JP2023028101A - Data processing program and data generation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To easily obtain an image of a printed result before dividing image data into a plurality of part data and printing the part data on a plurality of printed media with different media colors.SOLUTION: A CPU 31 included in a portable terminal 3 that generates image data to be divided into a plurality of part data is caused to perform a procedure of S120 of displaying an edit screen including an appearance image of a printing label L of each of tape steps, a procedure of S130 of setting a tape color corresponding to each of the tape steps, and a procedure of S190 of outputting printing data of each of the tape steps to a label printer 2 to cause the printing data to be printed. In the procedure of S120, the tape color set to each of the tape steps is displayed as a background color of the corresponding appearance image respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a data processing program executed by a data creation device and a data creation device.

Conventionally, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100001 discloses a tape printer having a function of enlarging and printing each partial data divided into a plurality of tape areas. In the tape printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, batch printing and partial printing can be selected on the print range selection screen, and when partial printing is selected, each partial print data can be designated and printed independently. can be done. As a result, it is possible to obtain enlarged print data excellent in decorativeness by sequentially replacing and setting tape cassettes having tapes of different background colors each time each partial print data is printed.

JP 2006-315414 A

In the above-described prior art, when the tape cassettes are exchanged one by one and printing is performed with a plurality of partial print data for a plurality of types of tapes having different background colors, it is difficult to understand whether or not the desired print result can be obtained. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for dividing image data into a plurality of partial data and printing the partial data on a plurality of print media having different media colors to make the image of the print result easier to understand.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a computing unit provided in a data creation apparatus for creating image data divided into a plurality of partial data including first partial data and second partial data, A first display process for displaying an editing screen including a first editing area corresponding to one partial data and a second editing area corresponding to the second partial data on a display unit; and printing of the first partial data. a first specifying process of specifying a first medium color of a first print medium; a second specifying process of specifying a second medium color of a second print medium used for printing the second partial data; an output process of outputting a print instruction for the first partial data and the second partial data to a printing device, wherein the first display process displays the first medium color specified by the first specifying process as the first medium color; The first editing area is displayed as the background color, and the second medium color specified by the second specifying process is displayed as the background color of the second editing area.

In the present invention, when the data processing program is executed, first display processing, first specific processing, second specific processing, and output processing are performed. In the first display process, an edit screen including a first edit area corresponding to the first partial data and a second edit area corresponding to the second partial data is displayed on the display unit. In the first specifying process, a first medium color of a first print medium used for printing the first partial data is specified. In the second specifying process, the second medium color of the second print medium used for printing the second partial data is specified. In the output process, print instructions for the first partial data and the second partial data are output to the printing device. Then, in the first display process, the first medium color specified by the first specifying process is displayed as the background color of the first editing area, and the second medium color specified by the second specifying process is displayed as the background color of the second editing area. Display as color. As a result, the edit screen is displayed with the first and second medium colors as background colors in the first and second partial data edit areas, respectively. As a result, the image of the print result is easier for the user to understand.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the data processing program executed by the data generation device, but may be applied to any suitable data generation device, an editing method executed by the data processing program, a data generation system, a print control device, a print control system, or the like. Applicable.

According to the present invention, before image data is divided into a plurality of partial data and printed on a plurality of print media having different medium colors, the image of the print result can be easily visualized.

1 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of an entire printing system according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print mode selection screen displayed as a top screen; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen for initial display content in split printing processing; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a tape color setting screen displayed when a tape color setting button is pressed; It is a figure showing an example of the tape width setting screen displayed when pressing-down operation of the tape width setting button is carried out. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen in which display contents are switched when a tape color and tape width setting operation is performed; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen displaying column arrangement change buttons; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a tape stage layout change screen displayed when a tape stage layout change button is pressed; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen reflecting changes in the arrangement of tape stages; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a print object input/edit screen displayed when a print object display area is pressed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print screen displayed when a print button is pressed; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a message for confirming a cartridge mismatch error and the first coping method; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a message for confirming a cartridge mismatch error and a second coping method; 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of split print processing executed by a CPU of a mobile terminal; 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure of split print processing executed by a CPU of a mobile terminal;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire printing system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the printing system 1 has a label printer 2 and a mobile terminal 3, for example. A smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like is assumed as the mobile terminal 3 . The mobile terminal 3 can exchange information with the label printer 2 via wireless communication. The mobile terminal 3 may be connected via wired communication, and wireless communication may be wireless LAN such as WiFi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The label printer 2 creates a printed label L based on the user's operation on the mobile terminal 3 . Each of the mobile terminal 3 and the label printer 2 is an example of a data creation device, and the label printer 2 is an example of a printing device.

<mobile terminal>
As illustrated, the mobile terminal 3 includes a CPU 31, a memory 32 such as a RAM and a ROM, a touch panel 33, a communication control section 34, and a large-capacity storage device 35.

