JP5708366B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a user interface function that allows a user to perform an input operation in an interactive manner, and for the user to edit an image printed on a label, and an image processing program used therefor.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that allows a user to edit various images interactively is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a tape printer in which registered document data is inserted at a paragraph break before and after a portion to be inserted when paragraph-unit registered document data is inserted into edited document data. .

JP-A-11-157135

  In a conventional image processing apparatus, an image printed on a label created by a tape printer (hereinafter referred to as a label image) can also be edited. For example, the user uses an image processing apparatus to set an object (a group of characters, graphics, etc.) to be placed on the label image, place an object on the label image, or adjust the size of the placed object. Sometimes.

  If a user wants to create a plurality of different label images including common information (for example, the same character string or image), the user needs to set common information for each label image on the editing screen. was there. In particular, when such a label editing is performed on a computer terminal (for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.) equipped with a small display, the display area of the editing screen (that is, the work area for label editing) is narrow, so that the user The operation burden of was heavy. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot solve the above-mentioned problem due to the narrowness of the display area.

  An object of the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the operation burden on a user who performs label editing in a narrow display area and improving the work efficiency of image editing, and the image processing apparatus. It is to provide an image processing program used for the above.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is capable of switching and displaying a plurality of screens for a user to edit a label image in an interactive manner, and detecting a manipulation on the displayed screen, At least when the start of editing the label image is instructed, a first screen including a key image for a user to input a character or a decoration image is input from the key image and first screen control means for displaying on the touch panel An object generation unit that generates an object that can be placed on the label image for each predetermined unit of the character or the decoration image, and when the end of the first screen is instructed, the object generation unit A second screen from which the user can select the object to be placed on the label image from the object. Second screen control means for displaying on the touch panel, object placement means for placing the object selected on the second screen on the label image along a predetermined pattern, and termination of the second screen are instructed. A third screen control means for displaying, on the touch panel, a third screen on which the user can change at least one of the position and the size of the object on the label image on which the object is placed by the object placement means And updating the label image included in the third screen based on the changed object as at least one of the position and size of the object is changed on the third screen. Means.

  An image processing program according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a touch panel that enables a user to switch and display a plurality of screens for interactively editing a label image, and detects an operation on the displayed screen. When the computer is instructed to start editing at least the label image, a first screen control step for displaying on the touch panel a first screen including a key image for a user to input a character or a decoration image; An object generation step for generating an object that can be placed on the label image for each character or decoration image in a predetermined unit input from a key image, and when the end of the first screen is instructed, the object generation step From the object generated by the user, the user places it on the label image A second screen control step for displaying a second screen on which the object can be selected on the touch panel; and an object placement step for placing the object selected on the second screen on the label image along a predetermined pattern. And when the end of the second screen is instructed, a third screen on which the user can change at least one of the position and the size of the object on the label image on which the object is arranged in the object arranging step. A third screen control step for displaying on the touch panel; and at least one of the position and the size of the object on the third screen is changed, and the label image included in the third screen is changed. And a label image updating step for updating based on the object

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, an object is generated when a user inputs a predetermined unit of character or decoration image from a key image on the first screen. When the user selects an object to be arranged on the label image on the second screen displayed after the end of the first screen, the selected object is arranged in a predetermined pattern on the label image. When the user changes at least one of the position and size of the object on the label image on the third screen displayed after the end of the second screen, the label image is updated based on the changed object.

  In this way, the first to third screens configured according to the function of inputting, selecting, and changing the objects are sequentially displayed, and the user can freely edit the label image simply by inputting necessary information on each screen. Each of the first to third screens configured by function can be configured with a narrow display area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operation burden on the user who performs label editing in a narrow display area and improve the work efficiency of image editing.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing system 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a printing system 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of layout information 40 stored in an HDD 24. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of an object 50 stored in an HDD 24. FIG. It is a flowchart of an image editing process. It is a flowchart of an object generation process. It is a figure which shows the content input screen 60 displayed on the portable terminal 20. FIG. It is a flowchart of an object selection process. It is a figure which shows the object selection screen 70 displayed on the portable terminal 20. FIG. It is a flowchart of an object arrangement process. It is a flowchart of an object edit process. It is a figure which shows the object edit screen 80 displayed on the portable terminal 20. FIG. FIG. 10 is another diagram showing an object editing screen 80 displayed on the mobile terminal 20.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. These drawings are used to explain technical features that can be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the apparatus, the flowcharts of various processes, and the like that are described are not intended to be limited to only that, but are merely illustrative examples.

