JP7196546B2 - Editing device, editing program, and printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an editing device, an editing program, and a printing device.

A device for producing a label to be attached to a cable is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The device described in Patent Document 1 preferentially displays a candidate corresponding to an editing condition from among a plurality of selection candidates.

JP 2009-217662 A

When a user wraps and affixes a label edited with a conventional device around a cable, part of the printed object may be obscured. In this case, the user may rearrange the printed object so that the entire printed object can be seen with the label wrapped around the cable, which is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an editing device, an editing program, and a printing device that improve the user's convenience when arranging a print object on a label that is attached to a cable.

An editing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a display unit and a control unit that controls the display unit, wherein the control unit includes size acquisition means for acquiring a size of a print medium; print object acquisition means for acquiring an arrangement of a print object to be printed on the print medium; outer circumference acquisition means for acquiring an outer circumference length of an attachment target to which the print medium is attached; and a specific direction of the print medium When the print medium is pasted along the outer periphery of the pasting target in order from one end to the other end, an overlapping portion of the print medium on the other end side covered by the print medium; It functions as display control means for causing the display unit to display the arrangement of the print target on the print medium so that the print target can be distinguished from the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion.

An editing program according to a second aspect of the present invention includes instructions for causing the control unit of the editing device of the first aspect to function as various processing means of the editing device.

A printing apparatus according to a third aspect includes a display unit, a transport unit that transports a print medium along a transport path, a print unit that prints on the print medium transported by the transport unit, the display unit, the transport and a control unit for controlling the printing unit, wherein the control unit includes size acquisition means for acquiring the size of the print medium, and arrangement of a print target to be printed on the print medium with respect to the print medium. an outer circumference obtaining means for obtaining the length of an outer circumference of an attachment target to which the print medium is attached; and the print medium in order from one end to the other end in a specific direction of the print medium. In the case of pasting along the outer circumference of the object to be pasted, the overlapping part covered by the printing medium on the other end side of the printing medium and the non-overlapping part excluding the overlapping part of the printing medium display control means for displaying, on the display unit, the layout of the print target with respect to the print medium so that the print target can be distinguished; It functions as generation means for generating print data for printing on a print medium, and print control means for controlling the printing section according to the print data generated by the generation means and printing on the print medium.

According to the first, second, and third aspects, the editing device (printing device) can distinguish between overlapping portions and non-overlapping portions and display them on the display unit. By referring to the display unit, the user can confirm before printing that part of the print target will be arranged in the overlapping portion when the label is wrapped around the cable and attached. Since the editing device (printing device) can reduce the possibility of re-arranging the print target after printing, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when arranging the print target on the label attached to the cable.

2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the printing device 18; FIG. (A) is an explanatory diagram of the label 20, (B) is an explanatory diagram of a method of affixing the label 20 to an affixing target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 of the label 20 in a specific direction, and (C) is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the label 20 is attached to the attachment target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 of the label 20 in a specific direction. (A) is an explanatory diagram of the print medium 40, and (B) and (C) are illustrations of a method of attaching the print medium 40 to an attachment target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 32 of the print medium 40 in a specific direction. FIG. 3D is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the print medium 40 is attached to an attachment target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 32 of the print medium 40 in a specific direction; 5 is an explanatory diagram of a setting value storage area 52; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing; FIG. 10 is a matrix-like explanatory diagram for explaining the procedure for setting the layout of the print targets on the label 20 in the main process; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of print targets on the label 20 set by the main process; 9 is an explanatory diagram of a screen 90; FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of correction processing executed in the main processing of FIG. 5; FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in order below with reference to the drawings. The unit of length is mm. In the following description, image data for displaying an image will also simply be referred to as an image.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 18 is a small-sized printer capable of printing characters (characters, symbols, numbers, etc.) on a tape M, which is a tape-shaped print medium and is an adhesive tape of indeterminate length with release paper. label printer. The printing device 18 is capable of editing and displaying print images. A print image is an image that indicates the layout of a print target with respect to a print medium. Editing a print image is a concept that includes creating a new print image, changing display content, changing the layout of a print target, and the like. The printing device 18 has a CPU 1 , a ROM 2 , a CGROM 3 , a RAM 4 and a flash memory 5 . ROM 2, CGROM 3, RAM 4, and flash memory 5 are electrically connected to CPU 1, respectively.

