JP2023046433A - Information processing device, adjustment method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately create a label by using insertion printing.SOLUTION: An information processing device is provided with a control part for executing at least one of label image or label design adjustment in accordance with a data type of an insertion set part in the case that a label image with an image based on insertion data inserted into the insertion set part of the label design does not fall within the label design (step S23 NO).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The disclosure of the present specification relates to an information processing device, an adjustment method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printing apparatus that creates a label by printing characters, images, and the like on a tape, which is an elongated belt-shaped print medium. In order to promote the use of this type of printing device, a software program (hereinafter referred to as a label creation support program) that supports label creation and runs on information processing devices such as personal computers and smartphones is provided. Sometimes.

A technique related to this is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 and the like. By using the label creation support program, it is possible to easily create label data of various designs.

JP 2010-092326 A

By the way, the label creation support program is provided with a function called mail merge printing. Merge printing is a function that creates multiple labels in succession while only replacing part of the label design (e.g., text and identification code), and is very effective when creating a large number of similar labels. is.

However, in mail merge printing, depending on the content of the mail merge data, the length of the label to be created may not fit within the predetermined label length.

In view of the circumstances as described above, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a technique for appropriately creating a label using mail merge printing.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is configured such that, when a label image in which an image based on insertion data is inserted into an insertion setting portion of a label design does not fit in the label design, the data of the insertion setting portion and a control unit that executes at least one of adjustment of the label image and adjustment of the label design according to the type.

An adjustment method according to an aspect of the present invention is a method of adjusting the data type of the insertion setting part when a label image in which an image based on insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting part of the label design does not fit in the label design. at least one of the adjustment of the label image and the adjustment of the label design.

A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program that, when a label image in which an image based on insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting part of a label design does not fit in the label design, can be set to the insertion setting part. At least one of the adjustment of the label image and the adjustment of the label design is executed according to the data type.

According to the above aspect, a label can be properly created using mail merge printing.

It is a figure which illustrated the structure of the system which concerns on one Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the printer according to one embodiment with the cover opened. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport path for a print medium; FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a block diagram explaining an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processor concerning one embodiment. It is an example of a flowchart of label design creation processing. It is an example of an edit screen of a label creation support application. It is an example of label design. It is an example of a window displayed when creating a barcode component. Another example of label design. It is an example of a window displayed when creating a QR code (registered trademark) part. 6 is an example of a flowchart of insertion setting processing; It is an example of a window displayed when creating inserted data. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method of setting an insertion setting for a design component; FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart of insert print processing. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of proposal information. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of label image adjustment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of suggested information; It is the figure which showed the adjustment example of a label design. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another display example of proposal information; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another display example of suggested information; It is the figure which showed another example of adjustment of a label design. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing yet another display example of proposal information; It is the figure which showed another example of adjustment of a label design and a label design.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, we describe a printing device that can print characters, images, etc. on tape, which is the printing medium, cut the printed tape (label), and eject it outside the device, and support the creation of that label. An embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking as an example a system including an information processing device on which an application (label creation support application) operates.

As used herein, a tape is a long, thin strip of print media made of plastic, paper, or any other material. Tapes typically have an adhesive layer and can be applied. However, the tape does not have to have an adhesive layer. A label is a tape on which some information is printed using a tape as a print medium.

The printing method of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment is not particularly limited. The printing device is, for example, a thermal printer that performs printing by a thermal transfer method or a thermal method. However, the printing device is not limited to a thermal printer, and may be an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or the like.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the printer 1 according to one embodiment with the cover opened.

The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a printing device 1 and an information processing device 1000 on which a label creation support application operates. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1000 outputs a label image print instruction created by the label creation support application to the printing apparatus 1, whereby the printing apparatus 1 prints the label image on the tape 13 and the label image is printed. Create printed labels.

The information processing apparatus 1000 is, for example, a notebook terminal as shown in FIG. 1, but is not limited to this example. The information processing device 1000 may be a tablet terminal or a smart phone. Note that the information processing device 1000 is not limited to a mobile terminal, and may be a stationary device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 exchange data by, for example, wireless communication. A standard for wireless communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 is not particularly limited. For example, a wireless LAN standard such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) may be adopted. Communication may be performed in ad-hoc mode as shown in FIG. 1, or in infrastructure mode via access points. Wireless communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 may adopt a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy (hereinafter referred to as BLE). However, communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 is not limited to wireless communication, and may be communication using a wired cable.

