JP2024033745A - Control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to easily derive a date to be printed on a printing medium. [Solution] A computer (3) that creates a print image (4) to be printed on a printing medium (2) acquires information specifying a period, and sets the acquired information specifying the period and the starting date. This is a control method that executes a process of deriving a date on which a period has elapsed from the starting date and displaying it on a display device (S3) based on the date. [Selection diagram] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a control method and a program.

Some printing devices that print on tape-shaped print media perform printing based on print data obtained from an external device such as a personal computer or a smartphone. Print data can be edited by inserting objects (text boxes, QR codes (registered trademark), other shapes, etc.), inputting characters, setting fonts, etc. on an external device running an editing application. Created by performing an operation. The external device creates a print image and displays it on the display device in response to the editing operation.

Some of the above-mentioned editing applications have a function of inputting a character string indicating a date. By using this type of editing application, it is possible to create a label on which, for example, the expiration date or expiration date of a food product, the storage period of a desired product or information (data), etc. are printed.

Furthermore, as a technology related to creating labels with dates printed on them, Cited Document 1 describes that the date and time when a product file was updated based on updated product data distributed from a host machine is recorded in the product file as a timestamp. A product file storage device is described that outputs and prints the update date and time of product data recorded as a time stamp to a printer when starting online processing with the product.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-157659

However, when creating a label with the above-mentioned date printed thereon, for example, it has not been possible to derive the date on which a desired period of time has elapsed from the starting date on the application used to create the label.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique that can easily derive the date to be printed on a printing medium.

In a control method according to one aspect of the present invention, a computer that creates a print image to be printed on a printing medium acquires information specifying a period, and combines the acquired information specifying the period with a starting date set. This control method executes a process of deriving a date on which the period has elapsed from the starting date based on the date and displaying it on a display device.

According to the above aspect, the date to be printed on the printing medium can be easily derived.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a label creation method using an information processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transitions in the information processing device that is executing the label creation application according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying a date using a time stamp function according to the first embodiment. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by the information processing device that executes the label creation application according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transitions in an information processing device that is executing a label creation application according to a second embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by an information processing device that executes a label creation application according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions in an information processing device that is executing a label creation application according to a third embodiment. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by an information processing device that executes a label creation application according to a third embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a label creation method using an information processing device.

The printing device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is capable of creating a label by printing on a tape-shaped printing medium 2 based on print data. More specifically, the printing device 1 is capable of wireless or wired communication with the information processing device 3 and performs printing based on print data transmitted from the information processing device 3 (obtained from the information processing device 3). It is possible to print on the print medium 2. The information processing device 3 is a device that can execute a label creation application associated with the printing device 1 and can communicate with the printing device 1 wirelessly or by wire. The information processing device 3 may be, for example, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like. The configuration, function, and operation of the printing device 1, as well as the types of print media 2 that can be used, etc., are well known. The printing device 1 may have a function of cutting the printing medium 2 in addition to the function of printing on the printing medium 2. The combinations of the configuration, functions, and operations of the printing device 1 that can be used in combination with the present invention, as well as the types of print media 2 that can be used are not limited to specific combinations. Therefore, detailed description of the printing device 1 will be omitted in this specification.

The information processing device 3 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a touch panel display 300 in which a position detection device (for example, a digitizer) as an input device is arranged on a display area of the display device. The information processing device 3 running the label creation application creates a print image 4 in response to editing operations such as inserting objects (text boxes, QR codes, other shapes, etc.), inputting characters, setting fonts, etc. can be created and displayed on the touch panel display 300. When an operation for executing printing (creating a label) is performed on the information processing device 3, the information processing device 3 creates print data including image data corresponding to the print image 4 and sends it to the printing device 1. Send to. By making it possible to send print data created using the information processing device 3 to the printing device 1 and printing it, for example, one printing device 1 can be shared by multiple users. be able to.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device.

The information processing device 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes a processor 301, a memory 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, an input device 304, a display device 305, a communication device 306, and an input/output interface 307. These hardware components 301 to 307 in the information processing device 3 are interconnected by a bus 308. Note that the hardware component represented by one block in the information processing device 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 is not limited to a single piece of hardware, and may include two or more separate pieces of hardware.

The processor 301 executes an OS (Operating System) program and application programs such as a label creation application 310 to be described later, and provides various functions. Processor 301 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). For example, in addition to the CPU, the processor 301 may include one or both of a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit).