Various programs necessary for controlling the printer 18 are stored in the ROM 2 . The CPU 1 performs various calculations based on these programs. In the CGROM 3, printing dot pattern data for printing various characters are classified by format and size and stored in association with code data. Therefore, the printing device 18 can specify the size of the object to be printed once the characters, format and size are determined. The RAM 4 is provided with a plurality of storage areas such as text memory and print buffer. The text memory stores data to be printed. The print buffer stores a print dot pattern to be printed. Various calculation data and the like are stored in the other storage area.

The flash memory 5 comprises a tape type table storage area 51 , a setting value storage area 52 and other storage areas 53 . The tape type table storage area 51 stores a table that defines the attributes of the print media loaded on the printer 18 . In the table, for example, the width W, type, etc. of the tape M are defined in association with each of a plurality of types of IDs. The width W is the width (the length in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction) of the tape M, which is the print medium. The type indicates the material and mode of the tape M. Types include, for example, laminates and receptors. “Lamination” is a mode in which a double-sided adhesive tape (adhesive layers are formed on both sides of the base material) is attached to the printed surface in the printing device 18 after printing on a resin-made transparent film tape. indicates "Laminates" include, for example, "clear laminates." A transparent laminate is obtained by laminating a completely transparent double-sided adhesive tape (including a base material) to a completely transparent film tape, and the tape as a whole is also transparent. Hereinafter, "laminate" excluding "transparent laminate" is referred to as "laminate" in a narrow sense. "Receptor" indicates a mode in which printing is performed on a resin single-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is formed only on one side of a substrate). "Receptor" includes, for example, "self-laminate" and "transparent receptor". Self-laminating, as will be described later with reference to FIG. (Both the label 20 and the film 30 have an adhesive layer formed only on one side of the substrate). Further, "self-laminate" includes "transparent self-laminate" in which not only the film 30 is transparent, but also the label 20 is transparent. Hereinafter, "self-laminate" except "transparent self-laminate" is called "self-laminate" in a narrow sense. The transparent receptor is made of a transparent film tape that is transparent to visible light. Hereinafter, among receptors, receptors other than self-laminating, transparent self-laminating, and transparent receptors are hereinafter referred to as "receptors" in a narrow sense. That is, in this embodiment, the types of print media include "laminate", "transparent laminate", "receptor", "self-laminate", "transparent self-laminate", and "transparent receptor" in a narrow sense. The set value storage area 52 stores set values used for arranging a print target when the tape M is wrapped around an object T (applied object) such as a cable and pasted. The set value storage area 52 will be described later. The other storage area 53 stores various calculation data and the like.

The printing device 18 further includes a detection section 6, an operation section 7, a display section 8, and drive circuits 12-15. The detection unit 6, the operation unit 7, and the drive circuits 12-15 are each electrically connected to the CPU1. The detection unit 6 is a known sensor that detects the type of the tape M loaded on the printing device 18 and outputs it to the CPU 1 . The operation unit 7 is used to input various instructions to the printing device 18 (CPU 1). The operation unit 7 is, for example, a touch panel. The display unit 8 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The operation unit 7 only needs to be able to input various instructions, and may have other configurations such as switches and dials. The drive circuit 12 is an electronic circuit for outputting characters and the like to the display section 8 . The drive circuit 13 is an electronic circuit for driving the tape feed motor 9 that transports the tape M (not shown) along the transport path. A drive circuit 14 is an electronic circuit for driving the thermal head 10 . The drive circuit 15 is an electronic circuit for driving the cutter motor 11 that operates a moving blade (not shown) that cuts the printed tape M discharged to the outside of the printer 18 .

With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of attaching the cut tape M to the attachment target T when the type of the tape M is any of laminate, transparent laminate, receptor, and transparent receptor will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, the label 20 obtained by cutting the tape M has a rectangular shape with sides 21-24. Sides 23 and 24 are short sides of the label 20 and extend in the width direction W of the tape M. As shown in FIG. Sides 21 and 22 are long sides of the label 20 and extend in the longitudinal direction L of the tape M. As shown in FIG. The lengths of the sides 21 and 22 may be specified values, or may be variable lengths according to the length of the object to be printed. A print area is set on the print surface of the label 20 .