  An overview of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing system 1 includes a printing apparatus 10 and a mobile terminal 20 that are connected by wire or wireless. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 10 and the mobile terminal 20 are connected by the cable 2. The printing apparatus 10 is a small-sized label printer that prints characters (characters, symbols, graphics, etc.) on a tape, which is a long print medium, and creates a label that can be pasted. The portable terminal 20 is a small computer terminal (for example, a smartphone) used by a user to edit a label to be printed.

  In the mobile terminal 20, when the user edits the label, image data indicating the editing content is generated and transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 via the cable 2. The printing apparatus 10 performs a printing process on a tape based on the image data received from the mobile terminal 20 to create a label. Therefore, the user can create a label with the printing apparatus 10 by operating the mobile terminal 20.

  The electrical configuration of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11 that controls the entire control of the printing apparatus 10. The CPU 11 is electrically connected to the SRAM 12, FLASH ROM 13, EEPROM 14, roller 15, head 16, operation key 17, display 18, and external device interface (external device I / F) 19.

  The SRAM 12 stores a timer, a counter, and temporary data. The FLASH ROM 13 stores a control program for the CPU 11, BIOS, OS, and the like. The EEPROM 14 stores parameters and initial setting information. The roller 15 conveys a tape stored in a tape cassette (not shown) mounted on the printing apparatus 10. The head 16 performs printing on the tape conveyed by the roller 15. The external device I / F 19 is a controller for communicating with the mobile terminal 20 via the cable 2.

  The mobile terminal 20 includes a CPU 21 that controls the entire control of the mobile terminal 20. The CPU 21 is electrically connected to the ROM 22, RAM 23, HDD 24, external device I / F 25, communication unit 26, and touch panel 30. The ROM 22 stores a boot program, BIOS, and the like. The RAM 23 stores a timer, a counter, and temporary data. The HDD 24 stores various application programs and OS. An application program (hereinafter referred to as an editing application) for executing an image editing process (see FIG. 5) described later and a template described later used by the editing application are also stored in the HDD 24. The external device I / F 25 is a controller for communicating with the printing apparatus 10 via the cable 2. The communication unit 26 is a controller for communicating with other electronic devices via a public line network (not shown).

  The portable terminal 20 includes a vertically long rectangular main body 29 (see FIG. 1) when viewed from the front. On the front side of the main body 29, a touch panel 30 which is a display body capable of detecting contact with an external object is provided. The touch panel 30 has a rectangular display area corresponding to the shape of the main body 29. In the touch panel 30, a substantially transparent pressure sensitive sheet 32 that detects contact of an external object is laminated on a display panel 31 that displays an image. The CPU 21 can determine the user's input operation based on the contact position of the external object specified by the pressure sensitive sheet 32.

  The mobile terminal 20 of this embodiment has a user interface function that allows the user to perform an input operation in an interactive manner. When the editing application is activated on the mobile terminal 20, an interactive screen for editing an image by the user performing input, selection, change, etc. of an object in an interactive format is displayed on the touch panel 30. An object is a set of data composed of text (character string such as characters, figures, symbols, etc.) or a decoration image. The user performs various operations on the interactive screen of the touch panel 30 and edits an image (hereinafter referred to as a label image) indicating a printing mode on a long medium (tape) with the printing apparatus 10, for example.

  The layout information 40 stored in the HDD 24 will be described with reference to FIG. The layout information 40 is data that defines the coordinates of an object arranged in the label image. The HDD 24 stores layout information for each object having different types and attributes. Each layout information defines the type, attribute, and coordinates of the corresponding object.

  “Type” indicates whether the data type of the corresponding object is text (TEXT) or decoration image (IMAGE). The “attribute” indicates a classification (for example, name, face, address, symbol, etc.) set for the corresponding object. “Coordinates” is coordinate information indicating the position and size on the label image in which the corresponding object was previously placed. The object of this embodiment is rectangular. Therefore, the “coordinate” is the coordinate information of the two vertices located diagonally (ie, the coordinates (X1, Y1) of the upper left vertex) with the coordinates of the upper left corner of the label image as the origin coordinates (0, 0). The position and size of the object are indicated by the coordinates (X2, Y2) of the lower right vertex.