A printing device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a device housing 2 and a lid 4 attached to the device housing 2 . The apparatus housing 2 is provided with a concave adapter mounting portion 201 for mounting the tape adapter 11 thereon. The tape adapter 11 is a container that accommodates a roll of tape 13 (hereinafter referred to as “tape roll 12 ”) and supplies the tape 13 to the printer 1 . The underlined number “9” in FIGS. 1 and 2 indicates that the width of the tape 13 accommodated in the tape adapter 11 is 9 mm. The width of the tape 13 is not limited to 9 mm, and various widths such as 12 mm, 18 mm, and 36 mm can be used.

The adapter mounting portion 201 of the device housing 2 communicates with an outlet 202 provided on the side surface of the device housing 2 . The printing apparatus 1 can transport the tape 13 pulled out from the tape adapter 11 mounted in the adapter mounting portion 201 along the transport path provided in the apparatus housing 2 and discharge it from the discharge port 202 . A platen roller (conveyance roller) 6 for conveying the tape 13 pulled out from the tape adapter 11, a printing unit 7 for printing on the tape 13, and a cutting unit 8 for cutting the tape 13 are arranged in the apparatus housing 2. ing.

The lid 4 is attached to the device housing 2 so that the adapter mounting portion 201 in the device housing 2 can be opened and closed. In the printer 1 , a keyboard 3 is provided in a region of the device housing 2 that does not interfere with the lid 4 at the closed position, and a display 5 is provided on the surface of the lid 4 . The keyboard 3 is an input device having a plurality of keys for inputting and selecting various types of information regarding the operation of the printer 1 . The display 5 is a display device that displays various information input or selected by the keyboard 3 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transport path for a print medium. FIG. 3 schematically shows the transport path of the tape 13 in the printer 1 as a linear path.

The tape 13 unwound from the tape roll 12 and supplied to the printing apparatus 1 passes between the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 701 of the printing unit 7, and along the transport path leading to the ejection port 202 of the apparatus housing 2. be transported. For example, the tape 13 is sandwiched between the peripheral surface of the platen roller 6 and the thermal head 701 by moving the lid 4 to the closed position, and is conveyed along the conveying path by the rotation of the platen roller 6 .

The platen roller 6 in the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is rotated in a first rotation direction for sending out the tape 13 toward the discharge port 202 by power of a motor (not shown), and is rotated in a direction opposite to the first rotation direction. It can be rotated in a second rotational direction. In the following description, the rotation of the platen roller 6 in the first rotation direction is referred to as forward rotation, and the transport direction of the tape 13 when the platen roller 6 is rotated forward is referred to as forward direction. Further, in the following description, rotation of the platen roller 6 in the second rotation direction is referred to as reverse rotation, and the conveying direction of the tape 13 when the platen roller 6 is reversed is referred to as the reverse direction.

The printing apparatus 1 prints on the tape 13 by applying heat from the thermal head 701 to the tape 13 conveyed in the forward direction. In the following description, the position at which the tape 13 and the thermal head 701 contact each other on the transport path is called a printing position.

The tape 13 transported along the transport path can be cut by the first cutter 801 at a full cut position between the print position and the discharge position (position corresponding to the discharge port 202 of the device housing 2). . Also, the tape 13 transported along the transport path can be cut by the second cutter 802 at a half-cut position between the full-cut position and the ejection position.

The first cutter 801 is a full cutter that cuts the entire tape 13 along the cut line of the tape 13 at the full cut position and separates it into two. For example, if the tape 13 is a medium to be printed that includes a base material that is an adhesive tape layer and a separator that is a protective layer that protects the adhesive tape layer, the first cutter 801 cuts both the base material and the separator. are cut to separate each of the base material and the separator into two.

When the tape 13 is cut along the cut line of the tape 13 at the half-cut position, the second cutter 802 cuts the tape 13 so that the uncut portions on both sides of the cut line keep the tape in an integrated state. It is a half cutter that cuts 13. For example, if the tape 13 is a medium to be printed that includes a base material that is an adhesive tape layer and a separator that is a protective layer that protects the adhesive tape layer, the second cutter 802, for example, cuts only the base material. Cut and do not cut the separator. Note that the second cutter 802 may be a cutter that cuts the tape 13 so that the tape 13 is perforated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the printing apparatus 1 includes a pair of discharge rollers 901 that sandwich the tape 13 between the half-cut position and the discharge position in the transport path and assist the transport of the tape 13 in the forward direction. 902 may be provided. The discharge rollers 901 and 902 operate so that, for example, when the tape 13 is cut by the first cutter 801, the tape 13 located downstream of the full cut position is conveyed in the forward direction. In the following description, the position where the tape 13 is nipped by the discharge rollers 901 and 902 on the transport path is called the discharge roller position. The discharge roller position is a position between the full cut position and the discharge position.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to one embodiment; The printing apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a control section 100 , a storage section 120 , an input section 130 , a display section 140 , a transport section 150 , a printing section 160 , a cutting section 170 , a sensor 180 and a communication section 190 .