As shown in FIG. 2(B), when the label 20 is wrapped around an affixing target T such as a cable and affixed, the user peels off the release paper, and then pulls one end 21 of the label 20 in the width direction W (specific direction). Wind in the winding direction E as a starting point. Specifically, the user sticks the label 20 to the target T with the side 21 parallel to the axis AX of the target T, and sticks the entire label 20 to the side surface of the target T. FIG. As shown in FIG. 2C, when the lengths of the sides 23 and 24 are longer than the length of the target T, the side 22 of the label 20 is stuck to the label 20 instead of the target T. As shown in FIG. That is, the side 21 side is covered with the label 20 . The starting point of the width direction W of the label 20 may be the side 22 . The specific direction of the label 20 may be the longitudinal direction L of the label 20 .

With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of attaching the print medium 40 to the attachment target T when the type of the tape M is self-laminating or transparent self-laminating will be described. As shown in FIG. 3A, a print medium 40 obtained by cutting the tape M has a label 20 and a film 30. As shown in FIG. The label 20 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2(A). The film 30 is a transparent medium that is continuous with the label 20 in the width direction W and has transparency to transmit visible light. The film 30 is rectangular with sides 31-34. Sides 33 and 34 are short sides of the film 30 and extend in the width direction W. As shown in FIG. The sides 31 and 32 are long sides of the film 30 and extend in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. The film 30 of this example has the same size and shape as the label 20 and is connected to the side 22 of the label 20 and the side 31 of the film 30 . The label 20 and the film 30 may not have the same size and shape. The lengths of the sides 31 and 32 may be specified values, or may be variable lengths according to the length of the object to be printed. The print area is set on the print surface of the label 20 and not on the film 30 .

As shown in FIG. 3B, when the print medium 40 is wrapped around and attached to an attachment target T such as a cable, the user winds the label 20 in the winding direction E with one end 21 in the width direction W of the label 20 as a starting point. Specifically, the user sticks the label 20 to the target T with the side 21 parallel to the axis AX of the target T, and sticks the entire label 20 to the side surface of the target T. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3C, when the lengths of the sides 23 and 24 are longer than the length of the object T to be stuck, the side 22 of the label 20 is stuck to the label 20 instead of the object T to be stuck. The user further winds the film 30 over the label 20 . As shown in FIG. 3(D), when the lengths of the sides 33 and 34 are longer than the circumference of the object T to be affixed, the entire label 20 is covered with the film 30 .

The setting value storage area 52 in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the set value storage area 52 stores the type of tape M, the length of the printed area, the length of the laminated area, the diameter of the application target, the circumference of the application target, and the overlap amount in association with each other. In this example, to simplify the explanation, the entire print surface of the label 20 is defined as the print area. The print area may be set within a predetermined margin length from the outline of the print surface of the label 20 . The margin length may be specified by the user, or may be set to a default value according to the type of tape M or the like. In the set value storage area 52, the print area length is indicated by the length of the tape M in the width direction W. As shown in FIG. The width direction W of the label 20 regardless of whether the type of print medium is laminate, transparent laminate, receptor, or transparent receptor, or whether the type of print medium is self-laminate or transparent self-laminate. is the print area length. The lamination area indicates the length of the film 30 in the width direction W when the type of the tape M is self-laminating or transparent self-laminating. The sticking target diameter indicates the diameter of the sticking target T having a cylindrical shape. The sticking target circumference indicates the circumference of the sticking target T corresponding to the sticking target diameter. The amount of overlap indicates the length C of the overlapping portion in the winding direction E (see FIG. 2). The overlapping portion is the portion of the print medium when the print medium is pasted along the outer periphery of the object T in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 (32) of the print medium in a specific direction (width direction W). , the portion covered by the print medium on the other end side. The items stored in the setting value storage area 52 can be changed as appropriate. It may be calculated by calculation based on the value obtained.

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 9, the main processing of the present embodiment will be described using an example in which characters "AB" are to be printed. In the main process, a process of displaying on the display unit 8 a printed image showing the pasted state when the label is wrapped around the pasting object T such as a cable and pasted is executed. In the main processing of this example, when a print image creation start instruction is obtained after a print target, a print target layout condition, and a paste target T diameter are designated via the operation unit 7, A program for executing the main process stored in the program storage area of ROM 2 is read out to RAM 4 . The CPU 1 executes the following steps according to instructions contained in the program read out to the RAM 4 .