  Specifically, in the examples of FIGS. 12 and 13 to be described later, the upper left corner of the label images 100 and 110 is the origin coordinates (0, 0) of each label image. The coordinates X1 and X2 indicate the horizontal position on the label images 100 and 110, and become larger as the distance from the origin coordinates (0, 0) increases to the right. The coordinates Y1 and Y2 indicate the vertical positions on the label images 100 and 110, and become larger as they are separated from the origin coordinates (0, 0).

  The objects stored in the HDD 24 will be described with reference to FIG. The HDD 24 stores objects created by the user. Each object includes data indicating the type, attribute, and coordinates in the same manner as the layout information, in addition to the content that is text (TEXT) or a decoration image (IMAGE). Note that an object for which “coordinates” is not set indicates that there is no record of placement on the label image.

  With reference to FIGS. 5 to 13, an image editing process executed by the mobile terminal 20 will be described. The image editing process (FIG. 5) is executed by the CPU 21 when an editing application is activated on the mobile terminal 20.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the image editing process, it is first determined whether or not there is an object input instruction (S1). For example, when the user performs an operation to instruct the start of input of a new object on the touch panel 30, it is determined that there is an object input instruction (S1: YES). In this case, an object generation process for generating a new object is executed (S3).

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the object generation process (S3), a content input screen for allowing the user to input content is first displayed on the touch panel 30 (S21). On the content input screen displayed on the touch panel 30, the user is allowed to input content in an interactive manner (S23). For example, when the user inputs text (TEXT) as content, a content input screen 60 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. The content input screen 60 includes a key image 62 for the user to input a character, and a work area 61 in which the input content on the key image 62 is displayed. The user can create text in the work area 61 by operating the key image 62.

  After the content is input in step S23, the user is allowed to input attributes in an interactive format (S25). For example, when the user inputs content on the content input screen 60 and presses the enter key, a plurality of attributes (name, face, address, symbol, etc.) are displayed in a list. The user can input an attribute to be added to the new object by selecting one of the listed attributes. A new object including the content input in step S23 and its type and the attribute input in step S25 is generated (S27).

  The new object generated in step S27 is stored in the HDD 24 (S29). At this time, since the new object is not arranged on the label image, the coordinates are not set. In the example illustrated in FIG. 7, an object of content “Taro Kimura”, type “TEXT”, attribute “name”, and coordinates “unset” is generated and stored. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the input of the object is completed (S31). For example, when the user presses the end key on the content input screen 60, it is determined that the input of the object is finished (S31: YES), and the process returns to the image editing process (FIG. 5). If the input has not ended (S31: NO), the process returns to step S23.

  Returning to FIG. After execution of step S3, the process returns to step S1. When there is no object input instruction (S1: NO), an object selection process (S5) for causing the user to select an object to be arranged on the label image, an object arrangement process (S7) for arranging the selected object on the label image, and a label An object editing process (S9) for causing the user to edit the object arranged on the image is sequentially executed.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in the object selection process (S5), the selection list stored in the RAM 23 is first initialized (S41). The selection list is a table that temporarily stores objects to be arranged on the label image. Next, the selection number N stored in the RAM 23 is set to “0” (S43). All objects 50 (see FIG. 4) stored in the HDD 24 are called (S45), and an object selection screen is displayed on the touch panel 30 (S47).

  The object selection screen is a screen for allowing the user to select an object to be arranged on the label image among the objects called in step S45. The object selection screen 70 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a selection area 72 in which the object 50 (see FIG. 4) called in step S45 is displayed so as to be selectable, and a work area in which the object selected in the selection area 72 is displayed. 71.

  It is determined whether an object has been selected on the object selection screen displayed on the touch panel 30 (S49). When an object is selected (S49: YES), the selected object is added to the selection list (S51), and the selection number N is incremented by “1” (S53). For example, when the user selects the object 50 (see FIG. 4) in the selection area 72 on the object selection screen 70, the selected object 50 is displayed in the work area 71 and added to the selection list in the RAM 23.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that a total of four objects 50A to 50D are added to the selection list. The object 50A has the content “Taro Kimura”, the type “TEXT”, and the attribute “name”. The object 50B has the content “Nagoya-shi”, the type “TEXT”, and the attribute “address 1”. The object 50C has content “Mizuho-ku”, type “TEXT”, and attribute “address 2”. The object 50D has a content “Image data of Taro Kimura”, a type “IMAGE”, and an attribute “face”.

