and there is a possibility that the balance of the bonded tape 67 may be deteriorated. For this reason, in the case of the colored tape 67, it may be preferable to make the lengths of the tapes 67 after printing uniform.

  Therefore, the SDK module 29 may execute a process of adjusting the lengths when the color of the tape 67 as the recording medium is colored. For example, when the colored tape 67 is selected in the print settings, the edit screen control module 27 may provide the SDK module 29 with a print instruction for executing a process of adjusting the length. Alternatively, when the split printing is set, the SDK module 29 automatically executes an inquiry to the printer 50, acquires the color information of the tape 67 attached to the printer 50, and executes the tape 67 based on the acquired color information. If is colored, a process for adjusting the length may be executed. Further, the SDK module 29 determines whether the print instruction of the edit screen control module 27 matches the information acquired from the printer 50, and executes a process of aligning the lengths when the information matches and the tape 67 is colored. You may.

  Returning to FIG. 5, in step S35, the SDK module 29 executes a process of obtaining a maximum length LAli for aligning the lengths. FIG. 7 shows the contents of the processing for obtaining the maximum length LAli. When the SDK module 29 starts the processing of FIG. 7, first, it sets zero as an initial value of the maximum length LAli (S71).

  Next, the SDK module 29 repeatedly executes the processing of S75 and subsequent steps by the number of divided image data (or the number of images to be printed when printing of a plurality of images is received). In S75, the SDK module 29 generates and reads the divided image data 91 divided from the image data 75 stored in the memory 14, as in S41 of Case 5. If the SDK module 29 determines that the reading has succeeded (S77: YES), it executes S79. If it determines that the reading has failed (S77: NO), it executes S81.

  In S79, similarly to S45 in FIG. 6, the SDK module 29 executes image processing or the like on the divided image data 91 in accordance with the print settings, and then executes S83. In step S81, the SDK module 29 notifies the LCD 16 or the like that the reading has failed, similarly to step S47 in FIG. 6, and ends the SDK processing shown in FIGS.

  In S83, the SDK module 29 calculates the image length LEnd from the leading end 79 (see FIG. 14) of the divided image data 91 to the farthest effective pixel, as in S53 of FIG. 6, and then executes S85. In S85, if the image length LEnd calculated in S83 is larger than the maximum length LAli, the SDK module 29 sets the image length LEnd calculated in S83 as the maximum length LAli. In the process for the first divided image data 91, zero is set to the maximum length LAli (S71). Therefore, in S85, the SDK module 29 sets the image length LEnd of the divided image data 91 to the maximum length LAli.

  Next, in S87, the SDK module 29 determines whether the processing has been completed for all print images, as in S67 of FIG. If the SDK module 29 determines that the processing has been completed for all print images (S87: YES), the SDK module 29 ends the processing for obtaining the maximum length LAli shown in FIG. 7 and completes the processing for all print images. If not (S87: NO), the processes from S75 are executed again for the next unprocessed print image. In case 6 this time, the SDK module 29 makes a negative determination in the first S87 (S87: NO), and executes the same processing on the next divided image data 92 in the second and subsequent S75. In the second S85, if the image length LEnd of the divided image data 92 is longer than the image length LEnd of the divided image data 91, the SDK module 29 sets the image length LEnd of the divided image data 92 to the maximum length Lali. Set to.

  Therefore, the SDK module 29 sets the maximum length LAli to zero as an initial value (S71), and repeatedly executes the processing of S75 and subsequent steps, so that the image length LEnd of the plurality of divided image data 91 and 92 is set. , The longest image length LEnd is set to the maximum length LAli. After executing the processing from S75 to S87 for all the divided image data 91 and 92, the SDK module 29 ends the processing in FIG. 7 and executes S37 in FIG.

  In S37, the SDK module 29 sets the longer value of the maximum length LAli and the reference minimum length LThr obtained in the processing of FIG. 7 as the print image length LENPrt. Therefore, the SDK module 29 sets the longest value among the maximum length LAli, the minimum medium length LPrn, and the set length LUsr as the print image length LENPrt.

