JP6168346B2 - Operation input processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation input processing program executed by an operation terminal that operates a printing apparatus.

  There is already known a technique in which an operation terminal is connected to a printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus prints a print object on a printing medium in accordance with an operation of the operator at the operation terminal (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this prior art, when an operator performs an editing operation on a print object on the operation terminal, a printed image (label image) including a plurality of print objects corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the display device.

JP 2006-99261 A

  When the print image includes a plurality of print objects as described above and the operator wants to perform an editing operation on any one of the plurality of print objects, the cursor is used using, for example, a mouse. It is necessary to perform the selection operation. At this time, a plurality of print objects including the intended one print object may be erroneously selected at the same time due to the fact that the plurality of print objects are densely stacked or overlapped.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an operation input program capable of easily and reliably selecting one print object intended by an operator among a plurality of print objects.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured to be connectable to a printing apparatus that creates a printed matter by forming a print object on a print medium and capable of executing a desired operation input, the operation The printing that forms a print on the printed matter via the operation unit with respect to a calculation unit provided in an operation terminal having a detection unit that detects the operation input to the unit and a display unit that performs desired display An editing reception procedure for receiving an object editing operation, and a first printed image on which at least one print object is arranged is generated based on the editing operation received in the editing reception procedure, and is displayed on the display means. Based on the image display procedure and the detection result of the detection means, the plurality of print objects included in the first print image are substantially the same. In response to the first selection determination procedure for determining whether or not the first selection has been made and the first selection determination procedure determines that the first selection has been made substantially simultaneously, the first selection is determined. A second image display procedure for generating a second print image in which the plurality of print objects are separated by a second separation distance larger than the first separation distance in the first print image, and displaying the second print image on the display unit; The detection means detects the operation input via a keyboard, a mouse, or a touchpad as the operation means, and generates the first printed material image as the display means in the first image display procedure. In the first selection determination procedure, the plurality of print objects included in the first printed product image are based on the detection result of the detection means. The first selection using the keyboard, the mouse, or the touch pad is performed at the same time with respect to the print object, and the first separation distance between the plurality of first selected print objects is within a predetermined threshold value. In the second image display procedure, the second printed image is displayed on the display, and the calculation means is further configured to display the second image on the substantially simultaneous second screen in the first selection determination procedure. Confirmation display for displaying on the display a display for prompting a confirmation operation input of whether or not the second printed image can be generated when one selection is made and the first separation distance is determined to be within the predetermined threshold. In the second image display procedure, the confirmation corresponding to the confirmation display procedure is performed via the keyboard, the mouse, or the touchpad. When there is an operation input, the second printed image is displayed on the display .

  In the present invention, the printing apparatus and the operation terminal are connected. In response to the operation of the operator at the operation terminal, the printing apparatus prints the print object on the print medium, thereby creating a printed matter.

  The operation terminal includes operation means, detection means, display means, and calculation means. When the operation input processing program of the present invention is executed by the calculation means of the operation terminal, an edit operation of the print object is accepted through the operation means in the edit acceptance procedure. Thereafter, in the first image display procedure, a printed image (first printed image) corresponding to the editing operation is displayed on the display means. The first printed image includes at least one print object and is arranged at an appropriate location.

  Here, when such a first printed material image includes a plurality of print objects, the operator intends to make an edit operation on any one of the plurality of print objects and make a selection. At this time, for example, in a touch operation on the touch panel, a plurality of print objects (including one intended print object) may be selected by mistake. Alternatively, for example, when a selection operation is performed with a cursor using a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch pad, a plurality of print objects (including the intended one print object) may be displayed due to a plurality of print objects being dense or overlapping. In some cases, you may select it by mistake.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a first selection determination procedure and a second image display procedure are provided. That is, in the first selection determination procedure, it is determined based on the detection result of the detection means whether or not a plurality of print objects included in the first printed material image are selected substantially simultaneously (first selection). When a plurality of print objects are selected by mistake as described above and the determination is satisfied, a second print image different from the first print image is generated and displayed on the display unit. Is done. In the second printed image, the plurality of selected print objects included in the first printed image is a distance (second separated distance) larger than the separated distance (separated distance) in the first printed image. Are displayed apart from each other. As described above, since the plurality of print objects are displayed apart from each other, the operator can easily select only one print object intended by the user while avoiding the erroneous selection as described above. And it can be done reliably. Thereby, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and reliably select one print object intended by the operator from among a plurality of print objects.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an entire printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of an operation terminal. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of a label production apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control procedure performed by the control circuit of a label production apparatus. It is explanatory drawing showing an example of the label image displayed on a touchscreen part. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by contact operation in a touchscreen part. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by contact operation in a touchscreen part. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure which CPU of a control circuit performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification using PC which operates with a keyboard etc. instead of a touch panel. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by operation of a cursor. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by operation of a cursor. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure which CPU of a control circuit performs. It is a top view of the said operation terminal in the modification using a portable operation terminal. It is a functional block diagram showing the functional structure of an operation terminal. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by contact operation in a touchscreen part. It is explanatory drawing showing the flow of selection by contact operation in a touchscreen part.

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

<Embodiment>
An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a case where a label creation processing program is executed as an operation input processing program in the operation terminal will be described as an example.

<Schematic configuration of operation terminal and label producing apparatus>
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied includes an operation terminal 2 configured by, for example, a general-purpose personal computer, and information transmission / reception with respect to the operation terminal 2 by wired connection or wireless connection such as a USB cable. It has the label production apparatus 3 (printing apparatus) connected so that it was possible.