The memory 302 and the auxiliary storage device 303 store programs executed by the processor 301, data required when the processor 301 executes the programs, data generated by the processor 301, and the like. The memory 302 is sometimes called a main storage device, main memory, primary storage device, internal storage device, etc., and includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage device 303 is sometimes called a secondary storage device, an external storage device, or the like, and can be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like.

When executed by the processor 301, the label creation application 310 in the auxiliary storage device 303 illustrated in FIG. This is a program that allows you to When the label creation application 310 is executed in the information processing device 3, part or all of the program included in the label creation application 310 is loaded from the auxiliary storage device 303 to the memory 302. Memory 302 and auxiliary storage 303 may be examples of non-transitory computer-readable storage media that store label creation application 310.

The input device 304 accepts input operations to the information processing device 3 . The input device 304 can include the position detection device of the touch panel display 300 described above. Input device 304 can include one or more hardware (eg, a button switch, a slide switch, a keyboard, a mouse, etc.) that is separate from the position sensing device. The display device 305 visualizes and displays various information. The display device 305 may be, for example, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

The communication device 306 communicates with the printing device 1 wirelessly or by wire. For example, the communication device 306 wirelessly communicates with the printing device 1 according to at least one of short-range wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark). It can be a device that performs The communication device 306 may be able to communicate with the printing device 1 via a transmission cable such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable. In addition to the function of communicating with the printing apparatus 1, the communication device 306 may have a function of communicating with an external device via a communication network such as the Internet. The information processing device 3 that can communicate with an external device via a communication network can download the label creation application 310 from an external device (for example, a server device) via the communication network, for example.

The input/output interface 307 is a hardware interface that connects peripheral devices to the information processing device 3. The input/output interface 307 includes, for example, a USB port. The information processing device 3 may be communicably connected to the printing device 1 by, for example, a USB cable having one end connected to a USB port of the input/output interface 307 and the other end connected to a USB port of the printing device 1.

Note that the information processing device 3 may include hardware components other than those described above with reference to FIG. 2. For example, the information processing device 3 may include a slot (medium access device) for accessing a storage area of a card-type storage device (sometimes called a memory card) to read and write information. Further, the information processing device 3 may be one in which either the input/output interface 307 or the communication device 306 is omitted, for example. Furthermore, a plurality of hardware components shown as two or more blocks in the information processing device 3 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be integrated into a single piece of hardware. For example, the plurality of hardware components of the information processing device 3 may be provided by FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), SoC (System on Chip), etc.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transitions in the information processing device that is executing the label creation application according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows an example of the label area setting screen 410. The label area setting screen 410 includes a label image display area 411, a label direction setting area 412, a margin setting area 413, and a switching area 414.

The label image display area 411 displays a label area 415 showing the outer shape of the printing medium in the label to be created, a menu 416 for selecting an object to be inserted into the label area 415, and the inserted objects. The "width direction" in the label image display area 411 is the width direction of the printing medium 2 (see FIG. 1) on which the printing device 1 prints, and is the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the printing medium 2 during printing. It is. The character string "width direction" and the arrow indicating the width direction may be displayed within the label image display area 411 or may be hidden.

In the label image display area 411, a square labeled "Wmm" located to the left of the label area 415 and a square labeled "Lmm" positioned above the label area 415 are respectively printed by the printing device 1. The vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the label (print medium 2) created by the method are shown. These squares may be operation buttons for setting the vertical dimension and the horizontal dimension of the label (print medium 2) created by the printing device 1. When the width direction is the vertical direction, the vertical dimension can be set by selecting from among the widths of the printing medium 2 that can be used for printing by the printing device 1, and the horizontal dimension can be set by selecting from among the widths of the printing medium 2 that can be used for printing by the printing device 1. 1, the length can be set to be longer than the minimum dimension when printing on the printing medium 2.

The menu 416 displayed in the label image display area 411 includes, for example, a selection section for selecting input of characters, a selection section for selecting input of pictograms, a timestamp selection section 416a for selecting input of date or period, and a selection section for selecting input of images. It includes a selection section for selecting an input.

