JP6536231B2 - Label producing apparatus, label producing method, and label producing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus, a label producing method, and a label producing program for producing a label on which image data having an information function such as characters, marks, and barcodes is printed.

Conventionally, there has been known a printing apparatus which arranges and prints image data such as a photographic image in a frame with a decoration frame.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image editing apparatus that arranges image data by automatically changing a method of fitting image data to a frame according to the presence or absence of a decoration frame. Specifically, the image data is arranged with the maximum fit (enlargement tendency) for the frame with the decoration frame, and the image data is arranged with the minimum fit (reduction tendency) for the frame without the decoration frame . By printing the image data arranged in this manner, it is possible that the printed photograph with the decoration frame can be easily viewed by enlarging the central part of the photograph, and that the photograph without the decoration frame can confirm the entire feeling of the photograph .
On the other hand, the image data is not limited to a photographic image, but is a character data, a mark prompting attention or a warning, etc., a functional object having an information function such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) There was a request to arrange and print. In particular, there has been a demand for a label producing apparatus capable of producing a label by arranging these functional objects on a tape or the like by a simple operation.

JP, 2006-134230, A

However, when a functional object as described above is arranged and printed on a frame by the method according to Patent Document 1, there have been cases where it is difficult to correctly read the information contained in the functional object.
Specifically, in the method according to Patent Document 1, when an object is arranged in a frame with a decoration frame, a part of the object (particularly, the peripheral portion) may be hidden by the decoration frame and printed. Also, when placed in a frame without a border, the objects were scaled down and printed. When the object is a functional object, it is difficult to obtain the correct information because the information hidden in the decorative frame is lost. In addition, when a functional object such as a barcode or a QR code is shrunk to a smaller size, the image pattern is deteriorated, which makes it difficult to decipher the information included in the printed image.

  In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a label producing apparatus, a label producing method, and a label producing program, in which information contained in a functional object is less likely to be lost and the functional object can be easily arranged. The purpose is to

  [Example 1 of application] The label production apparatus according to this application example is a label production apparatus for producing a label printed on a medium, comprising: a drawing processing unit for drawing a label image of the label; (1) A second object having a first object specification unit for specifying the position and size of an object, and a window area for transmitting the first object drawn in the label image, and having a drawing area in the outermost part of the label image, A drawing processing unit comprising: a second object specification unit that specifies whether or not to arrange in a label image; and a printing unit that prints at least one of the first object and the second object drawn in the label image on a medium If it is specified that the second object is to be placed, the first If it is specified that the second object is not placed, the first object is extended and placed to a region including the outermost part of the label image. .

According to this application example, when the second object is specified, the first object is arranged so as to be contained in the window area of the second object, so the first object is hidden by the second object. It can be arranged to never. If the second object is not specified, the first object is arranged so as to extend to the outermost part of the label image, so the first object can be arranged with the largest size in the label image. For example, if the second object is a decorative frame and the first object is a functional object, the functional object is not hidden by the decorative frame, and if there is no decorative frame, the largest arrangement in the label image It will be done. Therefore, the risk of losing the information contained in the functional object is reduced.
Further, since the arrangement of the first object and the second object is performed by the drawing processing unit, it is possible to easily arrange the functional object without requiring the manual operation of the operator.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a label producing apparatus capable of easily arranging functional objects, with less risk of losing information contained in the functional objects.

  Application Example 2 When the second object is placed, the drawing processing unit described in the application example calculates the position and size at which the first object is placed based on the information on the position and size of the window area. When the second object is not placed, the position and the size at which the first object is placed are calculated based on the size of the label image.

  According to this application example, when the second object and the first object are arranged, the first object can be arranged so as to be surely included in the window area of the second object. If only the first object is placed, the first object can be placed at any position at any size, including the largest size in the label image.

  Application Example 3 The drawing processing unit described in the application example is based on the size of the label image and at least one of the data density, the arrangement position, and the size of the first object specified by the first object specification unit. And a medium selection processing unit for selecting candidates for the size of the medium to be printed.

  According to this application example, the data density, arrangement position, and size of the first object take precedence over the size of the medium. Therefore, by using the designated data density, arrangement position and size, it is possible to print on the medium without losing the information contained in the first object.

  [Application Example 4] When the first object is arranged at a position or size beyond the area of the label image, the medium selection processing unit described in the above application example extends the area to the arrangement area of the first object including the label image. It is characterized in that the size of the medium corresponding to the designated area is selected as a candidate.

  According to this application example, when the amount of information of the first object is large, it is possible to increase the size of the medium and print on the medium without losing the information of the first object.

Application Example 5 medium selection processor according to the application example described above, the data density of the first object is to calculate the object print size which is reflected, to select the size of the based rather medium object print size as a candidate It is characterized by

  According to this application example, it is possible to select a medium that can accurately reflect the information contained in the first object printed on the medium. In addition, since the object print size reflects the data density of the first object, it is possible to select the necessary and sufficient medium size. For example, if the data density of the first object is low, a smaller sized medium can be selected, in which case the consumption of the medium can be reduced.

  Application Example 6 In the case where the second object is placed, the drawing processing unit according to the application example described above calculates the position and size at which the first object is placed so as to overlap the boundary region with the second object. It features.

  According to this application example, variations of the design in which the first object and the second object are arranged can be increased.

  Application Example 7 The first object described in the application example is characterized in that it includes at least one of image data, character font data, and image data in which character information is readably patterned.

  According to this application example, the first object can target a wide variety of objects such as general image data and functional objects having an information function.

  Application Example 8 The second object described in the application example is characterized in that it is a surrounding pattern that surrounds the first object in the label image.

  According to this application example, the second object can be, for example, a display frame or the like that decorates the periphery of the first object.

  Application Example 9 The label producing apparatus described in the application example further includes a display unit for displaying a label image of a label.

  According to this application example, the state of the label image can be visually recognized by the display unit.

  [Example 10 of application] The label production method according to this application example is a label production method for producing a label printed on a medium, comprising: a drawing processing step of drawing a label image of the label; 1) A second object having a first object specification step of specifying the position and size of an object, a window area transparent to the first object drawn in the label image, and a drawing area in the outermost part of the label image And a second object specification step of specifying whether or not to arrange in the label image, and in the drawing processing step, when it is specified that the second object is to be arranged, the first object is converted to the label image. If it is specified that the second object is placed so as to fit within the window area of the second object, the first Wherein placing expand the object to a region including the outermost label image.

According to this application example, when the second object is specified, the first object is arranged so as to be contained in the window area of the second object, so the first object is hidden by the second object. It can be arranged to never. If the second object is not specified, the first object is arranged so as to extend to the outermost part of the label image, so the first object can be arranged with the largest size in the label image. For example, if the second object is a decorative frame and the first object is a functional object, the functional object is not hidden by the decorative frame, and if there is no decorative frame, the largest arrangement in the label image It will be done. Therefore, the information contained in the functional object is less likely to be lost.
Further, since the arrangement of such first and second objects is performed by the drawing processing step, it is possible to easily arrange functional objects without requiring the manual operation of the operator.
Therefore, it is possible to provide a label production method in which the functional object can be easily arranged with little possibility that the information contained in the functional object is lost.

  Application Example 11 The label generation program described in this application example is characterized by causing a computer to execute the label generation method of the application example.

  By using the label producing program of this application example, it is possible to realize a label producing method in which there is little possibility that the information contained in the functional objects arranged in the label image is lost.

Explanatory drawing showing the outline of a label production apparatus. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a label producing apparatus. The figure explaining the data composition of a label image and an object. The figure which shows an example of the label edit screen in a portable terminal. The function transition diagram of the function part implement | achieved in a portable terminal. The flowchart figure which shows the drawing processing of the label image. Explanatory drawing showing the position and size of an image edit area | region (with an outer frame setting). Explanatory drawing showing the position and size of an image edit area | region (without outer frame setting). The figure which shows the example of a display of a label image (with an outer frame setting). The figure which shows the example of a display of a label image (without an outer frame setting). FIG. 7 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a drawing processing unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a label image and a medium change guide screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining medium selection processing in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a drawing processing unit in a third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a view showing a display example of a label image and a medium change guide screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a view showing a display example of a label image and a medium change guide screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining medium selection processing in the third embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of the label image (with outer frame setting) in a modification. The figure which shows the example of a display of the label image (without outer frame setting) in a modification. The figure which shows the example of a display which changed the character size of the label image (there is no outer frame setting) in a modification. The figure showing the appearance of the label production device in a modification. The figure which shows an example of the character designation screen in a modification. Explanatory drawing showing the position and size of the image edit area | region in a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the scale of each part or each screen is made different from the actual size in order to make each part or each screen recognizable.