  When there is no selection of an object (S49: NO), it is judged whether it is the end of selection of an object (S55). For example, when the user presses the end key on the object selection screen 70, it is determined that the selection of the object is completed (S55: YES), and the process returns to the image editing process (FIG. 5). If the selection is not finished (S55: NO), or after execution of step S53, the process returns to step S49.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the object placement process (S7), first, “1” is set to the variable X stored in the RAM 23 (S61). Next, it is determined whether or not the variable X is equal to or less than the selection number N (S63). If the variable X is less than or equal to the selection number N (S63: YES), it is determined whether or not the coordinates of an object added to the selection list in the order indicated by the variable X (hereinafter referred to as the Xth object) are present (S65). ). Specifically, when coordinates are set for the Xth object stored in the HDD 24, it is determined that the coordinates of the Xth object are present (S65: YES), and the coordinates of the Xth object (X1, Y1; X2). , Y2) is acquired on the RAM 23 (S67).

  When there is no coordinate of the Xth object (S65: NO). It is determined whether or not there is a coordinate of layout information (hereinafter referred to as the same attribute layout) that defines the same type and attribute as the Xth object (S69). Specifically, in the layout information 40 (see FIG. 3) stored in the HDD 24, when the same attribute layout corresponding to the Xth object exists and coordinates are set in the same attribute layout, It is determined that there is a coordinate with the same attribute layout (S69: YES). In this case, the coordinates (X1, Y1; X2, Y2) of the same attribute layout are acquired on the RAM 23 (S71).

  On the other hand, when there is no coordinate with the same attribute layout (S69: NO), predetermined initial coordinates (X1, Y1; X2, Y2) are acquired on the RAM 23 (S73). The initial coordinates are coordinate information that is automatically given to the Xth object whose coordinates have not been acquired by the above processing. The coordinates (X1, Y1) of the upper left vertex indicated by the initial coordinates are the origin coordinates (0, 0) on the label image. For the coordinates (X2, Y2) of the lower right vertex indicated by the initial coordinates, the Xth object having the size generated in step S27 is arranged on the label image so that the upper left vertex coincides with the upper left corner of the label image. In this case, the coordinates indicate the position of the lower right vertex of the Xth object.

  For example, it is assumed that the Xth object is an object 50A (see FIG. 9). When coordinates are set in the object 50A of the HDD 24, the coordinates (in the example of FIG. 4, the coordinates of the upper left vertex (100, 80) and the coordinates of the lower right vertex (250, 120)) are acquired (S67). . If no coordinates are set for the object 50A, the coordinates defined in the same attribute layout of the HDD 24 (ie, the layout information 40 of the type “TEXT” and the attribute “name”) (in the example of FIG. 3, the coordinates of the upper left vertex) (100, 80) and coordinates of the lower right vertex (250, 120)) are acquired (S71). If there is no coordinate with the same attribute layout, if the object 50A at the time of generation is the vertical size “40 pixels” and the horizontal size “150 pixels”, the initial coordinates (that is, the coordinates (0, 0) of the upper left vertex and the lower right) Vertex coordinates (150, 40)) are acquired (S73).

  After execution of any of steps S67, S71, and S73, the Xth object is placed on the label image according to the coordinates acquired on the RAM 23 (S75). Thereafter, the variable X is incremented by “1” (S77), and the process returns to step S63. Thereby, steps S65 to S77 are repeatedly executed until the variable X exceeds the selection number N, and all the objects added to the selection list are arranged on the label image. When the variable X exceeds the selection number N (S63: NO), the process returns to the image editing process (FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the object editing process (S9), an object editing screen is first displayed on the touch panel 30 (S81). The object editing screen is a screen for allowing the user to edit the object arranged on the label image (for example, change the position and size of the object). An object editing screen 80 illustrated in FIG. 12 includes a label image 100 representing a label to be printed by the printing apparatus 10. On the label image 100, the objects (objects 50A to 50D illustrated in FIG. 9) arranged in the object arrangement process (S7) are displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the content input screen 60 (see FIG. 7) has a vertically long rectangular display area to facilitate an object input operation. In the state where the vertically long rectangular main body 29 is not inclined, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the touch panel 30 are the longitudinal direction and the short direction, respectively. Therefore, the user operates the touch panel 30 without tilting the main body 29 when inputting an object. Similarly, since the object selection screen 70 (see FIG. 9) has a vertically long rectangular display area for facilitating the object selection operation, the user operates the touch panel 30 without tilting the main body 29 when selecting an object. .