  The label producing device 3 transmits and receives various types of information and instruction signals to and from the operation terminal 2, and predetermined printing is performed based on print data including desired characters and figures transmitted from the operation terminal 2. A print label L (printed material) is created.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the operation terminal 2 is used to operate the label producing device 3. The operation terminal 2 includes an operation unit 12 including a keyboard KB, a touch pad TP, a mouse MU, and the like that can be operated by an operator, and a touch panel unit 13. In the present embodiment, the touch panel unit 13 constitutes an operation unit described in each claim and also a display unit.

<Functional configuration of operation terminal>
A functional configuration of the operation terminal 2 is shown in FIG. The operation terminal 2 includes a control circuit 14, a memory 15 that stores various types of information, a communication control unit 16, an operation detection unit 17 (detection means), the operation unit 12, and the touch panel unit 13.

  The communication control unit 16 controls information communication performed with the label producing apparatus 3 through wireless communication (or wired communication).

  The control circuit 14 includes a CPU (corresponding to a calculation means) (not shown) and a ROM. The CPU of the control circuit 14 executes various programs stored in advance in the ROM while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM. These various programs include a label creation processing program (corresponding to an operation input processing program) for executing the procedures shown in FIGS. Further, the control circuit 14 is connected to the label producing device 3 by wireless communication (or wired communication) via the communication control unit 16, and can transmit and receive various information and data with the label producing device 3.

  The memory 15 is composed of a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) capable of adding and erasing stored contents. The various programs including the label creation processing program may be stored in the memory 15.

  The touch panel unit 13 has a predetermined operation function and a predetermined display function. That is, the touch panel unit 13 can display label images LI <b> 1 to LI <b> 5 including objects to be printed on the print label L (details will be described later) based on an operation input via the operator operation unit 12 (described later). (See FIGS. 6 and 7). Further, the touch panel unit 13 can select the objects of the label images LI <b> 1 to LI <b> 5 displayed as described above (for example, for editing) by touching the fingertip of the operator (details will be described later). The contact operation at this time is detected by the operation detection unit 17, and a corresponding detection signal is output to the control circuit 14.

<Functional configuration of label production apparatus>
A functional configuration of the label producing apparatus 3 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the label producing apparatus 3 includes a control circuit 25, a memory 26 for storing various types of information, a communication control unit 28, a display unit 22 that performs appropriate display, and an operator that can perform a desired operation. The operation unit 23, the cartridge holder 32, the transport device 29, the print head 30, and the cutter 27 are included.

  The communication control unit 28 controls information communication performed with the operation terminal 2 via wireless or wired communication as described above.

  The control circuit 25 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM (not shown). The control circuit 25 executes various programs stored in advance in the ROM while using the temporary storage function of the RAM. Thereby, the control circuit 25 controls the entire label producing apparatus 3. In addition, the control circuit 25 is connected to the operation terminal 2 via the communication control unit 28, and can send and receive data to and from the operation terminal 2.

  The memory 26 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) capable of adding and erasing stored contents. The memory 26 can store the print data transmitted from the operation terminal 2.

  The cartridge holder 32 is configured such that the cartridge 31 capable of supplying the print-receiving tape 33 (print-receiving medium) is detachable. The cartridge 31 is provided with a tape roll 34 (which is originally spiral but simplified and shown as a concentric circle) around which a print-receiving tape 33 is wound around a reel member (not shown).

  The transport device 29 is provided to face the print head 30. The transport device 29 transports the print-receiving tape 33 fed and supplied from the tape roll 34 of the cartridge 31 mounted on the cartridge holder 32 based on the control of the control circuit 25.

  Under the control of the control circuit 25, the print head 30 forms a desired print corresponding to the print data on the print-receiving tape 33 that is fed from the tape roll 34 and conveyed by the conveying device 29.

  The cutter 27 operates the cut lever or the like (not shown), for example, by the operator to cut the print-receiving tape 33 that has been printed by the print head 30 and generate the print label L.

<Procedure for creating print labels>
FIG. 4 shows an example of a control procedure executed by the control circuit of the label producing device 3 when producing a print label. In the processing shown in this flow, after the operator edits the image of the print label with the operation terminal 2 (details will be described later), the label is created on the label creating apparatus 3 by appropriately operating the operation unit 12 or the touch panel unit 13. Start by outputting an instruction.

  In FIG. 4, first, in step S110, the control circuit 25 outputs a control signal to the transport device 29, and feeds out the print-receiving tape 33 from the tape roll 34 of the cartridge 31 mounted on the cartridge holder 32, that is, the print-receiving tape. 33 conveyance is started.

  In step S120, the control circuit 25 determines whether the print-receiving tape 33 has been conveyed by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is, for example, a transport distance (a so-called front margin transport amount) by which the leading end of a print area (not shown) of the print-receiving tape 33 reaches a position substantially facing the print head 30. The determination in step S120 is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed (S120: NO), the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S120 is satisfied (S120: YES), and the process proceeds to step S130.

  In step S 130, the control circuit 25 outputs a control signal to the print head 30, and the print data stored in the memory 26 (editing operation to be described later) for the print area of the print-receiving tape 33 conveyed by the conveying device 29. Thereafter, the corresponding print data is transmitted from the operation terminal 2 and stored in the memory 26).

