JP6409449B2 - Label creating apparatus and method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus and method, and a program.

  For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a tape member formed by laminating a printing tape and a release tape is accommodated in a tape cassette, and the tape cassette is set in a housing, and input means such as a keyboard 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a label printing apparatus that creates a user-specific label by printing an object such as a character or a pattern that is input from or output from another device on a tape member.

  Then, after printing on the tape member, the tape member is cut off at a predetermined length, and the object to be pasted is, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or CD (Compact Disc), a trash can, a stationery such as a pencil, They were attached to small items for title, classification display, and name display, respectively.

JP 2011-25411 A

  By the way, although the label produced with the above-mentioned label printing apparatus is utilized variously, for example, the label shown in FIG. 16A has a step (unevenness) as shown in FIG. When pasted on the pasting target object, as shown in FIG. 16C, there is a problem that the characters appear to be partially missing or clogged at the stepped portion. Therefore, in this case, it is used by sticking to a flat part while avoiding the stepped part to be attached.

  As described above, according to the conventional label printing apparatus, even a portion having the best visibility or a portion having the most balanced layout in terms of layout is created. It is necessary to affix the label while avoiding the stepped portion, and therefore, the label has to be affixed to a place with poor visibility, and the design is often unnatural.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and even if there is a step in the pasting object, it is possible to create print data with good visibility for a single continuous label. It is an object to provide a label producing apparatus and method, and a program.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label Print setting means for setting a print parameter including the second print data corresponding to the depth information from the edge of the region corresponding to the step, based on the set parameter, and the generated Print processing means for generating third print data obtained by adding the second print data to the first print data and executing print processing , wherein the print processing means has the step difference with respect to the label. When it is determined that the step is a vertical step by referring to the parameter indicating the relative direction, the number of vertical steps is set on condition that each does not exceed the label length. Based on the serial parameters, to provide a label producing apparatus and generating a frequency of the second print data corresponding to the depth information from the ends of each region corresponding to the vertical direction step.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label are at least A step of setting a printing parameter including the print parameter indicating a relative direction of the step with respect to the label, and when it is determined that the step is a vertical step, the condition is that each does not exceed the label length. Based on the printing parameters set for the number of vertical steps, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical steps, or the steps Are determined to be horizontal steps, the printing parameters set for the number of horizontal steps are set on the condition that each does not exceed the label width. Therefore, if the second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the horizontal step, or if it is determined that the relative direction of the step is an oblique direction, The edge of the region corresponding to the step in the oblique direction obtained by taking the tilt angle with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object and shifting the tilt angle by an offset from the label center position determined by the tape width or tape length Generating second print data for the depth from the first, generating third print data by adding the generated second print data to the first print data, and executing a printing process; , And a method for producing a label.

According to a third aspect of the present invention , there is provided a program for controlling a computer of a label producing apparatus, wherein the computer prints a first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and A function for setting a print parameter including at least position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label, and a print parameter indicating a relative direction of the step with respect to the label, the step is a vertical step. Is determined based on the printing parameters set for the number of the vertical step, on the condition that each does not exceed the label length, the depth from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical step. If the second print data corresponding to the length information is generated or it is determined that the step is a horizontal step, each of the label widths Second print data corresponding to the depth information from the end of each region corresponding to the horizontal step, based on the printing parameters set for the number of horizontal steps, provided that the number does not exceed Or when the relative direction of the step is determined to be an oblique direction, an inclination angle with respect to a reference direction of the pasting object is taken in, and the label central position determined by the inclination angle and the tape width or tape length is taken. The second print data for the depth is generated from the end of the region corresponding to the step in the oblique direction obtained by shifting the offset by the offset, and the generated second print data is generated as the first print data. And a function of generating third print data added to the print data and executing print processing, and a program for a label creating apparatus for executing the print processing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a label creation apparatus, method, and program capable of creating print data having good visibility for a continuous single label even if there is a step in the pasting object. it can.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of affixing on the sticking target object containing the level | step difference in Example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of sticking to the sticking target object containing the level | step difference in Example 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram cited for explaining the alignment mark of Example 3. It is a figure which shows the example of sticking to the sticking target object containing the level | step difference in Example 3. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (1) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (2) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (3) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (4) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (5) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (6) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (7) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement (8) of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 14 is a flowchart showing detailed procedures of pre-printing processing (SUB1) and printing end processing (SUB2) in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen structure of GUI of the label production apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the conventional pasting example to the sticking target object containing a level | step difference.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the same numbers or symbols are assigned to the same elements throughout the description of the embodiment.