The label direction setting area 412 is an area for setting the label direction associated with the above-mentioned "width direction". The direction of the label is a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned "width direction" and may be the direction in which the printing medium 2 is transported when the printing device 1 prints on the printing medium 2. When the label direction is set to "horizontal", as illustrated in the label image display area 411, the width direction becomes the vertical direction (the vertical direction of the screen), and the transport direction of the printing medium 2 during printing becomes the horizontal direction (the vertical direction of the screen). The label area 415 is displayed in an orientation (left-right direction). When the label direction is set to "portrait", for example, as will be described later with reference to FIG. The label area 415 is set in an orientation that corresponds to the vertical direction of the screen.

The margin setting area 413 is an area for setting the dimensions of the margin provided on the outer periphery of the label area 415. In the margin setting area 413 illustrated in FIG. It can be set in one of three ways. In the margin setting area 413, for example, the dimensions of the margins from the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the label area 415 may be set using specific numerical values.

The switching area 414 is an area for switching the label image display area 411 between an editable state and a non-editable state. When "edit" is specified in the switching area 414, operations such as setting the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the label area, setting the label direction, and setting margins can be performed. Furthermore, when "edit" is specified in the switching area 414, editing operations such as inserting an object into the label image display area 411, inputting characters, and changing the font can be performed. If "preview" is specified in the switching area 414, the above-mentioned operations cannot be performed.

When "edit" is specified in the switching area 414 of the label area setting screen 410, if you select the time stamp selection part 416a in the menu 416 in the label image display area 411, the screen shown in FIG. 3(b) will be displayed. The screen changes to a time stamp setting screen 420 as shown in FIG. The timestamp setting screen 420 includes a date display section 421, a date specification section 422, a format specification section 423, and a timespan selection section 424.

The date display section 421 displays the date to be inserted into the label image display area 411.

The date designation section 422 designates a date to be displayed on the date display section 421. The date designation section 422 can, for example, designate a desired date from among the dates displayed on the calendar. The date designation unit 422 is used, for example, to designate a starting date when a time span function, which will be described later, is enabled.

The format specification section 423 specifies the display format of the date. The date display format shown in FIG. 3 is a format in which the year (YYYY), month (MM), and day (DD) of the Western calendar are separated by slashes "/". Examples of display formats include a format where the year (YYYY), month (MM), and day (DD) of the Western calendar are displayed as "YYYY year MM month DD day," or a format where the year is expressed using the Japanese era name (for example, Including "MM, MM, DD, Reiwa Y").

The time span selection unit 424 selects whether to enable the time span function. The time span in this embodiment provides a function of deriving a date after a predetermined period (days, months, or years) has elapsed from the date specified in the date designation section 422. The time span selection unit 424 in FIG. 3B is in an OFF state, and the time span selection unit 424 in FIG. 4C is in an ON state. If you select the "Confirm" button 427 located at the top right of the timestamp setting screen 420 when the timespan selection section 424 is in the OFF state, the date displayed on the date display section 421 will change as shown in FIG. and is inserted into the label image display area 411 described above. When the time span selection section 424 is turned on, a period unit designation section 425 and a period input section 426 are additionally displayed on the time stamp setting screen 420, as shown in FIG. 3(c).

The period unit designation section 425 specifies whether the period unit is "day", "month", or "year". The period input section 426 inputs a numerical value indicating a period. In the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. and the date designated by the date designation unit 422 are the same. Thereafter, for example, when a numerical value indicating a desired period is input into the period input section 426, the date displayed on the date display section 421 is changed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of displaying dates using the time stamp function according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows an example in which "14" is input as a numerical value indicating a period in the period input section 426 on the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 3(c). Further, the date specified by the date specification section 422 is "2022/08/08 (August 8, 2022)", and the period unit specification section 425 specifies "day". Therefore, "2022/08/22 (August 22, 2022)", which is the date 14 days have passed since August 8, 2022, is displayed in the date display section 421 of the time stamp setting screen 420. . After this, for example, if you select the "Confirm" button 427 located at the top right of the time stamp setting screen 420, the date displayed in the date display section 421 will be displayed in the label image display area 411 described above with reference to FIG. inserted into.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by the information processing device that executes the label creation application according to the first embodiment. The information processing device 3 that executes the label creation application 310 according to the present embodiment performs a process when an operation to select the time stamp selection section 416a (see (a) in FIG. 3) in the label image display area 411 is performed. , performs date input processing as illustrated in FIG. Note that the process according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 5 is forcibly terminated, for example, when the "Cancel" button at the top left of the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 4 is pressed.