  Thereafter, in step S140, the control circuit 25 determines whether or not printing of the print data on the print area of the print-receiving tape 33 by the print head 30 started in step S130 has been completed. Until all the printing is completed, the determination in step S140 is not satisfied (S140: NO), and a loop is waited. When all the printing is completed, the determination in step S140 is satisfied (S140: YES), and the process proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the control circuit 25 has further transported the print-receiving tape 33 by a predetermined amount (for example, a transport distance in which the entire print area exceeds the cutter 27 by a predetermined length, a so-called rear margin transport amount). Determine if. The determination in step S150 is not satisfied until the predetermined amount is conveyed (S150: NO), the loop waits. If the predetermined amount is conveyed, the determination in step S150 is satisfied (S150: YES), and the process proceeds to step S160.

  In step S <b> 160, the control circuit 25 outputs a control signal to the transport device 29, and stops feeding the print-receiving tape 33 from the tape roll 34 started in step S <b> 110, that is, stops transporting the print-receiving tape 33.

  In step S <b> 170, the control circuit 25 outputs a display signal to the display unit 22 so as to display that “the print-receiving tape 33 can be cut by operating the cut lever 24”. When the operator operates a cut lever or the like (not shown) according to this display, the cutter 27 is activated and the print-receiving tape 33 is cut. By the cutting by the cutter 27, the portion where printing by the print head 30 is performed is separated from the print-receiving tape 33, and the print label L is created. Thereafter, the processing shown in this flow is terminated.

<Edit label image>
In the present embodiment, the operator can perform an appropriate operation on the touch panel unit 13 while the label image of the print label L created as described above is displayed on the touch panel unit 13, thereby printing on the print label L. The contents can be edited. Such editing will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (c).

<Example of label image before editing>
FIG. 5A shows an example of the original (before editing) label image LIa displayed on the touch panel unit 13. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, a label image LIa surrounded by a substantially rectangular label outline is displayed on an appropriate editing screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel unit 13. In this label image LIa, a plurality (four in this example) of print objects R1, R2, R3, R4 are displayed using, for example, an appropriate template, and can be edited (corrected, processed, etc.) by the operator. ing.

  In this example, the print object R1 is constituted by a character string “★★ MilChocolate ★★”. The print object R1 is formed, for example, in an operation input by an operator using the keyboard KB in a block provided in advance in the illustrated position. In this example, the print object R1 is arranged on the upper side of the label image LIa.

  The print object R2 is composed of a character string “¥ 198”, and is formed by the same operation input by the operator as described above. In this example, the print object R2 is disposed adjacent to the lower side of the print object R1 in the label image LIa.

  The print object R3 is composed of a double line (cancellation line). In this example, the print object R3 is arranged so as to overlap with “¥ 198” of the print object R2.

  The print object R4 is composed of a character string “← today's bargain, 50 yen discount!”, And is formed by the same operator input as described above. In this example, the print object R4 is arranged below the print object R1 and adjacent to the right side of the print object R2 in the label image LIa.

<Example of label image after editing>
FIG. 5B shows a label image LIb, which is an example of a label image after the operator has edited the label image LIa shown in FIG. In this example, the print object R2 is changed from the character string “¥ 198” to the character string “¥ 188”.

  FIG. 5C shows a label image LIc, which is another example of the label image after the operator has edited the label image LIa shown in FIG. In this example, the character string “50 yen discount” in the print object R4 is changed to the character string “100 yen discount”.

<Print object selection operation>
The greatest feature of the present embodiment is a technique for preventing erroneous selection when a print object is selected to perform the editing as described above. Hereinafter, the details of the above method will be described step by step, taking as an example the case where the label image LIa of FIG. 5A is edited to generate the label image LIb of FIG. 5B.

  FIG. 6A shows a state in which the label image LIa of FIG. 5A is displayed on an appropriate display screen 13A of the touch panel 13. As described above, the label image LI1 includes the print object R1 composed of the character string “★ Mil Chocolate”, the print object R2 composed of the character string “¥ 198”, and the print composed of the double line. And an object R3 and a print object R4 composed of a character string “← today's bargain item, 50 yen discount!”. The label image LI1 corresponds to the first printed image described in each claim. In the label image LI1 including such a plurality (four in this example) of print objects, the operator touches the touch panel unit 13 with the fingertip H to select one of the print objects R (for editing). ) Can be selected.

  Here, as described above, the print object R3 composed of the double line is arranged so as to overlap the print object R2 composed of the character string “¥ 198”. As a result, in the contact operation with the fingertip H, as shown in FIG. 6B, not only one print object (for example, print object R3) that the operator intends to select, but also a plurality of print objects including the print object ( For example, the print object R3 and the print object R2) may be simultaneously selected by mistake (corresponding to the first selection).

  In the example shown in FIG. 6B, in the newly generated label image LI2 as a result of the simultaneous selection of the print object R2 and the print object R3, the print object R2 composed of the character string “¥ 198” A thick frame (or a reversed display or the like) decoration mode is displayed around it (to indicate that it has been selected), and corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners. Further, in the print object R3, end display P2 is displayed at both ends of the double line (in order to indicate that it has been selected in the same manner as described above).