(Configuration of the embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a label producing apparatus 20 according to this embodiment. According to FIG. 1, the label producing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment uses a control unit 201 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as a control center, and the control unit 201 generates power generated by a key operation of the key input unit 204. In response to the ON key signal, system control software (program) stored in advance in the flash memory 205 is activated, and the operation of each peripheral device is controlled using the RAM 206 as a work memory.

  The flash memory 205 stores software including a program for the label producing apparatus according to the present embodiment, as well as character fonts for display, character fonts for printing, illustration data, logo data, image data, and the like. Stored.

  In addition, a key input unit 204, a flash memory 205, and a RAM 206 are connected to the control unit 201. Further, according to the print data, a drive circuit 207 for controlling the heat generation of the thermal head 208, a drive circuit 209 for driving the platen roller 211 by exciting the transport motor 210 according to the tape feed amount, and when cutting the tape, A drive circuit 212 that excites the cutter motor 213 and drives the cutter 214 is also connected.

  The control unit 201 further includes a cassette type detection circuit 215 that detects the width / type of the tape that is loaded, display of input character data, content display when editing a document, confirmation display of print data, operation, and setting. A display driving circuit 202 for driving the display unit 203 for notifying an error or the like is connected. The display unit 203 generates a text input screen (FIG. 15A), a printing method setting screen (FIG. 15B), which is generated by the control unit 201, for example, as an example of the screen configuration shown in FIG. ), Step direction selection screen (FIG. 15C), sticking angle setting screen (FIG. 15D), unevenness number setting screen (FIG. 15E), unevenness amount setting screen (FIG. 15F), etc. GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen information is also displayed.

  In the configuration described above, the control unit 201 sequentially reads out and executes the program of the label producing apparatus according to the present embodiment recorded in the flash memory 205, so that “first print data to be printed on the label and step And print setting means for setting print parameters including at least position information and depth information. Further, “a stepped print position is obtained based on the set parameter, second print data corresponding to depth information is generated from the print position, and the generated second print data is used as the first print data. In addition, it also functions as a “print processing means for generating third print data and executing print processing”.

  The control unit 201 further refers to the parameter indicating the step direction to be set, and performs different printing processes for each of the case where the pasting target has a vertical step, the horizontal step, and the diagonal step. May be executed. The case of a vertical step is referred to as Example 1, the case of a horizontal step is referred to as Example 2, and the case of an oblique direction step is referred to as Example 3. Each example will be described below. Here, the direction in which the tape is fed at the time of producing the label is the length direction of the label, and the direction perpendicular to the length direction is the width direction. The vertical step is a step extending parallel to the width direction of the label when the label is attached to the object to be attached. In the first embodiment, an example in which the vertical step is extended in the vertical direction is shown. The horizontal step is a step extending in parallel with the length direction of the label when the label is attached to the object to be attached. Example 2 shows an example in which the horizontal step is extended in the horizontal direction. An oblique step is a step having a positional relationship in which the extending direction of the step is neither orthogonal nor parallel to the length direction and width direction of the label when the label is attached to the object to be applied. Say that.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of application to an object to be pasted including a vertical step in Example 1, and FIG. 3 shows an example of application to an object to be applied including a horizontal step in Example 2, FIG. In FIG. 5, the pasting example to the sticking target object containing the diagonal direction level | step difference in Example 3 is shown, respectively.

  Example 1 will be described. FIG. 2A shows a cross section of an object to be pasted with two vertical steps. According to FIG. 2A, the first step (depth h1) is located at the position of the length M1 from the reference point r of the label L, and the second step (depth h2) is located at the position of the length M2. A hatched notation object is shown. In this case, the user operates the key on the key input unit 204 while referring to a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen, which will be described later, displayed on the display unit 203, and the unevenness on the label L indicated by the lengths M1 and M2. A parameter consisting of position information and step values (depth information) of the unevenness indicated by h1 and h2 is set and inputted.