The touch panel 33 is configured by combining a liquid crystal display and a touch pad, and displays various information and messages, as well as inputs an instruction of an operation position on the display screen from the user. In this example, the communication control unit 34 controls transmission and reception of signals with the label printer 2 via the wireless communication. The mass storage device 35 stores various programs and information. The CPU 31 performs various processes and sends and receives various signals to and from the label printer 2 according to programs pre-stored in the ROM or large-capacity storage device 35 while using the temporary storage function of the RAM. In this example, the memory 32 or the large-capacity storage device 35 previously stores a split print processing program, split label template print data, and user-created user print data.

<Label printer>
As illustrated, the label printer 2 includes a control circuit 21, a cartridge holder 22 to which the cartridge 101 can be attached and detached, a cartridge sensor 23, a communication control section 24, a mass storage device 25, and a touch panel 26. . The cartridge holder 22 is configured such that the cartridge 101 can be attached/detached, and the cartridge sensor 23 is a sensor that reads the cartridge information recorded in the attached cartridge 101 itself by a mechanical or electrical configuration. The control circuit 21 of the label printer 2 is connected to the communication control section 34 of the mobile terminal 3 via wireless communication via the communication control section 24, so that the label printer 2 can transmit and receive information to and from the mobile terminal 3. there is The touch panel 26 has functions equivalent to those of the mobile terminal 3 . The large-capacity storage device 25 stores in advance a split print processing program, which will be described later, split label template print data, and user-created user print data.

Here, although not shown, the cartridge 101 contains a strip-shaped base tape having a specific tape color and width, and a colorless and transparent strip-shaped cover film having the same tape width as the base tape. with colored ink ribbons. By mechanical driving and electrical operation from the label printer 2, printing is formed on the cover film based on predetermined printing data in which the color of the ink ribbon is used as the printing color. The printed label L is created by bonding this cover film to the base tape and cutting it to an appropriate length. From the above, the tape color of the background color, tape width, and print color of the printed label L to be produced depend on the internal specifications according to the model number of the cartridge 101 mounted on the label printer 2, and the cartridge 101 itself. At least the model number of the cartridge 101 is stored in the cartridge information stored by .

In the example of this embodiment, a cartridge specification information table (not shown) that summarizes each tape color, tape width, print color, and other specification information corresponding to all commercially available cartridge model numbers is provided to the label printer. 2 and portable terminal 3, or in both mass storage devices 25 and 35. As a result, the label printer 2 and the portable terminal 3 can print various types of printed labels L that can be produced with the cartridge 101 that is mounted in the label printer 2 at that time, corresponding to the cartridge model number read from the cartridge sensor 23. Specification information can be obtained from the cartridge specification information table. Various specification information may be recorded in the cartridge information itself and directly obtained from the cartridge sensor 23 .

The CPU 31 and the control circuit 21 in the above are an example of a calculation unit, the touch panels 26 and 33 are an example of a display unit and an operation unit, the cartridge 101 is an example of a print medium, and the cartridge holder 22 is an installation unit. The tape color of the base tape is an example of the medium color, the information on the tape width of the base tape is an example of the width dimension information, the cartridge model number is the type of the print medium, and the cartridge information is the medium It is an example of information.

<Split print processing>
In the example of the present embodiment, the selection of the printing form of the print label L to be created, the editing of the printing content, and the printing output thereof can be performed by user operation on the dedicated application executed on the portable terminal 3 . FIG. 2 shows an example of a print mode selection screen displayed on the touch panel 33 as the top screen when the dedicated application is activated on the portable terminal 3. As shown in FIG. On this print form selection screen, a sample image showing an example of use of the created print label L corresponding to each of a plurality of print forms prepared and a plurality of windows showing the name of the print form can be vertically scrolled. listed. As shown in the figure, when the user taps the window corresponding to "split printing", the process shifts to split printing processing described below.

When shifting to the split printing process, an edit screen with initial display contents as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the touch panel 33 . In the editing screen of the illustrated example, a title display area 41, an all data display editing area 42, a tape stage increase/decrease operation area 43, a setting operation area 44, and an other operation area 45 are displayed in order from the top to the bottom. It is

The title display area 41 is an area for displaying that the screen displayed on the touch panel 33 at that time is the editing screen. A return operation button 71 for returning to the top screen is displayed at the left end position.

The all-data display/editing area 42 displays an overall appearance image including the printed contents of a plurality of print labels L to be produced by arranging them adjacently, and serves as an area for accepting various editing operations by tapping operations from the user. . In the all-data display/editing area 42 of the illustrated example, the tape stage display ("first stage" and "second stage" in the illustrated example) given in descending order from the top is displayed on the left end side of the area. In addition to being displayed, on the right side of each tape stage display, an appearance image reflecting the edited content of the corresponding print label L at that time is displayed.

Here, split printing is a printing mode in which each partial data divided into a plurality of pieces is divided into a plurality of tape areas and enlarged and printed. In the illustrated example, it is assumed that the two print labels L on the first and second stages are attached side by side so as to be substantially adjacent to each other in the tape width direction. is divided as partial data for each tape area of each tape stage and printed on the print label L of the corresponding tape stage. On this split printing edit screen, as will be described later, the print contents of the print object can be edited, and the tape color, tape width, and print color of the print label L of each tape stage can also be individually set arbitrarily. The content is editable.