The start instruction includes a print target, a layout condition of the print target, and a diameter of the affixing target T. FIG. The arrangement condition of the print target in this example is selected from any one of the following first to fifth conditions. The first condition is the same condition as the previous placement condition stored in the flash memory 5 . The second condition is to set the length of the print area in the width direction W to the length of the print target in the width direction W, and arrange the print target within the print area. The third condition is to set the length in the width direction W of the non-overlapping portion to the length in the width direction W of the object to be printed, and to set the object to be printed within the non-overlapping portion. The non-overlapping portion is the portion of the print medium excluding the overlapping portion. The fourth condition is to set an arrangement area for arranging the print target within the non-overlapping portion, set the length of the arrangement area in the width direction W to the length of the print target in the width direction W, and set This is the condition for setting the print target. The arrangement area is, for example, a 1/4 part of the side surface of the object T to be adhered. The placement area may be an area selected or designated by the user, or may be an area set by the CPU 1 according to at least one of the pasting target T and the printing target. A fifth condition is a condition in which the size of a unit figure (for example, a character font) is specified.

Various parameters necessary for executing the main processing are stored in the flash memory 5 . Various data obtained in the course of the main processing are appropriately stored in the RAM 4 . In FIG. 6, figures arranged in a matrix are represented as figures (row symbols-column symbols). The row symbols are the letters A through F, and the column symbols are the letters X through Z. For example, FIG. 6 (AY) shows a diagram of row A and column Y (that is, a diagram of row 1 and column 2).

As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 1 stores the acquired start instruction and initializes various setting values (S1). The CPU 1 acquires the type of print medium and the size of the print medium (S2). The CPU 1 acquires the type of print medium, for example, based on the signal input by the detection unit 6 . The CPU 1 may acquire the type of print medium based on information input by the user. The CPU 1 refers to the set value storage area 52 and acquires the print area length as the size of the print medium corresponding to the type of print medium. CPU1 acquires the diameter of sticking object T, and the perimeter length (S3). CPU1 acquires the diameter of sticking object T contained in a start instruction, for example. The CPU 1 refers to the set value storage area 52 and obtains the circumference of the object to be pasted as the outer circumference length corresponding to the diameter of the object T to be pasted. The CPU 1 may calculate the outer circumference length of the application target T based on the diameter of the application target T included in the start instruction. The outer circumference length of the object T to be affixed may be a value acquired using a technique such as RFID, or may be a value designated by the user. The outer circumference length of the sticking target may be a value considering the thickness of the print medium.

The CPU 1 identifies the overlap amount from the type of print medium acquired in S2 and the diameter of the pasting target T (S4). Specifically, the CPU 1 refers to the set value storage area 52 and specifies the overlapping amount corresponding to the diameter of the object T acquired in S3. The amount of overlap may be specified by calculation or may be a value specified by the user. The overlap amount may be a value that takes into consideration the thickness of the print medium. When the length of the printed area is 25.4 mm, the overlap amount 81 is 3.4 mm when the diameter of the application target is 7 mm, as shown in FIG. 6 (AX). As shown in FIG. 6 (AY), when the diameter of the application target is 6 mm, the overlapping amount 82 is 6.6 mm. As shown in FIG. 6 (A to Z), when the diameter of the application target is 5 mm, the overlapping amount 83 is 9.7 mm. Dotted lines 61-63 denote the boundaries of overlapping and non-overlapping portions, respectively.

The CPU 1 identifies a print target included in the start instruction (S5). Based on the start instruction, the CPU 1 identifies the characters "AB" as a specific example of the printing target. The CPU 1 specifies the size and layout of the print target acquired in S5 (S6). The size of the print target in S6 is represented by the size of the print target in the width direction W. FIG. In this example, one of the first to fifth conditions is selected as the placement condition, and the selected placement condition is included in the start instruction. The CPU 1 specifies the size and layout of the print target according to the conditions included in the start instruction.

The CPU 1 determines whether the non-overlapping amount is smaller than the size of the print object specified in the process of S6 (S7). The CPU 1 determines the non-overlapping amount as a value obtained by subtracting the overlapping amount specified in S5 from the length in the width direction W of the print medium.