  The control unit 201 receives the above parameter setting input, and if it is a step in the vertical direction, obtains the step positions M1 and M2 + h1 on the print data on which line, and print data on the line (the first data) New print data (third print data) by adding print data (second print data) corresponding to the number of lines corresponding to the depths of h1 and h2 set as uneven step values to the print data). ) Is generated. Then, the data is developed in print buffers (print buffers # 1 and # 2) to be described later, and print processing is executed. This makes it possible to create the label shown in FIG. 2B in which the portion corresponding to the step is extended and printed by the depths h1 and h2. That is, the label length of the created label is L + h1 + h2. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), a label attached to an object to be attached having a vertical step can be produced even in a place where there is unevenness in the vertical direction. .

  Next, Example 2 will be described. FIG. 3A shows an example of setting the position of the horizontal step, FIG. 3B shows the printing result, and FIG. 3C shows the label attached to the sticking object having the horizontal step. Has been. If the level difference is the horizontal step indicated by the position O, the control unit 201, on the condition that each does not exceed the label width P, as in the first embodiment, based on the parameters set for the number of steps. Second print data corresponding to the position and the unevenness step value h is generated.

  Then, the third print data is generated by adding the second print data to the print data (first print data) on the line, and is developed in print buffers (print buffers # 1 and # 2) to be described later. Thus, the printing process is executed. This makes it possible to create the label shown in FIG. 3B in which the portion O corresponding to the horizontal step is extended and printed by the depth h. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), a label that is attached to an object to be applied with a horizontal step is shown. Is possible.

  Next, Example 3 will be described. In the third embodiment described below, the first print data such as a character string is printed, and at the same time, a positioning mark serving as a positioning mark with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object is printed. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show the alignment mark ▲ generated when there is a step in the oblique direction, and FIG. , Respectively.

  According to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a center line 305 that passes through the center (P / 2) of the label width P and a center line 301 that passes through the center position (L / 2) of the label length L. An adjustment line 302 that passes through this reference point and forms an arbitrary inclination angle (pasting angle) θ from the center line 301 to the right (an arbitrary inclination through the reference point to the left from the center line 301). An adjustment line that forms an angle is also possible), and alignment marks ▲ (303, 304) are printed at positions M1 and M2 that intersect the adjustment line 302 and the outer periphery of the label. Further, when the labels are centered and pasted as shown in FIG. 4B, the alignment marks 401 and 402 are printed at positions intersecting the center line 400 passing through the center position of the label width P and the outer peripheral edge of the label. Is done.

  FIG. 5A shows a printing result in the case where there is a step in the oblique direction, and FIG. 5B shows a label attached to the pasting object having a step in the oblique direction. As described above, if the step direction is an oblique direction, the control unit 201 takes in the inclination angle θ with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object to be parameterized, and the inclination angle θ and the label width P (the label length may be used). The second print data for the step values M1 and M2 and the step value h obtained by shifting by the offset (t = P / 2 tan θ) from the label center position C determined by () is generated. Here, M1 = C + t and M2 = C−t.

  As a result, the control unit 201 adds the print data at the positions M1 and M2 in the label transport direction by the length corresponding to the unevenness set value h, and print buffers (print buffers # 1 and # 2 described later). ) Is executed, the label shown in FIG. 5A can be created. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), a label attached to an object to be attached having a step in the oblique direction can be created even in a place with unevenness in the oblique direction. Become.

(Operation of the embodiment)
Hereinafter, the operation of the label producing apparatus 20 (control unit 201) according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  According to the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, the control unit 201 first performs, for example, the characters illustrated in FIG. Display information of the text input setting screen is generated and displayed on the display unit 203 via the display driving circuit 202 (step S401). Subsequently, when the user inputs character (text) information to be printed on the label by operating the key input unit 204, the input character information is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 206 in advance under the control of the control unit 201. In the assigned N input buffer areas (D_text (N)) (step S492), they are registered as character codes (D_text {1, 2,... N}), respectively (step S403).