Note that in the example of the edit screen shown in FIG. 3, the print object corresponding to the sample image shown in the print form selection screen of FIG. Template print data in a combination of tape color (white and black in the illustrated example), tape width (both 12 mm in the illustrated example), and print color (black and white in the illustrated example) is initially displayed as a template. A rectangular frame of the print label L corresponding to the first tape stage is displayed with a cursor frame CF in the form of a dashed frame so as to indicate that the editing target at the time of initial display is the first tape stage. , and the corresponding "first row" tape row indication is displayed in bold font. By performing a tap operation on any one tape stage in the all data display/edit area 42, the user can specify the corresponding tape stage as an edit target.

Note that the rectangular frame of the printed label L corresponding to the first tape stage in the example of the editing screen shown in FIG. 3 is an example of the first editing area, and the printed label corresponding to the second tape stage The rectangular frame of L is an example of the second editing area, and the upper and lower halves corresponding to the first and second tape stages of the text object image of "Shampoo" are the first editing area. It is an example of the partial data and the second partial data, and the tape color of each tape stage is an example of the background color.

The tape stage increase/decrease operation area 43 is an area for receiving an operation to increase/decrease the number of tape stages, and includes a tape stage addition button 72 for adding a new tape stage to the bottom stage, and a tape stage designated to be edited at that time. A designated tape stage deletion button 73 is displayed for deleting the

A setting operation area 44 is an area for receiving operation for setting the specifications and layout of each tape stage, and is used for tape color setting for setting the tape color and print color for the tape stage designated to be edited at that time. A button 74, a tape width setting button 75 for setting the tape width, a tape length setting button 76 for setting the tape length, and a tape stage layout change button 77 for changing the tape stage layout are displayed. be. In the initial display of the illustrated example, only three of the tape color setting button 74, the tape width setting button 75, and the tape length setting button 76 are displayed in the setting operation area 44, and the screen switched by operating the switch button 78. , another tape stage arrangement change button 77 is displayed (see FIG. 7, which will be described later). In addition, in the area inside each of the buttons 74 to 76, the information of the setting contents corresponding to the tape stage to be edited at that time is successively reflected and displayed in real time. In the example of this embodiment, the tape length is automatically set to an appropriate length corresponding to the length of the print object at that time, and displayed in the tape length setting button 76 .

The other operation area 45 is an area for receiving other operations in the split printing process, and includes a print setting button 79 for making various settings related to printing, and a button for printing each print label L with the editing contents at that time. A print button 80 and a save button 81 for saving the print data of each print label L in the edited contents at that time are displayed.

For example, when the user presses the tape color setting button 74 on the above editing screen, a tape color setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. In this tape color setting screen, a subtitle display area 46 and a tape color list display area 47 are displayed below the all data display/edit area 42 .

The subtitle display area 46 is an area for displaying that the edit screen displayed on the touch panel 33 at that time is a screen for setting the tape color. In addition to being displayed, a completion button 82 for completing the tape color setting operation is displayed at the right end position.

The tape color list display area 47 displays a list of combinations of tape colors and print colors that can be applied to label printing, and the corresponding cartridge model numbers. This is an area that accepts operations. In the illustrated example, a sample image is displayed in which the text "ABC" is written in the corresponding printing color in a rectangular frame with the corresponding tape color as the background color in each line of the list, and the corresponding The contents of the tape color and the print color are displayed in order, and the model number of the cartridge 101 provided with the base tape and the ink ribbon corresponding to the combination of the tape color and the print color is displayed on the right side of the line. there is A list of these lines is displayed vertically scrollable, and the user selects and sets the line corresponding to the combination of tape color and print color desired to be applied to the tape stage designated to be edited at that time by tapping. do.

At present, a wide variety of cartridges 101 that can be attached to the label printer 2 are commercially available, but some of them are unsuitable for split printing. For example, when performing split printing, the user constructs a desired printed appearance by arranging a plurality of print labels L substantially adjacent to each other after printing. It is necessary to perform printing based on highly accurate positioning. In other words, if the rigidity of the base tape is too low, it may become skewed or partially bent during transportation within the label printer 2, making highly accurate positioning difficult.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the cartridge 101 provided with a base tape or cover film that satisfies a predetermined standard regarding rigidity is selected from the above-described cartridge specification information table recorded for all commercially available cartridge model numbers. Get only the model number as a selection candidate. Then, only the lines corresponding to the selection candidates that satisfy the application criteria for split printing are displayed in the tape color list display area 47 as a list.

The process of setting the tape color corresponding to the first tape stage on the tape color setting screen is an example of the first specifying process and the first specifying means, and corresponds to the second tape stage. The process of setting the tape color to be used is an example of the second specifying process and the second specifying means, and the classification of the cartridge 101 provided with the base tape or cover film that satisfies the predetermined criteria is an example of the first type group.

For example, when the user presses the tape width setting button 75 on the editing screen shown in FIG. 3, a tape width setting screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In this tape width setting screen, a subtitle display area 48 and a tape width list display area 49 are displayed below the all data display/edit area 42 .