(Embodiment 1)
(Overview of label producing device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an outline of a label producing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a label editing screen in the portable terminal.
The label producing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for producing various labels on an elongated medium (hereinafter referred to as a tape) to produce a label L. The label producing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment includes a portable terminal 3 for editing the design of the label L, and a printing apparatus 7 for printing the design on a tape. The portable terminal 3 and the printing apparatus 7 are connected by data communication 2 so as to be capable of data communication.

  The mobile terminal 3 is realized by a tablet terminal, a smartphone (mobile phone), a notebook computer, and the like, and includes a display unit 10 and an operation unit 20. In the example of FIG. 1, a tablet terminal is used as an example, and a liquid crystal panel is shown as the display unit 10 and a touch panel is shown as the operation unit 20.

The label editing screen 100 (FIG. 4) is displayed on the display unit 10, and the operator of the mobile terminal 3 taps on the touch panel portion corresponding to the button or the like displayed on the label editing screen 100 to design a label design image. (A label image 101 of the label editing screen 100) is created. In the label editing screen 100, objects such as “outer frame”, “image”, “character”, “QR” and the like can be selected, and positions and sizes of these objects can be designated and arranged in the label image 101. The "outer frame" indicates the decorative frame and the like. Although "image" is intended for arbitrary image data, it mainly indicates a mark that calls attention or a warning. "Character" indicates arbitrary character data, and "QR" indicates a QR code (registered trademark) in which character information is patterned. Then, when the print button 139 is tapped, the data of the label image 101 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 7 via the communication 2. A tape cartridge 77 for storing the tape in a roll shape is attached to the printing apparatus 7, and the data received by the printing mechanism 70 is printed on the tape. The tape on which the data is printed is discharged from the discharge port 8 as a label L. On the label L, a design as printed on the displayed label image 101 is printed.
The outer frame arranged on the label image 101 in the label editing screen 100 corresponds to a second object. Moreover, an image, a character, and a QR code are examples of a functional object, and correspond to a first object.
The QR code is an example of image data in which character information can be readably patterned, and may be a barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, a matrix code, or the like as a similar functional object.

(Configuration of label producing device)
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configurations of the portable terminal 3 and the printing device 7 constituting the label producing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the label producing apparatus.

(Configuration of printing device)
The printing apparatus 7 includes a printing mechanism 70, a communication unit 75, a tape cartridge 77, a control unit 79, and the like. The printing device 7 corresponds to a printing unit.

The printing mechanism 70 includes a head 71, a tape conveyance unit 72, a tape cutting unit 73, and the like.
The head 71 is a thermal head, and performs printing by sandwiching the fed tape and ink ribbon with the platen roller. The tape transport unit 72 includes a motor and a transport roller, transports the tape from the tape cartridge 77 to the head 71, and transports the tape from the head 71 to the discharge port 8. The tape cutting unit 73 is a tape cutter and its driving unit, and cuts a portion printed on the tape in the width direction of the tape, with the feeding of the tape temporarily stopped.

The communication unit 75 is a near field wireless adapter conforming to the standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) as a preferred example, has a common communication protocol with the communication unit 30 of the portable terminal 3, and transmits a label image via the communication 2 Receives 101 data and command data, and transmits a response signal. The communication unit 75 may include a wireless LAN or wired communication adapter, and may be communicably connected to the communication unit 30 of the mobile terminal 3.
The tape cartridge 77 stores the tape in a roll and is detachably mounted to the printing apparatus 7. The tape cartridge 77 is provided for each tape width and each color of the tape surface.

  The control unit 79 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP), and a storage device such as a read only memory (ROM), a flash ROM, or a random access memory (RAM). The printer 7 controls the respective units such as the printing mechanism 70 and the communication unit 75 that constitute the apparatus 7 to perform communication control with the portable terminal 3 and print control to a tape. For example, communication with the portable terminal 3 is established, and the tape width of the mounted tape cartridge 77 is detected and transmitted to the portable terminal 3. When the data of the label image 101 is received from the portable terminal 3, it is printed on a tape. When the length of the label image 101 received from the portable terminal 3 is reached, the tape is cut and a label L is created. In addition, when receiving command data related to printing control such as the number of printed labels L, a cutting method of the tape (cutting and printing one by one, continuous printing without cutting, etc.), printing based on the command data Processing can also be performed.

(Configuration of mobile terminal)
The portable terminal 3 includes a display unit 10, an operation unit 20, a communication unit 30, a storage unit 40, a control unit 50, and the like.
The display unit 10 is configured to have a display panel such as a general LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and is a display device that performs various displays based on display signals input from the control unit 50.
The operation unit 20 is an input device configured to have a touch panel or the like, and outputs a signal of the touch panel operated (eg, tapped) on the touch panel to the control unit 50. The operation unit 20 may be a button switch, a keyboard, a mouse or the like, and in this case, outputs a signal from the pressed button switch , keyboard, or mouse operation to the control unit 50.

  The communication unit 30 is a near field wireless adapter conforming to the standard such as Bluetooth as a preferred example, has a common communication protocol with the communication unit 75 of the printing apparatus 7, and transmits data of the label image 101 via the communication 2 And a response signal transmitted from the printing apparatus 7. The short distance wireless adapter is not limited to Bluetooth, and may be a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or an adapter adopting a unique communication protocol defined between the portable terminal 3 and the printing apparatus 7. The communication unit 30 is not limited to a wireless adapter, and may be a wired communication adapter, in which case the communication 2 is connected via a cable or the like.

The storage unit 40 is constituted by a storage device such as a ROM, flash ROM, RAM, VRAM, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc., various programs for realizing each functional unit of the control unit 50, various data And various files are stored. In addition, a display storage area such as a VRAM (Video RAM) or the like, an edit storage area for editing the label image 101, a work area for temporarily storing data and variables during processing of various processes, processing results, etc. have.
The storage unit 40 stores a program 41, screen data 43, object attribute data 45, an object file 47, and the like.

  The program 41 is read and executed by the control unit 50, whereby the functions of the functional units such as the display control unit 51 and the drawing processing unit 53 included in the control unit 50 are realized. Details of these processes will be described later using flowcharts. The program 41 corresponds to a label creation program.

  The screen data 43 is data such as a graphical user interface (GUI) widget that configures a display screen (such as a label editing screen 100) displayed on the display unit 10 under the control of the control unit 50 and their arrangement information on the screen. , Is stored for each display screen. The GUI widget includes various button widgets selected by input from the touch panel, a drawing area widget for drawing an image or the like, and a character area widget for inputting and displaying characters. Note that these display screens and GUI widgets are only described as an example, and not all of them have to be essential components. In addition, display screens and GUI widgets other than these may be used as essential components.

Next, the object attribute data 45 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the data configuration of a label image and an object.
The object attribute data 45 stores a label image 101 and information related to data of an outer frame 151, an image 153, characters 155, and QR 157 which are objects arranged in the label image 101. Further, the object attribute data 45 includes an editing storage area (image editing area 101 c) for editing the label image 101. When editing such as placing an object in the label image 101 is performed by each functional unit of the control unit 50 described later, the content is reflected on the image editing area 101c. The contents of the image editing area 101c are substantially synchronized and reflected in the display storage area, and displayed as the label image 101 (FIG. 4) of the label editing screen 100.

  As data relating to the label image 101, information related to the entire label image 101 such as the print resolution 101a, the tape width 101b, the image editing area 101c, and the image size 101d is stored.