  Subsequently, according to a character decoration / character size setting screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 203, the user operates the key input unit 204 to perform character decoration on each of the previously input characters. When setting input such as character size is performed (step S404), the character decoration flag Atrb1 (N) or character size flag Atrb2 assigned to the data corresponding to each of the character codes previously registered in the input buffer area. (N) is registered (steps S405 and S406).

  Subsequently, the user inputs the label length L of the label to be created by operating the key input unit 204 based on the label length setting screen (not shown) displayed on the display unit 203 (step S407) (step S407). Further, the label width P of the set tape is input based on the label width setting screen displayed on the display unit 203 (step S-D408).

  Then, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, for example, the control unit 201 generates display information for the printing method setting screen shown in FIG. 15B and displays the display information on the display unit 203 via the display drive circuit 202. (Step S409). The printing methods that can be selected on the printing method setting screen here are “normal printing” or “uneven-corresponding label printing” for pasting to a pasting object including a step. Here, when the user operates the key input unit 204 to select and set “normal printing” as the printing method (step S410 “normal printing”), the control unit 201 executes normal printing processing (step S411). When “printing corresponding to unevenness” is selected and set (step S410 “printing label corresponding to unevenness”), the unevenness label printing process described in detail below is executed.

  When executing the concave / convex label printing process, the control unit 201 first displays, for example, a step direction selection screen shown in FIG. 15C on the display unit 203 (step S501). There are three step directions that can be selected using this step direction selection screen: “vertical (90 degrees)”, “horizontal (0 degrees)”, and “free (oblique angle)”. Hereinafter, the details of the printing process for each embodiment will be described.

Example 1.
When the user operates the key input unit 204 and selects “vertical (90 degrees)” (step S502 “vertical”) based on the step direction selection screen shown in FIG. The unevenness amount setting, the print data calculation process for each uneven position and the unevenness amount, and the process of adding the print data of the uneven portion to the print data of the print buffer # 1 and developing the print data to the print buffer # 2 are sequentially executed. . Therefore, for example, the control unit 201 generates display information for displaying the unevenness number setting screen illustrated in FIG. 15E and displays the display information on the display unit 203 via the display drive circuit 202 (step S412). Here, when the user operates the key input unit 204 and inputs the number of unevenness k (for example, 2) (step S413), the control unit 201 sets “2” to the counter k assigned to the program, and sets the counter i in the same manner. Initialization (= 1) is performed (step S414).

  Subsequently, the control unit 201 displays a not-shown unevenness position M (k) setting screen on the display unit 203 (step S415), and displays M1, M2,... Shown in FIG. ... M (k) is set as the unevenness positions M (1), M (2),... M (i), and the number of unevennesses input in step S414 (the value of the counter k) is set ( Step S416). At this time, the control unit 201 compares each length of M (i) with the label length L input in step S408 (step S417), and when it is determined that M (i)> L, the display unit 203 An error message is displayed to prompt the user to input resetting (step S418).

  If it is determined in step S417 that M (i) <L, the control unit 201 compares the counter value i with k (step S419), and if i ≠ k, updates the value of the counter i by +1. (Step S420), the processes of Steps S415 to S417 (S418) are repeatedly executed until i = k (2 in this case), and the setting process of the uneven position M (i) is completed.

  Next, when the setting of the concavo-convex position M (i) is completed, the control unit 201 initializes the counter i (i = 1) (step S421) as shown in the flowchart of FIG. For example, the unevenness amount setting screen G shown in FIG. 15F is displayed to prompt the setting input of the unevenness amount H (i) for each step (step S422). Then, when the user operates the key input unit 204, the unevenness amount for each of h1, h2,... H (k) shown in FIG. H (i) is set for the number k of projections and depressions input in step S414 (step S423). That is, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S424). When it is determined that i ≠ k, the control unit 201 updates the value of the counter i by +1 (step S425), and i = k (here 2). Step S422 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed until the unevenness amount H (i) setting process is completed.

  When the setting process of the unevenness amount H (i) is completed, the control unit 201 sets the character code D_text (N), the character decoration flag Atrb1 (N), the character size Atrb2 (N), and the label length L stored in the input buffer. Print data is created based on the information, and the print data is written to the print buffer # 1 assigned to a predetermined area of the RAM 206 (step S426).