  When an erroneous selection as described above occurs, the erroneously selected plural (two in this example) print object R2 and print object R3 are extracted from the label image LI2 and displayed separately. That is, as shown in FIG. 6C, the portion corresponding to the label image LI2 is a shaded label image LI3, and the extracted print objects R2 and R3 are the label image LI3. LI3 is displayed separately on the left and right sides below the figure (a state of waiting for selection described later). The separation distance L2 (corresponding to the second separation distance) between the print objects R2 and R3 at this time corresponds to the separation distance L1 (corresponding to the first separation distance) of the print objects R2 and R3 in the label image LI1. In the example of 6 (b), it is larger than L1 = 0 because they overlap. The print objects R2 and R3 extracted as described above and the label image LI3 correspond to the second printed image described in each claim.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, instead of extracting the two print objects R2 and R3 and displaying them separately, a balloon is displayed so as to protrude from the label image LI2 and the label image LI3. Two print objects R2 and R3 may be displayed separately in the display. Alternatively, the screen may be newly displayed on the touch panel unit 13 (different from the screen 13A), and the print objects R2 and R3 may be displayed separately on the screen.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the operator pulls out and separates as described above, so that the operator can move only one print object intended by the operator (in this example, only the print object R2 to the fingertip). It is possible to select again (corresponding to the second selection) by the contact operation of H. In this example, the print object R2 selected in this way is the same as described above (to indicate that it has been selected). A decorative form such as a thick frame is displayed around the periphery, and corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners.For the print object R3 (because it is not selected), the end display P2 described above is a line. I will not.

  When one print object R2 is correctly selected as described above, as shown in FIG. 7B, in the newly generated label image LI4, the print object R1, the print object R2, the print object R3, The print object R4 returns to the original arrangement (as shown in the original label image LI1 in FIG. 6A). At that time, as described above, for the selected print object R2, the surrounding decoration mode and the corner display P1 are continuously displayed as they are. Thereby, the selection of the one print object R2 is confirmed. The label image LI4 corresponds to the third printed image described in each claim.

  With the above selection, the operator can edit the selected one print object R2 as desired by the operator's operation input (text input in this example) using the keyboard KB. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 7C, the label image LI5 in which the character string “¥ 198” in the selected print object R2 is changed to the character string “¥ 188” (see FIG. 5B described above). ) Can be generated in the display screen 13A.

<Control procedure>
The processing procedure of the operation input processing method executed by the CPU of the control circuit 14 of the operation terminal 2 using the operation input processing program of the present embodiment in order to realize the above-described method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. To do. The process of FIG. 8 is started when the operator turns on the power of the operation terminal 2, for example.

  In FIG. 8, first, in step S10, the CPU edits a character string or the like for forming a print on the print label L and other operations by inputting characters and symbols of the operator via the operation unit 12 or the like. Accept. This step S10 corresponds to the edit acceptance procedure described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S15, the CPU determines whether or not there is an instruction to display a label image on the touch panel unit 13 via the operation unit 12 or the like. If there is no label image display instruction, the determination in step S15 is not satisfied (S15: NO), and the process returns to step S10 and the same procedure is repeated. If there is an instruction to display the label image, the determination in step S15 is satisfied (S15: YES), and the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, the CPU outputs a control signal to the touch panel unit 13, and displays a label image including character strings and the like based on the operation received in step S10 (in the above example, the four print objects R1, R2, R3, and R4 are displayed. The label image LI1 included (see FIG. 6A) is displayed on the touch panel unit 13. This step S20 corresponds to the first image display procedure described in each claim. When step S20 ends, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S <b> 25, the CPU determines whether or not the operation of the touch panel unit 13 by the operator has been started based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 17. Until the operator touches the touch panel unit 13 with the fingertip H, for example, the determination in step S25 is not satisfied (S25: NO), and the loop waits until the determination is satisfied. For example, when the operator touches the touch panel unit 13 with the fingertip H, for example, the determination in step S25 is satisfied (S25: YES), and the process proceeds to step S30. After the determination in step S25 is satisfied, the operation of the touch panel unit 13 by the operator's fingertip H is continuously detected by the CPU based on the detection signal from the operation detection unit 17.

  In step S30, the CPU selects a plurality of print objects (print object R2 and print object R3 in the above example) in the label image by the operator's fingertip H based on the detection results from step S25 onward. It is determined whether an operation (see FIG. 6B or the like) has been detected. If substantially simultaneous selection operations over a plurality of print objects are not detected, the determination in step S30 is not satisfied (S30: NO), and a loop waits until the determination is satisfied. If a substantially simultaneous selection operation is detected, the determination in step S30 is satisfied (S30: YES), and the process proceeds to step S50. This step S30 corresponds to the first selection determination procedure described in each claim.

  In step S50, the CPU outputs a control signal to the touch panel unit 13, extracts a plurality of print objects (print object R2 and print object R3 in the above example) selected in step S30, and makes them larger (second). Separation distance L2) The label image LI3 separated from the label image LI1 is displayed on the touch panel unit 13 (see FIG. 6C). This step S50 corresponds to the second image display procedure described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, based on the detection result after step S25, the CPU selects one of the plurality of print objects separated as described above (print object R2 in the above example) from the fingertip H on the touch panel unit 13. It is determined whether or not it has been selected again by contact. Until either one of the print objects is selected, the determination in step S60 is not satisfied (S60: NO), and the loop waits until the determination is satisfied. When either one of the print objects (print object R2 in the example of FIG. 7A) is selected, the determination in step S60 is satisfied (S60: YES), and the process proceeds to step S70. This step S60 corresponds to the second selection determination procedure described in each claim.

