JP6241057B2 - Label editing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label editing apparatus that edits contents to be printed on a label to be attached to a product or the like, for example.

In a store such as a supermarket, a label printed with a predetermined item such as a product name and a price is attached to a product packed with fresh food or prepared dishes.
Such label printing and label issuing are performed by a label printer. For example, as a label printer, a label printed with information related to a product such as product name, price, additive, and storage method is issued in accordance with a predetermined printing format in response to a key operation by an operator. A label printer is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-10-324320

In the label printer as described above, the content printed on the label can be presented prior to issuing the label so that, for example, the operator (user) can confirm whether the input content is correct or not and whether layout is necessary. It is preferable to do.
Also in this case, it is preferable not only to present the contents printed on the label but also to present the contents printed on the label in such a manner that the print items are clear, for example, because the user can easily edit.

  However, in Patent Document 1, there is only a description that a label printer prints input information on a label according to a print format, and there is no description regarding a display for confirming the print contents. For this reason, it is difficult for the label printer described in Patent Document 1 to present the printed contents of the label.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a label editing apparatus capable of presenting the print contents of a label in such a manner that the user can easily edit the label. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a label editing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a label editing apparatus that edits contents of a print item to be printed on a label, and is set on the label corresponding to each print item. The label format that indicates the printed area, the storage unit that stores the print item content data that indicates the content of each print item, and the contents of the print item that is indicated by the print item content data are printed in the print area that is indicated by the label format And a display control unit for displaying a print item guide of information indicating a name for each print item on a label image indicating the state of the label.

  According to the above configuration, the information indicating the name for each print item is displayed on the label image that indicates the edit result of the label in which the print item to be printed is set according to the label format.

  As described above, according to the present invention, as a label editing device, there is an effect that it is possible to present the print contents of a label in such a manner that the user can easily edit the label.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of a label printer according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a mode of the label information screen which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a mode of the standard label image screen which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the aspect of the label image screen with a guide which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the aspect of the label image screen with a list concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the label printer which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the goods file which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the label format file which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence which the label printer which concerns on this embodiment performs for the display of a label image screen. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process sequence which the label printer which concerns on this embodiment performs according to the edit operation of the printing item content with respect to the label image screen with a list.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of the appearance of a label printer 100 which is an example of a label editing apparatus according to this embodiment. The label printer 100 shown in this figure includes a main body unit 200 and a scale unit 300. The main body unit 200 and the scale unit 300 are communicably connected by a cable 101.

  A liquid crystal display unit 204 is provided on the upper panel of the main body unit 200. In the liquid crystal display unit 204, various images relating to label creation, editing, and issuance are displayed according to the operation of the label printer 100. A touch panel 205 is disposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal display unit 204. In addition, although the liquid crystal display part 204 is a display part by a liquid crystal display, the display part by display devices other than a liquid crystal display, such as an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display, may be provided instead.

The touch panel 205 detects a position where an operating body such as a human finger contacts, and outputs it as an operation signal. By combining the liquid crystal display unit 204 and the touch panel 205 in this manner, the store clerk can perform a touch operation such as touching an image such as a button displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 204.
Further, in the main body 200 of FIG. 1, the label discharge unit 206a is a part from which the issued label is discharged.

  The scale unit 300 is a device that measures the weight of a placed object, and is provided for measuring the weight of a packed product, for example. For example, the store clerk designates a unit price per 100 g by an operation on the touch panel 205 on the main body unit 200 side, and then places the packed product on the weighing unit 300 and measures its weight. The main body 200 can calculate the price of the packed product by inputting the weight of the packed prize measured by the scale unit 300. That is, as long as the unit price per unit weight is specified, the label printer 100 automatically calculates the price of the packed product by measuring the weight of the packed product using the scale unit 300, and the calculated price is labeled. Can be printed.

Here, an example of label creation and editing in the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, a label format is used when creating a label. The user can create and edit a label format.
When creating a label format, whether or not to print a label is set for each type of print item prepared in advance. The type of print item to be printed on the label varies depending on, for example, the type of product. For example, information on additives and the like is not necessary for products such as fresh foods in which no additive is added. The user selects the type of print item to be printed on the label in accordance with the characteristics of each product, and sets printing.
In creating and editing the label format, the size of the print area and the position on the label corresponding to each set print item are set.