The information processing device 3 that has started the date input process first sets a starting date (step S1). The starting date is set, for example, to the date on which the date input process is started based on the calendar function within the information processing device 3. In step S1, the information processing device 3 displays the set starting date on the date display section 421 and date designation section 422 of the time stamp setting screen 420. Further, in step S1, a change in the starting date by operating the date designation section 422 is accepted.

Next, the information processing device 3 determines whether the time span function is ON (step S2). In step S2, the information processing device 3 determines, for example, whether the above-described time span selection unit 424 is turned on. Note that the ON/OFF switching of the timespan selection section 424 can be performed at any timing after the timestamp setting screen 420 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to ON/OFF switching of the time span selection unit 424 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG. If the time span selection unit 424 is not turned on (step S2; NO), the information processing device 3 skips the process of step S3, which will be described later, and determines whether or not the "confirm" button 427 has been pressed. (Step S5).

On the other hand, if the time span function is ON (step S2; YES), the information processing device 3 derives and displays the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date (step S3). In step S3, the information processing device 3 displays, for example, the "day", "month", and "year" specified by the above-mentioned period unit designation section 425, and the numerical value input into the period input section 426. The date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date is derived, with the period set as the desired period. At this time, the information processing device 3 derives the date, for example, by setting the day after the starting date as the first day of the desired period. Note that the designation of "day", "month", and "year" by the period unit designation section 425 and the input of numerical values into the period input section 426 are performed at any timing after the timespan function is turned on. be able to. Therefore, the process related to specifying a desired period by the period unit designation section 425 and the period input section 426 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

After the process in step S3, or when the time span selection unit 424 is turned off (step S2; NO), the information processing device 3 next determines whether or not the "confirm" button 427 has been pressed. (Step S4). If it has not been pressed (step S4; NO), the information processing device 3 repeats the processing from step S2 onwards. Then, when the "confirm" button 427 is pressed (step S4; YES), the information processing device 3 labels, for example, an object whose confirmed date is the date displayed on the date display section 421 at that time. It is inserted into the label area 415 (see FIG. 3(a)) of the image display area 411 (step S5), and the date input process is completed.

In this way, the timestamp function according to the present embodiment allows the information processing device 3 to derive the date after which the set period has elapsed from the starting date by setting the date that is the starting date and the period from the starting date. do. Therefore, the user can save the effort of using a calendar or the like to calculate the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date. Further, since the date calculated and derived by the information processing device 3, which may be a computer, can be inserted into the print image as an object, it is possible to prevent printing errors due to misalignment of the date due to calculation errors. Particularly, when the date after a desired period has elapsed from the starting date falls on or after the month that includes the starting date, it is possible to prevent the date from being shifted due to a calculation error.

Further, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment is expressed by the "day", "month", and "year" specified by the period unit designation section 425 described above, and a numerical value input into the period input section 426. The date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date is derived, with the period set as the desired period. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the area for displaying a desired period on the display screen, and even in an information processing device 3 such as a smartphone, which has a restriction on the amount of information that can be displayed at one time. A lot of information can be displayed at once.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transitions in the information processing device that is executing the label creation application according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6A shows an example of the initial state of the time stamp setting screen 420 according to this embodiment. In the information processing device 3 according to the present embodiment, for example, by selecting the time stamp selection section 416a from the menu 416 displayed in the label image display area 411 of the label area setting screen 410 illustrated in FIG. , the display screen switches to the time stamp setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 6(a).

The timestamp setting screen 420 according to the present embodiment includes a period display selection section 428 in addition to a date display section 421, a date specification section 422, a format specification section 423, and a timespan selection section 424. The functions of the date display section 421, date specification section 422, format specification section 423, and time span selection section 424 in this embodiment may be the functions described in the first embodiment. The period display selection unit 428 in this actual device mode switches the display of the date display unit 421 between displaying the day when a desired period has passed from the starting date and displaying the period (number of days) from the starting date to the desired date. . When the timespan selection section 424 is turned on and the period display selection section 428 is turned off, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6(b), a period unit designation section 425 and a period input section 426 are additionally displayed. , the date display section 421 displays the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date. In the timestamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 6B, the starting date (for example, the date specified by the date specification section 422) is August 8, 2022, and the desired period is 14 days. , August 22, 2022 is displayed on the date display section 421.