  On the other hand, since the label to be printed by the printing apparatus 10 is often in a horizontally long shape in the printing direction, the label image 100 is also preferably in a horizontally long shape in order to improve visibility. Therefore, the object editing screen 80 (see FIG. 12) also has a horizontally long rectangular display area in accordance with the horizontally long label image 100. Therefore, the user operates the touch panel 30 by tilting the main body 29 by approximately 90 degrees during object editing.

  After execution of step S81, it is determined whether or not the editing of the object is finished (S83). For example, when the user presses the end key on the object edit screen 80, it is determined that the object has been edited (S83: YES), and the process returns to the image edit process (FIG. 5). On the other hand, if the editing of the object is not finished (S83: NO), it is determined whether or not the object is selected (S85). For example, when the user selects any of the objects arranged on the label image 100 on the object editing screen 80, it is determined that the object is selected (S85: YES). In this case, the selected object (hereinafter referred to as a selected object) is acquired as a processing target (S87).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an editing operation for the selected object (S89). For example, when the user performs an operation for changing the position or size of the selected object on the object editing screen 80, it is determined that there is an editing operation for the selected object (S89: YES). In this case, the coordinates of the selected object stored in the HDD 24 are updated according to the editing operation of the selected object (S91). The coordinates of the same attribute layout of the selected object stored in the HDD 24 are updated according to the editing operation of the selected object (S93). In accordance with the editing operation of the selected object, the display of the label image is updated so that the selected object is rearranged on the object editing screen (S95).

  Assume that the selected object is an object 50A on the object editing screen 80 illustrated in FIG. The user can freely change the position and size of the object 50A arranged on the label image 100 by a known drag operation using a finger. In this case, the coordinates set in the object 50A of the HDD 24 are updated with the coordinates of the changed object 50A (S91). The coordinates defined in the same attribute layout of the HDD 24 (that is, the layout information 40 of the type “TEXT” and the attribute “name”) are updated with the coordinates of the changed object 50A (S93). The position and size of the object 50A displayed on the label image 100 are changed according to the user operation (S95).

  After execution of step S95, the process returns to step S83. If no object is selected (S85: NO), or if there is no editing operation for the selected object (S89: NO), the process returns to step S83. Thereby, steps S85 to S95 are repeatedly executed until the editing of the object is completed, and the object arranged on the label image 100 is edited.

  Returning to FIG. Based on the current label image with the object edited in step S9, image data is generated and stored in the HDD 24 (S11). Next, it is determined whether or not to print (S13). For example, when printing execution is instructed from the touch panel 30, it is determined that printing is performed (S 13: YES), and a print command generated based on the image data in step S 11 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 via the cable 2. (S15). In the printing apparatus 10, a label similar to the label image 100 shown in FIG. 12 is created. In this embodiment, the editing application has a known printer driver function, and the print command is generated by the editing application. When not printing (S13: NO), or after executing step S15, the image editing process (FIG. 5) is terminated.

  In the printing system 1 described above, a case will be described in which after the label image 100 shown in FIG. 12 is created, a label image 110 (see FIG. 13) having the same layout and different contents as the label image 100 is created. For example, it is assumed that new objects 50E and 50F are created by the object generation process (FIG. 6) and four objects 50B, 50C, 50E and 50F are selected by the object selection process (FIG. 8). The object 50E has content “Hanako Yamada”, type “TEXT”, and attribute “name”. The object 50F has a content “Hanako Yamada image data”, a type “IMAGE”, and an attribute “face”.

  In this case, coordinates are not set for the new objects 50E and 50F stored in the HDD 24, but coordinates are set for the existing objects 50B and 50C. Therefore, in the object placement process (FIG. 9), the new object 50E is placed at the coordinates of the corresponding attribute layout (layout information 40 of the type “TEXT” and the attribute “name”) (S71, S75). The new object 50F is arranged at the coordinates of the corresponding attribute layout (type “IMAGE”, layout information 40 of the attribute “face”) (S71, S75). The objects 50B and 50C are arranged at the coordinates arranged on the label image 100, respectively (S67, S75).