In the subtitle display area 48, a subtitle of "tape width setting" and a completion button 82 are displayed.

The tape width list display area 49 displays a list of tape widths applicable to label printing, and serves as an area for receiving an operation for setting a tape width to be applied by a user's tap operation. Even in this case, as described above, only the cartridge model numbers with specifications that satisfy the application criteria for split printing are acquired as selection candidates, and only the tape widths of the base tapes corresponding to these selection candidates are displayed in the tape width list display area 49. Display list.

When the tape color (printing color) and tape width are set as described above, the display contents of the editing screen are changed as shown in FIG. 6 reflecting those settings in real time. Specifically, the print label L of each tape stage in the all-data display/edit area 42 is displayed in the appearance image of the newly set tape color (print color) and tape width. In the illustrated example, in correspondence with the setting example shown in FIG. 4, the first tape stage is changed to black tape color and white print color, and the second tape stage is changed to blue tape color. It shows a case where the print color is changed to black separately. Also, in the display of the setting contents in the respective internal areas of the tape color setting button 74 and the tape width setting button 75, the display is switched according to the setting examples shown in FIGS. corresponding to the tape stage). Although not shown, by pressing the tape length setting button 76, the automatically adjusted tape length can be set to an arbitrary tape length, and the setting contents are reflected on the edit screen in real time. Is displayed.

Further, by pressing the switching button 78 in the setting operation area 44, the tape stage arrangement change button 77 on the second page of the setting operation area 44 can be displayed as shown in FIG. By pressing this tape stage layout change button 77, a tape stage layout change screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed.

In this tape stage layout change screen, a subtitle display area 50 and a tape stage layout change area 51 are displayed below the all data display/edit area 42 .

In the subtitle display area 50, a subtitle of "tape stage layout change" and a completion button 82 are displayed.

The tape stage arrangement change area 51 displays a list of tape stage candidates to which the tape stage designated as an object to be edited at that time is to be changed, and accepts a setting operation of the tape stage to be changed by a tap operation from the user. area.

When the arrangement of the first tape stage is changed to the second stage according to the setting example shown in the figure, the contents of the editing screen are switched to reflect the changed contents in real time as shown in FIG. . Although not shown, even if the user performs a drag operation to change the appearance image layout of each tape stage in the all data display/edit area 42 at any timing, the change of the tape stage layout may be accepted. .

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the user presses the display area of the print object in the all data display/edit area 42 for a relatively long time (for example, 3 seconds), the input of the print object as shown in FIG. An edit screen is displayed. In this print object input/edit screen, a dashed cursor frame CF indicating an object to be edited is displayed so as to enclose the print object, and a separate text cursor CU is also displayed inside it. On this print object input/edit screen, a subtitle display area 52 and an object input/edit area 53 are displayed below the all data display/edit area 42 .

In the subtitle display area 52, a subtitle of "object input editing" and a completion button 82 are displayed.

The object input/edit area 53 displays an operation screen corresponding to the type of print object, and accepts an input/edit operation of the print object (correction to "Soap" text in the illustrated example) by a user's pressing operation. In the illustrated example, a software keyboard 83 corresponding to a text object is displayed as an operation screen, and is switched to a corresponding separate operation screen according to switching of the type of print object (not shown).

When the editing operation is completed through the above steps, the print screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed when the user presses the print button 80 . In the illustrated print screen, a title display area 54, a tape stage-specific data display area 55, a subtitle display area 56, a number of copies list display area 57, and a determination operation area 58 are displayed in order from the top to the bottom. It is In the example of the present embodiment, it is assumed that print operations are performed by individually displaying print screens for each of the plurality of tape stages.

In the title display area 54, the title of "print screen" and the return operation button 71 are displayed.

The data display area 55 for each tape stage is an area for displaying an appearance image including the print contents of the print label L for the single tape stage to be printed at that time. As for the tape stage to be printed, the first tape stage is selected as the print target as a default initial setting when the print screen is displayed for the first time. may be selected as a print target. In the appearance image of the single print label L displayed in the tape stage-specific data display area 55, only the partial data divided into the tape area is displayed. Note that print data corresponding to this partial data is an example of image data.

In the subtitle display area 56, the subtitle "number of copies for each tape" is displayed.

The number-of-copies list display area 57 displays a list of the number of copies for each tape that designates the number of copies to be printed of the print label L of the tape stage to be printed, and is an area for receiving a tap operation from the user to set the number of copies for each tape to be applied. Become. In the illustrated example, three copies of 1, 2, and 3 are displayed as candidates for the number of copies for each tape, and one of them is selected and displayed in bold. In addition to setting the number of copies for each tape as described above, the total number of copies for all tape stages may be set. It is preferable to display the entire data display area to be displayed (not shown).

The decision operation area 58 displays a cancel button 84 for canceling the printing operation on the print screen and returning to the edit screen, and a print button 85 for sending the print data to the label printer 2 with the set contents and printing it. ing.