  Then, the control unit 201 initializes the counter i again (= 1) (step S427), calculates how many lines on the print buffer # 1 the position of M (i) is, and M (i) Is stored in PrBuf_diff_line (i) (step S428). Further, the number of lines on the print buffer # 1 corresponding to the unevenness amount at the position of M (i) is calculated, and H (i) is stored in PrBuf_high (i) (step S429). Subsequently, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S430). If it is determined that i ≠ k, the control unit 201 updates the value of the counter i by 1 (i = 2) (step S431), and i Steps S428 and S429 are repeatedly executed until k = k, and the unevenness amount H (i) setting process is terminated.

  As described above, when the setting of the concavo-convex position, the setting of the concavo-convex amount for each position, and the print data calculation process for each concavo-convex position and the concavo-convex amount are completed, the control unit 201 performs the buffer development process and the printing shown in the flowchart in FIG. Pre-processing and print end processing are executed. That is, in FIG. 13, the control unit 201 initializes the counter i again (= 1) (step S432), and the PrBuf_line (1) line data is stored at the step position M1 shown in FIG. Only PrBuf_high (1) lines are generated as additional data, added to the print data written in the print buffer # 1, and expanded to the print buffer # 2 (step S433).

  Subsequently, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S434), and if i ≠ k, updates the value of the counter i by 1 (step S435), as shown in FIG. The process of step S433 is repeatedly executed for the next step position M2. The above processing is repeatedly executed until i = k. That is, the control unit 201 adds the step print data for PrBuf_line (i) lines to the print data written in the print buffer # 1, and develops the new print data in the print buffer # 2.

  As described above, when new print data generated by adding print data for k steps is developed in the print buffer # 2, the control unit 201 executes the pre-printing process SUB1 (step S436). Here, the details of the pre-printing process are such that the control unit 201 performs tape feeding for the tape length Lc between the thermal head 208 and the cutter 214 as shown in detail in FIG. By controlling the drive circuit 209, the transport motor 210 is excited to drive the platen roller 211 (step S4361), and then the drive circuit 212 is controlled to excite the cutter motor 213 and drive the cutter 214. The tape cutting operation is performed (step S4362).

  After executing the pre-printing process SUB1 described above, the control unit 201 executes a printing process based on the print data expanded on the print buffer # 2. The printing process here refers to heat generation control of the thermal head 208 in accordance with the print data (third print data). Finally, the control unit 201 executes the print end process SUB2 and ends (step S438). As shown in detail in FIG. 14B, the post-printing process is performed by the control unit 201 controlling the drive circuit 212 to excite the cutter motor 213 to drive the cutter 214 and perform a tape cutting operation. This means that the irregularity-corresponding label shown in FIG.

Example 2
On the other hand, when the user operates the key input unit 204 to select “horizontal (0 degree)” in step S502 of FIG. 7 (step S502 “horizontal”), as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. In the case where the step direction shown in FIG. 3 is the horizontal direction, setting of the uneven position, print data calculation processing for each uneven position and uneven amount, and development processing to the print buffer (print data of print buffer # 1) The process of adding the print data of the uneven portion to the print buffer # 2 is executed).

  Therefore, for example, the control unit 201 generates display information of the unevenness number setting screen illustrated in FIG. 15E and displays the display information on the display unit 203 via the display driving circuit 202 (step S-D412 in FIG. 9). . Here, when the user inputs the unevenness number k (step S-D413), the control unit 201 sets, for example, “2” to the counter k assigned to the program, and initializes the counter i that is also assigned to the program. (= 1) (step S-D414).

  Subsequently, the control unit 201 generates display information on the unevenness position O (i) setting screen (not shown) on the display unit 203 and displays the display information on the display unit 203 (step S-D415). When the user urges the input of the position O (i) of the user to input the setting of O (i) by operating the key input unit 204 (step S-D416), the control unit 201 returns to FIG. The positions of the indicated O1, O2,... O (i) are taken in as the concavo-convex positions O (1), O (2),... O (i), and the concavo-convex number k input in step S-D414. Each concave / convex position is set for each (counter k value). At this time, the control unit 201 sequentially compares the width of O (i) with the label width P input in step S-D408 (step S-D417), and if it is determined that O (i)> P, An error is displayed on the display unit 203 to prompt the user to input a reset (step S-D418).