  As a result, in the object editing process (FIG. 11), the object editing screen 80 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed. In the object editing screen 80 of FIG. 13, a label image 110 in which objects 50B, 50C, 50E, and 50F are arranged in the same layout as the label image 100 is displayed. Therefore, by printing the label image 110, the user can create a label having the same layout as the label image 100 but different contents without editing the object arranged in the label image 110.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a user inputs a predetermined unit of character or decoration image from the key image 62 on the content input screen 60 (FIG. 7), an object is generated. When the user selects an object to be placed on the label image 100 on the object selection screen 70 (FIG. 9) displayed after the content input screen 60 ends, the selected object is placed on the label image 100 in a predetermined pattern. When the user changes at least one of the position and size of the object on the label image 100 on the object editing screen 80 displayed after the end of the object selection screen 70 (FIG. 9), the label image 100 is based on the changed object. Updated.

  In this way, the content input screen 60, the object selection screen 70, and the object editing screen 80 configured according to the functions of input, selection, and change of objects are sequentially displayed, and the user simply inputs necessary information on each screen. The label image 100 can be freely edited. Each screen can be configured with a narrow display area. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operation burden on the user who performs label editing in a narrow display area and improve the work efficiency of image editing. In other words, the image editing described above can be performed with a simple operation using a narrow work area, so that a highly functional operation unit and a large display unit are not required. Therefore, even a computer terminal (for example, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a PDA, etc.) equipped with a small display can perform image editing accurately and easily, thereby suppressing the operation burden during image editing. it can.

  The object selection screen 70 is a screen that displays an object (the object 50 shown in FIG. 4) stored in the HDD 24 so as to be selectable. Therefore, image editing can be efficiently performed using an object created in the past.

  Further, an object is displayed on the label image 100 at coordinates (that is, position and size) defined in the position size information (the object 50 shown in FIG. 4 or the layout information 40 shown in FIG. 3) stored in the HDD 24. Be placed. That is, the proven object placed in the label image 100 is placed at the same coordinates as the previous time. In addition, an object having the same attribute as a proven object arranged in the label image 100 is arranged at a common coordinate with an object having the same attribute. Accordingly, when editing an image using an object created in the past, it is possible to reduce the trouble of arranging the object at an appropriate position.

  Further, the object selected on the object selection screen 70 is arranged at coordinates (that is, position and size) defined by position size information (layout information 40 shown in FIG. 3) corresponding to the attribute. In this case, since objects having the same attribute are arranged at the same coordinates, it is possible to reduce a user's operation burden when editing images having different contents in the same layout.

  Also, the position size information (layout information 40 shown in FIG. 3) corresponding to the attribute of the object whose position and / or size has been changed on the object editing screen 80 is updated based on the changed object. Thereby, when editing an image using an object having the same attribute as that of the changed object, it is possible to reduce the trouble of arranging the object at an appropriate position.

  Further, the object editing screen 80 is a screen for displaying a label image on the touch panel 30 such that the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the rectangular display area of the touch panel 30 match the longitudinal direction and the short direction of the label image 100, respectively. It is. Therefore, the label image 100 can be edited efficiently and accurately.

  When printing execution is instructed, a command for printing image data is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10. Therefore, the image data to be printed by the printing apparatus 10 can be edited by the portable terminal 20. In particular, when carrying the printing apparatus 10 which is a small label printer, the user can edit and create a label by connecting the portable terminal 20 to the printing apparatus 10 at a destination.

  In the above embodiment, the mobile terminal 20 corresponds to the “image processing apparatus” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S21 corresponds to the “first screen control means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S27 corresponds to the “object generation means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S5 corresponds to the “second screen control means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S7 corresponds to the “object placement means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S81 corresponds to the “third screen control means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S95 corresponds to the “label image updating means” of the present invention. The HDD 24 corresponds to “object storage means” and “position size storage means” of the present invention. The CPU 21 that executes step S93 corresponds to the “position size update unit” of the present invention. The CPU 21 executing step S15 corresponds to the “command transmission unit” of the present invention.