On this print screen, the user confirms the appearance image of the printed label L of the tape stage to be printed (or the printed label L of all tape stages) displayed in the tape stage-specific data display area 55, and sets the number of copies to be printed. After that, the print button 85 is pressed. As a result, the mobile terminal 3 can generate print data corresponding to the print label L of the tape stage to be printed, transmit the print data to the label printer 2, and create the print label L in the set number of copies.

<Method for Dealing with Cartridge Mismatch Error>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the dedicated application on the portable terminal 3 can edit the print content for split printing and print out the printout, but a cartridge mismatch error may occur at the time of the printout. Specifically, for the setting of the combination of the tape color, tape width, and print color required to print the print data of the tape stage to be printed at that time, the label printer 2 If even one specification is different from the specification information of the mounted cartridge 101, the print label L corresponding to the print data cannot be created. That is, if the cartridge 101 whose specification information completely matches the print data to be printed is not attached to the label printer 2 at that time, a cartridge mismatch error occurs.

In response to this, it is possible to search the cartridge specification information table for the model number of the cartridge 101 having appropriate specifications corresponding to the print data and display it on the touch panel 33 of the portable terminal 3 to prompt the user to replace it. be the best. However, in the present embodiment, the user is asked to perform the following two countermeasures in order for the cartridge mismatch error before prompting the appropriate replacement of the cartridge 101 .

As a first coping method, when it is confirmed that the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted is compatible with the print data of another tape stage that is not to be printed at that time, the compatible one is selected. In this method, the print data of the tape stage is printed first. In this case, a message window 86 as shown in FIG. 12 is superimposed on the print screen shown in FIG. 11 to confirm the occurrence of the cartridge mismatch error and whether or not to print another tape stage first. Display a message. When the user presses the OK button 88, the print data of the other matching tape stage is printed first, and when the user presses the cancel button 87, the following second coping method is confirmed. transition to

A second coping method is to change the content of the print data of the tape stage to be printed at that point in accordance with the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted. In this case, the message window superimposed on the print screen is switched to the one shown in FIG. Display a message to confirm whether changes should be made according to the specification. When the user presses the OK button 88, the contents of the print data are changed according to the specification information (tape color, tape width, print color) of the cartridge 101 being installed, and the changed contents are reflected. to return to the edit screen displayed. Also, if the user presses the cancel button 87 to reject the second coping method, the model number of the cartridge 101 having appropriate specifications corresponding to the print data is displayed in a separate message window. and prompts the user to replace it (not shown).

In the above description, the cartridge 101 having a model number whose specification information completely matches the print data corresponding to the first tape stage and its tape color are examples of the first print medium and the first medium color. The cartridge 101 with the model number whose specification information completely matches the print data corresponding to the second tape stage and its tape color are examples of the second print medium and the second medium color, and the print data to be printed is On the other hand, the cartridge 101 whose specification information does not match and its tape color are examples of the third print medium and the third medium color, respectively.

<Control procedure>
An example of the control procedure of the split printing process executed by the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 in order to implement the above method in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. First, when the user selects split printing from the top screen (see FIG. 2) of the dedicated application on the portable terminal 3, the following procedure shown in FIG. 14 is started.

First, in S105, the edit screen based on the template print data as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the touch panel 33. FIG.

Next, in S110, it is determined whether or not the user has performed a tap operation to designate a tape stage to be edited in the all data display editing area 42 in the editing screen. In S110, when a tap operation to specify the tape stage to be edited is performed, a YES determination is made, and the appearance image of the tape stage specified in S115 is surrounded by the cursor frame CF, and the tape color setting button 74 and the tape width are displayed. The setting content information in the internal area of the setting button 75 is changed corresponding to the tape stage to be edited. Then, in S120, the edit screen reflecting these changes is updated and displayed on the touch panel 33, and the process proceeds to S165, which will be described later. If it is determined in S110 that a tap operation for designating a tape stage to be edited has not been performed, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S125.

In S125, it is determined whether the user has pressed any of the tape color setting button 74, the tape width setting button 75, or the tape length setting button 76 in the setting operation area 44 in the editing screen. At S125, when any one of the tape-related setting buttons 74, 75, 76 is pressed, the determination is YES, and at S130, setting screens corresponding to the setting buttons 74, 75, 76 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are displayed. ) is displayed to accept a setting operation from the user, and the setting content information in the internal areas of the corresponding setting buttons 74, 75, and 76 is changed in accordance with the tape stages to be edited. Then, in S120, the edit screen reflecting these changes is updated and displayed on the touch panel 33, and the process proceeds to S165, which will be described later. If it is determined in S125 that none of the tape-related setting buttons 74, 75, and 76 has been pressed, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S135.

In S135, it is determined whether or not the user has long-pressed the display area in the all-data display/edit area 42 in the edit screen to start editing the print object. In S135, when the display area of the print object is pressed, a YES determination is made, and in S140, a print object input/edit screen (see FIG. 10) is displayed to accept an edit operation for the print object from the user. change the contents of Then, in S120, the edit screen reflecting the change is updated and displayed on the touch panel 33, and the process proceeds to S165, which will be described later. If it is determined in S135 that the display area of the print object has not been pressed, the determination is NO, and the process proceeds to S145.