Further, when the timespan selection section 424 is turned on and the period display selection section 428 is turned on, the period unit designation section 425 and the period input section 426 are hidden, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6(c). , an end date designation section 429 is newly displayed. The end date designation section 429 designates the end date of the period. The method of specifying the end date by the end date specifying section 429 may be the same as the method of specifying the date (starting date) by the date specifying section 422.

In the timestamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 6(c), the starting date (for example, the date specified by the date specifying section 422) is August 8, 2022, and the ending date is August 31, 2022. It is. Therefore, when the day after the starting date is the first day of the period, "23 days", which is the number of days from the starting date to the ending date, is displayed on the date display section 421.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by an information processing device that executes a label creation application according to the second embodiment. The information processing device 3 that executes the label creation application 310 according to the present embodiment performs a process when an operation to select the time stamp selection section 416a (see (a) in FIG. 3) in the label image display area 411 is performed. , performs date input processing as illustrated in FIG. Note that the process according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 7 is forcibly terminated, for example, when the "Cancel" button at the upper left of the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 6 is pressed.

The information processing device 3 that has started the date input process first sets a starting date (step S11). Since step S11 corresponds to step S1 of the date input process described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, detailed explanation of the process of step S11 will be omitted in this embodiment.

Next, the information processing device 3 determines whether the time span function is ON (step S12). Step S12 corresponds to step S2 of the date input process described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. In step S22, the information processing device 3 determines, for example, whether the above-described time span selection unit 424 is turned on. Note that the ON/OFF switching of the timespan selection section 424 can be performed at any timing after the timestamp setting screen 420 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to ON/OFF switching of the time span selection unit 424 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.
If the time span selection unit 424 is not turned on (step S12; NO), the information processing device 3 skips steps S13 to S15, which will be described later, and determines whether or not the "confirm" button 427 has been pressed. (Step S16).

On the other hand, if the time span function is turned on (step S12; YES), the information processing device 3 next determines whether the period display selection section 428 is turned on (step S13). If the period display selection unit 428 is not turned on (step S13; NO), the information processing device 3 derives and displays the date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date (step S14). Since the process in step S14 corresponds to the process in step S3 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 5, a detailed explanation of the process in step S14 will be omitted in this embodiment. In addition, when specifying "day", "month", and "year" by the period unit designation section 425 and inputting numerical values into the period input section 426, the timespan function is turned on and the period unit designation section 425 and the period input This can be done at any timing while the section 426 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to specifying a desired period using the period unit designation section 425 and the period input section 426 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Further, if the period display selection section 428 is turned ON (step S13; YES), the information processing device 3 derives the period (number of days) from the start date to the end date specified by the end date specification section 429. and is displayed (step S15). In step S15, the information processing device 3 derives the period (number of days) until the end date, for example, by setting the day after the starting date as the first day of the period to be derived. Note that the end date can be specified by the end date designation section 429 at any timing while the period display selection section 428 is turned on and the end date designation section 429 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to specifying the end date by the end date designation unit 429 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

After the processing in step S14 or S15, or when the time span selection unit 424 is turned off (step S12; NO), the information processing device 3 next determines whether the "confirm" button 427 has been pressed or not. is determined (step S16). If it has not been pressed (step S16; NO), the information processing device 3 repeats the processing from step S12 onwards. Then, when the "confirm" button 427 is pressed (step S17; YES), the information processing device 3 selects the object whose fixed date or period is the date or period displayed on the date display section 421 at that time. , for example, into the label area 415 of the label image display area 411 (see FIG. 3(a)) (step S17), and the date input process ends.

In this way, the timestamp function according to the present embodiment allows the information processing device 3 to derive the date after which the set period has elapsed from the starting date by setting the date that is the starting date and the period from the starting date. do. Therefore, the user can save the effort of using a calendar or the like to calculate the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date. Further, since the date calculated and derived by the information processing device 3, which may be a computer, can be inserted into the print image as an object, it is possible to prevent printing errors due to misalignment of the date due to calculation errors. Particularly, when the date after a desired period has elapsed from the starting date falls on or after the month that includes the starting date, it is possible to prevent the date from being shifted due to a calculation error.

Further, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment is expressed by the "day", "month", and "year" specified by the period unit designation section 425 described above, and a numerical value input into the period input section 426. The date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date is derived, with the period set as the desired period. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the area for displaying a desired period on the display screen, and even in an information processing device 3 such as a smartphone, which has a restriction on the amount of information that can be displayed at one time. A lot of information can be displayed at once.