  Next, an example of label creation and editing in the present embodiment will be described. A user (store clerk) can perform an operation to instruct label editing on a predetermined operation screen displayed on the label printer 100. At this time, the user designates the product for label editing. By specifying the product, the label format associated with the specified product is read, and for example, a label editing screen (not shown) corresponding to the read label format is displayed. When the label format is not associated with the product, an operation for designating the label format may be performed together with the designation of the product to be edited.

In the label editing screen, for example, a list of print items in which printing is set in the corresponding label format is shown. The user can perform an operation of selecting an arbitrary print item as an input target from a list of print items displayed on the label editing screen. When a print item to be input as a print item to be input is selected, the label printer 100 displays a character input screen corresponding to the selected print item.
The user inputs the character of the content as the corresponding print item on the displayed character input screen. For example, when the character input screen corresponds to the print item of the product name, the user inputs a character as the product name such as “Wagyu beef loin” on the character input screen.
Thus, in this embodiment, a label can be created by inputting the contents of each label format print item.

In addition, the label printer 100 according to the present embodiment can output a label information screen in which a label creation result corresponding to each product is reflected.
FIG. 2 shows a display mode example of the label information screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 204 of the label printer 100.
Label information is displayed on the label information screen. Label information shows the predetermined information regarding the content of the label produced corresponding to one goods. FIG. 2 shows label information created corresponding to the product “Wagyu beef loin”.
In addition, the button for every item is arrange | positioned on the label information screen of FIG. The user can perform a touch operation on an arbitrary item on the label information screen. The label information screen displays a detailed screen showing the detailed contents of the touched item in response to a touch operation performed on the item.

  In addition, under the state where the label information screen is displayed, in response to the user performing a predetermined operation for issuing a label, the label printer 100 in FIG. 1 displays the product information displayed on the label information screen. Print the print items on the label paper. Then, the label printer 100 issues the printed paper as a label from the label discharge unit 206a.

  Further, the label printer 100 can display a label image screen. The label image screen is a screen on which an image showing the content of the label printed according to the label information is displayed. For example, the label image screen is displayed in response to an operation on the label print image button BT1 on the label information screen of FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows a display mode example of the label image screen in the present embodiment. The label image screen of FIG. 3 includes a label image window WD1, a product designation area AR1, and a button area AR2.

The label image window WD1 is a window in which the label image image LIM is displayed.
The label image image LIM is an image showing the contents of the label printed according to the label information. That is, the label image LIM indicates the state of the label in which the contents of the print item indicated by the print item content data are printed on the print area indicated by the label format.

The user (store clerk) can determine whether or not the content of each print item in the created label is correct by looking at the label image LIM.
Further, the contents (print item contents) of each print item in the label image image LIM are shown in the corresponding print area. The print area for each print item has its size and position set according to the label format. Therefore, the user can confirm whether or not the arrangement state of the print area for each print item is appropriate by looking at the label image image LIM.

  The product designation area AR1 is an area indicating a product corresponding to the label displayed in the label image window WD1. The product designation area AR1 indicates a product corresponding to the label displayed in the label image window WD1, for example, by a product number and a product name (product name). The user can also specify a product corresponding to a label to be displayed on the label image window WD1 by performing an operation of inputting a product number or name to the product specifying area AR1.

The button area AR2 is an image on which various buttons for performing a predetermined operation on the label image screen are arranged.
Specifically, the button area AR2 in FIG. 3 includes a print item guide display button BT11, a print item list display button BT12, an end button BT13, and a return button BT14.

The print item guide display button BT11 is a button for performing an operation for displaying a print item guide on the label image screen. A display mode example of the print item guide will be described later.
The print item list display button BT12 is a button for performing an operation for displaying the print item list on the label image screen. A display mode example of the label image screen with the print item list will be described later.
The end button BT13 is a button that is operated to save the contents changed by the editing operation on the label image screen and to end the label image screen. For example, when the operation on the end button BT13 is performed, the display shifts to the display of the label information screen in which the contents changed by the editing operation on the label image screen are reflected.
The return button BT14 is a button for performing an operation for returning to the label information screen before the transition to the label image screen, for example, without saving the contents changed by the editing operation on the label image screen.