In S145, it is determined whether the user has pressed the tape stage arrangement change button 77 in the setting operation area 44 in the editing screen. When the tape stage arrangement change button 77 is pressed in S145, the corresponding tape stage arrangement change screen (see FIG. 8) is displayed in S150 to accept the change operation from the user, and the setting contents of each tape stage are displayed. Change to replace the information with the corresponding arrangement. Then, in S120, the edit screen reflecting these changes is updated and displayed on the touch panel 33, and the process proceeds to S165, which will be described later. If it is determined in S145 that the tape stage arrangement change button 77 has not been pressed, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S155.

In S155, it is determined whether the user has pressed either the tape stage addition button 72 or the designated tape stage deletion button 73 in the setting operation area 44 in the editing screen. In S155, when either the tape stage addition button 72 or the specified tape stage deletion button 73 is pressed, the determination is YES, and in S160, the corresponding tape stage number is increased or decreased, and the placement of each tape stage is moved. change like this. Then, in S120, the edit screen reflecting these changes is updated and displayed on the touch panel 33, and the process proceeds to S165, which will be described later. If it is determined in S155 that neither the tape stage addition button 72 nor the designated tape stage deletion button 73 has been pressed, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S165.

In S165, it is determined whether the print button 80 has been pressed. In S165, if the print button 80 has not been pressed, a NO determination is made, and the process returns to S110. On the other hand, if the print button 80 has been pressed, the determination is YES, and the process proceeds to S170 (see FIG. 15).

In S170, all print data corresponding to each tape stage are generated.

Next, in S<b>175 , an operation for selecting a tape stage to be printed is received from the user on a selection screen (not shown), and a print screen corresponding to the selected tape stage is displayed on the touch panel 33 . It should be noted that immediately after the print button 80 is pressed, the first tape stage may be automatically set to be printed as a default initial setting. Next, in S180, the specification information of the cartridge 101 currently mounted is requested to the label printer 2 and acquired.

In S185, the settings (tape color, tape width, print color) of the tape stage selected as the print target are compared with the specification information of the cartridge 101 being installed to determine whether they match. If the setting of the selected tape stage matches the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted, the determination is YES, and in S190 print data corresponding to the selected tape stage is sent to the label printer 2 for printing.

Next, in S195, it is determined whether or not printing of all tape stages has been completed. If there is a tape stage that has not yet been printed, the determination is NO, and the process returns to S175. On the other hand, if the printing of all tape stages is completed, the determination is YES, and this flow ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S185 that the setting of the selected tape stage and the specification information of the mounted cartridge 101 do not match, a NO determination is made.

In S200, it is determined whether or not the setting of any other non-selected tape stage that is not selected for printing at that time matches the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted. If the setting of any non-selected tape stages matches the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted, the determination is YES, and the process proceeds to S205. In S205, the message window 86 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed in order to perform the first coping method described above, and an operation for confirming whether the non-selected tape stages should be printed first is accepted from the user.

Next, in S210, it is determined whether the user has performed an operation to print the non-selected tape stages first, that is, whether the OK button 88 has been pressed. If the operation to print the non-selected tape stage first is performed, the determination is YES, and the non-selected tape stage whose setting matches the specification information of the mounted cartridge 101 is replaced as the selected tape stage to be printed (S190). to print.

On the other hand, if the setting of any of the non-selected tape stages does not match the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted in S200, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S215. Further, if the user has performed an operation to refuse to print the non-selected tape stages first in S210, that is, if the cancel button 87 has been pressed, the determination is NO, and the process proceeds to S215.

In S215, the message window 89 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed to perform the above-described second coping method, and the user confirms whether or not the setting of the selected tape stage should be changed according to the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted. accept the operation.

Next, in S220, it is determined whether the user has performed an operation to change the setting of the selected tape stage, that is, whether the OK button 88 has been pressed. If an operation to change the setting of the selected tape stage has been performed, the determination is YES, the setting of the selected tape stage is changed in accordance with the specification information of the cartridge 101 being mounted in S235, and the edit screen is changed in S120. indicate.

On the other hand, if the user has performed an operation to refuse to change the setting of the selected tape stage in S220, that is, if the cancel button 87 has been pressed, a NO determination is made, and the process proceeds to S225. In S225, a separate message window (not shown) is displayed along with the model number of the cartridge 101 having appropriate specifications corresponding to the setting of the selected tape stage, and a message prompting the user to replace the cartridge.

Then, in S230, the label printer 2 waits in a loop until the cartridge 101 of the appropriate model number is replaced. When the replacement of the cartridge 101 of the appropriate model number is completed, in S190, the label printer 2 is caused to print the print data without changing the setting of the selected tape stage.

