JP2023170876A - Image creation device and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique for printing label images while switching the printers used, according to the user's intended purpose.SOLUTION: A label printer 2 has a CPU 23a. The CPU 23a performs a step S25 of creating a label image that can be printed in a prescribed size with the label printer 2, a step S10 of receiving designation of a printer to print the created label image, and a step S45 and a step S65 of outputting a printing command to, when receiving designation of the label printer 2, print the label image on a label tape TP of a cartridge 5 installed in the label printer 2, and to, when receiving designation of a page printer 6, print the label image in a prescribed position on a print paper sheet PS fed by the page printer 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an image creation device and an image processing program.

Conventionally, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tape printing device that can create a label by printing a large number of characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana, and alphabetic characters on a printing tape having a predetermined tape width. ing.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-266627

By using a label printer such as the above-mentioned conventional technology, a user can create a label by printing a desired label image on a tape. However, depending on the user's usage of the created label, there may be a need to print a label image similar to the above onto a sheet of paper of a predetermined size using, for example, an inkjet page printer.

In the above-mentioned conventional technology, no particular consideration is given to printing a label image on a page printer, and it cannot be said that the technology sufficiently meets the various needs of users.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows a user to print a label image by switching printers depending on the intended use.

In order to achieve the above object, an image creation device of the present invention is an image creation device having a control unit, the control unit performing a creation process of creating label image data representing a label image of a predetermined size; a reception process that accepts a designation of a printing device; and an output process that outputs a print instruction to the printing device whose designation is accepted in the reception process, the print instruction being a label printer that is specified as the printing device in the reception process. If received, it is an instruction to print the label image data on a print medium corresponding to the predetermined size installed in the label printer, and a page printer is specified as the printing device in the reception process. In this case, the output process is an instruction to arrange and print the label image in the predetermined size at a predetermined position on the paper fed by the page printer.

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing program of the present invention performs a creation process for creating label image data representing a label image of a predetermined size for a calculation unit included in an information processing device, and designates a printing device. and an output process that outputs a print instruction to the printing device whose designation was accepted in the reception processing, wherein the print instruction is when a designation of a label printer as the printing device is received in the reception processing. is an instruction to print the label image data on a print medium corresponding to the predetermined size installed in the label printer, and when a page printer is specified as the printing device in the reception process, The output process is an instruction to arrange and print the label image in the predetermined size at a predetermined position on the paper fed by the page printer.

According to the present invention, in response to the designation of a label printer or a page printer, an instruction to print label image data is output to the designated printer, so that the user can easily switch the printer to be used depending on the purpose of use. Label images can be printed.

Note that the present invention is not limited to an image creation device and an image processing program, but can be appropriately applied to, for example, an image processing method executed by an image processing program, an image creation system, and the like.

According to the present invention, it is possible to print a label image by switching the printer to be used depending on the intended use of the user.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a label printer and a page printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of printed matter printed by a label printer and a page printer in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of printed matter printed by a label printer and a page printer in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart showing an example of the control procedure performed by the CPU of the label printer in the first embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of detailed contents of print preview processing in step S100. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen when a label printer is specified. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview screen when a page printer is specified. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen when the orientation of printing paper is changed. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a preview screen when a label image is divided and displayed on a plurality of printing sheets. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure executed by a CPU of an information terminal in a second embodiment of the present invention.

<First embodiment>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The first embodiment is an embodiment in which label image data is created using a label printer, and the label image data is printed by specifying the label printer or page printer.

<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a printing system 1 includes a label printer 2 and a page printer 6. The label printer 2 is a printing device that prints label image data on a label tape TP to create a printed label L, and includes a display section 21 and an input section 22. The page printer 6 is a printing device that prints label image data on printing paper PS, and has a display section 61. The label printer 2 and the page printer 6 are connected to each other via wireless communication, for example, so that they can exchange information with each other. Note that the connection may be made via wired communication.

<Label printer>
FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the label printer 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the label printer 2 includes the display section 21 and input section 22, a control circuit 23, a cartridge holder 24, a cartridge sensor 25, a communication control section 26, a print head 27, and a large-capacity print head 27. It has a storage device 28 and a cutter 29. The label printer 2 is an example of a printing device.

The display unit 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information and messages. The display unit 21 has a color display function capable of displaying a label image in color. Note that the display section 21 is not limited to color display, and may be monochrome display. The input unit 22 is composed of a plurality of buttons, etc., and inputs instructions and information from the user. The input unit 22 is an example of an operation unit.

The control circuit 23 includes a CPU 23a, a RAM 23b, a ROM 23c, and the like. The CPU 23a is an example of a control unit. The control circuit 23 creates label image data representing a label image of a predetermined size based on user editing. The size includes a dimension in the width direction and a dimension in the longitudinal direction. The control circuit 23 receives from the user a designation of a printer that prints the label image data. When the label printer 2 is designated, the control circuit 23 outputs a print instruction to the print head 27 to print the label image data on the label tape TP attached to the label printer 2, and creates a printed label L. . When the page printer 6 is specified, the control circuit 23 instructs the page printer 6 to print a label image arranged in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS fed by the page printer 6. Output to.