  After executing S37, the SDK module 29 executes S38. The SDK module 29 performs rasterization with the print image length LENPrt set in S37, and transmits the converted raster data to the printer 50 as print data. The SDK module 29 performs rasterization using the same print image length LENPrt on other divided image data (the divided image data 92 and the like) and performs printing (S38). As described above, in S37, the longest length of the maximum length LAli, the minimum medium length LPrn, and the set length LUsr is set as the print image length LENPrt. Therefore, each of the divided image data 91 and 92 is rasterized and printed with the longest length.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, among the maximum length LAli, the minimum medium length LPrn, and the set length LUsr (not shown), the image length LEnd (maximum length LAli) of the divided image data 91 is the longest. I have. Therefore, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 91A from the leading end 79 of the divided image data 91 to the image length LEnd of the divided image data 91 into raster data. Further, the SDK module 29 converts the image data 92A having the same length as the image data 91A from the leading end 79 of the divided image data 92 to the image length LEnd of the divided image data 91, into raster data. This makes it possible to print each of the divided image data 91 and 92 with the same length.

  Incidentally, the PC 10 is an example of an information processing device. The CPU 12 is an example of a computer and a control unit. The tape 67 is an example of a recording medium. The divided image data 91 and 92 are examples of the divided image data.

<Effects of the embodiment>
According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the SDK module 29 of the present embodiment, in the main scanning direction corresponding to the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction 69 in which the printer 50 conveys the tape 67, the effective pixels are set for each line of the image data 75 in the main scanning direction. A specifying step (S53) of determining whether or not the image data exists, and specifying an image length LEnd which is a length based on the number of lines in which the effective pixels exist and which is a length in the sub-scanning direction of the image data 75; A determination step of determining whether or not the length LEnd is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length LPrn that is the length of the tape 67 in the transport direction 69 and the minimum length that allows the printer 50 to transport the tape 67 (S59). ) And when the image length LEnd is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: YES), the range of the image length A conversion step of converting the metadata (S61), and an output step (S65) for outputting the converted raster data to the printer 50, to run.

  According to this, the image length LEnd in the sub-scanning direction based on the number of lines where the effective pixels of the image data 75 exist is compared with the minimum medium length LPrn that can be transported by the printer 50. If the image length LEnd is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length LPrn, the range of the image length LEnd is converted into raster data, and the printer 50 executes printing. This makes it possible to reduce the printing range of the printer 50 and reduce the consumption of the tape 67. Further, in the transport direction 69, the minimum medium length LPrn can be secured as a length for the printer 50 to print an image, and the tape 67 on which the image is printed can be appropriately transported by the transport rollers 63 of the printer 50.

(2) If the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn in S59 (S59: NO), the SDK module 29 determines the minimum medium length LPrn in the image data 75 in S63 (an example of the conversion step). The range may be converted to raster data. According to this, when the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn, the range of the minimum medium length LPrn can be converted into raster data, and the printer 50 can execute printing.

(3) In step S53, the SDK module 29 determines the leading end 79 of the image data 75 in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the position of the line 81A on the rear end 80 side in the sub-scanning direction among the positions of the line 81 where the effective pixels exist. Is adjusted to add a margin width 87 to the position of the leading line 81B where the effective pixel exists, and the position of the line 81 adjusted from the leading end 79 of the image data 75 is specified as the image length LEnd (FIG. 9).

  If the margin on the rear end 80 side in the sub-scanning direction is removed based on the position of the effective pixel line 81A, the position of the line 81A on the rear end 80 specified in S53 becomes the effective pixel existing on the rearmost end 80 side. Line position. In this case, if a margin 85 exists on the leading end 79 side in the sub-scanning direction, a print result of the print image shifted to the rear end 80 side is obtained. In step S53, the position of the line 81A of the rear end 80 is adjusted to a position shifted toward the rear end 80 by the margin width 87 on the front end 79 side, so that the margin width 87 on the front end 79 and the rear end 80 is made the same. The balance of the printing result can be improved.

(4) The printer 50 is capable of printing on a recording medium having a predetermined length in the transport direction 69 such as a die cut tape. When printing is performed on a recording medium having a determined length (S21: YES), the SDK module 29 converts the image data 75 into raster data without performing S53 and S59, Output (S23).