The input unit 130 is an input device for inputting various kinds of information to the printing device 1, and includes, for example, the keyboard 3 described above. The display unit 140 is a display device that displays various information to the user of the printing device 1, and includes the display 5 described above, for example.

The transport unit 150 transports the tape 13 under the control of the control unit 100 . The transport unit 150 includes, for example, the platen roller 6 , a motor connected to the platen roller 6 , a drive circuit that drives the motor, and an encoder that detects the rotation speed (rotation angle) of the platen roller 6 .

The printing unit 160 prints on the tape 13 under the control of the control unit 100 . The printing unit 160 corresponds to the printing unit 7 described above, and includes, for example, the thermal head 701 , a drive circuit that drives the heating elements of the thermal head 701 , and a thermistor that detects the temperature of the thermal head 701 .

The cutting section 170 cuts the tape 13 under the control of the control section 100 . The cutting unit 170 corresponds to the cutting unit 8 described above, and includes, for example, a first cutter 801, a second cutter 802, a motor connected to each cutter, a drive circuit for driving the motor, and a pair of discharge rollers 901 and 901. 902 included.

The control section 100 controls the conveying section 150 , the printing section 160 and the cutting section 170 . The control unit 100 controls execution of the conveying process, the printing process, and the cutting process in the printing apparatus 1 by controlling one or more operations of the conveying unit 150 , the printing unit 160 , and the cutting unit 170 .

Control by the control unit 100 is performed by executing a program stored in the storage unit 120 by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example. The control unit 100 may include an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or the like.

The storage unit 120 stores various programs executed by the processor as the control unit 100, various data used when executing the programs, and the like. The storage unit 120 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) 121 and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 122 .

The sensor 180 detects, for example, whether or not the tape adapter 11 is attached, and also detects the width of the tape 13 supplied from the attached tape adapter 11 . The communication unit 190 is a communication interface that communicates with the information processing device 1000 . The communication unit 190 can perform at least one of wireless communication according to a known short-range wireless communication standard and wired communication using a transmission cable.

For example, when the printing apparatus 1 configured as described above receives a print instruction including a label image from the information processing apparatus 1000, the printing apparatus 1 performs processing (operation) for printing the label image on the tape 13 and creates a label.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 1000 according to one embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1000 is not particularly limited, but includes, for example, a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an input interface 1003, an output interface 1004, and a communication interface 1005 as shown in FIG. may be connected

Processor 1001 is an example of a control unit of information processing apparatus 1000 . The processor 1001 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executes programs stored in the storage device 1002 . Note that the processor 1001 may include any electric circuit such as a GPU (Graphics processing unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

Storage device 1002 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as any semiconductor memory. The one or more storage devices 1002 include volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and non-volatile memory such as flash memory. Storage device 1002 may also include magnetic storage devices, optical storage devices, and other types of storage devices.

The storage device 1002 stores at least a label creation support program (program 1002a), which will be described later, and further stores a label design 1002b created using the label creation support program and insertion data 1002c. desirable.

A label design 1002b and insertion data 1002c are generated and stored in the storage device 1002 by the processor 1001 executing the program 1002a. Further, the processor 1001 executes the program 1002a to create a label image to be sent to the printer 1 using the label design 1002b and the insertion data 1002c.

The label image is, for example, the content printed on the label by the printer 1 itself. On the other hand, the label design 1002b is design information for creating a label image, and includes label width, label length, size of design parts (for example, text, image, figure, time stamp, identification code, etc.) in the label, and arrangement. , content, etc. The insertion data 1002c is one or more data to be inserted into the design component set for insertion. The processor 1001 creates a label image by inserting an image based on the insertion data into the design component for which the label design 1002b is set to be inserted.