The cartridge holder 24 removably mounts the cartridge 5 for supplying the label tape TP. The cartridge sensor 25 is provided in the cartridge holder 24, and detects information about the cartridge 5 by a known appropriate method such as mechanical detection or optical/magnetic detection. The information on the cartridge 5 includes the tape width and tape color, which are the dimensions in the width direction of the label tape TP supplied from the cartridge 5, and the printing color defined by the color of the ink ribbon included in the cartridge 5. . Tape color is an example of media color. The communication control unit 26 controls communication with the page printer 6.

The large-capacity storage device 28 stores a printing program for causing the CPU 23a to execute each procedure of a sequence shown in FIG. 5, etc., which will be described later, and various data. The various data include a plurality of label image data and the like that are accumulated when the page printer 6 is designated as a print output destination. The printing program, various data, etc. may be stored in the RAM 23b or ROM 23c of the control circuit 23. The mass storage device 28 is an example of a storage unit.

The print head 27 prints label image data on the label tape TP. The cutter 29 cuts the long label tape TP printed by the print head 27 into a predetermined length to create a printed label L. The print head 27 is an example of a printing unit, and the label tape TP is an example of a print medium.

<Page printer>
FIG. 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the page printer 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the page printer 6 includes the display section 61, a control section 62, a tray 63, a conveyance section 64, a communication control section 65, a print head 66, and a mass storage device 67. have The page printer 6 is an example of a printing device.

The display unit 61 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays various information and messages. The control unit 62 includes, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. (not shown). When the control unit 62 receives a print instruction from the label printer 2, the control unit 62 arranges and prints the label image data created by the label printer 2 in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS.

The tray 63 is attached to and detached from the casing of the page printer 6 by being inserted into and removed from it. The tray 63 accommodates a plurality of stacked printing papers PS of a predetermined size (for example, A4 size cut paper). The conveyance unit 64 conveys the printing paper PS stored in the tray 63 one by one and feeds it to the print head 66. The conveyance unit 64 includes, for example, a plurality of rollers. The communication control unit 65 controls communication with the label printer 2 .

The mass storage device 67 stores printing programs and various data. The printing program, various data, etc. may be stored in the RAM, ROM, etc. of the control unit 62.

The print head 66 arranges and prints a label image of a predetermined size corresponding to the label image data created by the label printer 2 at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS fed by the transport unit 64. The predetermined size is a size that fits within the tape width of the label tape TP printed by the label printer 2. Print paper PS is an example of paper.

<Printed materials printed by label printers and page printers>
The label printer 2 creates label image data representing a label image based on the user's edits. The label printer 2 is also an example of an image creation device. The label printer 2 can specify a printer from among a plurality of printers to create or print the created label image data. A plurality of pieces of printer information are registered in advance in the label printer 2, and a destination printer is designated based on the printer information selected from the pieces of printer information through the input unit 22. The printer information includes, for example, printer-specific information such as an IP address, or information that can specify the type of printer, such as a model name and a model name. In this embodiment, the label printer 2 itself and the page printer 6 are registered as print output destination printers. The page printer 6 prints on printing paper PS of a specific size, such as A4 size, B5 size, A3 size, etc., for example. The printing method of the page printer 6 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, inkjet or laser. The printer information of the page printer 6 is registered in association with information about the size and orientation of the printing paper PS to be printed by the page printer 6. Note that three or more types of printers may be registered.

For example, when using a label created by a user for a purpose where there is a high possibility of getting wet with water, specify the label printer 2 as the print output destination and use, for example, a laminate type cartridge 5 to print a highly water-resistant label. Labels can be created. For example, when using labels created by the user for applications that do not require high durability, specify the page printer 6 as the print output destination and use printing paper PS such as sticker paper to print labels at low cost. can be created. In this way, it is possible to print a label image by switching printers depending on the user's intended use.

3 and 4 show examples of printed matter produced by the label printer 2 and page printer 6 in this embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the label printer 2 is designated as the print output destination and the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination when creating one label image. When the label printer 2 is designated as the print output destination, the printed label L can be created using the label tape TP without wasting even if there is only one label image. On the other hand, when the page printer 6 is specified as the print output destination, the printing paper PS is fed and printed page by page, so if multiple label images are not printed at once, there will be wasted margins on the printing paper PS. BS will occur. On the other hand, even if a wasteful margin BS occurs on the printing paper PS, if a label image is required immediately, a printed matter can be obtained at the timing when a printing instruction is received.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which, when the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination, a plurality of label image data are accumulated in the label printer 2 and then transmitted to the page printer 6 for printing. As shown in FIG. 4, when the label printer 2 is specified as the print output destination, it is the same as the example shown in FIG. 3, but when the page printer 6 is specified as the print output destination, multiple label image data are Since the information is stored and then transmitted to the page printer 6 for printing, it is possible to suppress the generation of wasteful margins on the printing paper PS and save the printing paper PS. When the page printer 6 is specified as the print output destination, by having the user set in advance whether or not to print after accumulating label image data, it is possible to select whether the printing process will be performed according to either FIG. 3 or FIG. 4. You may switch. In the following explanation, as shown in FIG. 4, an example will be described in which a plurality of label image data is accumulated and then transmitted to the page printer 6.