Furthermore, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment allows the information processing device 3 to calculate the period (number of days) from the starting date to the ending date by inputting the starting date and the ending date of the period. Derive. Therefore, it is possible to save the user's time and effort in calculating the period, and to prevent printing errors due to calculation errors or input errors.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of screen transitions in the information processing device that is executing the label creation application according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8A shows an example of the initial state of the time stamp setting screen 420 according to this embodiment. In the information processing device 3 according to the present embodiment, for example, by selecting the time stamp selection section 416a from the menu 416 displayed in the label image display area 411 of the label area setting screen 410 illustrated in FIG. , the display screen switches to the time stamp setting screen 420 shown in FIG. 8(a).

The timestamp setting screen 420 according to the present embodiment includes a period specification selection section 430 and a period display selection section 428 in addition to a date display section 421, a date specification section 422, and a format specification section 423. The functions of the date display section 421, date specification section 422, and format specification section 423 in this embodiment may be the functions described in the first embodiment. The period designation selection section 430 has the same function as the time span selection section 424 described in the first embodiment. Further, the period display selection section 428 in this embodiment has a similar function to the period display selection section 428 described in the second embodiment. Note that the period designation selection section 430 and the period display selection section 428 on the time stamp setting screen 420 in this embodiment allow exclusive selection operations. That is, in the time stamp setting screen 420 of this embodiment, when the period designation selection section 430 is turned on, the date on which a desired period has passed from the starting date can be displayed on the date display section 421, and when the period display selection section 428 is turned on, When turned ON, the period (number of days) from the starting date to the desired date can be displayed on the date display section 421.

In the timestamp setting screen 420 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the period designation selection section 430 is turned on, the period unit designation section 425 and the period input section 426 are activated, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b). This is additionally displayed, and the date display section 421 displays the day on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date. In the timestamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 8B, the starting date (for example, the date specified by the date specification section 422) is August 8, 2022, and the desired period is 14 days. , August 22, 2022 is displayed on the date display section 421.

Furthermore, when the period designation selection section 430 is turned on, the display of the period display selection section 428 on the timestamp setting screen 420 is changed to, for example, a display indicating that the operation on the period display selection section 428 is disabled. Ru. At this time, the display of the period display selection section 428 is displayed in a lighter color (e.g., black) than the text (e.g., black) of the period designation selection section 430, etc., in which the operation is valid, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b). (for example, gray).

On the other hand, in the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 8(a), when the period display selection section 428 is turned ON, for example, as illustrated in FIG. The date display section 421 displays the period (number of days) from the starting date to the desired date. In the timestamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 8(c), the starting date (for example, the date specified by the date specifying section 422) is August 8, 2022, and the end date is August 31, 2022. It is. Therefore, when the day after the starting date is the first day of the period, "23 days", which is the number of days from the starting date to the ending date, is displayed on the date display section 421.

Further, when the period display selection section 428 is turned ON, the display of the period specification selection section 430 on the time stamp setting screen 420 is changed to, for example, a display indicating that the operation on the period specification selection section 430 is disabled. Ru. At this time, the display of the period designation selection section 430 is displayed in a lighter color (for example, black) than the characters (for example, black) of the period display selection section 428, etc., in which the operation is valid, as illustrated in FIG. 8C. (for example, gray).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of date input processing performed by an information processing device that executes a label creation application according to the third embodiment. The information processing device 3 that executes the label creation application 310 according to the present embodiment performs a process when an operation to select the time stamp selection section 416a (see (a) in FIG. 3) in the label image display area 411 is performed. , performs date input processing as illustrated in FIG. Note that the process according to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 9 is forcibly terminated when, for example, the "Cancel" button at the top left of the time stamp setting screen 420 illustrated in FIG. 8 is pressed.

The information processing device 3 that has started the date input process first sets a starting date (step S21). Since step S21 corresponds to step S1 of the date input process described with reference to FIG. 5 in the first embodiment, detailed explanation of the process of step S21 will be omitted in this embodiment.

Next, the information processing device 3 determines whether the setting of the time span function is period designation, period display, or no setting (step S22). In step S22, the information processing device 3 determines, for example, whether one of the period designation selection section 430 and the period display selection section 428 described above is turned on, or whether both are turned off. Note that switching ON/OFF of the period designation selection section 430 and switching ON/OFF of the period display selection section 428 can be performed at any timing after the timestamp setting screen 420 is displayed. Therefore, the processing related to ON/OFF switching of the period designation selection section 430 and ON/OFF switching of the period display selection section 428 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When both the period designation selection section 430 and the period display selection section 428 are OFF (step S22; "no"), the information processing device 3 skips step S23 or S24, which will be described later, and selects the "confirm" button 427. It is determined whether or not has been pressed (step S25).