The print resolution 101 a is information on the print resolution of the printing apparatus 7, and stores, for example, numerical values such as 180 dpi and 360 dpi.
The tape width 101 b is information on the tape width of the tape cartridge 77 mounted on the printing device 7, and stores the value of the tape width acquired from the printing device 7 via the communication unit 30. For example, values such as 12 mm, 18 mm, 24 mm and 36 mm are stored in the tape width 101 b. Further, the value of the tape width may be a value designated by the tape width designation 123 (FIG. 4) set on the label editing screen 100 described later.

  The image editing area 101 c is a work area (editing storage area) for editing (arranging objects) the label image 101. The image editing area 101c is a matrix-like area in which the upper left corner is the origin (0, 0), the horizontal direction of the screen is X coordinates, and the vertical direction is Y coordinates, and an arbitrary position using coordinates (X, Y) Data can be accessed (read and write). In the following description, the X-axis direction of the coordinates (X, Y) is taken as the length direction of the tape, and the Y-axis direction is taken as the tape width direction.

Information of the width and length (width W, length L) of the image editing area 101 c is stored in the image size 101 d. The width W is the maximum value of the coordinate Y, and the length L is the maximum value of the coordinate X.
The size of the image editing area 101c is preferably determined using the printing resolution 101a at the time of printing. For example, when the tape width is 18 mm and the printing resolution 101a is 180 dpi, the width W may be set to a size that can represent information for 128 (.apprxeq.180.times.18 mm / 25.4 mm) dots. By setting the size to such a size, the shape, the arrangement, and the like of the object edited on the image editing area 101 c can be accurately reflected on the label L.

  In addition, it is preferable that the size of the image editing area 101 c and the size of the display storage area of the label image 101 be the same. By matching, the edited content and the displayed content can be matched. If the sizes do not match, size conversion processing is performed each time.

As data concerning the outer frame 151, information concerning the outer frame 151 such as the outer frame file 151a, the window position 151b, and the window size 151c is stored.
In the outer frame file 151a, when the outer frame is arranged in the image editing area 101c, the path to the data file and the file name of the arranged outer frame are stored. If the outer frame 151 is not arranged, "NULL" indicating that the frame does not exist is stored.
In the window position 151b, the start position of the window area included in the data file of the outer frame 151 is stored as coordinate values (coordinates (FX, FY)).
In the window size 151c, the size of the window area included in the data file of the outer frame 151 is stored as information of the width and the length (width FW, length FL) from the window position 151b.
The data file of the outer frame is, for example, a bitmap image data file, and has a drawing layer in which the design of the outer frame is drawn, and a transparent layer representing the window area. In the drawing layer, dots of a drawing portion are recorded in binary, gradation expression of 0 to 127 values, or full color. In the transparent layer, a binary 0 or 1 area is a transparent area, and a dot area of 0 is an area where dots of the drawing layer are drawn. Objects other than the outer frame 151 are drawn in the area of one dot set to be transparent. The area where the dots of the drawing layer are drawn corresponds to a surrounding pattern that encloses an area that transmits other objects.

As data regarding the image 153, information related to the image 153 such as an image file 153a, an image position 153b, an image size 153c, and conversion information 153d is stored.
When an image is arranged in the image editing area 101c, the image file 153a stores the path to the arranged image file and the file name. If the image 153 is not arranged, "NULL" indicating that it does not exist is stored.
In the image position 153b, the start position of the image 153 arranged in the image editing area 101c is stored as information of coordinate values (coordinates (PX, PY)).
In the image size 153 c, the size in the image editing area 101 c of the arranged image 153 is stored with the width and the length (width PW, length PL) from the image position 153 b.
The conversion information 153 d stores information related to conversion processing necessary for arranging the designated image file 153 a in the image editing area 101 c. The conversion processing includes, for example, conversion processing related to 90 ° right or left rotation, conversion processing from full color to black and white, conversion processing from full color to gradation expression, conversion processing to emphasize an outline, and the like.

As data related to the character 155, information related to the character 155 such as a character code 155a, a font type 155b, a font size 155c, a character position 155d, and a character size 155e is stored.
The character code 155 a stores the character code string of the character to be arranged when the character is arranged in the image editing area 101 c.
The font type 155 b stores a font name of the placed character 155 or a code for identifying the font name.
In the font size 155c, the font size of the arranged character 155 is stored as the number of points or the like.
In the character position 155d, the start position of the character 155 arranged in the image editing area 101c is stored as information of coordinate values (coordinates (CX, CY)).
In the character size 155e, the size of the bounding box 105 (FIG. 4) in the image editing area 101c of the arranged character 155 is stored with the width and length (width CW, length CL) from the character position 155d. If the arranged character 155 is a character string (a plurality of characters), the size of the smallest rectangle including the bounding box 105 of all the characters 155 is calculated and stored in the width CW and the length CL.

As data related to the QR 157, information related to the QR 157 such as the QR image file 157a, the QR information 157b, the QR position 157c, and the QR size 157d is stored.
The QR image file 157a stores the file path and file name of the QR code converted into image data. If the QR 157 is not arranged, "NULL" indicating that it does not exist is stored.
The QR information 157 b stores the text converted into the QR code, the model number of the converted QR code, and the like. The text is, for example, a character code such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).
In the QR position 157c, the start position of the image data of the QR code disposed in the image editing area 101c is stored as coordinate values (coordinates (QX, QY)).
In the QR size 157 d, the size including the image data and space margin of the placed QR 157 is stored in the width and the length (width QW, length QL) from the QR position 157 c.
The QR 157 may store various information related to the QR code, such as a parameter of the error correction capability, as well as the above information.

The description returns to the storage unit 40 (FIG. 2).
The object file 47 is a file group of selectable objects. Specifically, data files such as outer frames and images are stored. The object file 47 is not limited to the file stored in the storage unit 40, but may be a data file group which can be connected to the Internet and selected from other websites or content servers and downloaded. In that case, the mobile network communication of the mobile terminal 3 and the file access function via the network are used.

The control unit 50 is configured to have a processor such as a CPU or DSP, and a storage area such as a RAM, and is a control device that collectively controls each unit of the mobile terminal 3 according to a program such as the program 41 stored in the storage unit 40. And an arithmetic unit. The control unit 50 corresponds to a computer.
The control unit 50 includes functional units of a display control unit 51, a drawing processing unit 53, an outer frame designation unit 55, an image designation unit 57, a character designation unit 59, a QR designation unit 61, and a print processing unit 63. Note that these functional units are merely examples, and are not necessarily essential components, and other functional units may be included.

Next, these functional units will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 with reference to the respective drawings.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a label editing screen in the portable terminal. FIG. 5 is a functional transition diagram of functional units implemented in the portable terminal.
First, in the control unit 50, the function of the display control unit 51 is realized.
The display control unit 51 arranges a GUI widget configuring the screen data 43 and the like, and registers an event process to be executed when the GUI widget is selected. As a result, when the label editing screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 10 and a touch panel operation is performed on a button widget or the like arranged on the label editing screen 100, each corresponding functional unit is processed as an event process. To be realized.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the display control unit 51 is realized, the label editing screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 10, and the state is shifted to the event processing waiting state 52. The event processing waiting state 52 shows a state in which the label editing screen 100 is displayed, and a user is waiting for an operation such as tapping on the touch panel.

Here, the label editing screen 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
Label editing screen 100, label image display area 110, the label image adjustment region 120, and a screen configuration of the object specified area 130.
The label image 101 is displayed in the label image display area 110. This state indicates that data of the image editing area 101 c is drawn in the label image display area 110. The label image tip 102 is located at the left end of the label image 101, and an area in which the X coordinate of the image editing area 101c is close to 0 is displayed. The label image end 103 is located at the right end of the label image 101, and an area in which the X coordinate of the image editing area 101c is close to L (length) is displayed.
Further, FIG. 4 is an example in which a character string “Info” is drawn as an object. An arrow cursor 104 is displayed at the start position of the bounding box 105 of the character string “Info”. The input cursor 106 indicates the position of the character to be input next to the character string “Info”.

The label image adjustment area 120 is an area in which the position, size, and the like of an object once arranged in the label image display area 110 can be adjusted. In this display example, it is possible to adjust the arranged "character", and the character size adjustment 121 can reset the size of the character by the number of points. In the character position adjustment 122, the start position of the character can be moved one by one on the coordinate axis by tapping the upper, lower, left, and right arrow marks.
Further, the tape width designation 123 can respecify the tape width to be attached in the printing apparatus 7, and the tape length display 124 displays the tape length recalculated according to the tape width designation 123. Ru.