<Control procedure>
An example of a control procedure executed by the CPU 23a of the label printer 2 in order to realize the above-mentioned printing functions and the like in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6.

In step S5, the CPU 23a displays an editing screen on the display unit 21 and accepts editing of the label image by the user.

In step S10, the CPU 23a accepts designation of a printer that will print print data created in step S25, which will be described later, including label image data representing the label image edited in step S5. Specifically, the CPU 23a accepts the designation of a printer based on one piece of printer information selected through the input unit 22 from among a plurality of pieces of printer information registered in advance. In this embodiment, either the label printer 2 or the page printer 6 is designated. The step S10 is an example of reception processing.

In step S15, the CPU 23a determines whether the user has given a preview instruction to display the print image of the label image edited in step S5 on the display unit 21. If the CPU 23a determines that a preview instruction has not been given (step S15: No), the process proceeds to step S20, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 23a determines that a preview instruction has been given (step S15: Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S100.

In step S100, the CPU 23a executes a print preview process to display a print image of the label image on the display unit 21. Details of the print preview process will be described later.

In step S20, the CPU 23a determines whether the user has issued a print instruction. If the CPU 23a determines that no print instruction has been given (step S20: No), the process returns to step S5. As a result, the CPU 23a repeats steps S5 to S15 and step S100 until the user issues a print instruction. On the other hand, if the CPU 23a determines that a print instruction has been given (step S20: Yes), the CPU 23a moves to the next step S25.

In step S25, the CPU 23a creates print data for printing the label image data representing the label image edited in step S5 above onto the label tape TP corresponding to the size of the label image. The print data includes label image size information in addition to label image data. The size information includes the size of the label image in the tape width direction, print length, and the like. The step S25 is an example of the creation process.

In step S30, the CPU 23a determines whether or not the page printer 6 was designated as the print output destination printer in step S10. If the label printer 2 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S30: No), the CPU 23a moves to step S35.

In step S35, the CPU 23a acquires information about the cartridge 5 mounted in the cartridge holder 24, which is detected by the cartridge sensor 25. The information on the cartridge 5 includes tape width information, which is the dimension in the width direction of the label tape TP supplied from the cartridge 5. The step S35 is an example of the acquisition process.

In step S40, the CPU 23a determines whether the tape width information obtained in step S35 matches the tape width size of the print data created in step S25, in other words, the CPU 23a determines whether or not the tape width information obtained in step S35 matches the tape width size of the print data created in step S25. It is determined whether the type No. 5 corresponds to the print data. If the CPU 23a determines that the tape width of the cartridge 5 matches the tape width size of the print data (step S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S45. The step S40 is an example of the determination process.

In step S45, a print instruction to print the print data created in step S25 above on the label tape TP supplied from the cartridge 5 installed in the cartridge holder 24 is output to the print head 27, and the print data is transferred to the label tape TP. Create a printed label L by printing on TP. The step S45 is an example of output processing. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S40, if the CPU 23a determines that the tape width of the cartridge 5 and the tape width size of the print data do not match (step S40: No), the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S50, the CPU 23a displays an error message on the display unit 21 indicating that the tape width of the installed cartridge 5 and the tape width size of the print data do not match. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S30, if the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S30: Yes), the CPU 23a moves to step S55.

In step S55, the CPU 23a acquires information on the size and orientation of the printing paper PS of the page printer 6. The CPU 23a may acquire the size and orientation information associated with the printer information of the page printer 6 registered in advance, or communicate with the page printer 6 to obtain the current size and orientation information in real time. You may obtain it.

In step S60, the CPU 23a generates a page in which a plurality of label images corresponding to a plurality of label image data are arranged on a single sheet of printing paper PS, based on the size and orientation information of the printing paper PS acquired in step S55. For example, it is determined whether or not the print data corresponding to the number of minutes is stored in the mass storage device 28. For example, when the printing paper PS is oriented vertically, the plurality of label images are arranged so that the tape width direction matches the longitudinal direction of the printing paper PS and the tape longitudinal direction runs along the lateral direction of the printing paper PS. Placed. Furthermore, for example, when the orientation of the printing paper PS is horizontal, the tape width direction of the plurality of label images coincides with the short direction of the printing paper PS, and the tape longitudinal direction runs along the longitudinal direction of the printing paper PS. It is arranged like this. For example, when the remaining margin in the printing paper PS in the direction corresponding to the tape width direction of the label image becomes smaller than the predetermined minimum tape width of the label tape TP, the CPU 23a prints one page. It is determined that data has been accumulated. If the CPU 23a determines that one page worth of print data has been accumulated (step S60: Yes), the CPU 23a moves to the next step S65.

In step S65, the CPU 23a issues a print instruction to print the print data created in step S25 by arranging a label image in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS fed by the page printer 6. Output to page printer 6. Specifically, the CPU 23a outputs, to the page printer 6, a print instruction including print data for one page in which a plurality of label images are arranged, based on the size and orientation information of the printing paper PS acquired in step S55. . Thereby, the page printer 6 arranges and prints the label image in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS. The step S65 is an example of output processing. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S60, if the CPU 23a determines that one page's worth of print data has not been accumulated (step S60: No), the CPU 23a moves to the next step S70.