When the overlapping amount is any of FIGS. 6A-X, 6A-Y, and 6A-Z, and the arrangement condition is the second condition, the CPU 1 is smaller than the size of the object to be printed (S7: YES). In this case, in the width direction W, part of the print target is arranged in the overlapping portion. For this reason, the CPU 1 determines the other end of the print medium when the print medium is adhered along the outer periphery of the adherend target T in order from the one end 21 to the other end 22 (32) of the print medium in the specific direction. A process of displaying the arrangement of the print target on the print medium on the display unit 8 so that the print target can be distinguished between the overlapping part TB covered by the printing medium on the side and the non-overlapping part TA excluding the overlapping part TB in the print medium. I do. The CPU 1 of this example differentiates at least one of the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA, so that both can be distinguished from each other. is displayed on the display unit 8. Further, the CPU 1 of the present example changes the mode of distinguishing between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA according to the specified type of print medium, and causes the display section 8 to display them.

Specifically, the CPU 1 determines whether the type of print medium acquired in the process of S2 is classified as a transparent substrate (S9). The transmissive substrate is a general term for printing media having a transmissive property that allows visible light to pass through the entire surface of the substrate. Of the six print media types in this example, print media types classified as transparent substrates include transparent laminates, transparent self-laminates, and transparent receptors. On the other hand, types of print media that are not classified as transparent substrates include laminates, receptors, and self-laminates. If the type of print medium is not classified as a transparent base material, that is, if the type of print medium is neither a transparent laminate, a transparent self-laminate, nor a transparent receptor (S9: NO), the CPU 1 overwrites as a print image. An image is generated (S11). If the type of print medium is neither a transparent laminate, a transparent self-laminate, nor a transparent receptor, when the label is attached to the target T, the overlapping portion TB is covered with the non-overlapping portion TA, and the Become invisible. The overwrite image is an image that does not display the print target of the overlapping portion TB. When the specified print medium does not have transparency to transmit visible light, the CPU 1 of this example changes the print target of the overlapping portion TB to the first portion T1 covering the print medium on one end side of the print medium. By displaying the print target, an overwrite image that distinguishes between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA is generated. When the layout condition is the second condition, as shown in FIGS. 6(CX), 6(CY), and 6(CZ), the overwrite image, for example, the non-overlapping portion TA is printed This is an image in which the target normal image is used, and the overlapping portion TB is an image that covers the printing medium (overlapping portion TB) on one end side of the printing medium. The overlapping portion TB does not contain the normal image to be printed. For the overwrite image, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6(DX) and 6(DY), the background color may be changed between the non-overlapping portion TA and the overlapping portion TB. As shown in FIG. 6 (DX), the first portion T1 covering the overlapping portion TB in the non-overlapping portion TA may be distinguished from the second portion T2 other than the first portion T1. The first portion T1 and the second portion T2 may be distinguished by the color of the object to be printed, the color of the background, or the like. Dotted lines 64-66 respectively indicate boundaries between the first portion T1 and the second portion T2. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (DZ), the overwritten image may be set so that the overlapping portion TB does not indicate the print target, thereby making it possible to distinguish between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA. The overwrite image may be generated by, for example, changing the display mode of the overlapping portion TB and the second portion T2 after generating a normal image, which will be described later.

If the type of print medium is classified as a transparent base material (S9: YES), the CPU 1 generates a duplicate image as the print image (S10). When the type of printing medium is any of transparent laminate, transparent self-laminate, and transparent receptor, which are classified as transparent base materials, when the label is attached to the labeling target T, the overlapping portion TB is printed. is covered by the non-overlapping portion TA, but is visible from the outside. That is, the printing target of the overlapping portion TB and the printing target of the first portion T1 covering the overlapping portion TB appear to overlap each other. The overlapping image is an image obtained by overlapping the print target of the overlapping portion TB with the print target of both the first portion T1. The CPU 1 of this example superimposes the print target of the first portion T1 covering the print medium on one end side of the print medium on the print target of the overlap portion TB, thereby displaying the overlap portion TB and the non-overlap portion TA. Generate distinct duplicate images. When the arrangement condition is the second condition, as shown in FIGS. The overlapping portion TB is an image obtained by superimposing the printing object of the first portion T1 on the printing object of the overlapping portion TB. The overlapping portion TB contains normal printing objects. For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (FX) and FIG. 6 (FY), in the overlapped portion TB and the first portion T1, the overlapped image is printed in the overlapped portion TB and in the first portion T1. may be superimposed on each other. As shown in FIG. 6 (FY), the color of the printing target may be changed between the printing target of the overlapping portion TB and the printing target of the first portion T1. As shown in FIG. 6 (FZ), the overlapping image may have a different background color between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA. The overlapping image may have a different background color between the first portion T1 and the second portion T2. For example, the CPU 1 may generate the overlapping image by changing the display mode of the overlapping portion TB and the second portion T2 after generating the normal image, which will be described later.