  If it is determined in step S-D417 that O (i) <P, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S-D419), and if i ≠ k, The value of i is updated by +1 (step S-D420), and the processes of steps S-D415 to S-D417 (S-D418) are repeatedly executed until i = k (here, 2), and the unevenness in the horizontal step is determined. The setting of the position O (i) is finished.

  Next, when the setting of the concavo-convex position O (i) in the horizontal step is completed, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, the control unit 201 stores the character code D_text {1, 2,... N} stored in the input buffer. , Character decoration flag Atrb 1 {1, 2... N}, character size Atrb 2 {1, 2... N}, label length L, and print data is created. Write to the print buffer # 1 assigned to the area (step S-D426).

  Next, the control unit 201 initializes the counter i again (= 1) (step S-D427), calculates the number of lines on the print buffer # 1, and the position of O (i) is calculated. O (i) is stored in PrBuf_diff_dot (i) (step S-D428). Further, the number of lines on the print buffer # 1 corresponding to the unevenness amount (number of dots) at the position of O (i) is calculated, and the calculated H2 (i) is stored in PrBuf_high2 (i) (step S). -D429). Subsequently, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S-D430), and when it is determined that i ≠ k, updates the value of the counter i by +1 (i = 2) (step S-D431). ), The processes of steps S-D428 and S-D429 are repeatedly executed until i = k, and the setting of each uneven portion and the uneven amount H2 (i) is completed.

  As described above, when the setting of the concavo-convex position and the print data calculation process for each concavo-convex part and the concavo-convex amount are completed, the control unit 201 initializes the counter i again (= 1) (step S-D432). , PrBuf_diff_dot (1) dot print data for the PrBuf_high (2) dots is generated as additional data at the horizontal step position O1 shown in FIG. 3A, and the print data written in the print buffer # 1 is generated. Add to the print buffer # 2 (step S-D433).

  Subsequently, the control unit 201 compares the counter values i and k (step S-D434). If it is determined that i ≠ k, the control unit 201 updates the value of the counter i by 1 (step S-D431). For the next step position O2 shown in FIG. 3A, the expansion process to the print buffer # 2 shown in step S-D433 is repeatedly executed. The above processing is repeatedly executed until it is determined that i = k. That is, the control unit 201 adds PrBuf_diff_dot (i) step print data to the print data written in the print buffer # 1, and develops the new print data in the print buffer # 2 (step S-D433). .

  As described above, when new print data generated by adding print data for k steps is developed in the print buffer # 2, the pre-printing process SUB1 in step S436 in the flowchart of FIG. S436) After execution of the pre-printing process SUB1, the print end process SUB2 is executed to end a series of printing processes for labels having horizontal steps (step S438). Details of the pre-printing process SUB1 and the post-printing process SUB2 are shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, respectively, and are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted to avoid duplication. As described above, it is possible to create the unevenness-corresponding label having the horizontal step shown in FIG.

Example 3
On the other hand, in step S502 of FIG. 7, when the user operates the key input unit 204 and selects “free (oblique angle)” (step S502 “free”), the control unit 201 is shown in FIGS. The process shown in the flowchart is executed. Therefore, for example, the control unit 201 first generates display information of a pasting angle setting screen illustrated in FIG. 15D and displays the display information on the display unit 203 via the display driving circuit 202 (step S- in FIG. 11). E705). Here, the user operates the key input unit 204, and is prepared in advance as a selection item of an inclination angle (sticking angle) with respect to the reference direction of the sticking target object. Is selected, the user further inputs an arbitrary angle θ to be set as the pasting angle, and in response to this, the control unit 201 sets it in a register assigned to the program (step S-E706).