In the above, the program for the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 3 to execute the split printing process is an example of the data processing program, the procedure of S120 is an example of the first display process and display means, and the procedure of S190 is an output. The instruction to print the print data sent in S190 to the label printer 2 is an example of the print instruction, the procedure of S180 is an example of the first acquisition process and the second acquisition process, and S150 is an example of the process and output means. is an example of the reception process, and the procedure of S120 when proceeding from S235 is an example of the second display process.

<Effects of Embodiment>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the appearance images of the print labels L for each tape stage in split printing are displayed in the all data display editing area 42 of the editing screen in a substantially adjacent arrangement in tape stage order. . Then, on the tape color setting screen when the tape color setting button 74 is pressed, the tape color and print color, which are the background colors of each tape stage, are set and displayed while they are arranged substantially adjacent to each other in the same tape stage order. As a result, the edit screen is displayed with the corresponding tape color as the background color in each of the display areas of the appearance image of each tape stage. This makes it easier for the user to understand the image of the print result. Also, an edit screen is displayed with the print color as the object color. This makes it easier for the user to understand the image of the print result. In addition, an external image of each tape stage including an image of a rectangular frame having a size corresponding to the tape width set by the tape width setting button 75 is displayed. This makes it easier for the user to understand the image of the print result.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the tape color selected via the touch panel 33 is specified from among the plurality of tape colors corresponding to the plurality of cartridge model numbers, the tape color can be specified to reliably reflect the user's intention. It can be performed.

In this embodiment, the plurality of cartridge model numbers listed as selection candidates are, among the cartridges 101 that can be mounted in the cartridge holder 22 of the label printer 2, cartridges that satisfy predetermined criteria, for example, the rigidity of the base tape. Limited to 101 classifications. As a result, by limiting the types of cartridges 101 that can be selected in the process of setting the tape color of each tape stage on the tape color setting screen to those that satisfy a predetermined standard, print data can be printed on cartridges 101 that are unsuitable for split printing. can be avoided from being printed.

In this embodiment, the setting of the selected tape stage is changed in accordance with the specification information of the cartridge 101 mounted at that time as a coping method only when a cartridge mismatch error occurs. In addition, the user may be allowed to change the setting of the selected tape stage according to the specification information of the cartridge 101 being installed at any timing on the edit screen and the print screen. As a result, the user can arbitrarily specify the tape color that reflects the model number of the cartridge 101 actually attached to the label printer 2 for the selected tape stage.

Further, particularly in this embodiment, the cartridge specification information includes information about the tape width of the corresponding cartridge 101, and each tape stage includes an image of a rectangular frame having a size corresponding to the tape width obtained in the procedure of S180. are displayed according to the procedure of S120. As a result, it is possible to realize a display mode that is closer to the dimensional feeling of the appearance of the print label L that is actually printed, so that the image of the final printed result is easier for the user to understand.

Further, in this embodiment, in particular, in the procedure of S150, an instruction to change the arrangement of each tape stage and replace the background color is received, and in the procedure of S120, the editing screen is displayed reflecting the contents of the arrangement change, and S190 is displayed. In step 2, print data reflecting the content of the layout change is output. As a result, when a user arranges a plurality of print labels L in split printing to construct a desired print appearance, the appearance image can be displayed by variously changing the arrangement order before actually printing. can be confirmed.

In this embodiment, in particular, in the procedure of S180, the specification information of the cartridge 101 attached to the label printer 2 at that point in time is acquired, and if the setting of the selected tape stage matches the cartridge specification information, it is dealt with. The print data is printed as it is in S190, and if the setting of the selected tape stage does not match the cartridge specification information, printing of the corresponding print data is stopped as a cartridge mismatch error. As a result, when the model number of the cartridge 101 actually mounted does not match the specified result of the tape color of the selected tape stage, printing can be prevented in such an unmatched and uncertain state.

In this embodiment, particularly when the cartridge specification information obtained in the procedure of S180 differs from the setting of the selected tape stage, the setting of the selected tape stage is changed in accordance with the cartridge specification information in the procedure of S235, and the editing screen is displayed. indicate. As a result, when the model number of the actually mounted cartridge 101 does not match the setting of the selected tape stage, the appearance image corresponding to the actual cartridge specification information is used instead of the appearance image according to the settings up to that point. The selected tape stage is displayed on the edit screen. As a result, it is possible to make the user aware that the cartridge mismatch error has occurred, and to prompt the user to reconsider the image of the printing appearance based on the display of the appearance image that matches the specification information of the actual cartridge 101. can.

<Modification>
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist and technical idea of the present invention.

As an example of the print-receiving medium of the present embodiment, the cartridge 101 including a base tape, a cover film, and an ink ribbon has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The print data may be formed using a ribbon, or the print data may be formed on a thermal tape without an ink ribbon. Alternatively, printing may be performed by attaching a tape roll to the printer without including the cartridge.

In the present embodiment, the tape color of each stage is designated by operating the tape color setting button 74. However, the present invention is not limited to this. By operating the read button, the specification information of the cartridge attached to the printer may be acquired and reflected in the setting contents. In this case, each step may be set by repeating the loading of the cartridge and the operation of the read button. At this time, the tape width may also be set from the acquired specification information of the cartridge.