An input interface 1003 is connected to a touch panel, keyboard, or the like. Also, the input interface 1003 may be connected to an audio input device such as a microphone. The output interface 1004 is connected to a display device or the like. The display device may be a display device included in the information processing device 1000 or may be a display device different from the information processing device 1000 . The communication interface 1005 exchanges data with the printing apparatus 1 by wireless communication, for example. A standard for wireless communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 (communication interface 1005) is not particularly limited. Communication between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 1000 (communication interface 1005) is not limited to wireless communication, and may be communication using a wired cable.

In the information processing apparatus 1000 configured as described above, the processor 1001 executes the program 1002a to create the label design 1002b. This series of processes is hereinafter referred to as label design creation process. The processor 1001 also executes the program 1002a to create insertion data 1002c and set the design parts for insertion. This series of processes is hereinafter referred to as insertion setting process. Further, the processor 1001 executes the program 1002a and outputs a print instruction to the printer 1 using the label design 1002b and the insertion data 1002c. This series of processes is hereinafter referred to as merge printing process. Label design creation processing, insertion setting processing, and insertion printing processing will be specifically described below.

FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart of label design creation processing. FIG. 7 is an example of an edit screen of the label creation support application. FIG. 8 is an example of a label design. FIG. 9 is an example of a window displayed when creating a barcode component. FIG. 10 is another example of label design. FIG. 11 is an example of a window displayed when creating a QR code (registered trademark) component. First, label design creation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG.

The label design creation process shown in FIG. 6 is started, for example, by the user of the information processing apparatus 1000 selecting a label support program (program 1002a) and the processor 1001 executing the program 1002a.

When the label design creation process is started, processor 1001 displays an edit screen on the display device (step S1). Here, the processor 1001 displays, for example, a window 1100 shown in FIG. 7 that functions as an editing screen on the display device.

Window 1100 includes an editing area 1141 for editing the label design. When the processor 1001 detects input of setting information (label setting) for the label setting area in the window 1100 (step S2 YES), the label design 2000 is displayed in the editing area 1141 (step S3). Specifically, the processor 1001 sets the width W (12 mm in this example) and the length L (60 mm in this example) specified by the GUI components 1131 and 1132 in the label setting area as the label design 2000. The outline of the label that has the label is displayed in the editing area 1141 .

Next, when the processor 1001 detects an input of editing operation for the label design 2000 displayed in the editing area 1141 (step S4 YES), it updates the label design (step S5). Specifically, by using the GUI components 1112 to 1119 , design components (text, table, identification code, etc.) are arranged in the label design 2000 to update the label design 2000 .

A label design 2001 shown in FIG. 8 is a label design in which a design component 2100 and a design component 2200 are arranged within a printable area 2010 of the label design 2000 .

A design component 2100 is a text object in which characters "ABC" are input with a predetermined font size. The design component 2100 can be added to the label design 2000 by pressing the GUI component 1112 and using the keyboard 3 to enter the characters "ABC".

A design component 2200 is a barcode object representing predetermined content. The design component 2200 can be added to the label design 2000 by inputting necessary items in the window 1200 shown in FIG. 9 displayed by pressing the GUI component 1114 . More specifically, the GUI component 1201 selects the barcode type, the GUI component 1202 inputs the barcode data content, and the GUI component 1204 selects the barcode size (horizontal width). Also, whether or not to print characters under the barcode (ITF barcode in this example) can be set with the GUI component 1203 .

A label design 2002 shown in FIG. 10 is a label design in which a design component 2100 and a design component 2300 are arranged within a printable area 2010 of the label design 2000 .

Design component 2100 is as described above in label design 2001 shown in FIG. A design component 2300 is a QR code object representing predetermined content. The design component 2300 can be added to the label design 2000 by inputting necessary items in the window 1300 shown in FIG. 11 displayed by pressing the GUI component 1115 . Specifically, the content of the QR code data is input with the GUI component 1301, the QR code version is selected with the GUI component 1302, the error correction rate is selected with the GUI component 1303, and the QR code model of the GUI component 1304 is selected. is selected, and the cell size of the QR code is selected with the GUI component 1305 .

After updating the label design, processor 1001 detects that the save button (GUI component 1111) has been pressed (step S6), and saves the created label design as label design 1002b in storage device 1002 (step S7). ), the label design creating process shown in FIG. 6 is terminated.

As shown in FIG. 6, by using the label creation support program (program 1002a), the user can easily create various label designs. In particular, label designs including identification codes such as barcodes and QR codes can be easily created.

FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart of insertion setting processing. FIG. 13 is an example of a window displayed when inserting data is created. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining a method of setting an insertion setting for a design part. Next, the insertion setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. FIG.