  The object designation area 130 is an area in which a button widget for designating an object to be mainly drawn in the label image 101 is disposed. In the object designation area 130, an outer frame button 131, an image button 133, a character button 135, a QR button 137, and a print button 139 are arranged.

  The outer frame button 131 is a button widget for specifying the presence / absence of placement of the outer frame and selecting the type of the outer frame in the case of placement. When the outer frame button 131 is tapped, an outer frame designation screen 132 is displayed. In the outer frame designation screen 132, selection buttons 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d and 132e are displayed. "No outer frame" is displayed on the selection button 132a, and an image of the outer frame is displayed as a reduced image (thumbnail) on the selection buttons 132b, 132c, 132d, and 132e.

  The image button 133 is a button widget for specifying an image. When the image button 133 is tapped, the image designation screen 134 is displayed. The image designation screen 134 has selection buttons 134a, 134b, 134c and 134d, and on the surface of each selection button, thumbnails of selectable images are displayed.

  The character button 135 is a button widget for specifying a character. When the character button 135 is tapped, the character designation screen 136 is displayed. The character specification screen 136 has a character input button 136a, a font type button 136b, and a font size button 136c. When the character input button 136a is tapped, a character input screen (not shown) is displayed, and an arbitrary character can be input. A font type button 136b can select a font type, and a font size button 136c displays a screen (not shown) in which the font size can be designated by a numerical value.

  The QR button 137 is a button widget for designating a QR code. When the QR button 137 is tapped, the QR designation screen 138 is displayed. The QR specification screen 138 has a URL input button 138a and a code information button 138b. When the URL input button 138a is tapped, a URL input screen (not shown) is displayed, and when the code information button 138b is tapped, a screen (not shown) for inputting information necessary for QR code creation is displayed. Be done.

  The print button 139 is a button widget for instructing the printing apparatus 7 to print the label image 101.

  Next, a drawing processing unit 53, an outer frame designation unit 55, an image designation unit 57, a character designation unit 59, a QR designation unit 61, and a printing process are realized as event processing by each operation on the label editing screen 100 using FIG. The functional units of the unit 63 will be described.

The drawing processing unit 53 is a functional unit that is realized when an operation related to the label image display area 110 occurs and when it is necessary to perform a drawing process on the label image 101.
The drawing processing unit 53 includes functional units of an outer frame drawing processing unit 56, an image drawing processing unit 58, a character drawing processing unit 60, a QR drawing processing unit 62, and a redrawing processing unit 65.

The outer frame designation unit 55 is realized by tapping the outer frame button 131. The outer frame designation unit 55 outputs the outer frame designation screen 132 to the display unit 10, and waits for a selection operation on the outer frame designation screen 132. When one of the selection buttons 132a, 132b, 132c, 132d, 132e is selected, the selected content is stored in the data storage area of the outer frame file 151a (FIG. 3) of the outer frame 151, and to the outer frame drawing processing unit 56. Transfer the process. Specifically, in the case of "without outer frame", "NULL" is stored in the outer frame file 151a, and when the type of outer frame is selected, the path and file name for the data file of the outer frame Store
The outer frame designation unit 55 corresponds to a second object designation unit. Moreover, the processing procedure of the outer frame designation unit 55 described above corresponds to a second object designation step.

When called by the outer frame designation unit 55, the outer frame drawing processing unit 56 acquires the contents of the outer frame file 151a. When the path and file name of the outer frame are stored in the outer frame file 151a, the data file of the outer frame is read, and the window position 151b and the window size 151c are calculated from the transparent layer. Specifically, the data file of the outer frame is scaled up or down to the size of the image editing area 101c. In the transparent layer in the data file of the outer frame, the largest rectangle is detected in the transparent area. The upper left corner of the largest rectangle is stored in the window position 151b as the start position (FX, FY) of the window area, and the width and length of the largest rectangle are stored in the window size 151c as the width FW and the length FL.
Thereafter, the processing is transferred to the redrawing processing unit 65 (described later). An outer frame is developed on the image editing area 101 c together with other objects by the redrawing processing unit 65, and is drawn on the label image 101.

  In addition, although the maximum position in the area set for transmission is detected to calculate the start position and the width and length, even if it is not within the range of the area set for transmission, it partially overlaps the drawing area A rectangle may be detected and the start position, width and length of the rectangle may be calculated. By setting such a start position and width and length, an image or character can be drawn as large as possible on the label image 101 even if there is a portion overlapping the outer frame.

  The image designation unit 57 is realized by tapping the image button 133. The image designation unit 57 outputs the image designation screen 134 to the display unit 10, and waits for a selection operation on the image designation screen 134. When one of the selection buttons 134a, 134b, 134c, 134d is selected, the selected content is stored in the data storage area of the image file 153a (FIG. 3) of the image 153, and the process is transferred to the image drawing processing unit 58.

When called by the image designation unit 57, the image drawing processing unit 58 acquires the content of the image file 153a. Next, the position and size at which the image is arranged in the image editing area 101c are calculated. The position to be placed is from the start position (0, 0) of the image editing area 101c, the start position (FX, FY) of the window area, or the end position of other already arranged objects, depending on the presence or absence of the outer frame It is calculated. The calculated position is stored in the image position 153 b. Further, the size of the image is calculated using the width W of the image size 101 d or the width FW of the window size 151 c. The calculated image size is stored in the image size 153 c.
Thereafter, the process is transferred to the redrawing processing unit 65, developed with the other objects on the image editing area 101c, and drawn in the label image 101.

  The image drawing processing unit 58 also performs processing corresponding to an operation (for example, position adjustment, size scaling, image deletion, etc.) performed on the image displayed in the label image display area 110, When changed, each data of the image 153 is updated.

  The character designation unit 59 is realized by tapping the character button 135. The character designation unit 59 outputs the character designation screen 136 to the display unit 10, and waits for selection operation of the character input button 136a, the font type button 136b, the font size button 136c, and the like. Information about the input character is stored in each data storage area of the character 155 (FIG. 3) by each function, and the process is transferred to the character drawing processing unit 60.

When called from the character specification unit 59, the character drawing processing unit 60 acquires the contents of the character code 155a and the font type 155b. Next, the position and size at which characters are arranged in the image editing area 101c are calculated. The position to be placed is from the start position (0, 0) of the image editing area 101c, the start position (FX, FY) of the window area, or the end position of other already arranged objects, depending on the presence or absence of the outer frame It is calculated. The calculated position is stored in the character position 155 d. In addition, the size of the character is calculated using the width W of the image size 101 d or the width FW of the window size 151 c. The height of the bounding box 105 of the font that fits within the width W or the width FW is calculated. A font size having the calculated size of the bounding box 105 is determined. The determined font size value (point) is stored in the font size 155c, and the size of the bounding box 105 is stored in the character size 155e.
Thereafter, the process is transferred to the redrawing processing unit 65, developed with the other objects on the image editing area 101c, and drawn in the label image 101.
In addition, in the character drawing processing unit 60, an operation performed on the characters displayed in the label image display area 110 and the label image adjustment area 120 (for example, adjustment of character position, adjustment of character size, deletion of characters, etc.) The processing corresponding to is also performed, and if changed, each data of the character 155 is updated.

  The QR designating unit 61 is realized by tapping the QR button 137. The QR designation unit 61 outputs the QR designation screen 138 to the display unit 10, and waits for selection operations such as the URL input button 138a and the code information button 138b. When the URL input button 138a and the code information button 138b are selected, the URL input screen and the code information input screen are displayed, and a text character string to be converted such as a URL (even if it is not a URL) Get information and. Based on the acquired information, an image of a QR code is generated by a known QR code generation process. The generated image file of the QR code is stored in the object file 47, and the path and the file name are stored in the QR image file 157a. In addition, information such as the converted text character string and the model number after the QR code generation is stored in the QR information 157 b. Thereafter, the process is transferred to the QR drawing processing unit 62.