  Further, the label image image LIM in the label image window WD1 can be enlarged or reduced by an operation on another predetermined button for the button area AR2. Further, the print area arranged on the label image LIM can be moved by an operation on another predetermined button on the button area AR2.

  The contents of the label image LIM shown in FIG. 3 directly reflect the visual contents printed on the label. The printed contents such as characters and barcodes in the label image image LIM displayed in this way correspond to any of the print items set in the label format. The arrangement of the print contents in the label image LIM corresponds to the position and size of the print area for each print item in the label format.

  Here, when the print item guide display button BT11 in the button area AR2 is operated in a state where the label image screen of FIG. 3 is displayed, the label image screen of FIG. 3 changes to the mode shown in FIG.

In the label image screen of FIG. 4, the contents of the label image image LIM are different from those in FIG. That is, the label image image LIM in FIG. 4 is a form in which the print item guide corresponding to each print item is superimposed on the content of the label image image LIM in FIG.
The print item guide is information indicating the name of the print item for each print item and the position and size of the print area on the label image LIM.
Specifically, print item name information NM1 and a print area instruction frame PAR1 are arranged corresponding to the characters “Wagyu beef loin” in the label image LIM in FIG. The print item name information NM1 is information indicating the name of the corresponding print item type (print item name), and FIG. 4 shows an example in which the characters “product name” are displayed. The print area instruction frame PAR1 indicates the position and size of the print area set in the label format for the corresponding print item, for example, by a rectangular frame shape.
The user sees the print item guide by the combination of the print item name information NM1 and the print area instruction frame PAR1 displayed in this way, and the character “Wagyu beef loin” is input corresponding to the print item “product name”. It is possible to grasp that the printed contents are printed. Further, the user can visually grasp the position and size of the print area set in correspondence with the print item “product name”.

Further, in the label image image LIM of FIG. 4, in addition to the print item guide by the print item name information NM1 and the print area instruction frame PAR1, for example, the print item guide by the print item name information NM2 and the print area instruction frame PAR2 Also arranged.
By viewing the print item guide based on the combination of the print item name information NM2 and the print area instruction frame PAR2, the user indicates that the portion indicated by the print area instruction frame PAR2 (the portion surrounded by the print area instruction frame PAR2) is “additive”. It can be confirmed that the content is input as a print item. Further, the user can visually grasp the position and size of the print area set corresponding to the print item “additive”.

Similarly, in the label image image LIM of FIG. 4, the print item name information NM3 and the print area instruction frame PAR3, the print item name information NM4 and the print area instruction frame PAR4, the print item name information NM5 and the print area instruction frame PAR5, the print Print item guides are provided by combinations of item name information NM6 and print area instruction frame PAR6, print item name information NM7 and print area instruction frame PAR7, and print item name information NM8 and print area instruction frame PAR8.
By looking at these print item guides, the user can select various types (expiration date, unit price, content, price, barcode 1, store information) indicated by the print item name information NM3-8 in the label image LIM. With respect to the print items, it is possible to grasp what print item contents are input. Further, the user can grasp the position of the print area for each of the various print items indicated in the print item name information NM3 to NM8.
In the following description, when the print item name information NM1 to NM1-8 is not particularly distinguished, the print item name information NM is described, and when the print area instruction frames PAR1 to 8 are not particularly distinguished, the print area instruction frame PAR is referred to as the print area instruction frame PAR. Describe.

For example, by looking at the label image LIM in FIG. 3, the user can confirm the content as it is when the input print item is printed on the label. However, as a user, for example, there is a case where it is desired to confirm which print item corresponds to the print content in the label image image LIM. However, the label image LIM in FIG. 3 is a mode that shows the content of the label as it is when printing is performed. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to confirm the correspondence between the print contents and the print items in the label image image LIM only by looking at the label image image LIM in FIG.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the print item guide can be arranged and displayed on the label image LIM. As a result, the user can easily confirm the correspondence between the print contents on the label image LIM and the print items.

  For example, when the print item guide is deleted from the state shown in FIG. 4 and the label image image LIM without the print item guide is displayed, the user operates the print item guide display button BT11 again. do it. As described above, when the print item guide display button BT11 is operated in a state where the print item guide is arranged, the print item guide is deleted, and the state returns to the state of the label image screen of FIG.