The label design creation process shown in FIG. 12 is started, for example, when the user of the information processing apparatus 1000 selects the label support program (program 1002a) and the processor 1001 executes the program 1002a.

When the label design creation process is started, processor 1001 displays an edit screen on the display device (step S11). Here, the processor 1001 displays, for example, a window 1100 shown in FIG. 7 that functions as an editing screen on the display device. Furthermore, when the user selects the label design 2001 created by the label design creating process shown in FIG. 6, the processor 1001 reads the label design 2001 from the storage device 1002 (step S12). As a result, the label design 2001 is displayed in the editing area 1141 as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, when the processor 1001 detects that the insertion button (GUI component 1119) has been pressed (step S13), the processor 1001 creates and stores insertion data (step S14). Specifically, when the insert button is pressed, processor 1001 displays window 1400 shown in FIG. The window 1400 is provided with an input area 1410 and various buttons (GUI component 1401, GUI component 1402, GUI component 1403, GUI component 1404, GUI component 1405, GUI component 1406). By pressing various buttons, the user can create as many small areas as necessary for inputting insertion data in the input area 1410 . Also, the user can use the keyboard 3 to input arbitrary data in the input area 1410 as insertion data.

When inserting different insertion data into two or more places in one label, two or more columns of the input area 1410 may be used to input the insertion data. For example, if you want to add merge data to two locations in the label, the data to be inserted in the first location will be in the "Item 1" column, and the data to be inserted in the second location will be in the "Item 2" column. Just enter it.

After that, when the processor 1001 detects an insertion setting operation by the user (step S15), the processor 1001 performs insertion setting for the specified component (step S16). Specifically, the user first selects a design component for insertion setting on the label design displayed in the editing area 1141 . FIG. 14 shows how the design component 2100 is selected. After that, turn on the GUI component 1153 (insertion setting) displayed in the character setting area for setting the font (GUI component 1151) and font size (GUI component 1152), and furthermore, set the insertion item to the GUI component A selection is made at 1154 to set the insertion setting for the selected design component 2100 . In this example, by selecting "item 1" as the insertion item, the insertion data input in the "item 1" column out of the insertion data input in the input area 1410 in FIG. is set.

Note that FIG. 14 shows an example of setting the insertion settings for the text object (design component 2100), but the insertion settings can also be set for table objects, barcode objects, QR code objects, etc., in addition to text objects. be.

As shown in FIG. 12, by using the label creation support program (program 1002a), the user can easily create the insertion data and set the insertion data for the design parts. In particular, identification codes such as bar codes and QR codes can also be inserted.

FIG. 15 is an example of a flowchart of insert print processing. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of proposal information. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of label image adjustment. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing another display example of proposal information. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of label design adjustment. 20 and 21 are diagrams showing still another display example of the proposal information. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing another adjustment example of the label design. Finally, the insert printing process will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 22. FIG.

The mail merge printing process shown in FIG. 15 is started, for example, when the user of the information processing apparatus 1000 selects the label support program (program 1002a) and the processor 1001 executes the program 1002a. More specifically, when the user presses the print preview button (GUI component 1120) on the editing screen while the label design is displayed in the editing area 1141, and further presses the print button on the print window (not shown), Processor 1001 initiates the merge printing process shown in FIG.

When the insertion printing process is started, the processor 1001 first determines whether there is insertion data (step S21). Here, the processor 1001 determines whether or not the label design displayed in the editing area 1141 is set for insertion, and determines that there is data for insertion if the setting for insertion is set. do.

When the processor 1001 determines that there is no insertion data (step S21 NO), it executes normal print processing (step S29). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is insertion data (step S21 YES), the processor 1001 creates a label image (step S22). Here, the processor 1001 creates a label image by sequentially inserting images based on insertion data into design components for which label design insertion settings have been made. As a result, a label image is created for each inserted data.

When the label image is created, the processor 1001 determines whether the created label image fits in the label design (step S23). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if the label width is set to 12 mm and the label length is set to 60 mm, processor 1001 determines whether the width and length of the label image are at least within these ranges. . Further, the processor 1001 preferably determines whether the label image fits within the printable area 2010, taking into account margins and the like.