  In step S70, the CPU outputs a control signal to the touch panel unit 13, and the print object selected in step S60 (the print object R2 in the example of FIG. 7A) is converted into the original label image (the above-mentioned label object). In the example, the label image LI4 is returned to the label image LI1) and is displayed on the touch panel unit 13 in a mode different from that of other print objects (in the above example, a mode highlighted with a thick frame or the like) (see FIG. 7 above). (See (b)). Thereafter, this flow is terminated. Note that step S70 corresponds to the third image display procedure described in each claim.

<Effect of embodiment>
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the operator mistakenly selects a plurality of print objects (in the above example, the print object R3 and the print object R2) on the touch panel unit 13 at substantially the same time, the plurality of print objects are thereafter selected. The print objects R1 and R2 are displayed greatly apart from each other at a separation distance L2. Accordingly, the operator can easily and reliably select only one print object (print object R2 in the above example) intended by the operator while avoiding the wrong selection as described above. Can do. Thereby, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 17 in the touch panel unit 13, it is determined whether or not the first selection has been made by substantially simultaneous contact across the plurality of print objects R2 and R3 ( (See step S30 in FIG. 8). When the determination is satisfied, the plurality of print objects R2 and R3 are displayed on the touch panel unit 13 with a large separation (see step S50 in FIG. 8). As a result, even if the operator accidentally selects a plurality of print objects R2 and R3 at the same time in the touch operation on the touch panel unit 13, the operator subsequently selects the print objects R2 and R3 that are separated from each other. Thus, the intended print object R2 can be reliably selected again.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, when the operator selects one print object R2 from the touch panel unit 13 in a state where the plurality of print objects R2 and R3 are displayed apart from each other as described above, the original state is restored. The label image LI4 in which the plurality of print objects R1 and R2 are arranged is displayed. At that time, the selected one print object R2 is displayed with a decoration different from the other print objects R1, R3, R4. As a result, the operator can visually and reliably recognize that only one print object intended by the operator has been correctly selected.

  In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention can be further modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the gist and technical idea. Hereinafter, such modifications will be sequentially described. Parts equivalent to those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified as appropriate.

(1) When using a PC that operates with a keyboard or the like instead of a touch panel As shown in FIG. 9, the operation terminal 2 ′ of this modification is replaced with the touch panel unit 13 of the operation terminal 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, a display 13 'such as a liquid crystal is provided. The display 13 'corresponds to display means described in each claim, and the operation unit 12 (keyboard KB, touch pad TP, mouse MU, etc.) corresponds to operation means described in each claim. In addition, the operation detection unit 17 (corresponding to a detection unit) detects an operation in the operation unit 12 and outputs a corresponding detection signal to the control circuit 14.

  A technique for preventing erroneous selection when selecting a print object in this modification will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the above embodiment.

  FIG. 10A shows a state where the label image LIa shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on an appropriate display screen 13A ′ of the display 13 ′, as in FIG. 6A described above. In FIG. 10A, the label image LI1 (corresponding to the first printed material image) includes the print object R1, the print object R2, the print object R3, and the print object R4. In the label image LI1 including a plurality of print objects (four in this example), the operator displays the cursor K on the display screen via the operation unit 12 (keyboard KB, touch pad TP, mouse MU, etc.). Any one print object R can be selected (for editing) by performing a moving operation in 13A ′.

  In the operation with the cursor K, as shown in FIG. 10B, not only one print object (for example, the print object R2) that the operator intends to select, but also a plurality of print objects (in this example, each other) There may be a case where the adjacent print object R2 and print object R4) are erroneously selected almost simultaneously (corresponding to the first selection).

  In the example shown in FIG. 10B, as in FIG. 6B, as a result of the simultaneous selection, the label image LI2 has a thick frame (or reverse display or the like) decoration around the print object R2. The corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners. Also, the print object R4 also has a thick border (or reverse display or the like) decoration around it, and corner display P3 at the four corners.

  When the above selection occurs, in this modified example, as shown in FIG. 10C, an operation input for confirming the intention of the operator is prompted (in other words, a confirmation operation for confirming whether or not a label image LI3 described later can be generated). A message display 130 for prompting input) is displayed in the form of an interrupt window on the label image LI2. In this example, the message display 130 includes a message content display section “A plurality of objects have been selected. Which one should be selected?”, An affirmative button 130 a “Yes (Y)”, and “No (N)”. And a negative button 130b.

  The confirmation of the intention as described above has the following significance. That is, unlike the case of the contact operation using the touch panel unit 13 as in the above-described embodiment, in the case of the operation with the cursor K in this modification, the operator initially has a plurality of print objects (print objects in the above example). There is a possibility that both of R2 and the print object R4 are selected at the same time with the intention of selecting both, but if the selected print objects are relatively close, the selection on the touch panel unit 13 is possible. In the present modification, the plurality of print objects selected as described above are relatively close to each other (described later). Only in step S30 of FIG. 12), after confirming that the operation is erroneous by the message display 130, the corresponding erroneous operation is dealt with. And is performed processing (described later).

  Note that the determination as to whether or not a plurality of adjacent objects are selected substantially simultaneously as described above is performed depending on whether or not the distance between the selected plurality of print objects is within a predetermined threshold value ( For details, see step S30 of FIG.