  For example, a sheet-shaped recording medium such as A4 paper is cut into a predetermined length in advance. Further, for example, in the die cut tape, the length of the recording medium to be peeled is defined in advance. For this reason, in such a recording medium whose length in the transport direction 69 is determined, even if the length of the image data 75 to be printed is changed, the physical length of the printed recording medium does not change. That is, since the paper size and the width of the tape to be peeled are fixed, the length of each recording medium after printing does not change even if the processing for removing the margin is executed. Therefore, for a recording medium whose length in the transport direction 69 is determined, unnecessary processing is omitted and the processing speed can be increased by performing rasterization without performing S53 or S59.

(5) The SDK module 29 divides the image data 75 into a plurality of pieces along the sub-scanning direction, and executes split printing in which the divided image data 91 and 92 are printed, respectively, in S53, S59, S61, and S53. And S65 are executed for each of the divided image data 91 and 92 (FIG. 13, case 5). According to this, in the split printing, a process of printing by removing a blank space for each of the divided image data 91 and 92 is applied. This makes it possible to appropriately convey the tape 67 after printing by the printer 50 while suppressing the consumption of the tape 67 for each of the divided image data 91 and 92.

(6) Also, when performing the split printing, the SDK module 29 specifies the longest maximum length LAli among the image lengths LEnd of the divided image data 91 and 92 (S35, FIG. 7). Processing) and S38 (an example of a conversion step and an output step) according to the results of S37 (an example of a determination step) are executed for each of the divided image data 91 and 92.

  According to this, the longest maximum length LAli is compared with the minimum medium length LPrn, and a range to be rasterized is set according to the comparison result. Then, rasterization of the set range and output of the raster data are uniformly performed on each of the divided image data 91 and 92. Therefore, each of the divided image data 91 and 92 is printed with the longest maximum length LAli and the minimum medium length LPrn. Thereby, the divided image data 91 and 92 can be printed with the lengths in the transport direction 69 being uniform.

(7) Further, the SDK module 29 executes a color determination step (S33) for determining whether or not the long tape 67 is colored. If the tape 67 is colored (S33: YES), The long maximum length LAli is specified (S35), and S61 and S65 according to the result of S37 are executed for each of the divided image data 91 and 92. After each of the divided image data 91 and 92 is printed on the colored tape 67 or the like, when combining the plurality of printed tapes 67, if the lengths in the transport direction 69 are not uniform, compared with the white or transparent tape 67, It is likely to be noticeable. For this reason, in the case of a color recording medium, it is extremely effective to perform printing with the lengths in the transport direction 69 being uniform.

(8) When the SDK module 29 receives the set length LUsr for setting the range of the image data 75 to be converted to raster data (S27: YES), in S61, the image length LEnd and the minimum medium length The image data 75 is converted into raster data in the range of the longest length of the LPrn and the set length LUsr (FIG. 11, FIG. 12, case 4). According to this, the margin can be deleted while securing the set length LUsr and the minimum medium length LPrn set by the user or the like.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes with various changes and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.
For example, the SDK module 29 executes the process of removing the margin on the rear end 80 side (end) of the image data 75, but the same process may be executed on the margin on the front end 79 side. In addition, the SDK module 29 may remove only the margin on the tip 79 side.
When the image length LEnd is shorter than the minimum medium length LPrn (S59: NO), the SDK module 29 may notify only a printing error.

Further, the SDK module 29 does not have to execute the process of adjusting the margins of the front end 79 and the rear end 80 in S53. Further, the SDK module 29 may adjust the margin at the front end 79 according to the margin at the rear end 80.
In addition, the SDK module 29 may execute margin removal or the like even when printing on a recording medium having a determined length.
Further, the SDK module 29 may have a configuration in which split printing cannot be executed.
Further, the SDK module 29 may be configured to be unable to execute the process of adjusting the length of the tape 67 after printing.
In the case of the colored tape 67, the SDK module 29 may execute the printing without adjusting the lengths.
Further, the SDK module 29 may be configured not to receive the set length LUsr.