When the processor 1001 determines that it fits within the label design (YES at step S23), the processor 1001 executes normal print processing (step S29). On the other hand, when the processor 1001 determines that the label image is longer than the label length and does not fit in the label design, that is, the label image created by inserting the insertion data into the insertion setting portion of the label design is used as the label image. If it does not fit in the design (step S23 NO), the processor 1001 selects and executes at least one of label image adjustment and label design adjustment according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. Here, an example in which label image adjustment or label design adjustment is selected will be described (steps S24 to S26).

More specifically, the processor 1001 first determines the data type of the insertion setting portion (step S24). Here, the processor 1001 determines whether or not the insertion setting portion, that is, the design component for which the insertion setting is performed, is an identification code object (barcode object, QR code object).

When the processor 1001 determines that the data type of the insertion setting part is other than the identification code, that is, when it determines that the design component for which the insertion setting is performed is not a barcode object or a QR code object (step S24: Identification code), and select image reduction based on the inserted data (step S25). In other words, the processor 1001 judges that the best response is to adjust the label image so that the label image fits within the label design, reduces the image based on the insertion data, and inserts the image into the design part, thereby reducing the label image. Select an action such as adjusting the image.

On the other hand, when the processor 1001 determines that the data type of the insertion setting part is an identification code, that is, when it determines that the design component for which the insertion setting is performed is a barcode object or a QR code object (step S24: identification code), and select extension of the label length (step S26). That is, the processor 1001 determines that the best response is to adjust the label design so that the label image fits within the label design, and selects the action of adjusting the label design by extending the label length.

After that, the processor 1001 outputs the proposal information (step S27). Here, the processor 1001 notifies and suggests to the user how to deal with the label image not fitting into the label design selected in step S25 or step S26. That is, when the label image does not fit in the label design, the processor 1001 displays, via the output interface 1004, proposal information corresponding to the selection regarding adjustment, which is information relating to countermeasures against the label image not fitting in the label design. output to the unit (display device).

If reduction of the image based on the inserted data is selected in step S25, then in step S27 the processor 1001 displays, for example, a window 1500 shown in FIG. 16 on the display device. A window 1500 indicates that the label image does not fit in the specified label length, and then reduces the text object (image based on the inserted data) to fit the label image in the specified label length and prints it. It is suggested to the user to

When the user confirms the window 1500 and accepts the proposal (step S28 YES), the processor 1001 adjusts the label image so that the label image fits within the label design, and executes normal print processing using the adjusted label image. (step S29). Specifically, in step S29, processor 1001, as shown in FIG. 17, selects label image 3001 including image component 3100 (text object) and image component 3200 (barcode object) created in step S22. The image component 3100 (text object) corresponding to the insertion data is reduced and changed to an image component 3300 (text object). Accordingly, the label image 3001 is adjusted to create a new label image 3002 that fits within the label design. Furthermore, the processor 1001 outputs a print instruction including the created label image 3002 to the printing apparatus 1 . As a result, the printing apparatus 1 prints the label image 3002 on the tape 13, and creates a label on which the label image 3002 is printed with the designated label length and label width.

Also, in step S27, if extension of the label length is selected in step S26, the processor 1001 displays, for example, a window 1600 shown in FIG. 18 on the display device. Window 1600 indicates that the label image does not fit in the specified label length and then suggests to the user to extend the label length to fit the entire label image.

When the user who has confirmed the window 1600 accepts the proposal (step S28 YES), the processor 1001 adjusts the label design so that the label image fits within the label design, and uses the label image created with the adjusted label design. Normal print processing is executed (step S29). Specifically, in step S29, as shown in FIG. 19, processor 1001 converts image component 3400 (text object) and image component 3500 (barcode object) included in label image 3003 created in step S22 into A new label image 3004 that fits within the label design is created without changing the size of the image component 3500 (barcode object) by arranging it on the new label design with the extended label length. Furthermore, the processor 1001 outputs a print instruction including the created label image 3004 to the printing apparatus 1 . As a result, the printing apparatus 1 prints the label image 3004 on the tape 13, and prints the designated content including the image (image component 3500 (barcode object)) based on the insertion data in the designated size. A label is created.

In the above, the case where the identification code set to be inserted is a bar code was explained as an example, but when the identification code is a QR code, the shortage of the label width rather than the label length causes the label image to be misaligned with the label design. It may cause it not to fit. In such case, the processor 1001 may choose to extend the label width instead of the label length at step S26.

In this case, processor 1001 may display, for example, window 1700 shown in FIG. 20 on the display device. Window 1700 indicates that the label image will not fit in the specified label width and then suggests to the user to extend the label width to accommodate the entire label image.