  In the case of the erroneous operation, the operator has operated the “Yes (Y)” affirmative button 130a with the cursor K in response to this (ie, the operator has agreed to proceed to the selection of any one print object). In this case, as shown in FIG. 11A corresponding to FIG. 6C, the erroneously selected plural (two in this example) print object R2 and print object R4 are extracted from the label image LI2. And are displayed separately. That is, the portion corresponding to the label image LI2 is a shaded label image LI3, and the extracted print objects R2 and R4 are divided into the left and right sides below the label image LI3 in the drawing. Is displayed (waiting for selection described later). As in the above embodiment, the separation distance L2 (corresponding to the second separation distance) of the print objects R2 and R4 at this time is the separation distance L1 (corresponding to the first separation distance) of the print objects R2 and R4 in the label image LI1. (See FIG. 10B). The print objects R2 and R4 extracted as described above and the label image LI3 correspond to the second printed image described in each claim.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (b), the operator pulls out and separates as described above, so that the operator can select only one print object (in this example, the print object R2) as the cursor. It is possible to select again (corresponding to the second selection) by the movement operation of K. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, a decoration mode such as a thick frame is displayed around the print object R2 selected in this way, and Corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners.

  When one print object R2 is correctly selected as described above, as shown in FIG. 11C, in the label image LI4 (corresponding to the third print product image), the print object R1, the print object R2, the print The object R3 and the print object R4 return to the original arrangement (as shown in the original label image LI1 in FIG. 10A). At that time, as described above, for the selected print object R2, the surrounding decoration mode and the corner display P1 are continuously displayed as they are, and the selection of the one print object R2 is confirmed. As a result, as in the above embodiment, the operator edits the selected one print object R2 as desired. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the operator changes the print object R2 to “¥ 198”. The character string can be changed to a character string of “¥ 188”.

<Control procedure>
A processing procedure of an operation input processing method executed by the CPU of the control circuit 14 of the operation terminal 2 using the operation input processing program of the present modified example in order to realize the above method will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

  FIG. 12 is different from FIG. 8 in the flow of FIG. 8 in that step S25 is omitted and step S35 and step S40 are newly provided between step S30 and step S50. Other procedures are almost the same except that the display process is performed not on the touch panel 13 but on the display 13 '.

  That is, in FIG. 12, first, in step S <b> 10 similar to FIG. 8, the CPU accepts an editing operation such as a character string of the operator and other operations via the operation unit 12 and the like as described above. This step S10 corresponds to the edit acceptance procedure described in each claim.

  Thereafter, in step S15 similar to FIG. 8, the CPU determines whether or not there is an instruction to display a label image on the display 13 ′ via the operation unit 12 or the like. If there is an instruction to display the label image, the determination in step S15 is satisfied (S15: YES), and the process proceeds to step S20 similar to FIG.

  In step S20, the CPU displays a label image including a character string and the like based on the operation received in step S10 on the display 13 '(in the above example, a label image LI1 including four print objects R1, R2, R3, R4). (See FIG. 10A). This step S20 corresponds to the first image display procedure described in each claim. When step S20 ends, the process proceeds to step S30 similar to FIG.

  In step S30, the CPU selects a plurality of print objects (print object R2 and print object R4 in the above example) in the label image with the cursor K based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 17 (approximately above). It is determined whether or not (refer to FIG. At this time, the CPU further determines a distance between the plurality of print objects, which are detected by the operation detection unit 17 as substantially the same operation using the cursor K, as a predetermined threshold value (an appropriate value, for example, the memory 15 It is also determined whether or not they are close to each other. When a substantially simultaneous selection operation over the plurality of print objects close to each other is detected, the determination in step S30 is satisfied (S30: YES), and the process proceeds to newly provided step S35. This step S30 corresponds to the first selection determination procedure described in each claim.

  In step S <b> 35, the CPU outputs a control signal to the display 13 ′ to display the message display 130 (corresponding to a display for prompting a confirmation operation input for whether or not the second printed image can be generated). This step S35 corresponds to a confirmation display procedure described in each claim. Then, it moves to newly provided step S40.

  In step S40, the CPU determines whether or not a confirmation operation has been performed on the message display 130, that is, whether or not the “Yes (Y)” affirmative button 130a has been operated with the cursor K. If a confirmation operation input is not made, the determination in step S40 is not satisfied (S40: NO), and a loop waits. If confirmation operation input is performed, determination of step S40 will be satisfy | filled (S40: YES), and it will transfer to step S50 similar to the said FIG.

  In step S50, the CPU outputs a control signal to the display 13 ', extracts the plurality of print objects (print object R2 and print object R4 in the above example) selected in step S30, and makes them larger (second second). Separation distance L2) The label image LI3 separated from the label image LI1 is displayed (see FIG. 11A). This step S50 corresponds to the second image display procedure described in each claim. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S60 similar to FIG.

  In step S60, based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 17, the CPU again selects one of the plurality of print objects separated as described above (print object R2 in the above example) with the cursor K. It is determined whether or not. Until either one of the print objects is selected, the determination in step S60 is not satisfied (S60: NO), and the loop waits until the determination is satisfied. When either one of the print objects (print object R2 in the example of FIG. 11B) is selected, the determination in step S60 is satisfied (S60: YES), and the process proceeds to step S70 similar to FIG. This step S60 corresponds to the second selection determination procedure described in each claim.

  In step S70, the CPU outputs a control signal to the display 13 ', and the one print object selected in step S60 (print object R2 in the example of FIG. 11B) is converted into the original label image (above described above). In the example, the label image LI4 is returned to the label image LI1) and is displayed on the display 13 'in a mode different from that of the other print objects (in the above example, a mode highlighted with a thick frame or the like) (FIG. 11 above). (See (c)). Thereafter, this flow is terminated. Note that step S70 corresponds to the third image display procedure described in each claim.