  The editing application corresponds to the “image processing program” of the present invention. Step S21 corresponds to the “first screen control step” of the present invention. Step S27 corresponds to the “object generation step” of the present invention. Step S5 corresponds to the “second screen control step” of the present invention. Step S7 corresponds to the “object placement step” of the present invention. Step S81 corresponds to the “third screen control step” of the present invention. Step S95 corresponds to the “label image update step” of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. In the above embodiment, the case where the portable terminal 20 is an image processing apparatus has been illustrated, but the image processing apparatus may be a computer device (for example, a PC) including a large touch panel. Moreover, although the case where the object and the label image are rectangular has been illustrated in the above embodiment, various shapes such as a circle, a polygon, and a star can be used for the object and the label image.

  In the above embodiment, as a specific example of image editing, the case where the label image 100 printed by the printing apparatus 10 is edited has been illustrated. However, the present invention can be used for editing images used for purposes other than printing and labeling. Is also applicable. It goes without saying that the image editing process (FIG. 5) can be executed by the portable terminal 20 alone even when the portable terminal 20 is not connected to the printing apparatus 10.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printing system 10 Printing apparatus 20 Portable terminal 40 Layout information 50 Object 60 Content input screen 62 Key image 70 Object selection screen 80 Object edit screen 100 Label image 110 Label image

Claims (8)

A touch panel that allows a user to switch and display a plurality of screens for editing a label image interactively, and detects an operation on the displayed screen;
A first screen control means for displaying on the touch panel a first screen including a key image for a user to input a character or a decoration image when an instruction to start editing at least the label image is given;
Object generating means for generating an object that can be placed on the label image for each of the character or the decorative image in a predetermined unit input from the key image;
When the end of the first screen is instructed, a second screen on which the user can select the object to be arranged on the label image from the object generated by the object generating means is displayed on the touch panel. Screen control means;
Object placement means for placing the object selected on the second screen on the label image along a predetermined pattern;
When the end of the second screen is instructed, a third screen on which the user can change at least one of the position and the size of the object on the label image on which the object is arranged by the object arranging unit, A third screen control means for displaying on the touch panel;
Label image update means for updating the label image included in the third screen based on the changed object as at least one of the position and size of the object is changed on the third screen. An image processing apparatus comprising: Comprising object storage means for storing the object generated by the object generation means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second screen is a screen that displays the object stored in the object storage unit in a selectable manner. Position size storage means for storing position size information defining the position and size of the object arranged in the label image;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object placement unit arranges the object at a position and a size defined in the position size information stored in the position size storage unit. . The position size information is provided in association with the attribute of the object,
The image processing according to claim 3, wherein the object arrangement unit arranges the object selected on the second screen at a position and a size defined by the position size information corresponding to the attribute. apparatus.   Among the position size information stored in the position size storage means, the position size information corresponding to the attribute of the object whose position and / or size has been changed on the third screen is changed to the changed position size information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising position size updating means for updating based on the object. The touch panel has a rectangular display area,
The label image is an image showing a printing mode on a long medium,
The third screen is a screen that displays the label image on the touch panel in such a manner that a longitudinal direction and a short direction of the rectangular display region coincide with a longitudinal direction and a short direction of the label image, respectively. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The image processing apparatus is a portable terminal connected to a printing apparatus,
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a command transmission unit configured to transmit a command for printing the label image included in the third screen to the printing apparatus when an instruction to end the third screen is given. An image processing apparatus according to any one of the above. A computer that can switch and display a plurality of screens for a user to edit a label image in an interactive manner, and that includes a touch panel that detects an operation on the displayed screen,
A first screen control step of displaying, on the touch panel, a first screen including a key image for a user to input a character or a decoration image when an instruction to start editing at least the label image is given;
An object generation step of generating an object that can be placed on the label image for each of the character or the decoration image in a predetermined unit input from the key image;
When the end of the first screen is instructed, a second screen on which the user can select the object to be arranged on the label image from the objects generated by the object generation step is displayed on the touch panel. A screen control step;
An object placement step of placing the object selected on the second screen on the label image along a predetermined pattern;
When the end of the second screen is instructed, a third screen on which the user can change at least one of the position and the size of the object on the label image on which the object is arranged by the object placement step, A third screen control step for displaying on the touch panel;
A label image updating step of updating the label image included in the third screen based on the changed object as at least one of the position and size of the object is changed on the third screen; An image processing program for executing

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