When called from the QR designation unit 61, the QR drawing processing unit 62 acquires the information of the QR image file 157a and the information of the QR information 157b. Next, the position and size of arranging the image data of the QR code in the image editing area 101c are calculated. The position to be placed is from the start position (0, 0) of the image editing area 101c, the start position (FX, FY) of the window area, or the end position of other already arranged objects, depending on the presence or absence of the outer frame It is calculated. The calculated position is stored in the QR position 157c. Further, the size of the image is calculated using the width W of the image size 101 d or the width FW of the window size 151 c. The calculated size of the image is stored in the QR size 157 d. In addition, the QR drawing processing unit 62 compares the image data of the QR image file 157a with the image data converted to the size of the QR size 157d, and reads the text character string if the difference is more than a predetermined amount. Also has a function of outputting to the display unit 10 that it is difficult.
Also, in the QR drawing processing unit 62, operations performed on the characters displayed in the label image display area 110 and the label image adjustment area 120 (for example, adjustment of character position, adjustment of character size, deletion of characters, etc.) The processing corresponding to is also performed, and when changed, each data of the QR 157 is updated.

The redrawing processing unit 65 writes the data of each object of the outer frame 151, the image 153, the character 155, and the QR 157 stored in the object attribute data 45 into the image editing area 101c, and displays the data of the image editing area 101c as a label image A label image 101 of the area 110 is drawn. Specifically, each object is written to the image editing area 101c in the following order.
When the outer frame is set, the image is synthesized with reference to the start position and size of the image 153, the character 155, and the QR 157 in the transmission setting area of the transmission layer of the outer frame 151 in order. Thereafter, the area of the transparent layer of the drawing layer of the outer frame 151 which is not set to be transparent is synthesized with the image editing area 101c. A general ROP (Raster Operation) process is used for the combining process.
If the outer frame is not set, the image is synthesized with reference to the start position and size of the image 153, the character 155, and the QR 157 in this order.

  The image designation unit 57, the character designation unit 59, and the QR designation unit 61 correspond to a first object designation unit. The processing procedure of the image designation unit 57, the character designation unit 59, and the QR designation unit 61 described above corresponds to a first object designation step.

  The print processing unit 63 is realized by tapping the print button 139. The print processing unit 63 packetizes the data in the image editing area 101 c, and transmits the packetized data to the printing apparatus 7 via the communication unit 30 together with a print instruction command (not shown). In the printing device 7, data of the image editing area 101c is printed. When all the data in the image editing area 101c is printed, the tape is cut and a label L is created. The print processing unit 63 can also transmit various control commands relating to printing, such as the number of labels L to be created, and whether to cut or continuously print the tape, to the printing apparatus 7.

(Drawing processing method)
Next, a method of drawing a label image will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the label image drawing process. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the position and size of the image editing area (with outer frame setting), and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the position and size of the image editing area (without outer frame setting). FIG. 9 is a view showing a display example of a label image (with outer frame setting), and FIG. 10 is a view showing a display example of a label image (without outer frame setting).
The flow illustrated in FIG. 6 is a flow of processing realized by the control unit 50 reading and executing the program 41 stored in the storage unit 40.

  In step S10, the width of the image editing area 101c is acquired. Specifically, the width W is read from the image size 101 d (FIG. 3) stored in the storage unit 40. The width W is calculated based on the values of the printing resolution 101a and the tape width 101b. Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the image editing area 101c is a coordinate system in which the upper left corner is the coordinate of the start position (0, 0), the horizontal direction of the screen is the X coordinate, and the vertical direction is the Y coordinate. Have.

  In step S20, it is determined whether an outer frame is set. Specifically, if the selection buttons 132b to 132e are selected according to the selection content of the outer frame designation screen 132, the outer frame is set (Yes), the process proceeds to step S30, and the selection button 132a "no outer frame" Is selected, the outer frame is not set (No), and the process proceeds to step S50.

In step S30, the start position and width of the window area of the outer frame are acquired. Specifically, the start position (FX, FY) and the width (FW) from the window position 151 b and the window size 151 c (FIG. 3) are read. When a new outer frame is specified, the function of the outer frame drawing processing unit 56 is realized, and the start position (FX, FY) and the width (FW) are calculated. FIG. 7 shows the positional relationship between the coordinates (FX, FY) and the width ( FW ) .

  In step S40, the start position and the width of the window area are set as the start position (OX, OY) and the width (OW) of the object arrangement area. The values of the start position (FX, FY) and the width (FW) of the window area are substituted into variables (OX, OY) and OW, respectively (see FIG. 7).

  In step S50, the start position and the width of the image editing area 101c are set in the start position (OX, OY) and the width (OW) of the object placement area. As shown in FIG. 8, the coordinate value (0, 0) is substituted into the coordinate variable (OX, OY), and the value of the width W is substituted into the variable OW.

  In step S60, the start position, width, and length of the object designated on the label editing screen 100 are acquired. Store the obtained value in each variable. If the object is an image, start position to (PX, PY), width to PW, length to PL, and if character, start position to (CX, CY), width to CW, length In the case of the QR code, the start position is stored in (QX, QY), the width is stored in QW, and the length is stored in QL.

  In step S70, the width of each object is made the value of the object placement area (OW), and the length and start position of each object are calculated. Specifically, the width (PW, CW, QW) of each object is set to the value of the width OW of the object placement area, the length and start position of each object are calculated while maintaining the aspect ratio, and the respective variables (PL , CL, QL, PX, PY, CX, CY, QX, QY). In this step, the arrangement position and size of each object in the image editing area 101c are determined.

  In step S80, the outer frame (in the case of setting) and each object are combined into the image editing area 101c. In FIG. 7, objects of an image 153, characters 155, and QR 157 are arranged and synthesized inside an area (halftone portion) in which the outer frame 151 is drawn. In FIG. 8, objects of an image 153, characters 155, and QR 157 are arranged and synthesized over the entire area of the image editing area 101c.

  In step S90, the contents of the image editing area 101c are drawn on the label image 101. By drawing the image editing area 101c shown in FIG. 7 on the label image 101, the label image 101 shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. By drawing the image editing area 101c shown in FIG. 8 on the label image 101, the label image 101 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed.

Thus, the positions and sizes of the image 153, characters 155, and QR 157 to be arranged in the image editing area 101c are calculated according to the presence or absence of the outer frame setting. Each object is drawn with the largest size in the object placement area having the start position (OX, OY) and the width (OW).
This flow corresponds to the drawing processing step. The first object designation step, the second object designation step, and the drawing processing step realize the label production method.

As described above, according to the label producing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
In the portable terminal 3, the display control unit 51 displays the label editing screen 100 on the display unit 10. In the label image display area 110, various objects can be arranged in the label image 101, and the designated object is drawn in the label image 101. In the internal processing of the control unit 50, the data of the object designated in the image editing area 101c is updated, and is drawn in the label image 101 each time.

In the outer frame designation screen 132 of the label editing screen 100, drawing is performed when “no outer frame” (selection button 132a) is selected and when “with outer frame” (selection buttons 132b to e) is selected. The processing unit 53 automatically recalculates the size and position of each object. In the case of "no outer frame", the drawing processing unit 53 extends the size of each object including the entire label image 101 (image editing area 101c) (up to the outermost area), recalculates the size, and determines the position. I have decided. Then, in the case of "with outer frame", the size of each object is recalculated to a size that fits within the window area of the outer frame arranged in the label image 101 (image editing area 101c). Since each object is automatically arranged at the size and position recalculated in this manner, the operator arranges each object at the largest size in the label image 101 without an outer frame without being aware of it. In the case where there is an outer frame, the data of each object placed inside can be arranged without any part being hidden by the outer frame.
Even if each object is a functional object having an information function such as character data, a mark prompting attention or warning, a barcode or a QR code, such information is less likely to be lost. Label image 101 (image editing It is possible to draw in the area 101c). Also, data of such label image 101 (image editing area 101c) is transmitted to the printing device 7, printed on a tape, and a label L is created. In the label L created by the label creating apparatus 1 in this manner, there is little possibility that the functional object is hidden by another object such as a decorative frame and printed.
Accordingly, it is possible to provide the label producing apparatus 1 in which the information contained in the functional object is less likely to be lost, and the functional object can be easily arranged.

Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13 and other drawings.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a drawing processing unit in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a view showing a display example of a label image and a medium change guide screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the medium selection process in the second embodiment. In the first embodiment, the object is arranged in the area of the label image 101 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but in the present embodiment, the object extends to the outside of the area of the label image 101 as shown in FIG. The difference is that it can be arranged. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the first embodiment are omitted.

Drawing processing unit 253 is further Bei Ete constituting the medium selection processor 267 to the drawing processing section 53 shown in FIG.
When the size or position of the object is changed, the medium selection processing unit 267 guides the medium having the appropriate tape width when the medium having the appropriate tape width exists in addition to the medium having the specified tape width. Do. Specifically, the tape width change selection screen 180 (FIG. 12) is displayed. Hereinafter, the function of the medium selection processing unit 267 will be described using an example where the character 155 is changed as an object. Similar processing is possible even if the object is an object other than the character 155.

  The medium selection processing unit 267 acquires the position and size of the character 155 changed by the character specification unit 59, and based on the information of the designated tape width 101b and the printing resolution 101a, within the area of the image editing area 101c. Determine if drawing is possible. As a result of the determination, only when the image can not be drawn in the area (the character 155 exceeds the area of the image editing area 101c), the value of the drawable width is calculated so that the character 155 fits, and the value of the width is Select a medium with a width of Display a message recommending changing to a medium of the selected tape width and printing. As a result, when it is selected to change the tape width, the information of the tape cartridge 77 mounted on the printing apparatus 7 is received through the communication unit 30, and the tape width of the tape cartridge 77 is the selected tape width. If they match, the tape width value is stored in the tape width 101b. Thereafter, when the process is transferred to the redrawing processing unit 65, the characters 155 are arranged and displayed so as to be contained in the area of the label image 101.

In the label editing screen 100 shown in FIG. 12, only the part related to the description of the present embodiment is shown, and the part not directly related to the description is omitted. The omitted part has the same configuration as the label editing screen 100 shown in FIG.
The label image 101 is displayed in the label image display area 110. In the label image 101, objects of an image 153, characters 155, and QR 157 are arranged. In the label image adjustment area 120, character size adjustment 121, character position adjustment 122, and tape width designation 123 are displayed. In the character size adjustment 121, the character size is set to "100 pt", and in the tape width designation 123, the tape width is set to "18 mm".

  On the lower front of the label editing screen 100, a tape width change selection screen 180 for guiding a tape width change candidate and selecting whether or not to change the tape width is displayed. The tape width change selection screen 180 is configured to have a confirmation information display area 181, a button 182 in which "do not change" is displayed on the button top, and a button 183 in which "change" is displayed on the button top. In the confirmation information display area 181, “There is a risk that some characters will be lost. Do you want to change the tape width to 24 mm?” Is displayed. In the text, "24 mm" is a candidate for the tape width, which corresponds to a candidate for the size of the medium.

  The bounding box 105 of the characters 155 arranged in the label image 101 is arranged in an area wider in the tape width direction than the area in which the label image 101 is displayed. Some of the characters 155 arranged in the area of the label image 101 are displayed in black, and some of the characters 155 arranged out of the area of the label image 101 are displayed in white characters. . For example, taking "I" of "Information" as an example, the character portion 155j is a portion arranged in the area of the label image 101, and the character portion 155k is arranged out of the area of the label image 101 It is.

  The state in which such a character portion 155k occurs is set to the character size of 100 pt in the character size adjustment 121 after the drawing processing unit 253 sets the character size of 65 pt so as to fit within the area of the label image 101. It happens in such a case. By changing the set tape width from “18 mm” to “24 mm”, the area in the tape width direction is expanded, so the wording that text 155 can be arranged in the area of label image 101 is confirmation information It is displayed in the display area 181. The situation in which the character 155 is arranged out of the area of the label image 101 is not limited to the case where the character size is changed by the character size adjustment 121, and the same applies even when the character position is changed by the character position adjustment 122. It becomes a situation.

  As described above, when the size and the position of the object are changed on the label editing screen 100 by realizing the other function units of the medium selection processing unit 267 and the drawing processing unit 253, an appropriate tape width is selected, The tape width is guided.

  In the first embodiment, the area of the image editing area 101c coincides with the area of the label image 101 to be displayed, but the area of the image editing area 101c is a label to be displayed in order to realize the present embodiment. The area is set to be wider than the image 101 (including an open character portion 155k).

  The flow shown in FIG. 13 is a flow showing the flow of the medium selection process in the second embodiment. The medium selection process is a process implemented by the medium selection processing unit 267 included in the drawing processing unit 253 under the control of the control unit 50. This flow is started by repositioning of the object in the event processing waiting state 52 (FIG. 5) after the object has been automatically arranged in the area of the label image 101 once.

In step S110, information of the rearranged object is acquired. Specifically, the position and size of the object rearranged by the operation of the label image adjustment area 120 are acquired. The rearranged object is displayed on the label image 101.
In step S120, it is determined whether the object placement area has exceeded the label image 101. If exceeded (Yes), the process proceeds to step S130, and if not exceeded (No), the process proceeds to the end of the present flow.
In step S130, a tape width change selection screen 180 is displayed. More specifically, the printer 7 acquires information on the mountable tape width. The size (the number of vertical and horizontal dots) of the printable area is calculated using the printing resolution 101a for each acquired tape width. The object placement area and the printable area are compared to obtain the tape width having the smallest printable area in which the object can be placed, and a statement recommending the tape width (recommended tape width) is displayed in the confirmation information display area 181 .
In step S140, it is determined whether a change in tape width has been selected. If the button 183 for changing the tape width is selected (Yes), the process proceeds to step S150. If the button 182 for not changing the tape width is selected (No), the process proceeds to the end of this flow.
In step S150, the tape width is changed and the label image 101 is drawn. The label image 101 with the tape width changed to the recommended tape width is displayed.
At the end of this flow, the process shifts to the event processing waiting state 52.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the drawing processing unit 253 and the medium selection processing unit 267, when a functional object such as the character 155 is placed out of the area of the label image 101, a tape of a size that accommodates the functional object. The width 101 b is selected, and the tape width change selection screen 180 is displayed. The operator can obtain the information of the tape which can reliably print the arranged functional object, and executes printing by replacing it with the tape cartridge 77 having the tape width displayed in the confirmation information display area 181. can do. In this way, functional objects placed beyond the area of the label image 101 can be reliably printed without losing the information contained in the functional objects.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 17 and the respective drawings.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a drawing processing unit in the third embodiment. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are diagrams showing display examples of the label image and the medium change guide screen in the third embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining the medium selection process in the third embodiment.
In the second embodiment described above, tape width change candidates are selected based on the arrangement position and size of the functional object, but in the present embodiment, tape width change candidates are selected based on the data density of the functional object. It is different from Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described focusing on differences from the second embodiment. Descriptions of configurations and functions similar to those of the above-described embodiment are omitted.

The drawing processing unit 353 is configured such that the medium selection processing unit 267 in the drawing processing unit 253 is replaced with a medium selection processing unit 367. Further, the drawing processing unit 353 may be configured to include the medium selection processing unit 367 in addition to the medium selection processing unit 267.
Based on the data density of the functional object, the medium selection processing unit 367 determines whether there is a medium of an appropriate tape width other than the medium of the specified tape width, and if it exists, the medium of that tape width. invite. Specifically, in the example of guiding the tape width widely, the tape width change selection screen 186 (FIG. 15) is displayed, and in the example of guiding the tape width narrowly, the tape width change selection screen 190 (FIG. 16) is displayed. Hereinafter, the case where the QR code shown to QR157 (QR157x, QR157y) is designated as a functional object is explained to an example. Similar processing is possible even if the functional object is an object other than the QR code.

The medium selection processing unit 367 acquires the data density of the QR code generated by the QR specification unit 61, and calculates the size (object print size) that does not impair the information of the QR code according to the level of the data density. . A tape width wider than the calculated object print size and having the smallest width is selected. Then, a message is displayed that recommends changing to a medium of the selected tape width and printing. As a result, when it is selected to change the tape width, the information of the tape cartridge 77 mounted on the printing apparatus 7 is received through the communication unit 30, and the tape width of the tape cartridge 77 is the selected tape width. If they match, the tape width value is stored in the tape width 101b. Thereafter, when the process is transferred to the redrawing processing unit 65, the QR 157 is arranged and displayed on the label image 101.