If the period designation selection unit 430 is turned on (step S22; "Period Designation"), the information processing device 3 derives and displays the date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date. (Step S23). Since the process of step S23 corresponds to the process of step S3 described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG. 5, detailed explanation of the process of step S23 will be omitted in this embodiment. In addition, when specifying "day", "month", and "year" by the period unit designation section 425 and inputting numerical values to the period input section 426, the period designation selection section 430 is turned on, and the period unit designation section 425 and This can be done at any timing while the period input section 426 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to specifying a desired period using the period unit designation section 425 and the period input section 426 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the period display selection unit 428 is turned on (step S22; “period display”), the information processing device 3 displays the period (number of days) from the start date to the end date specified by the end date designation unit 429. It is derived and displayed (step S24). In step S24, the information processing device 3 derives the period (number of days) until the end date, for example, by setting the day after the starting date as the first day of the period to be derived. Note that the end date can be specified by the end date designation section 429 at any timing while the period display selection section 428 is turned on and the end date designation section 429 is displayed. Therefore, the process related to specifying the end date by the end date designation unit 429 is not clearly shown in the flowchart of FIG.

After the processing in step S23 or S24, or when both the period designation selection section 430 and the period display selection section 428 are OFF (step S22; "no"), the information processing device 3 next selects "confirmation". ” button 427 has been pressed (step S25). If it has not been pressed (step S25; NO), the information processing device 3 repeats the processing from step S22 onwards. Then, when the "confirm" button 427 is pressed (step S25; YES), the information processing device 3 selects the object whose date or period is the fixed date or period displayed on the date display section 421 at that time. , for example, into the label area 415 of the label image display area 411 (see FIG. 3(a)) (step S26), and the date input process ends.

In this way, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment allows the information processing device 3 to derive the date after which the input period has elapsed since the starting date by inputting the date that is the starting date and the period from the starting date. do. Therefore, the user can save the effort of using a calendar or the like to calculate the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date. Further, since the date calculated and derived by the information processing device 3, which may be a computer, can be inserted into the print image as an object, it is possible to prevent printing errors due to misalignment of the date due to calculation errors. Particularly, when the date after a desired period has elapsed from the starting date falls on or after the month that includes the starting date, it is possible to prevent the date from being shifted due to a calculation error.

Further, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment is expressed by the "day", "month", and "year" specified by the period unit designation section 425 described above, and a numerical value input into the period input section 426. The date on which the desired period has elapsed from the starting date is derived, with the period set as the desired period. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the increase in the area for displaying a desired period on the display screen, and even in an information processing device 3 such as a smartphone, which has a restriction on the amount of information that can be displayed at one time. A lot of information can be displayed at once.

Furthermore, the time stamp function according to the present embodiment allows the information processing device 3 to calculate the period (number of days) from the starting date to the ending date by inputting the starting date and the ending date of the period. Derive. Therefore, it is possible to save the user's time and effort in calculating the period, and to prevent printing errors due to calculation errors or input errors.

In addition, the timestamp function according to the present embodiment includes a process of deriving and displaying the date on which a desired period has passed from the start date, and a process of deriving and displaying the period from the start date to the end date. It is possible to select exclusively and have the information processing device 3 perform the processing. Therefore, the user can clearly understand which process to select and which process has been selected on the time stamp setting screen 420. For example, although not shown, depending on the size of the display area on the display device 305 of the information processing device 3, the magnification rate of the display image, etc., the date or period (number of days) that should be displayed in the date display section 421 may vary. It is possible that a portion of the image may extend off the screen and not be displayed. Even in such a case, the timestamp function according to the present embodiment sets the date on which a desired period has elapsed from the starting date based on which of the period designation selection section 430 and the period display selection section 428 is ON (valid). It is possible to grasp which process is selected: the process of deriving and displaying the period from the start date to the end date, or the process of deriving and displaying the period from the start date to the end date.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative to facilitate understanding of the invention. That is, the control method and program according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

For example, the date input processing described above with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and 9 is merely an example of the date input processing in each of the embodiments described above. The date input process according to the present invention can be modified or added without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the process of deriving the date on which a predetermined period has elapsed from the starting date and inserting it as an object may be performed by inserting the object (two-column text) including the starting date and the derived date. In addition, if processing is performed to derive the date on which a predetermined period has elapsed from the start date and insert it as an object, for example, if the start date is printed on a label printed on the print medium 2, and the derived date is printed on the print medium It is also possible to generate print data that causes the printing device 1 to create the label printed on the label 2.