If the user confirms the window 1700 and accepts the proposal (step S28 YES), the processor 1001 further displays, for example, a window 1800 shown in FIG. encourage the replacement of FIG. 21 shows an example of prompting the user to set a tape with a width of 18 mm or more.

Then, when the user sets the tape 13 having a width of 18 mm or more in the printing apparatus 1 and presses the OK button, the processor 1001 adjusts the label design so that the label image fits in the label design, and the adjusted label design is used. A normal printing process is executed using the created label image (step S29). Specifically, in step S29, as shown in FIG. 22, processor 1001 converts image component 3400 (text object) and image component 3600 (QR code object) included in label image 3005 created in step S22 into A new label image 3006 that fits within the label design is created without changing the size of the image component 3600 (QR code object) by arranging it on the new label design with the expanded label width. Furthermore, the processor 1001 outputs a print instruction including the created label image 3006 to the printing apparatus 1 . As a result, the printing apparatus 1 prints the label image 3006 on the tape 13, and prints the specified content including the image (image component 3600 (QR code object)) based on the insertion data in the specified size. A label is created.

As shown in FIG. 15, by using the label creation support program (program 1002a), the user can easily create a label using the inserted data. In particular, even if the label image does not fit in the label design specified by the contents of the insertion data, the label image or label design is appropriately adjusted to create the label. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the creation of an incomplete label (a label on which all necessary information is not printed) by mail merge printing.

In addition, in the mail merge printing process shown in FIG. 15, the processor 1001 makes different measures to be taken when the label image does not fit in the label design depending on the data type of the mail merge setting part. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 1000 automatically selects a countermeasure based on the characteristics of the data printed on the label, and proposes it to the user. Therefore, the user can appropriately deal with the situation where the label image does not fit in the label design and obtain the desired label with the printing apparatus 1 by performing the minimum operations according to the proposal from the information processing apparatus 1000 . .

Specifically, when the data type of the insertion setting portion is an identification code, the processor 1001 adjusts the label design (e.g., extending the label length) instead of adjusting the label image (e.g., reducing the insertion data). , Extend Label Width) and execute. This is because the identification code usually has a recommended size defined by the standard, and it is undesirable to print the identification code smaller than the recommended size range. By adjusting the label design, even if the label image does not fit in the label design, it is possible to create a label on which the necessary information is printed without making the size of the identification code smaller than the specified size. . Therefore, it is possible to create a label while ensuring the reading performance of the identification code.

Further, when the data type of the insertion setting part is other than the identification code, the processor 1001 adjusts the label image (for example, insert Data reduction) and execute. This is because, other than the identification code, as long as a person can see the printed information and understand the content, printing the information in a slightly smaller size will not cause any serious problems. To create a label on which necessary information is printed without changing the label size such as specified label length and label width even if the label image does not fit in the label design by adjusting the label image. can be done. Therefore, even if the size of the label is restricted by the size of the object to which the created label is attached, it is possible to create a label that satisfies the restricted conditions.

In the mail merge printing process shown in FIG. 15, the processor 1001 proposes to the user an action selected according to the data type, and when the user's consent is obtained, the action is executed. Therefore, the user can select a countermeasure different from the generally considered best countermeasure according to his/her own judgment. For example, the user can choose to include the label image in the label design by recreating the insertion data itself.

The above-described embodiments are specific examples for easy understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and alternatives of the above-described embodiments. should be understood to include For example, it will be appreciated that each embodiment can be embodied with modification of elements without departing from its spirit and scope. Also, it will be understood that various embodiments can be implemented by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, various embodiments can be implemented by deleting some components from all the components shown in the embodiments or by adding some components to the components shown in the embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art. That is, the information processing device, adjustment method, and program can be variously modified and changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the action selected by the processor 1001 is once proposed to the user and executed after the user's consent is obtained. You may In addition, it may be possible to change whether or not to obtain the user's consent before executing the action selected by the processor 1001 by setting.

In the above-described embodiment, when the type of inserted data is other than the identification code, an example is shown in which the image based on the inserted data is reduced to fit the label image into the label design. A size limit may be set. Limitations on the reduction ratio and size after reduction may be determined, for example, based on whether or not the information after reduction can be visually grasped by humans.

In the above-described embodiment, when the type of insertion data is an identification code, an example is shown in which the label image is accommodated in the label design by extending or expanding the label length or label width. or limit the label width. Limitations on label length and label width after extension or expansion may be determined based on the size of the object to which the produced label is attached and the width of commercially available tapes. Also, instead of adjusting the label length and label width, the image based on the insertion data may be reduced within the allowable range of the identification code standard to accommodate the label image in the label design.