When the print item list display button BT12 is operated while the label image screen shown in FIG. 3 or 4 is displayed, the label image screen changes to the mode shown in FIG.
In the label image screen of FIG. 5, a print item list window WD2 is arranged together with a label image window WD1. When the print item list window WD2 is arranged in this way, the print item guide is arranged in the label image image LIM in the label image window WD1 as in FIG.

The print item list is displayed in the print item list window WD2.
The print item list shows a list of print items set in the label format corresponding to the label image image LIM on the same label image screen. Therefore, each print item column shown in the print item list corresponds to one of the print item guides arranged for each print item in the label image LIM.

Thus, both the print item guide of the label image image LIM and the print item list of the print item list window WD2 shown in FIG. 5 are set in the label format corresponding to the label displayed on the label image image LIM. The printed items are shown.
However, the print item guides are scattered and arranged on the label image LIM according to the position of the print area, etc., but in the print item list, each print item is displayed in a state arranged in the print item list window WD2. Is done. For this reason, for example, it is easier to grasp the breakdown of the print items set in the label format when viewing the print item list than when viewing the print item guide display.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, an edit button BT21 is arranged on the label image screen on which the print item list is displayed. The edit button BT21 is a button for performing an operation for enabling the print item selected from the print item list to be edited on the label image LIM.

For example, the user performs an operation of selecting a print item to be edited from the print item list in the print item list window WD2. The operation for selecting the print item to be edited may be, for example, a touch operation on the column indicating the print item to be edited among the columns of the print items shown in the print item list. In response to an operation for selecting a print item to be edited, the column of the selected print item is highlighted in the print item list.
Next, the user performs an operation on the edit button BT21 with the print item selected as described above. As the operation on the edit button BT21 is performed, the print item selected as the edit target from the print item list can be edited by the operation on the label image image LIM in the label image window WD1. For example, in response to an operation on the edit button BT21, the print area instruction frame PAR of the print item selected as the edit target on the label image LIM is highlighted to indicate that editing is possible.
Further, the editing of the print item here specifically includes a change in the position and size of the print area, a change in characters in the print area (contents of the print item), and the like.
As described above, the user can edit the contents of the print item by an operation on the label image image LIM.

  Further, when the print item guide display button BT11 is displayed in the state where the label image screen of FIG. 5 is displayed, for example, the display transits to the label image screen of FIG.

In a state where any one of the label image screens shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is displayed, the user wants to save the editing result of the print item performed on the label image image LIM. The end button BT13 is operated.
In response to the operation of the end button BT13, the label printer 100 stores the label format and the print item content data reflecting the changed content for each print item content by the operation on the label image image LIM so far. At the same time, the display of the label image screen that has been displayed so far is terminated, and the display transitions to the display of the label information screen shown in FIG. However, when a transition is made to the label information screen in accordance with the operation of the end button BT13, the content of the label information screen after the transition changes to a state in which the content of the saved editing data is reflected.

  Further, when the user wants to end the label image screen without reflecting the editing result of the print item performed on the label image image LIM, the user may operate the return button BT14. In response to the operation of the return button BT14, the label printer 100 ends the label image screen without saving the change result of the print item contents by the operation on the label image image LIM so far, and displays the label information screen. Transition to. Thus, when it changes to a label information screen according to operation with respect to the return button BT14, the content of a label information screen is the same as before changing to a label image screen.

The label image image LIM shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 shows an example in which both the print item name information NM and the print area instruction frame PAR are arranged as a print item guide corresponding to each print item.
However, for example, only the print item name information NM may be arranged as a print item guide corresponding to the print items on the label image LIM. In this case, for example, according to a predetermined operation, both the print item name information NM and the print area instruction frame PAR are arranged as print item guides on the label image LIM, and only the print item name information NM. May be switched between the state where the is placed as a print item guide.
In addition, the print item name information NM shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 indicates characters that are almost regular names for the corresponding print items. However, the print item name information NM does not necessarily have to accurately describe the name. For example, “BAR 1” may be described as “BAR 1” or the like, and the name of the print item may be indicated by an abbreviation. Good. Further, the print item name information NM may indicate the name of the print item together with a picture that makes the name of the print item appear in addition to characters and the like.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the label printer 100. The main body 200 in the label printer 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a liquid crystal display unit 204, a touch panel 205, a label issuing unit 206, and a communication unit 207. Prepare.