  Also in this modified example described above, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are obtained. That is, when the operator mistakenly selects a plurality of print objects (in the above example, print object R2 and print object R4) at substantially the same time, thereafter, the plurality of print objects R2, R4 are greatly separated from each other by a separation distance L2. Displayed. Accordingly, the operator can easily and reliably select only one print object (print object R2 in the above example) intended by the operator while avoiding the wrong selection as described above. Can do. Thereby, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  Further, based on the detection result of the operation detection unit 17, it is determined whether or not the first selection by the substantially simultaneous contact across the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 has been made by the cursor K (see step S30 in FIG. 12). . When the determination is satisfied, the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 are displayed on the display 13 'with a large separation (see step S50 in FIG. 12). As a result, even when the operator mistakenly selects the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 at the same time in the operation of the cursor K via the operation unit 12, the print objects in a separated state are thereafter used. One intended print object R2 can be reliably selected again from R2 and R4.

  In addition, when the operator selects one of the print objects R2 with the cursor K in a state where the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 are displayed apart from each other as described above, the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 are displayed in the original arrangement. A label image LI4 in which the objects R2 and R4 are arranged is displayed. At that time, the selected one print object R2 is displayed with a decoration different from the other print objects R1, R3, R4. As a result, the operator can visually and reliably recognize that only one print object intended by the operator has been correctly selected.

  Further, when a selection operation of the plurality of print objects R2 and R4 by the cursor K as described above (in other words, an operation in which erroneous selection is suspected) occurs, a message display 130 for prompting an operation input for confirming the operator's intention. Is displayed (see step S35 in FIG. 12). In this way, the case where the operator intends to select a plurality of print objects R2, R4 from the beginning is excluded from the application targets of the subsequent processing (step S50, step S60, step S70). be able to. As a result, it is possible to reliably avoid waste of generating the label image LI3 and the like, which are unnecessary when the operation is performed as intended by the operator.

(2) When using a portable operation terminal In this modification, a portable operation terminal 110 is used in place of the operation terminals 2 and 2 'formed of, for example, a general-purpose personal computer. That is, the operation terminal 110 includes an operation button 112 that can be operated by the operator and a touch panel unit 113 including, for example, a liquid crystal display, as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the operation terminal 110 has functions similar to those of the operation terminal 2 of the above embodiment, and includes a control circuit 14, a memory 15, a communication control unit 16, and an operation detection unit 17 (in the detection unit). Equivalent), the operation button 112 ′, and the touch panel unit 113. Similar to the above-described embodiment, the control circuit 14 is connected to the label producing apparatus 3 by wireless communication (or wired communication) via the communication control unit 16, and can transmit and receive various information and data to and from the label producing apparatus 3. It has become.

  The touch panel unit 113 includes a predetermined operation function and a predetermined display function, like the touch panel unit 13 in the above embodiment. That is, the touch panel unit 113 can display the label images LI1 to LI4 including objects to be printed on the print label L based on the operation input via the operator's operation button 112 ′ (or the touch panel unit 113). (Refer to FIG. 15, FIG. 16, etc. described later). Further, the touch panel unit 113 can select the objects of the label images LI1 to LI4 displayed as described above (for example, for editing) by touching the operator's fingertip (details will be described later). The contact operation at this time is detected by the operation detection unit 17, and a corresponding detection signal is output to the control circuit 14.

  A technique for preventing erroneous selection when selecting a print object in this modification will be described below with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 corresponding to FIGS. 6 and 7 of the above embodiment.

  FIG. 15A shows a state where the label image LIa shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on an appropriate display screen 113A of the touch panel unit 113 as in FIG. 6A described above. In FIG. 15A, the label image LI1 (corresponding to the first printed material image) includes the print object R1, the print object R2, the print object R3, and the print object R4. In the label image LI1 including such a plurality (four in this example) of print objects, the operator touches the touch panel unit 13 with the fingertip H to select one of the print objects R (for editing). ) Can be selected.

  In the operation with the fingertip H, as shown in FIG. 15B, not only one print object (for example, print object R2) that the operator intends to select, but also a plurality of print objects (in this example, each other) There may be a case where the print object R2 and the print object R3) arranged in an overlapping manner are erroneously selected almost simultaneously (corresponding to the first selection).

  In the example shown in FIG. 15B, as in FIG. 6B described above, as a result of the above simultaneous selection, the label image LI2 has a thick frame (or may be reversed display) around the print object R2. Is displayed, and corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners. Further, in the print object R3, end portion displays P2 are displayed at both ends of the double line (in order to indicate that they are selected in the same manner as described above).

  When the erroneous selection as described above occurs, as shown in FIG. 15C corresponding to FIG. 6C, the erroneously selected plural (two in this example) print object R2 and print object R3 is extracted from the label image LI2 and displayed separately. That is, the portion corresponding to the label image LI2 is a shaded label image LI3, and the extracted print objects R2 and R3 are divided into the left and right sides below the label image LI3 in the drawing. Is displayed (waiting for selection described later). Similar to the above embodiment, the separation distance L2 (corresponding to the second separation distance) of the print objects R2 and R3 at this time is the separation distance L1 (corresponding to the first separation distance) of the print objects R2 and R3 in the label image LI1. In the example of FIG.15 (b), since it overlaps, it is larger than L1 = 0. The print objects R2 and R3 extracted as described above and the label image LI3 correspond to the second printed image described in each claim.