In step S70, the CPU 23a stores print data including label image data to be printed in the mass storage device 28, for example. The step S70 is an example of accumulation processing. Thereafter, the process returns to step S5.

FIG. 6 shows an example of detailed contents of the print preview process in step S100.

In step S105, the CPU 23a determines whether or not the page printer 6 was designated as the print output destination printer in step S10. If the label printer 2 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S105: No), the CPU 23a moves to step S110.

In step S110, the CPU 23a acquires information about the cartridge 5 mounted in the cartridge holder 24, which is detected by the cartridge sensor 25. The information on the cartridge 5 includes the tape width and tape color, which are the dimensions in the width direction of the label tape TP supplied from the cartridge 5, and the printing color defined by the color of the ink ribbon included in the cartridge 5. .

In step S115, the CPU 23a obtains single label image data representing the label image edited in step S5.

In step S120, the CPU 23a subjects the label image data acquired in step S115 to color reduction processing, as necessary, based on the information on the cartridge 5 acquired in step S110. In color printing using the cartridge 5, an image of only two colors at most can be printed using the tape color of the label tape as the background and the printing color of the ink ribbon. Therefore, when the label image is an image using three or more colors, such as a full-color image, the CPU 23a adjusts the label so that the label image becomes an image using two or less colors, such as a monochrome image. Performs color reduction processing on image data. Note that if the label image is an image of two colors or less, such as a monochrome image, the color reduction processing of the label image data is not performed.

In step S125, the CPU 23a displays a print image of the label image according to the label printer 2 on the display unit 21. At this time, the CPU 23a displays the print image to be printed on one print label L regardless of the lengthwise dimension of the label image. Specifically, the CPU 23a displays a printed image of the label image on the display unit 21 using the tape color of the cartridge 5 installed in the label printer as a background and the image of the print color of the cartridge 5. The step S125 is an example of display processing. Thereafter, the process moves to step S20 shown in FIG. Note that in the subsequent step S25, print data including label image data on which the print image in step S125 is reflected is generated.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the preview screen in step S125. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a printed image of a printed label L on which, for example, a cherry pattern and the text "Kubo Sakura" representing a name are printed is displayed. In Figure 7, the outline of the cherry is drawn in black, but for example, if the original label image is a cherry filled in red, the color reduction process described above is performed and the text "Kubo Sakura" is drawn. It may be drawn as a cherry filled with the same color as the color, for example, black.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S105, if the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S105: Yes), the CPU 23a moves to step S130.

In step S130, the CPU 23a acquires information on the size and orientation of the printing paper PS of the page printer 6. The CPU 23a may acquire the size and orientation information associated with the printer information of the page printer 6 registered in advance, or communicate with the page printer 6 to obtain the current size and orientation information in real time. You may obtain it.

In step S135, the CPU 23a obtains a plurality of label image data corresponding to the print data accumulated in step S70. Note that if no label images have been accumulated yet, the CPU 23a acquires single label image data.

In step S140, the CPU 23a determines whether or not among the label image data acquired in step S135, there is any label image whose length in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size in the width direction of the printing paper PS. . The width direction of the printing paper PS is a direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the label image to be arranged. For example, when the printing paper PS is oriented vertically and the width direction of the printing paper PS is lateral, the CPU 23a determines whether there is a label image whose length in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the lateral direction. Determine whether For example, when the orientation of the printing paper PS is horizontal and the width direction of the printing paper PS is the longitudinal direction, the CPU 23a determines whether there is a label image whose length in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the longitudinal direction. judge. If the CPU 23a determines that there is no label image data in which the length of the label image in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction (step S140: No), the CPU 23a proceeds to the next step S145. Transition.

In step S145, the CPU 23a displays a print image of the label image according to the page printer 6 on the display unit 21. Specifically, the CPU 23a displays a print image of a page in which a label image is printed on one sheet of printing paper PS using the color set in the label image data edited in step S5. For example, in the case of full-color label image data using many colors, a print image using the many colors is displayed. The step S145 is an example of display processing. Thereafter, the process moves to step S20 shown in FIG. Note that in the subsequent step S25, print data including label image data on which the print image in step S145 is reflected is generated.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the preview screen in step S145. In the example shown in FIG. 8, two printed labels L1 are printed, for example, a cherry pattern and the name "Kubo Sakura" are printed, and a tulip pattern and the name "Ooshi Marie" are printed, for example. Two printed labels L2, for example, two printed labels L3 with a train design and the text "Sakurai Koichi" representing the name, and two printed labels L3 with, for example, the lion design and the text "Hasegawa Shunsuke" printed on the name. A printed image is displayed in which one printed label L4 is arranged such that the tape width direction of each printed label coincides with the longitudinal direction of the printing paper PS.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S140, if the CPU 23a determines that there is a label image data in which the length of the corresponding label image in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction, the CPU 23a ( Step S140: Yes), the process moves to the next step S150.