Further, the recording medium in the present application is not limited to the tape 67, but may be another long recording medium such as roll paper.
In the above-described embodiment, the SDK module 29 prints the image data 75 received from the image data creation module 28, but may execute a process of printing image data received from another application.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the example in which the processing of the label creation program 26 including the image data creation module 28 is executed by the CPU 12 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The PC 10 may execute the processing by the label creation program 26 not only by the CPU 12 but also by an ASIC or another logic integrated circuit, or may execute the processing in cooperation with a CPU or the like, the ASIC, or another logic integrated circuit. good.

  Reference Signs List 10 PC (information processing device), 12 CPU (control unit), 50 printer, 67 tape (recording medium), 69 transport direction, 75 image data, 79 leading edge, 80 trailing edge, 81, 81A, 81B line, 87 margin width , 91, 92 Divided image data (divided image data), Lend image length, LPrn minimum medium length, LAli maximum length, LUsr set length.

Claims (9)

A computer-readable program of the information processing apparatus, a program that outputs image data to be printed to a printer that performs printing on a long recording medium,
On the computer,
For a main scanning direction corresponding to a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction in which the printer conveys the recording medium, it is determined whether or not an effective pixel exists for each line of the image data in the main scanning direction. A specifying step of specifying an image length that is a length based on the number of existing lines and is a length in the sub-scanning direction of the image data;
A determining step of determining whether or not the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum length of the recording medium in the transport direction and the minimum length which is the minimum length capable of transporting the recording medium by the printer; When,
When the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length, a conversion step of converting the range of the image length in the image data to raster data,
Outputting the converted raster data to the printer;
To run the program. On the computer,
The program according to claim 1, wherein when the image length is shorter than the minimum medium length in the determining step, the conversion step converts the range of the minimum medium length in the image data into raster data. On the computer,
In the specifying step, of the positions of the lines where the effective pixels are present, the positions of the lines on the trailing end side in the sub-scanning direction are described from the leading end of the image data in the sub-scanning direction where the effective pixels are present 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a position of adding a margin width up to the position of the line is adjusted, and the adjusted position of the line from a leading end of the image data is specified as the image length. 4. program. The printer is
It is possible to print on the recording medium whose length in the transport direction is determined,
On the computer,
When printing is performed on the recording medium having a determined length, the image data is converted into the raster data as it is without performing the specifying step and the determining step, and then output to the printer. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. On the computer,
In the case where the image data is divided into a plurality of pieces along the sub-scanning direction and split printing for printing the divided image data is performed, the specifying step, the determining step, the converting step, and the outputting step include: The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is executed for each of the divided image data. On the computer,
When the image data is divided into a plurality of pieces along the sub-scanning direction, and split printing for printing the divided image data is executed, the longest one of the image lengths of each of the divided image data is used. The image length is specified in the specifying step, and the converting step and the outputting step according to the result of the determining step are performed for each of the divided image data. The program described in section. On the computer,
A colored determination step of determining whether the long recording medium is colored,
When the recording medium is colored, the longest image length is specified in the specifying step, and the conversion step and the output step according to the result of the determination step are performed for each of the divided image data. The program according to claim 6, which is executed. On the computer,
In a case where a set length for setting a range of the image data to be converted to the raster data is received, in the conversion step, the image length, the minimum medium length, and the longest length among the set lengths The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image data is converted into the raster data in the range of (1) to (8). An information processing apparatus that includes a control unit and outputs image data to be printed to a printer that prints on a long recording medium,
The control unit includes:
For a main scanning direction corresponding to a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction in which the printer conveys the recording medium, it is determined whether or not an effective pixel exists for each line of the image data in the main scanning direction. Is a length based on the number of existing lines, and a specifying process of specifying an image length that is a length in the sub-scanning direction of the image data;
Judgment processing for judging whether or not the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum length of the recording medium in the conveyance direction and the minimum length of the recording medium conveyable by the printer. When,
When the image length is equal to or longer than the minimum medium length, a conversion process of converting the range of the image length in the image data to raster data,
Output processing for outputting the converted raster data to the printer;
An information processing device that executes

Images