  As shown in FIG. 16 (b), the operator pulls out and separates as described above, so that the operator can move only one print object intended by the operator (in this example, only the print object R2 to the fingertip). It is possible to make another selection (corresponding to the second selection) by the contact operation of H. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, a decoration mode such as a thick frame is displayed around the print object R2 selected in this way, and Corner display P1 is displayed at the four corners.

  When one print object R2 is correctly selected as described above, as shown in FIG. 16C, in the label image LI4 (corresponding to the third print product image), the print object R1, the print object R2, the print The object R3 and the print object R4 return to the original arrangement (as shown in the original label image LI1 in FIG. 15A). At that time, as described above, for the selected print object R2, the surrounding decoration mode and the corner display P1 are continuously displayed as they are, and the selection of the one print object R2 is confirmed. As a result, as in the above embodiment, the operator edits the selected one print object R2 as desired. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the operator changes the print object R2 to “¥ 198”. The character string can be changed to a character string of “¥ 188”.

  Each procedure of the operation input processing method executed by the CPU of the control circuit 14 of the operation terminal 110 using the operation input processing program in order to realize the above-described method is the same as that shown in FIG. Description is omitted.

  Also in this modified example described above, the same effects as those of the above embodiment are obtained. That is, if the operator mistakenly selects a plurality of print objects (in the above example, print object R2 and print object R3) at substantially the same time, then the plurality of print objects R2, R3 are separated from each other by a separation distance L2. Displayed. Accordingly, the operator can easily and reliably select only one print object (print object R2 in the above example) intended by the operator while avoiding the wrong selection as described above. Can do. Thereby, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  When the operator selects one of the print objects R2 with the fingertip H in a state where the plurality of print objects R2 and R3 are displayed apart from each other as described above, the plurality of print objects R2 and R3 are displayed in the original arrangement. A label image LI4 in which the objects R2 and R3 are arranged is displayed. At that time, the selected one print object R2 is displayed with a decoration different from the other print objects R1, R3, R4. As a result, the operator can visually and reliably recognize that only one print object intended by the operator has been correctly selected.

  In the above, the arrows shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 9, and 14 show an example of the signal flow, and do not limit the signal flow direction.

  Further, the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 8, and 12 do not limit the present invention to the procedure shown in the above-mentioned flow, and the addition / deletion of the procedure or the order of the steps are within the scope not departing from the spirit and technical idea of the invention. Changes may be made.

  In addition to those already described above, the methods according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

2 Operation terminal 3 Label production device (printing device)
12 Operation part (operation means)
13 Touch panel section (display means, operation means)
14 control circuit 17 operation detection part (detection means)
33 Tape to be printed (Media to be printed)
113 Touch panel section (display means, operation means)
L Print label (printed matter)
L1 separation distance (first separation distance)
L2 separation distance (second separation distance)
LI1 label image (first printed image)
LI3 label image (second printed material image)
LI4 label image (third printed image)
R1-4 Print object

Claims (2)

An operation means configured to be able to be connected to a printing apparatus that forms a print object by printing a print object on a print medium, and capable of executing a desired operation input; a detection means for detecting the operation input to the operation means; And for the calculation means provided in the operation terminal having a display means for performing a desired display,
An edit acceptance procedure for accepting an edit operation of the print object to be printed on the printed matter via the operation means;
A first image display procedure for generating a first printed image on which at least one of the print objects is arranged based on the editing operation received in the editing reception procedure, and displaying the first printed image on the display unit;
A first selection determination procedure for determining whether or not the first selection is made substantially simultaneously with respect to the plurality of print objects included in the first print image based on the detection result of the detection means;
When it is determined in the first selection determination procedure that the first selection is made at substantially the same time, the plurality of print objects related to the first selection are set to be more than the first separation distance in the first printed image. A second image display procedure for generating a second printed image separated by a large second separation distance and displaying the second printed image on the display unit;
Was executed,
The detection means includes
Detecting the operation input via the keyboard or mouse or touchpad as the operation means;
In the first image display procedure,
Generating the first printed image and displaying it on the display as the display means;
In the first selection determination procedure,
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the first selection using the keyboard, the mouse, or the touchpad is performed on the plurality of print objects included in the first printed image, and the first selection is performed. Determining whether the first separation distance between the selected plurality of print objects is within a predetermined threshold;
In the second image display procedure,
Displaying the second printed image on the display;
For the calculation means,
Confirmation of whether or not the second printed image can be generated when the substantially simultaneous first selection is made in the first selection determination procedure and it is determined that the first separation distance is within the predetermined threshold value. A confirmation display procedure for displaying an operation prompting display on the display is executed,
In the second image display procedure,
When the confirmation operation input corresponding to the confirmation display procedure is performed via the keyboard, the mouse, or the touch pad, the second printed image is displayed on the display.
An operation input processing program characterized by that . The operation input processing program according to claim 1 ,
In a state where the second printed product image is displayed on the display unit in the second image display procedure, a second selection is made for any one of the print objects in the second printed product image based on the detection result of the detecting unit. A second selection determination procedure for determining whether or not
When it is determined in the second selection determination procedure that the second selection of the one print object has been made, the one print object related to the second selection is given a decoration mode different from other print objects. In addition, a third printed image is generated by separating the plurality of print objects related to the first selection including the one print object by the first separation distance, and is displayed on the display unit. Image display procedure,
An operation input processing program for executing

Images