Further, the time stamp screens 420 shown in FIGS. 3 to 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 are merely examples of the time stamp setting screen 420 displayed in the date input processing of each of the above-described embodiments. On the time stamp setting screen 420 according to the present invention, displayed items can be changed or added without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the process of creating a print image (print data) including the date input process, which is described as being performed by the information processing apparatus 3 that communicates with the printing apparatus 1 wirelessly or by wire, is performed by the printing apparatus 1. It may be performed by one computer.

Hereinafter, the invention described in the original claims of this application will be additionally described.
[Additional note 1]
A computer that creates a print image to be printed on a print medium,
Get information specifying the period,
The method is characterized in that, based on the acquired information specifying the period and a date set as the starting date, a process is executed to derive a date on which the period has elapsed from the starting date and display it on a display device. Control method.
[Additional note 2]
The control method according to appendix 1, wherein the computer further executes a process of inserting the date displayed on the display device into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium.
[Additional note 3]
Supplementary Note 1, wherein the computer further executes a process of inserting the starting date and the date after which the period has elapsed from the starting date into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium. control method.
[Additional note 4]
The computer includes:
Get information specifying the end date of the period,
Based on the obtained information specifying the end date of the period and the date set as the starting date, the method further comprises: deriving the number of days from the starting date to the ending date of the period and displaying it on a display device; The control method according to appendix 1, characterized in that the control method is executed.
[Additional note 5]
The control method according to appendix 4, wherein the computer further executes a process of inserting the number of days displayed on the display device into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium.
[Additional note 6]
The control method according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the computer further executes a process of transmitting print data including the created print image to a printing device that prints on a printing medium. .
[Additional note 7]
6. The control method according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, wherein the computer further executes a process of printing on a printing medium based on print data including the created print image.
[Additional note 8]
A computer that creates a print image to be printed on a print medium,
Get information specifying the period,
The method is characterized in that, based on the obtained information specifying the period and a date set as the starting date, a process of deriving a date on which the period has elapsed from the starting date and displaying it on a display device is executed. program.

1 Printing device 2 Printing medium 3 Information processing device 300 Touch panel display 301 Processor 302 Memory 303 Auxiliary storage device 304 Input device 305 Display device 306 Communication device 307 Input/output interface 308 Bus 310 Label creation application 4 Print image 410 Label area setting screen 411 Label image display area 415 Label area 416 Menu 416a Time stamp selection section 416a
420 Time stamp setting screen 421 Date display section 422 Date specification section 423 Format specification section 424 Time span selection section 425 Period unit specification section 426 Period input section 427 ("Confirm") button 428 Period display selection section 429 End date specification section 430 Period specification selection section

Claims (8)

A computer that creates a print image to be printed on a print medium,
Get information specifying the period,
The method is characterized in that, based on the acquired information specifying the period and a date set as the starting date, a process is executed to derive a date on which the period has elapsed from the starting date and display it on a display device. Control method. 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the computer further executes a process of inserting the date displayed on the display device into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium. 2. The computer further executes a process of inserting the starting date and the date after which the period has elapsed from the starting date into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium. Control method described. The computer includes:
Get information specifying the end date of the period,
Based on the obtained information specifying the end date of the period and the date set as the starting date, the method further comprises: deriving the number of days from the starting date to the ending date of the period and displaying it on a display device; The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: 5. The control method according to claim 4, wherein the computer further executes a process of inserting the number of days displayed on the display device into a print image as an object to be printed on a printing medium. The control according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer further executes a process of transmitting print data including the created print image to a printing device that prints on a printing medium. Method. 6. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the computer further executes a process of printing on a print medium based on print data including the created print image. A computer that creates a print image to be printed on a print medium,
Get information specifying the period,
The method is characterized in that, based on the obtained information specifying the period and a date set as the starting date, a process of deriving a date on which the period has elapsed from the starting date and displaying it on a display device is executed. program.

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