  Subsequently, the control unit 201 displays, for example, the unevenness amount setting screen illustrated in FIG. 15F on the display unit 203 and prompts the user to set the unevenness amount H (step S-E707). Then, the user operates the key input unit 204 to input setting of the unevenness amount H (step S-E708). When the setting of the unevenness amount H is completed, the control unit 201 sets the character code D_text {1, 2,... N}, the character decoration flag Atrb1 {1, 2,... N}, the character decoration flag stored in the input buffer. Print data is created based on the information of Atrb 2 {1, 2,... N} and label length L (label width P), and the print data is written in the print buffer # 1 assigned to a predetermined area of the RAM 206 ( Step S-E709).

  The control unit 201 takes in the pasting angle θ set and input in advance, and an offset amount from the label center position C (C = L / 2) determined by the pasting angle θ and the label width P (or label length L) ( t = P / 2 tan θ) is calculated (steps S-E709 and S-E710 in FIG. 12). Then, step positions M1 and M2 obtained by shifting by this offset are calculated (step S-E711). Here, M1 = C + t and M2 = C−t. Subsequently, the control unit 201 executes print processing for adding the print data of M1 and M2 in the label transport direction by the length of the unevenness setting value H and developing the print data in the print buffer # 2 (step S-). E712).

  Next, the control unit 201 executes a process of deleting one upper and lower one dot (2 dots) from the tape width P (step S-E713), and then compares the width of O (i) with the step label width P ( Step S-D714). Here, if it is determined that P> O, the control unit 201 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S-E709 to S-E713 until it is determined that P <O. When it is determined that P <O, the control unit 201 executes the pre-printing process SUB1 in step S436 in the flowchart of FIG. 13, and after executing the pre-printing process SUB1, executes the print end process SUB2 to perform the diagonal step. The series of printing processes for the labels possessed is terminated (step S438). Details of the pre-printing process SUB1 and the post-printing process SUB2 are shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, respectively, and are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description is omitted to avoid duplication. As described above, it is possible to create an unevenness-corresponding label having a diagonal step as shown in FIG.

(Effect of embodiment)
As described above, according to the label producing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, the user simply sets and inputs the print parameters including at least the position information and the depth information of the level difference of the pasting target including the level difference. The label creating apparatus 20 (control unit 201) obtains the print position of the step based on the set parameters, generates print data (second print data) corresponding to the depth information from the print position, and is generated. The second print data is added to the first print data (print data such as characters to be printed on the object to be pasted) to generate the third print data and execute the printing process. Even if there is, print data with good visibility can be created for a single continuous label.

  Therefore, when affixing labels to objects such as DVDs, CDs, trash cans, pencils, and other stationery items and accessories, the layout has the best balance in terms of design, even if it is the part with the best visibility. Even if there is a step, if there is a step, it is necessary to affix it while avoiding the step, which must be pasted in a place with poor visibility, and the problem of unnatural design is solved . Moreover, according to the label producing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, not only the vertical step and the horizontal step, but also an oblique step, it is only necessary to set and input the inclination angle with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object. A compatible label can be automatically created.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, it cannot be overemphasized that the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiments. Further, it is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The invention described in the scope of claims attached to the application of this application will be added below. The item numbers of the claims described in the appendix are as set forth in the claims attached to the application of this application.

[Appendix]
[Claim 1]
Print setting means for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label to be attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label. When,
Based on the set parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end portion of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is converted into the first print data. A label producing apparatus comprising: print processing means for generating third print data added to print data and executing print processing.
[Claim 2]
The print processing means includes
With reference to a parameter that is further set by the print setting means and indicates a relative direction of the step with respect to the label, when it is determined that the step is a vertical step, the condition is that each does not exceed the label length. The second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical step based on the parameters set by the number of vertical step. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1.
[Claim 3]
The print processing means includes
With reference to a parameter that is further set by the print setting means and that indicates the relative direction of the step with respect to the label, and when it is determined that the step is a horizontal step, the condition is that each does not exceed the label width. The second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the horizontal step based on the parameters set for the number of horizontal steps. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1.
[Claim 4]
The print processing means includes
With reference to a parameter that is further set by the print setting means and indicates a relative direction of the step with respect to the label, when it is determined that the relative direction of the step is an oblique direction, an inclination angle with respect to a reference direction of the pasting object And the second portion of the depth from the end of the region corresponding to the step in the oblique direction obtained by shifting the tilt angle and the offset from the label center position determined by the tape width or tape length. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein print data is generated.
[Claim 5]
Setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label;
Based on the set parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end portion of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is converted into the first print data. Generating a third print data added to the print data and executing a printing process.
[Claim 6]
A function for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label;
Based on the set parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end portion of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is converted into the first print data. A function of generating third print data added to the print data and executing a print process;