  The calculation of the object print size of the medium selection processing unit 367 will be described by showing a specific example.

For example, in the QR code having a relatively high data density among the QR codes, the tape width is guided in a wide direction. The QR code type 12 has information of vertical 65 × horizontal 65 (cells) as the data density. For example, when the printing resolution of the printing apparatus 7 is printed at 360 dpi at 5 dots / cell, the tape width direction of about 0.903 (inch) or 23 (mm) by 5 (dot) × 65 (cells) ÷ 360 (dpi) The length at is calculated as the object print size. That is, in this example, when the tape width is 18 mm, a short tape width of 24 mm is required.
For example, in the QR code having a relatively low data density among the QR codes, it is guided that the wide tape width is not necessary. The QR code type 1 has information of vertical 21 × horizontal 21 (cells) as the data density. For example, when the printing resolution of the printing apparatus 7 is printed at 180 dpi at 4 dots / cell, approximately 0.47 (inch) or 11.86 (mm) of 4 (dot) × 21 (cell) / 180 (dpi) The length in the tape width direction is calculated as the object print size. That is, in this example, when the tape width is 18 mm, many margins are generated, and it is sufficient that the tape width is 12 mm.

The label editing screen 100 shown in FIG. 15 shows a display screen when a QR code having a relatively high data density is applied among the above-described QR codes. Further, the printing resolution of the printing apparatus 7 will be described as 360 dpi.
The label image 101 is displayed in the label image display area 110. In the label image 101, an object of QR157x is disposed as an image 153, characters 155, and QR157. In the label image adjustment area 120, “18 mm” is designated in the tape width designation 123 and displayed.

  On the lower front of the label editing screen 100, a tape width change selection screen 186 is displayed for guiding the tape width change candidate and selecting whether to change. The tape width change selection screen 186 includes a confirmation information display area 187, a button 188 in which "do not change" is displayed on the button top, and a button 189 in which "change" is displayed on the button top. ing. In the confirmation information display area 187, “There is a risk that reading of the QR code may fail. Change the tape width to 24 mm?” Is displayed. In the text, “24 mm” is a candidate for the tape width, which corresponds to a candidate for the size of the medium.

  QR157x is a QR code of type 12, and for a printing resolution of 360 dpi, a tape width of 18 mm is short and a tape width of 24 mm is required. Therefore, it is recommended to display the confirmation information display area 187 and change the tape width to 24 mm.

The label editing screen 100 shown in FIG. 16 represents a display screen when a QR code having a relatively low data density is applied among the above-described QR codes. Further, the print resolution of the printing apparatus 7 will be described below as 180 dpi.
The label image 101 is displayed in the label image display area 110. In the label image 101, an object of QR157y is disposed as an image 153, characters 155, and QR157. In the label image adjustment area 120, a character size adjustment 121 and a tape width specification 123 are displayed. In the character size adjustment 121, the character size is set to "21 pt", and in the tape width designation 123, the tape width is set to "18 mm".

  On the lower front of the label editing screen 100, a tape width change selection screen 190 for guiding a tape width change candidate and selecting whether or not to change the tape width is displayed. The tape width change selection screen 190 includes a confirmation information display area 191, a button 192 in which "do not change" is displayed on the button top, and a button 193 in which "change" is displayed on the button top. ing. In the confirmation information display area 191, “It is possible to optimize by using a 12 mm wide tape. Do you want to change the tape width to 12 mm?” Is displayed. In the text, “12 mm” is a candidate for the tape width, which corresponds to a candidate for the size of the medium.

  QR 157 y is a QR code of type 1, and when the printing resolution is 180 dpi, the tape width is too wide at 18 mm, and a tape width of 12 mm is sufficient. Furthermore, in the character size adjustment 121, the character size is changed to a small size of 21 pt. From such a situation, it is recommended to display the confirmation information display area 191 and change the tape width to 12 mm.

  The flow shown in FIG. 17 is a flow showing the flow of the medium selection process in the third embodiment. The medium selection process is a process realized by the medium selection processing unit 367 included in the drawing processing unit 353 under the control of the control unit 50. This flow is started by repositioning of the object in the event processing waiting state 52 (FIG. 5) after the object has been automatically arranged in the area of the label image 101 once.

In step S210, information of the rearranged object is acquired. Specifically, the position and size of the object rearranged by the operation of the label image adjustment area 120 are acquired. The rearranged object is displayed on the label image 101.
In step S220, the width of the object print size reflecting the data density of the object is calculated.
In step S230, the minimum tape width value wider than the object print size width is acquired. The obtained tape width value is taken as a value TPW.
In step S240, it is determined whether the currently set tape width 101b is equal to TPW. If they are the same (Yes), the flow is ended. If they are not the same (No), the process proceeds to step S250.
In step S250, a confirmation screen is displayed to recommend changing the tape width to the value TPW.
In step S260, it is determined whether to change the tape width. When changing (Yes), the process proceeds to step S270, and when not changing (No), the present flow ends.
In step S270, the tape width is changed to the value TPW and the label image 101 is drawn.
At the end of this flow, the process shifts to the event processing waiting state 52.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the drawing processing unit 353 and the medium selection processing unit 367, an object print size that does not damage information of a functional object according to the level of data density of the functional object Is calculated. Then, the tape width which is wider than the object print size and which has the minimum width is selected.
The label L created by printing on the medium of the selected tape width is printed without loss of the information contained in the functional object. In addition, since the functional objects are printed on the medium having the minimum tape width and the size that the information is not lost, it is possible to create the label L with less waste area such as the margin on the medium.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification is described below.

(Modification 1)
This will be described using FIGS. 18 and 19. FIG. 18 is a view showing a display example of a label image (with outer frame setting) in the modification. FIG. 19 is a view showing a display example of a label image (without outer frame setting) in the modification.
In the above-described embodiment, the drawing processing unit 53 is described as displaying the label image 101 in the label image display area 110 of the label editing screen 100 (FIG. 4), but the drawing processing unit 53 further You may add and display.
As shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, the information on the image 153 is in the image incidental information 154, the information on the characters 155 is in the character incidental information 156, the information on the QR 157 is in the QR incidental information 158, and It is displayed.
In the image incidental information 154, the numerical value of the enlargement / reduction ratio (%) of the image data is displayed. In the character accompanying information 156, the number of points of the character font is displayed. In the QR incidental information 158, the QR code model number and the reduction enlargement ratio are displayed.
Since the outer frame 151 is set in FIG. 18 and the outer frame is not set in FIG. 19, the drawing processing unit 53 draws each object in the size of FIG. 19 larger than that of FIG. ing.
As described above, by displaying information such as the size of the object as numerical values or characters, it is possible to easily inform the operator of the difference between the case where there is an outer frame setting and the case where there is no outer frame setting.

(Modification 2)
This will be described using FIG. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example in which the character size of the label image (without outer frame setting) in the modification is changed.
In the above-described embodiment and modification, the drawing processing unit 53 automatically calculates the position and size of each object with and without the outer frame setting, and draws in the label image 101, but the label image The configuration may be such that the size and position of each object can be changed after drawing to 101.
FIG. 20 shows an example in which the size of the character font of the character 155 is changed to 72 pt. After the text accompanying information 156 is set to 65 pt (FIG. 19) when there is no outer frame in the drawing processing unit 53, the numerical value of 65 pt of the text accompanying information 156 is changed to 72 pt by the operation of the operation unit 20 (touch panel). . The drawing processing unit 53 recalculates the size of the character 155 and draws the label image 101.
As described above, since the size and the like of the object can be changed while confirming the label image 101, the label image 101 of various designs can be created.