The CPU 201 forms a computer together with the ROM 202 and the RAM 203.
The CPU 201 implements various operations as the label printer 100 by executing a program stored in the ROM 202.

The ROM 202 stores various data used by the CPU 201 in addition to programs executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201.
Here, the RAM 203 stores a label format (label format file) and a product file (print item content data) as a storage unit.
The label format indicates a print area set on the label corresponding to each print item to be printed. Print item content data Indicates the content (print item content) for each print item.

  The liquid crystal display unit 204 is provided in the main body unit 200 as illustrated in FIG. 1 and displays a predetermined operation image in accordance with the control of the CPU 201. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the touch panel 205 is provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal display unit 204 and outputs position information indicating a touched position in response to a touch operation. The CPU 201 processes position information output from the touch panel 205 as operation information. Thereby, in the label printer 100, an operation in response to the touch operation on the image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 204 is performed.

  The label issuing unit 206 prints the contents of the print item according to the label editing result on a label sheet, and issues the printed sheet as a label. For example, in the main body unit 200, the label issuing unit 206 includes a storage mechanism unit that stores label sheets, a printing mechanism unit that prints on label sheets, and a label discharge mechanism unit that discharges printed labels from the label discharge unit 206a. Is provided.

The communication unit 207 is a part having a connector and a communication function corresponding to a predetermined communication method.
As described above, by connecting the scale unit 300 to the communication unit 207, the scale unit 300 can communicate with the CPU 201 of the main body unit 200. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication unit 207 and the scale unit 300 are connected by the cable 101, but may be connected by wireless communication, for example.

  The scale unit 300 includes a load cell 301 that converts a load into an electrical signal, thereby measuring the weight of an object placed on the load cell 301. Then, the scale unit 300 outputs information indicating the measured weight to the CPU 201 via the communication unit 207. Using the weight information thus input, the CPU 201 can calculate the price of the product as described above and reflect it in the product data. Note that the scale unit 300 may be configured to measure the weight by means other than the load cell 301.

FIG. 7 shows a product file that is one piece of information stored in the RAM 203. The product file is information indicating the input contents of the print items for each product for which a label is to be issued. In the present embodiment, information for each product in the product file is print item content data.
The product file has a structure in which, for each product, information corresponding to each print item such as a product number, a product name, a unit price, an expiration date, and an additive is associated with format number information.

  Each item of the print item in the product file stores the content of the print item input in response to the label editing operation. Further, although not shown in the drawing, a predetermined value indicating invalidity may be stored for the print item in which no printing is set in the corresponding label format in the print item information.

  Further, the format number information in the product file stores the format number of the label format applied to the corresponding product among the format numbers assigned to the label formats stored in the label format file of FIG.

A RAM (storage unit) 203 stores a label format. The RAM 203 stores the label format in the form of a label format file, for example.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of a label format file stored in the RAM 203.
The label format file shown in FIG. 8 has a structure in which format number, setting print item, upper right fulcrum coordinate, lower left fulcrum coordinate, orientation, and font data are associated with each label format.
The format number indicates a format number that is an identifier of the corresponding label format. By associating the format number of the label format file with the format number associated with each product in the product file of FIG. 8, the information for each product in the product file is associated with the label format.

The setting print item stores a print item set to have printing in the corresponding label format.
The upper right fulcrum coordinate indicates the coordinate of the upper right fulcrum of the print area of the corresponding print item in the setting print item. The lower left fulcrum coordinate indicates the coordinate of the lower left fulcrum of the print area of the corresponding print item in the setting print item.
In the present embodiment, a case where the print area is a square (square or rectangular) is taken as an example. When the printing area is a square, the upper right fulcrum is the upper right vertex of the square, and the lower left fulcrum is the lower left vertex of the square. Therefore, the size and position of the print area can be expressed by upper right fulcrum coordinates and lower left fulcrum coordinates.
For example, when the upper right fulcrum coordinate is represented by (x1, y1) and the lower left fulcrum coordinate is represented by (x2, y2), the position of the print area is the upper right fulcrum coordinate (x1, y1) and the lower left fulcrum coordinate (x2, y2). It is obtained as a rectangular area on the label determined by. The size of the print area is also determined by the absolute value of (x1-x2) for the horizontal length and the absolute value of (y1-y2) for the vertical length.