In step S150, the CPU 23a changes the orientation of the printing paper PS to a direction that increases the size in the width direction. Specifically, when the orientation of the printing paper PS is portrait, for example because the normal printing orientation is set to portrait, the CPU 23a sets the printing orientation to landscape, that is, the orientation of the printing paper PS. change to horizontal. Note that if the orientation of the printing paper PS is already set to landscape, the widthwise size of the printing paper PS will not increase even if the orientation of the printing paper PS is changed, so S150 and S155 are skipped. The process moves to S160. In addition, when changing the orientation of the printing paper PS in S150, a message screen asking whether to change the orientation of the paper is displayed on the display unit, and if the user instructs to change the orientation of the printing paper PS, , change the orientation of the printing paper PS. In this case, in the process of acquiring paper orientation information through subsequent steps such as S55, the orientation information of the printing paper PS that has been changed here will be acquired.

In steps S140 and S150, the CPU 23a determines the orientation of the label image on the printing paper PS according to the length of the label image. The above steps S140 and S150 are an example of the determination process.

In step S155, the CPU 23a determines that in the label image data acquired in step S135, the length in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding label image is the size in the width direction of the printing paper PS while the orientation of the printing paper PS is changed. Determine whether there is anything that exceeds . If the CPU 23a determines that there is no label image data in which the length of the label image in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction (step S155: No), the process proceeds to step S145. Then, a printed image of the label image with the orientation of the printing paper PS changed is displayed on the display unit 21. Thereafter, the process moves to step S20 shown in FIG. Note that in the subsequent step S25, print data including label image data on which the print image in step S145 is reflected is generated.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a preview screen when the determination in step S155 is not satisfied and the process moves to step S145. In the example shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the printing paper PS is oriented vertically, the length in the longitudinal direction of the printing label L2 on which the tulip design and the text "Ooshi Marie" representing the name are printed is the length of the printing paper PS. It exceeds the size in the width direction. In this case, by changing the printing paper PS to the horizontal orientation, the length of the printing label L2 in the longitudinal direction becomes equal to or less than the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction, so that it can be accommodated in the printing paper PS. Therefore, in step S145, the preview screen on the right side of FIG. 9 is displayed. Note that by changing the orientation of the printing paper PS from portrait to landscape, the size of the label image on the printing paper PS in the tape width direction becomes smaller. As a result, the printed labels that cannot be placed on the printing paper PS are stored as the next print data. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the print label L4 is stored as the next print data.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S155, if the CPU 23a determines that there is a label image data in which the length of the corresponding label image in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction, the CPU 23a ( Step S155: Yes), the process moves to the next step S160. Note that the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction in this step S155 is the size of the printing paper PS in the longitudinal direction.

In step S160, the CPU 23a divides the label image whose length in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size in the width direction of the printing paper PS, and displays the divided print image over a plurality of pages. The step S160 is an example of display processing. Thereafter, the process moves to step S20 shown in FIG. Note that in the subsequent step S25, print data including label image data on which the print image in step S160 is reflected is generated.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the preview screen in step S160. In the example shown in FIG. 10, for example, when the printing paper PS is in portrait orientation, the length in the longitudinal direction of the printing label L2 on which the tulip design and the text "Ooshi Marie" representing the name are printed is the length of the printing paper PS in the longitudinal direction. It exceeds the size in the width direction. Furthermore, even if the printing paper PS is changed to landscape orientation, the length of the printing label L2 in the longitudinal direction exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction. Therefore, the label image of the printed label L2 is divided, and a printed image in which the divided printed label L2 is arranged over two pages of printing paper PS is displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 10, for example, the tulip pattern and the text "Oishima" of the printed label L2 are arranged on the first page of printing paper PS1, and the remaining part of the printed label L2 is arranged on the second page of printing paper PS2. parts are arranged. In step S160, a preview screen in which the print label L2 is divided is displayed. In addition, in FIG. 10, a preview screen is displayed in which the printing paper PS is changed to landscape orientation and the printed label L2 is divided, but even if the printing paper PS is changed to landscape orientation, the length of the printed label in the longitudinal direction is If the width exceeds the size of the printing paper PS in the width direction, the orientation of the printing paper PS that was changed in S150 may be returned to the orientation before the change. That is, in S160, a preview screen may be displayed in which the printing paper PS is oriented vertically and the printed label L2 is divided.

Note that in the above, when the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination, the page printer 6 is capable of printing in full color, for example, so color reduction processing is not performed on the label image data. However, if the printing function of the page printer 6 is monochrome or if monochrome printing is set, color reduction processing will not be applied to the label image data even if the page printer 6 is specified as the print output destination. May be done.

<Effects of the first embodiment>
According to the embodiment described above, print instructions are output to the designated printer in response to the designation of the label printer 2 or the page printer 6, so the user can easily switch the printer to be used depending on the purpose of use. Label images can be printed on.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in particular, the page printer 6 feeds the printing paper PS in page units and performs printing, so printing after a plurality of label image data is accumulated causes unnecessary blank space. can be suppressed and the printing paper PS can be saved.

In addition, in this embodiment in particular, the user only has to select and specify one printer that he or she wants to print from among printer information registered in advance, which improves convenience.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, in particular, when the user specifies a page printer 6, print data for one page in which a plurality of label images are arranged is generated based on the size information of the printing paper PS registered in association with the page printer 6. Since the print instruction including the above is output, the page printer 6 can print smoothly.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a print instruction is issued to the print head 27 after determining whether the tape width information of the cartridge 5 installed in the designated label printer 2 matches the size in the width direction of the edited label image. Since the label is outputted, the label printer 2 can print smoothly and reliably.