The predetermined criteria to be met for the first classification are not limited to the criteria relating to the rigidity of the base tape or cover film. For example, a medium to be printed that has been cut to a predetermined width in advance may be a predetermined criterion that is satisfied as the first classification, or conversely, a medium that is not a medium to be printed that has been cut to a predetermined width in advance may be a predetermined criterion that is satisfied as the first classification. good too.

In the above description, an example in which the mobile terminal 3 executes the entire split print process of editing, generating, and outputting each print data has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the entire split printing process may be executed by the label printer 2 . In this case, the control circuit 21 of the label printer 2 is an example of a calculation section, and the touch panel 26 is an example of a display section and an operation section. Alternatively, part of the procedure may be performed by the mobile terminal 3 and the other part may be performed by the label printer 2 . Also, all or part of the processing may be executed by a program installed in an operation terminal (not shown) configured by a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

In addition, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 do not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above-described flow charts. You may

In addition to the methods already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be appropriately combined and used.

In addition, although not exemplified one by one, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

2 Label printer (data creation device, an example of a printing device)
3 Mobile terminal (an example of a data creation device)
21 control circuit (an example of a calculation unit)
22 Cartridge holder (an example of a mounting part)
26 touch panel (an example of a display unit and an operation unit)
31 CPU (an example of a calculation unit)
33 touch panel (an example of a display unit and an operation unit)
101 Cartridge (an example of a medium to be printed)
L print label

Claims (9)

For a computing unit provided in a data creation device that creates image data divided into a plurality of partial data including first partial data and second partial data,
a first display process for displaying on a display unit an editing screen including a first editing area corresponding to the first partial data and a second editing area corresponding to the second partial data;
a first specifying process of specifying a first medium color of a first print medium used for printing the first partial data;
a second specifying process of specifying a second medium color of a second print medium used for printing the second partial data;
an output process of outputting a print instruction for the first partial data and the second partial data to a printing device;
and
The first display process displays the first medium color specified by the first specifying process as a background color of the first editing area, and displays the second medium color specified by the second specifying process as the background color of the first editing area. A data processing program characterized by displaying as a background color of a second editing area. The first specifying process specifies the first medium color selected via an operation unit from among a plurality of medium colors corresponding to a plurality of print media,
2. The data processing program according to claim 1, wherein said second specifying process specifies said second medium color selected via said operation unit from among said plurality of medium colors corresponding to said plurality of print media. . 3. The data processing program according to claim 2, wherein said plurality of print media is limited to a first type group of print media mountable in the mounting unit of said printing apparatus and satisfying a predetermined criterion. For the computing unit,
further executing a first acquisition process for acquiring medium information specifying the type of the print medium mounted on the mounting unit of the printing apparatus;
The first specifying process specifies, as the first medium color, a medium color corresponding to the medium information acquired by the first acquiring process,
4. The second specifying process specifies, as the second medium color, a medium color corresponding to the medium information acquired by the first acquiring process at a timing different from that of the first specifying process. A data processing program according to any one of the above. The medium information is
including width dimension information of the corresponding print medium;
The calculation unit is
In the first display process,
5. The data processing program according to claim 4, wherein said first editing area and said second editing area each including an image having a size corresponding to said acquired width dimension information are displayed. Further, for the calculation unit,
further executing a receiving process for receiving an instruction to replace the background color of the first editing area and the background color of the second editing area;
The first display process causes the display unit to display the background color of the first editing area as the second medium color when the instruction by the receiving process is received, and displaying a background color as the first medium color;
The output process designates a print medium on which the first partial data is printed as the second print medium, and designates a print medium on which the second partial data is printed as the first print medium. 6. The data processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising outputting the print instruction to the printing device. Further, for the calculation unit,
A second acquisition process for acquiring medium information of a print medium mounted on a mounting unit of the printing device from the printing device when outputting a print instruction for the first partial data in the output processing to the printing device. and
The output process outputs a print instruction of the first partial data to the printing device when the medium information acquired by the second acquisition process is information indicating the first print medium. 6. The data processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the print instruction for the first partial data is not output to the printing device if the information does not indicate a print medium. Further, for the calculation unit,
When the medium information acquired by the second acquisition process is information indicating a third print medium different from the first print medium, the third medium color of the third print medium is changed in the first editing. 8. The data processing program according to claim 7, causing execution of a second display process of displaying the edit screen with the background color of the area on the display unit. A data creation device for creating image data divided into a plurality of partial data including first partial data and second partial data,
display means for causing a display unit to display an edit screen including a first edit area corresponding to the first partial data and a second edit area corresponding to the second partial data;
a first specifying means for specifying a first medium color of a first print medium used for printing the first partial data;
a second specifying means for specifying a second medium color of a second print medium used for printing the second partial data;
output means for outputting a print instruction for the first partial data and the second partial data to a printing device;
with
The display means displays the first medium color specified by the first specifying means as a background color of the first editing area, and displays the second medium color specified by the second specifying means as the A data creation device characterized in that it is displayed as a background color of the second editing area.

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