In the above-described embodiment, when the type of inserted data is other than the identification code, an example is shown in which the image based on the inserted data is reduced to fit the label image into the label design. The user may be allowed to select whether to extend the label length or reduce the image, and as shown in FIG. 24, the label image or label design may be adjusted according to the selection.

In the above-described embodiment, when the label image does not fit in the label design, the label image or the label design is adjusted, but at least one of label image adjustment and label design adjustment may be performed. For example, if the type of inserted data is an identification code, reduce the size of the image based on the inserted data within the allowable range of the identification code standard, and if the label image still protrudes from the label design, The label length may be extended by In this way, both the label image and label design may be adjusted.

In the above-described embodiments, barcodes and QR codes are used as examples of identification codes, but identification codes are not limited to these. A one-dimensional code other than a barcode or a two-dimensional code other than a QR code may be used for label design. can.

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the information processing apparatus 1000 different from the printing apparatus 1 executes the above-described program has been described, but the printing apparatus 1 may operate as the information processing apparatus 1000 . That is, the printing device 1 may execute the program described above.

The invention described in the scope of claims at the time of filing of the present application will be additionally described below.
[Appendix 1]
When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. and a control unit that executes at least one of design adjustment.
[Appendix 2]
In the information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1,
The control unit extends the label length when the label image exceeds the label length of the label design and when the data type of the insertion setting portion is an identification code. Information processing equipment.
[Appendix 3]
In the information processing device according to appendix 2,
When the label image exceeds the label length of the label design and the data type of the insertion setting part is other than an identification code, the control unit reduces the size of the image based on the insertion data. An information processing device characterized by executing
[Appendix 4]
In the information processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3,
When the label image exceeds the label width of the label design and the data type of the insertion setting portion is an identification code, the control unit controls the label image according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. An information processing device characterized by executing label width expansion.
[Appendix 5]
In the information processing device according to any one of appendices 1 to 4,
The information processing apparatus, wherein, when the label image does not fit in the label design, the control section outputs to the display section proposal information regarding a countermeasure against the label image not fitting in the label design.
[Appendix 6]
When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. A tuning method characterized by performing at least one of design tuning.
[Appendix 7]
to the computer,
When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. A program characterized by executing processing for performing at least one of design adjustments.

1 printing device 2 device housing 3 keyboard 4 lid 5 display 6 platen roller 7 printing unit 8 cutting unit 11 tape adapter 12 tape roll 13 tape 100 control unit 120 storage unit 121 RAM
122 ROMs
130 Input unit 140 Display unit 150 Conveying unit 160 Printing unit 170 Cutting unit 180 Sensor 190 Communication unit 201 Adapter mounting unit 202 Discharge port 701 Thermal head 801 First cutter 802 Second cutters 901 and 902 Discharge roller 1000 Information processing device 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1002a Programs 1002b, 2000 to 2002 Label design 1002c Insertion data 1003 Input interface 1004 Output interface 1005 Communication interfaces 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800
Windows 1111-1120, 1131, 1132, 1151-1154, 1201-1204, 1301-1305, 1401-1406
GUI parts 1141 Editing area 1410 Input areas 2100, 2200, 2300 Design parts 3001 to 3006 Label images 3100 to 3600 Image parts

Claims (7)

When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. and a control unit that executes at least one of design adjustment. In the information processing device according to claim 1,
The control unit extends the label length when the label image exceeds the label length of the label design and when the data type of the insertion setting portion is an identification code. Information processing equipment. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
When the label image exceeds the label length of the label design and the data type of the insertion setting part is other than an identification code, the control unit reduces the size of the image based on the insertion data. An information processing device characterized by executing In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the label image exceeds the label width of the label design and the data type of the insertion setting portion is an identification code, the control unit controls the label image according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. An information processing device characterized by executing label width expansion. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information processing apparatus, wherein, when the label image does not fit in the label design, the control section outputs to the display section proposal information regarding a countermeasure against the label image not fitting in the label design. When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. A tuning method characterized by performing at least one of design tuning. to the computer,
When the label image in which the image based on the insertion data is inserted into the insertion setting portion of the label design does not fit in the label design, the label image is adjusted or the label is adjusted according to the data type of the insertion setting portion. A program characterized by executing processing for performing at least one of design adjustments.

Images