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Label production apparatus, 201 ... Control part, 203 ... Display part, 204 ... Key input part, 205 ... Flash memory, 206 ... RAM, 207, 209, 212 ... Drive circuit, 208 ... Thermal head, 210 ... Conveyance motor, 211 ... Platen roller, 213 ... Cutter motor, 214 ... Cutter

Claims (5)

Print setting means for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label to be attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label. When,
Based on the set parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end portion of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is converted into the first print data. Print processing means for generating third print data added to the print data and executing print processing ;
When the print processing unit refers to a parameter indicating the relative direction of the step with respect to the label and determines that the step is a vertical step, each of the vertical step is provided on the condition that each does not exceed the label length. Based on the parameters set for the number of labels, the second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical step, . Print setting means for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label to be attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label. When,
Based on the set print parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is stored in the first print data. Print processing means for generating third print data added to the print data and executing print processing,
The print processing unit refers to a parameter that indicates the relative direction of the step with respect to the label, if the level difference is determined to be a horizontal step, said horizontal step on condition that each do not exceed the label width based on the parameter for the number fraction is set, the label creation you and generating a minute the second print data corresponding to the depth information from the ends of each region to the corresponding horizontal step apparatus. Print setting means for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label to be attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label. When,
Based on the set print parameters, second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from an end of the region corresponding to the step, and the generated second print data is stored in the first print data. Print processing means for generating third print data added to the print data and executing print processing,
The print processing unit refers to a parameter that indicates the relative direction of the step with respect to the label, if the relative direction of the step is determined to be an oblique direction takes a tilt angle with respect to the reference direction of the object to be adhered, the The second print data for the depth is generated from the end of the region corresponding to the step in the oblique direction obtained by shifting the offset from the label center position determined by the tilt angle and the tape width or tape length. label producing apparatus characterized by. Setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label;
When the printing parameter indicating the relative direction of the step with respect to the label is referred to and the step is determined to be a vertical step, the number of vertical steps is set on condition that each does not exceed the label length. Based on the printing parameters, the second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical step, or it is determined that the step is a horizontal step. In this case, the depth information corresponds to the depth information from the edge of each region corresponding to the horizontal step, based on the printing parameters set by the number of the horizontal steps on the condition that each does not exceed the label width. Second print data is generated, or if the relative direction of the step is determined to be an oblique direction, the inclination angle with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object is captured. , Said inclination angle, the second print data of the depth of the end of the area corresponding to the oblique direction of the step obtained by shifting offset from label center position determined by the tape width or tape length Generating a third print data obtained by adding the generated second print data to the first print data, and executing a print process. A program for controlling a computer of a label producing device,
In the computer,
A function for setting print parameters including at least first print data to be printed on a label attached to a sticking object including a step, and position information and depth information of an area corresponding to the step in the label;
When the printing parameter indicating the relative direction of the step with respect to the label is referred to and the step is determined to be a vertical step, the number of vertical steps is set on condition that each does not exceed the label length. Based on the printing parameters, the second print data corresponding to the depth information is generated from the end of each region corresponding to the vertical step, or it is determined that the step is a horizontal step. In this case, the depth information corresponds to the depth information from the edge of each region corresponding to the horizontal step, based on the printing parameters set by the number of the horizontal steps on the condition that each does not exceed the label width. Second print data is generated, or if the relative direction of the step is determined to be an oblique direction, the inclination angle with respect to the reference direction of the pasting object is captured. , Said inclination angle, the second print data of the depth of the end of the area corresponding to the oblique direction of the step obtained by shifting offset from label center position determined by the tape width or tape length A program of a label creating apparatus that executes a function of generating and executing a print process by generating third print data generated by adding the generated second print data to the first print data.

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