The direction indicates whether the direction of the character string in the print area of the corresponding print item is vertical or horizontal.
The font is information about the font printed in the print area of the corresponding print item, and indicates, for example, the type and size of the font.

  For example, by specifying a product number, the CPU 201 reads out information on a print item associated with the specified product number from the product file as print item content data. Further, the CPU 201 reads data associated with the label format indicated by the format number associated with the designated product number in the product file from the label format file.

  The CPU 201 can generate the label image image LIM by laying out the print item information (print item content data) read from the product file according to the read label format.

Further, the CPU 201 can display a print item guide on the label image LIM as shown in FIG. 4 based on the content of the read label format data.
That is, the CPU 201 recognizes the name of the print item for each print item using the information of the set print item in the read label format. Further, the CPU 201 determines the position of the print area instruction frame on the label image image LIM using the information on the upper right fulcrum coordinate, the lower left fulcrum coordinate and the orientation in the read label format. Then, the CPU 201 displays the print area instruction frame PAR at the determined position, and displays the name of the recognized print item as the print item name information NM in correspondence with the displayed print area instruction frame.

Further, the CPU 201 can display a label image screen on which a print item guide is displayed as shown in FIG. 5 based on the contents of the read label format.
That is, the CPU 201 generates an image of the print item list using the information of the set print item in the read label format, and displays the print item list in the print item list window WD2.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the label printer 100 to display the label image screen as described with reference to FIGS. In executing the processing shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 201 in FIG. 6 executes a function as a display control unit.
In the following description, a label image screen in a mode in which the print item guide and the print item list window WD2 are not displayed as illustrated in FIG. 3 is referred to as a standard label image screen. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a label image screen in which a print item guide (print item name information, print area) is arranged with respect to the label image image LIM is referred to as a labeled label image screen. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the label image screen in which the label image window WD1 and the print item list window WD2 are displayed is referred to as a label image screen with a list.

Step S101: The display control unit waits for an operation to instruct display of the label image screen. The operation for instructing display of the label image screen is, for example, an operation for the label print image button BT1 on the label information screen.
Step S102: In response to an operation for instructing display of the label image screen, the display control unit displays a standard label image screen corresponding to the designated product indicated by the label information screen. At this time, the display control unit uses the product data (print item content data) corresponding to the product designated in the product file and the label format data associated with the product designated in the label format file as a standard. Display the label image screen.
Step S103: The display control unit determines whether or not the print item guide display button BT11 is operated in a state where any one of the standard label image screen, the guided label image screen, and the list-attached label image screen is displayed. ing.

Step S104: When it is determined in step S103 that the print item guide display button BT11 has been operated, the display control unit determines whether or not the currently-guided label image screen is being displayed.
In the state where the label image screen with guide is being displayed, the display control unit erases the label printing guide from the label image image LIM and returns to the display of the standard label image screen by returning the process to step S102.

Step S105: If it is determined in step S104 that the guided label image screen is not being displayed, the display control unit displays the guided label image screen.
Specifically, when it is determined in step S104 that the guided label image screen is not being displayed, either the standard label image screen or the list-attached label image screen is currently being displayed.
When the standard label image screen is currently being displayed, the display control unit displays the label image screen with guide by arranging the print item guide on the label image image LIM.
If the label image screen with list is currently being displayed, the display control unit deletes the print item list window WD2, and displays the label image LIM on which the print item guide is arranged. Leave window WD1. As a result, the display is changed from the label image screen with list to the label image screen with guide. When the display control unit changes the display to the guided label image screen, the label image window is used so that the area that is not displayed by erasing the print item list window WD2 is also used as the area of the label image window WD1. You may change the size of WD1. Further, as the size of the label image window WD1 changes, the enlargement ratio of the label image image LIM in the label image window WD1 may be changed as appropriate.

Step S106: In a state where the standard label image screen or the guided label image screen is displayed, the display control unit determines whether or not an operation has been performed on the print item list display button BT12.
Step S107: When it is determined that an operation has been performed on the print item list display button BT12, the display control unit displays a label image screen with a list.