(Modification 3)
This will be described using FIG.
FIG. 21 is a view showing the appearance of the label producing apparatus in the modification.
In the above-mentioned embodiment and modification, as shown in Drawing 1, although display 10 and operation part 20 and printing device 7 were constituted by another device, it is not limited to such composition. The printing device 7 may be configured to include the display unit 10 and the operation unit 20. The label producing apparatus 801 shown in FIG. 21 includes a display unit 10a, an operation unit 20a, and an operation unit 20b in the printing apparatus 7 (FIG. 1) for producing the label L. The display unit 10 a is a display panel such as an LCD for displaying the label editing screen 100. The operation unit 20a is a touch panel that covers the display panel, and the operation unit 20b is a button switch or the like.
In such a label producing apparatus 801, the label image 101 can be drawn and printed with a simple configuration using a single device.

(Modification 4)
The first object described in the above-described embodiment and modification may be an AR (Augmented Reality) marker capable of representing image data obtained by patterning audio data, an image, a moving image, a stereoscopic image, or the like.

(Modification 5)
The second object described in the above-described embodiment and modification may be a data file composed of one of a transparent layer and a drawing layer, a surrounding pattern having a plurality of window regions in the transparent layer, and a transparent layer. It may be a data file which is set to be transparent in a discontinuous area.

(Modification 6)
Although the first object described in the above-described embodiment and modification is arranged from the start position of the window area of the second object at a position and size not overlapping with the second object, it is limited to such an arrangement position Alternatively, the first object may be disposed at a position overlapping the second object.
FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the character designation screen in the modification. FIG. 23 is an explanatory view showing the position and the size of the image editing area in the modification.
In the character specification screen 136x shown in FIG. 22, an outer frame overlapping character button 136d is further added to the character specification screen 136 displayed on the label editing screen 100 (FIG. 4). The outer frame overlapping character button 136 d is a button widget that is enabled when both the character 155 and the outer frame 151 are set in the label image 101 or the image editing area 101 c. In the state in which the outer frame overlapping character button 136d is tapped to be selected and the state in which the outer frame overlapping character button 136d is not selected again, the display color of the button top of the outer frame overlapping character button 136d changes and the window of the outer frame 151 The start position of the area and the size of the character 155 are changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23, when the outer frame overlapping character button 136d is selected, the start position of the window area of the outer frame 151 is set to the coordinates (FX2, FY2), and the bounding of the character 155 is performed. The width of the box 105 is set to FW2. When the outer frame overlapping character button 136d is not selected, the start position of the window area of the outer frame 151 is set to the coordinates (FX1, FY1), and the width of the bounding box 105 (not shown) of the character 155 is FW1. It is set. These processes can be realized by the drawing processing unit 53.

In the state where the outer frame overlapping character button 136d is selected, the drawing area of the outer frame 151 and the drawing area of the character 155 are arranged so as to overlap their respective boundary areas. Taking the letter “A” of the character string “ABC” shown in FIG. 23 as an example, the area 155 m is an overlapping area.
In this manner, it is possible to draw the label image 101 in which the outer frame 151 (second object) and the character 155 (first object) are arranged in an overlapping manner in the area 155 m (boundary area). You can increase the variation of.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 801 ... Label production apparatus, 2 ... Communication, 3 ... Mobile terminal, 7 ... Printing apparatus, 8 ... Discharge port, 10, 10a ... Display part, 20, 20a, 20b ... Operation part, 30 ... Communication part, 40 ... Storage unit 41 Program 43 Screen data 45 Object attribute data 47 Object file 50 Control unit 51 Display control unit 52 Waiting state for event processing 53, 253, 353 Drawing processing unit , 55: outer frame designation unit, 56: outer frame drawing processing unit, 57: image designation unit, 58: image drawing processing unit, 59: character designation unit, 60: character drawing processing unit, 61: QR designation unit, 62 ... QR drawing processing unit 63 print processing unit 65 redrawing processing unit 70 printing mechanism 71 head 72 tape transport unit 73 tape cutting unit 75 communication unit 77 tape cartridge 79 …control , 100: label editing screen, 101: label image, 101a: printing resolution, 101b: tape width, 101c: image editing area, 101d: image size, 102: label image tip, 103: label image end, 104: arrow cursor, 105 ... bounding box, 106 ... input cursor, 110 ... label image display area, 120 ... label image adjustment area, 121 ... character size adjustment, 122 ... character position adjustment, 123 ... tape width designation, 124 ... tape length display, 130 ... Object specification area, 131 ... Outer frame button, 132 ... Outer frame specification screen, 132a-e ... Selection button, 133 ... Image button, 134 ... Image specification screen, 134a-d ... Selection button, 135 ... Character button, 136 ... Character specification screen, 136a ... character input button , 136b ... font type button, 136c ... font size button, 137 ... QR button, 138 ... QR designation screen, 138a ... URL input button, 138b ... code information button, 139 ... printing button, 151 ... outer frame, 151a ... outer frame File, 151b: Window position, 151c: Window size, 153: Image, 153a: Image file, 153b: Image position, 153c: Image size, 153d: Conversion information, 154: Image incidental information, 155: characters, 155a: character code , 155b ... font type, 155c ... font size, 155d ... character position, 155e ... character size, 156 ... character accompanying information, 157 ... QR, 157a ... QR image file, 157b ... QR information, 157c ... QR position, 157d ... QR Size, 158 ... QR attachment information, 180, 1 86, 190 ... Tape width change selection screen, 181, 187, 191 ... Confirmation information display area, 267, 367 ... Medium selection processing unit.

Claims (10)

A label producing apparatus for producing a label printed on a medium, comprising:
A drawing processing unit that draws a label image of the label;
A first object designation unit that designates a position and a size of a first object drawn on the label image;
Designating whether or not to arrange in the label image a second object having a window area transparent to the first object drawn in the label image and having a drawing area at the outermost part of the label image 2 Object specification section,
A printing unit configured to print at least one of the first object and the second object drawn on the label image on the medium;
Equipped with
The label image includes an image editing area for editing the label image.
The drawing processing unit
If it is specified that the second object is to be placed :
Wherein the maximum rectangular starting position and width in the window region is detected as coordinate, the maximum rectangular coordinates of the starting position and the width, the first object before SL is set to the coordinates of the starting position and width of the object arrangement area Automatically placed to fit within the window area ,
If not placing the second object is designated,
The coordinates of the start position and the width of the image editing area are set to the coordinates of the start position and the width of the object arrangement area, and the first object is automatically extended to an area including the outermost of the label image. Label producing apparatus characterized by   The drawing processing unit, when the second object is arranged, calculates the position and the size at which the first object is arranged, based on the information of the start position and the size of the window area, and 2. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the object is not placed, the position and the size at which the first object is placed are calculated based on the size of the label image.   The drawing processing unit performs printing based on the size of the label image and at least one of the data density, the arrangement position, and the size of the first object specified by the first object specification unit. The label producing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a medium selection processing unit that selects a candidate for the size.   The medium selection processing unit corresponds to an area extended to the arrangement area of the first object including the label image, when the first object is arranged at a position or size beyond the area of the label image. 4. The label producing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the size of the medium is selected as a candidate. The medium selection processing unit according to claim 3, wherein the data density of the first object is to calculate the object print size which is reflected, characterized by selecting the size of based rather the medium to the object print size as a candidate Label making apparatus as described in. The first object, the image data, any one of the character font data, and claims from claim 1 character information, characterized in that it comprises at least one of image data capable patterned reading 5 Label making apparatus as described in. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the second object is a surrounding pattern that surrounds the first object in the label image. The label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a display unit for displaying the label image of the label. A label producing method for producing a label printed on a medium, comprising:
A drawing processing step of drawing a label image of the label;
A first object specifying step of specifying a position and a size of a first object to be drawn on the label image;
Designating whether or not to arrange in the label image a second object having a window area transparent to the first object drawn in the label image and having a drawing area at the outermost part of the label image 2 object specification process,
Equipped with
The label image includes an image editing area for editing the label image.
In the drawing process,
If it is specified that the second object is to be placed:
Wherein the maximum rectangular starting position and width in the window region is detected as coordinate, the maximum rectangular coordinates of the starting position and the width, the first object before SL is set to the coordinates of the starting position and width of the object arrangement area Automatically placed to fit within the window area,
If not placing the second object is designated,
The coordinates of the start position and the width of the image editing area are set to the coordinates of the start position and the width of the object arrangement area, and the first object is automatically extended to an area including the outermost of the label image. Labeling method characterized by A program for making a computer execute the method for making a label according to claim 9 .

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