Further, in this embodiment, especially when the user specifies the label printer 2 used as an image creation device as the print output destination, the print head 27 prints label image data on the label tape TP. The printed label L can be created by doing this. This allows normal label printing to be performed.

Further, in this embodiment, in particular, by giving a preview instruction, the user can visually check the print image of the label image printed by the specified printer.

Further, in this embodiment, especially when the user specifies the label printer 2 as the print output destination, a print image using an image of the printing color with the tape color of the cartridge 5 as the background is displayed, and the page printer 6 prints. If specified as the output destination, the print image will be displayed in the color set when editing the label image. Thereby, depending on which printer is selected by the user, it is possible to display the print image in a color scheme that is close to the appearance of the label actually created by the printer.

In this embodiment, particularly, when the user selects the page printer 6 and prints a label image on the printing paper PS, the length in the longitudinal direction of the label image placed on the printing paper PS is the same as that of the printing paper PS. If the print image is larger than the size in the longitudinal direction and protrudes from the printing paper PS, the print image is divided and displayed over multiple pages of the printing paper PS. Thereby, even if the label image protrudes from the print paper PS, the entire image can be displayed as a print image.

Further, in this embodiment, particularly when the user specifies the page printer 6 and the label image is placed on the printing paper PS, the orientation of the arrangement of the label image on the printing paper PS is determined according to the length of the label image. Ru. As a result, if the label image printed by the page printer 6 protrudes from the printing paper PS, the label image can be printed within the printing paper PS by changing the orientation of the label image with respect to the printing paper PS. .

<Second embodiment>
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is an embodiment in which label image data is created using an information terminal, and a label printer or page printer is designated to print the label image data.

<Overall system configuration>
FIG. 11 shows an example of the overall configuration of a printing system 1A according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, a printing system 1A includes the above-described label printer 2 and page printer 6, and information terminals 3 and 4. The information terminals 3 and 4 may be either one or both. The information terminal 3 is, for example, a mobile terminal, and may be a smartphone equipped with a touch panel 37 as shown in FIG. 11, a tablet terminal, or the like. The information terminal 4 is, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and may be a notebook computer equipped with an input section 33 and a display section 34 as shown in FIG. 11, or a desktop computer. The information terminals 3 and 4 are each connected to the label printer 2 or the page printer 6 so that they can mutually send and receive information; for example, the information terminal 3 is connected via wireless communication, and the information terminal 4 is connected via wired communication. has been done. Note that the information terminal 3 may be connected via wired communication, or the information terminal 4 may be connected via wireless communication.

<Information terminal>
FIG. 12 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information terminals 3 and 4. Note that the configurations of the label printer 2 and page printer 6 are the same as those shown in FIG. 2 described above, and therefore illustration thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 12, the information terminals 3 and 4 include a CPU 31, a memory 32 including, for example, RAM or ROM, an input section 33, a display section 34, a communication control section 35, and a mass storage device 36. It is equipped with The information terminals 3 and 4 are examples of information processing devices.

The input unit 33 receives instructions and information from the user. The display unit 34 displays various information and messages. In the information terminal 3, the input section 33 and the display section 34 are configured as a touch panel 37 that has these functions. The communication control unit 35 controls communication with the label printer 2. The input unit 33 or the touch panel 37 is an example of an operation unit.

The mass storage device 36 stores, for example, a print application for causing the CPU 31 to execute each procedure in a sequence shown in FIG. 13, which will be described later, as well as various other programs, various data, and the like. Print applications, various programs, various data, etc. may be stored in the memory 32. A print application is an example of an image processing program. The mass storage device 36 is an example of a storage unit.

The CPU 31 performs various processes and performs various communications with the label printer 2 or page printer 6 according to programs stored in the ROM or mass storage device 36 while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM of the memory 32. The CPU 31 is an example of a control unit and also an example of a calculation unit.

The information terminals 3 and 4 having the above configuration create label image data representing a label image based on user's editing. In this embodiment, the information terminals 3 and 4 are examples of image creation devices. The information terminals 3 and 4 can specify a printer from among a plurality of printers to create or print the created label image data. A plurality of pieces of printer information are registered in advance in the information terminals 3 and 4, and a destination printer is specified based on the printer information selected from the printer information through the input unit 33 or the touch panel 37. Ru. In this embodiment, a label printer 2 and a page printer 6 are registered as print output destination printers. Note that three or more types of printers may be registered.

<Control procedure>
An example of a control procedure executed by the CPUs 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4 in order to realize the above-mentioned printing functions and the like in this embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13. Note that in FIG. 13, descriptions of procedures similar to those in FIGS. 5 and 6 described above will be omitted as appropriate.

In step S205, the CPU 31 displays an editing screen on the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37, and accepts editing of the label image by the user.

In step S210, the CPU 31 receives designation of a printer that will print print data created in step S225, which will be described later, including label image data representing the label image edited in step S205. In this embodiment, either the label printer 2 or the page printer 6 is designated. The step S210 is an example of reception processing.