Step S108: The display control unit determines whether or not the end button BT13 or the return button BT14 is operated in a state where any one of the standard label image screen, the guided label image screen, and the list-attached label image screen is displayed. To do.
If it is determined that the end button BT13 or the return button BT14 is not operated, the display control unit returns the process to step S103.
Step S109: When it is determined that the end button BT13 or the return button BT14 is operated, the display control unit ends the display of the label image screen and makes a transition to the display of the label information screen, for example.

  By executing the processing of FIG. 9 in this way, the display can be transitioned among the standard label image screen, the guided label image screen, and the list-attached label image screen in accordance with a user operation.

  The flowchart of FIG. 10 shows an example of a processing procedure executed by the label printer 100 in response to an operation for editing a label under the state in which the label image screen with list exemplified in FIG. 5 is displayed. It is a flowchart to show. In executing the processing shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 201 in FIG. 6 executes a function as a print item editing unit.

Step S201: The print item editing unit determines whether or not an operation for selecting a print item in the print item list in the print item list window WD2 is performed in a state where the label image screen with list is displayed. As described above, the operation for selecting the print item column in the print item list is a touch operation on the print items arranged in the print item list.
If an operation for selecting a print item in the print item list is not performed, the print item editing unit skips step S202 and advances the process to step S203.

  Step S202: In response to an operation for selecting a print item, the print item editing unit executes display control so that highlighting is performed for the column of the selected print item.

  Step S203: The print item editing unit determines whether or not an operation is performed on the edit button BT21 while the label image screen with list is displayed. If no operation is performed on the edit button BT21, the print item editing unit advances the process to step S207.

  Step S204: When an operation is performed on the edit button BT21, the print item editing unit further determines whether there is a print item currently selected (highlighted) in the print item list. If there is no currently selected print item in the print item list, the print item editing unit advances the processing to step S207.

Step S205: When there is a currently selected print item, the print item editing unit sets the selected print item as an edit target. That is, the print item editing unit selects a print item to be edited in step S205.
Step S206: After selecting the print item to be edited in step S205, the print item editing unit changes the print item content for the print item to be edited in response to an operation for editing. The changed print item contents are retained.
Specifically, for example, if an operation for changing the character string to be input to the print area is performed, the print item editing unit changes the character string in the print item content, and the print item content including the changed character string. Hold. In addition, if an operation for changing the position or size of the print area is performed, the print item editing unit changes the position or size of the print area in the print item contents, and information on the position or size of the changed print area. Holds the print item contents including.

  Step S207: The print item editing unit determines whether or not the end button BT13 has been operated. If the end button BT13 is not operated, the print item editing unit advances the process to step S210.

  Step S208: In response to the end button BT13 being operated, the print item editing unit stores the print item contents currently held. Specifically, for example, among the print item content data stored in the RAM 203, the print item content data corresponding to the product selected as the editing target is updated with the print item content currently held. In this way, as the print item contents are saved, the contents changed by the user performing an editing operation on the print contents of the print item to be edited are confirmed.

Step S209: The print item editing unit reflects the print content item saved in step S208 on the label image image LIM on the currently displayed label image screen with list.
Specifically, if the character string in the print area has been changed as the print item content in step S206, the print item editing unit changes the character string of the corresponding print item in the label image image LIM to the content after saving. To do.
If the position or size of the print area has been changed as the print item content in step S206, the print item editing unit sets the saved position or size of the corresponding print area instruction frame PAR in the label image image LIM. Change as shown.

Step S210: The print item editing unit determines whether or not the return button BT14 has been operated. If the return button BT14 is not operated, the print item editing unit returns the process to step S201.
Step S211: If it is determined in step S210 that the return button BT14 has been operated, the print item editing unit discards the changed print item contents held in step S206.
By executing the processing of FIG. 10 as described above, it is possible to edit the contents of the print item according to the user's operation in the state where the label image screen with list is displayed.

In the description of the embodiments so far, an example in which the present invention is applied to a label printer is given. However, as an apparatus to which the present invention is applied, for example, a packaging machine for wrapping a product or a scale for measuring the weight of the product may be provided with label editing and label printing functions.
Moreover, as an apparatus to which the present invention is applied, for example, an apparatus having a label editing function separate from an apparatus having a label printing function may be used. The device having such a label editing function may be a dedicated device specialized for the label editing function, or a personal computer that operates by executing a program for realizing the label editing function. May be.

  A program for realizing the functions of the display control unit or the print item editing unit is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Thus, the processing of the display control unit or the print item editing unit described above may be performed. Here, “loading and executing a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system” includes installing the program in the computer system. The “computer system” here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Further, the “computer system” may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including a communication line such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated line. The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. As described above, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside that is accessible from the distribution server in order to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program that can be executed by the terminal device. That is, the format stored in the distribution server is not limited as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a form that can be executed by the terminal device. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and combined in the terminal device, or the distribution server that distributes each of the divided programs may be different. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when the program is transmitted via a network. Including things. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described with reference to drawings, the following additional notes are disclosed regarding the label printer shown in the above embodiment.

(Additional item 1)
A label editing device that edits the contents of a print item to be printed on a label, the label format indicating the print area set on the label corresponding to each print item, and the print item content data indicating the content of each print item The information indicating the name of each print item is printed on the label image showing the status of the label printed with the content of the print item indicated by the print item content data in the print area indicated by the label format. A label editing apparatus comprising: a display control unit that arranges and displays item guides.

(Appendix 2)
The label editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further displays a print item guide indicating a print area on the label image.

  According to the above configuration, the information indicating the name of each print item is displayed on the label image, and the display indicating the print area of the corresponding print item is performed.

(Additional Item 3)
The display control unit displays a print item list indicating a list of print items set in a label format corresponding to the label image image together with a label image image on which the print item guide is arranged. The label editing device described in 1.

  According to the above configuration, the label image and the list of print items set in the label image can be displayed on one screen.

(Appendix 4)
The additional item 3 further includes a print item editing unit that changes the content of the print item to be edited in response to an operation for editing the print item selected as the edit target from the print items indicated in the print item list. Label editing device.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to edit the contents of the print items by operating the screen on which the label image image and the list of print items set in the label image image are displayed.

100 Label Printer 101 Cable 200 Main Unit 201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
204 Liquid crystal display unit 205 Touch panel 206 Label issuing unit 206a Label discharging unit 207 Communication unit

Claims (5)

A label editing device for editing the contents of a print item to be printed on a label,
A label format indicating a print area set on a label corresponding to each print item, a storage unit for storing print item content data indicating the content of each print item,
Information indicating the name of each print item set in the label format on the label image image indicating the state of the label printed with the content of the print item indicated by the print item content data for the print area indicated by the label format A display control unit that displays and arranges print item guides ,
The display control unit further arranges and displays a print item guide indicating a print area set in the label format on the label image,
A label editing apparatus in which a print item guide for information indicating a name for each print item and a print item guide for indicating the print area are not printed when a label is printed . The display control unit displays a print item list indicating a list of print items set in a label format corresponding to the label image image together with the label image image on which the print item guide is arranged.
  The label editing apparatus according to claim 1. A print item editing unit that changes the content of the print item to be edited in response to an operation for editing the print item selected as the edit target from the print items shown in the print item list.
  The label editing apparatus according to claim 2. A label printer for editing the contents of a print item to be printed on a label,
  A label format indicating a print area set on a label corresponding to each print item, a storage unit for storing print item content data indicating the content of each print item,
  Information indicating the name of each print item set in the label format on the label image image indicating the state of the label printed with the content of the print item indicated by the print item content data for the print area indicated by the label format A display control unit for arranging and displaying a print item guide for displaying a print area guide indicating a print area set in the label format on the label image. When,
  In performing printing on a label based on the print item content data, a label issuing unit that does not print a print item guide of information indicating a name for each print item and a print item guide indicating the print area on a label;
  Label printer with. A computer as a label editing device that edits the contents of print items to be printed on labels.
  A storage unit for storing a label format indicating a print area set on a label corresponding to each print item and print item content data indicating the content of each print item;
  Information indicating the name of each print item set in the label format on the label image image indicating the state of the label printed with the content of the print item indicated by the print item content data for the print area indicated by the label format A program for functioning as a display control unit for arranging and displaying a print item guide
  The display control unit further arranges and displays a print item guide indicating a print area set in the label format on the label image,
  The print item guide for information indicating the name of each print item and the print item guide for indicating the print area are not printed when the label is printed.
  program.

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