In step S215, the CPU 31 determines whether the user has given a preview instruction to display the print image of the label image edited in step S205 on the display unit 34 or touch panel 37. If the CPU 31 determines that a preview instruction has not been given (step S215: No), the process proceeds to step S220, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that a preview instruction has been given (step S215: Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S100.

In step S100, the CPU 31 executes a print preview process to display a print image of the label image on the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37. The detailed content of the print preview process is the same as that shown in FIG. 6 described above, so the explanation will be omitted.

In step S220, the CPU 31 determines whether the user has issued a print instruction. If the CPU 31 determines that a print instruction has not been issued (step S220: No), the process returns to step S205. On the other hand, if the CPU 31 determines that a print instruction has been given (step S220: Yes), the process proceeds to the next step S225.

In step S225, the CPU 31 creates print data for printing the label image data representing the label image edited in step S205 on the label tape TP corresponding to the size of the label image. The step S225 is an example of the creation process.

In step S230, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the page printer 6 was designated as the print output destination printer in step S210. If the label printer 2 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S230: No), the CPU 31 moves to step S235.

In step S235, the CPU 31 acquires, via the communication control unit 35, information about the cartridge 5 mounted in the cartridge holder 24, which is detected by the cartridge sensor 25 in the label printer 2. The information on the cartridge 5 includes tape width information, which is the dimension in the width direction of the label tape TP supplied from the cartridge 5. The step S235 is an example of the acquisition process.

In step S240, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the tape width information acquired in step S235 above matches the tape width size of the print data created in step S225. If the CPU 31 determines that the tape width of the cartridge 5 matches the tape width size of the print data (step S240: Yes), the process proceeds to step S245. The step S240 is an example of the determination process.

In step S245, a print instruction is output to the label printer 2 to print the print data created in the above step S225 on the label tape TP of the cartridge 5 installed in the label printer 2. Thereby, the label printer 2 prints the print data on the label tape TP to create a printed label L. The step S245 is an example of output processing. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S240, if the CPU 31 determines that the tape width of the cartridge 5 and the tape width size of the print data do not match (step S240: No), the process proceeds to step S250.

In step S250, the CPU 31 displays an error message on the display unit 34 or the touch panel 37, indicating that the tape width of the cartridge 5 installed in the label printer 2 does not match the tape width size of the print data. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S230, if the page printer 6 is designated as the print output destination printer (step S230: Yes), the CPU 31 moves to step S255.

In step S255, the CPU 31 obtains information on the size and orientation of the printing paper PS of the page printer 6.

In step S260, the CPU 31 selects one page in which a plurality of label images corresponding to a plurality of label image data are arranged on one sheet of printing paper PS, based on the size and orientation information of the printing paper PS acquired in step S255. For example, it is determined whether or not the print data corresponding to the number of minutes is stored in the mass storage device 36. If the CPU 31 determines that one page worth of print data has been accumulated (step S260: Yes), the CPU 31 moves to the next step S265.

In step S265, the CPU 31 issues a print instruction to print the print data created in step S225 by arranging a label image in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS fed by the page printer 6. Output to page printer 6. Thereby, the page printer 6 arranges and prints the label image in a predetermined size at a predetermined position on the printing paper PS. The step S265 is an example of output processing. After that, this flowchart ends.

Note that in step S260, if the CPU 31 determines that one page's worth of print data has not been accumulated (step S260: No), the CPU 31 moves to the next step S270.

In step S270, the CPU 31 stores print data including label image data to be printed in, for example, the mass storage device 36. The step S270 is an example of accumulation processing. Thereafter, the process returns to step S205.

<Effects of the second embodiment>
Also in the second embodiment described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

<Modified example>
Note that the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and technical idea thereof.

For example, in the above, printing is performed when one page of print data has been accumulated, but the invention is not limited to this, and even if the print data is not accumulated for one page, such as at the timing of a print instruction by the user, etc. , printing may be performed using the print data accumulated at that stage as print data for one page.

Further, in the first embodiment, the print data is accumulated for one page in the label printer 2 and then sent to the page printer 6. However, for example, the print data may be sequentially sent from the label printer 2 to the page printer 6, Printing may be executed after one page of print data is accumulated in step 6.

Further, for example, instead of processing the processing contents shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 only by the CPU 23a of the label printer 2, the CPU 23a and the control unit 62 of the page printer 6 may share the processing and execute each processing. good. Similarly, for example, the processing contents shown in FIG. 13 are not processed only by the CPU 31 of the information terminals 3 and 4, but are shared between the CPU 31 and at least one of the CPU 23a of the label printer 2 and the control unit 62 of the page printer 6. You may execute each process by

In addition, in the above description, when "perpendicular", "parallel", "plane", etc. are described, the descriptions do not have strict meanings. In other words, the terms "perpendicular," "parallel," and "plane" mean "substantially perpendicular," "substantially parallel," and "substantially plane," allowing for design and manufacturing tolerances and errors. .

Furthermore, in the above description, when external dimensions and sizes are described as "same", "equal", "different", etc., the descriptions do not have a strict meaning. In other words, the terms "same," "equal," and "different" mean "substantially the same," "substantially equal," and "substantially different," allowing for design and manufacturing tolerances and errors. .

However, if there is a description of a value that becomes a predetermined judgment criterion or a value that becomes a break, such as a threshold value (see the flowcharts in Figures 5, 6, and 13) or a standard value, ", "Equal", "Different", etc. differ from the above and have strict meanings.

Furthermore, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 13, etc. do not limit the present invention to the steps shown in the above flows, and additions, deletions, and orders of steps may be made within the scope of the spirit and technical idea of the invention. You may make changes, etc.

Further, in addition to the methods described above, the methods according to the above embodiments and each modification may be used in combination as appropriate.

Although not illustrated in detail, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the invention.

1 Printing system 1A Printing system 2 Label printer (an example of image creation device, printing device)
3 Information terminal (an example of an image creation device)
4 Information terminal (an example of image creation device)
6 Page printer (an example of printing device)
21 Display section 22 Input section (an example of an operation section)
23a CPU (an example of a control unit)
27 Print head (an example of the printing section)
28 Mass storage device (an example of a storage unit)
31 CPU (example of control unit, calculation unit)
33 Input section (an example of an operation section)
34 Display section 36 Mass storage device (an example of a storage section)
37 Touch panel (example of operation unit and display unit)
PS Printing paper (an example of paper)
TP label tape (an example of print media)

Claims (11)

An image creation device having a control unit,
The control unit includes:
a creation process for creating label image data representing a label image of a predetermined size;
a reception process that accepts the specification of a printing device;
Output processing for outputting a print instruction to the printing device whose designation is accepted in the reception processing, wherein the print instruction is outputted from the label image when designation of a label printer as the printing device is received in the reception processing. This is an instruction to print data on a print medium corresponding to the predetermined size installed in the label printer, and if a page printer is specified as the printing device in the reception process, the page printer prints the data. the output process, which is an instruction to arrange and print the label image in the predetermined size at a predetermined position on paper;
An image creation device that executes further comprising a storage section;
The control unit further includes:
When the specification of the page printer is accepted in the reception process, executing an accumulation process for accumulating the label image data to be printed in the storage unit;
When a plurality of the label image data are accumulated in the storage unit, in the output process, one page in which a plurality of the label images corresponding to the plurality of accumulated label image data are arranged on one sheet of the paper. 2. The image creation device according to claim 1, wherein the image creation device outputs the print instruction including the print data for the page printer. further comprising an operation section;
The control unit includes:
3. The image creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, in the reception process, a designation of the printing apparatus is accepted based on one piece of printer information selected through the operation unit from among a plurality of pre-registered pieces of printer information. The registered printer information includes printer information of the page printer,
The printer information of the page printer is registered in association with the size information of the paper to be printed by the page printer,
The control unit includes:
When the specification of the page printer is accepted in the reception process, in the output process, the print instruction including the print data for the one page in which the plurality of label images are arranged is output based on the registered size information. The image creation device according to claim 3. The predetermined size is a size that fits within the tape width of a tape that is a print medium printed by the label printer,
The control unit further includes:
If the designation of the label printer as the printing device is accepted in the reception process, an acquisition process of acquiring tape width information of the tape attached to the label printer;
a determination process of determining whether the tape width information acquired in the acquisition process matches the tape width indicated by the predetermined size;
Run
Image creation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when it is determined that they match in the determination process, the print instruction to print the label image data on the tape is output in the output process. Device. The image creation device is the label printer having a printing section,
The control unit includes:
If the designation of the label printer as the printing device is accepted in the reception process, the print instruction for printing the label image data is output to the printing unit in the output process. The image creation device according to any one of the above. further comprising a display section;
The control unit further includes:
The image creation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which performs a display process of displaying on the display unit a print image of a label image corresponding to the printing device whose designation is accepted in the reception process. In the display process, the control unit includes:
When the designation of the label printer is accepted in the reception process, the print image is displayed using the medium color of the print medium installed in the label printer as a background and an image of the print color of the print medium. ,
If the specification of the page printer is accepted in the reception process, displaying the print image using the color set in the label image data created in the creation process;
The image creating device according to claim 7. In the display process, the control unit includes:
If the designation of the label printer is accepted in the reception process, displaying the print image to be printed on one of the print media regardless of the lengthwise dimension of the label image;
If the specification of the page printer is accepted in the acceptance process, and the length of the label image exceeds the size in the longitudinal direction of the paper, displaying the print image divided over multiple pages;
The image creating device according to claim 7. The control unit includes:
Claim 1: When the page printer is designated as the printing device in the reception process, a determination process is executed to determine the orientation of the label image on the sheet of paper according to the length of the label image. The image creation device according to any one of claims 4 to 5. For the calculation unit included in the information processing device,
a creation process for creating label image data representing a label image of a predetermined size;
a reception process that accepts the specification of a printing device;
Output processing for outputting a print instruction to the printing device whose designation is accepted in the reception processing, wherein the print instruction is outputted from the label image when designation of a label printer as the printing device is received in the reception processing. This is an instruction to print data on a print medium corresponding to the predetermined size installed in the label printer, and if a page printer is specified as the printing device in the reception process, the page printer prints the data. the output process, which is an instruction to arrange and print the label image in the predetermined size at a predetermined position on paper;
An image processing program to run.