When the arrangement conditions are the third condition and the fourth condition, the non-overlapping amount is not smaller than the size of the object to be printed (S7: NO). In this case, when the print medium is pasted along the outer circumference of the pasting target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 (32) of the print medium in a specific direction, all the print areas of the print medium are non-overlapping areas. is. The CPU 1 determines whether the type of printing medium identified in S2 is self-laminating or transparent self-laminating including a transmissive portion having transparency and a non-transmissive portion having no transparency (S8). If the print medium type is self-laminate or transparent self-laminate (S8: YES), the CPU 1 determines whether the overlapping amount specified in S4 is smaller than 0 (S13). If the overlap amount is not less than 0 (S13: NO), the CPU 1 generates a normal image as the print image (S12). A normal image is an image in which only the print target is arranged in the print area. The CPU 1 generates, for example, an image shown in FIG. 7(A). In FIG. 7A, the display mode of the print target and the background is uniform.

If the type of print medium is not self-laminating or transparent self-laminating in S8 (S8: NO), CPU 1 generates a normal image (S12). If the non-overlapping amount is not smaller than the size of the print object, then in the width direction W the entire print object is placed within the non-overlapping portion TA. FIG. 6BX and FIG. 6BY are, for example, the case where the arrangement condition is the third condition. FIG. 6B-Z shows the case where the arrangement condition is the fourth condition in which half of the non-overlapping portion TA in the width direction W is the arrangement area TF. 6(BX), FIG. 6(BY), and FIG. 6(BZ), the print medium is pasted in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 (32) of the print medium in a specific direction. Part of the print target is not covered with the print medium even when it is attached along the outer circumference of the target T.

If the overlap amount is less than 0 (S13: YES), a portion of the label 20 of the print medium 40 is not covered with the film 30 when the print medium 40 is attached to the attachment target T. When the print medium 40 is attached to the application target T, the CPU 1 identifies the portion of the non-transmissive portion covered with the transparent portion, that is, the portion of the label 20 covered with the film 30 (covered portion) (S14). . The CPU 1 of this example specifies the length of the covering portion TD in the winding direction E. As shown in FIG. Specifically, the CPU 1 specifies the outer circumference of the target T to be stuck based on the diameter of the target T to be stuck obtained in S3. The CPU 1 identifies a value obtained by subtracting the length of the label 20 in the winding direction E from the identified perimeter as the length of the covering portion TD.

The CPU 1 generates a cover image as a print image (S15). The CPU 1 sets the direction from the non-transmissive portion to the transmissive portion to the side from the one end 21 to the other end 32 of the print medium 40 , and spreads the print medium 40 from the one end 21 to the other end 32 in this order. An image capable of distinguishing between the covered portion TD and the uncovered portion TE when pasted along the is generated as the covering image. The uncovered portion TE is a portion of the non-transmissive portion that is not covered with the transmissive portion. The covered image may be an image in which the covered portion TD and the uncovered portion TE can be distinguished. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the covered image is an image in which the covered portion TD and the non-covered portion TE of the printing target are different in color, painting method, line type, and the like. In another example, as shown in FIG. 7C, for example, the cover image may be a cover part TD and a non-cover part TE of the printing object, and the background color, coloring method (shading type), etc. This is an image that changed the A dotted line 54 in FIGS. 7B and 7C indicates the boundary between the covered portion TD and the uncovered portion TE.

After any one of S10, S11, S12, and S15, the CPU 1 controls the drive circuit 12 to display the image generated in any one of S10, S11, S12, and S15 on the display unit 8 ( S16). For example, when the image of FIG. 6 (FZ) is generated in S10, the CPU 1 controls the drive circuit 12 to display the screen 90 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a screen 90 displays a print image 91 and buttons 92-95. The print image 91 is displayed based on the image shown in FIG. 6 (FZ). A button 92 is selected when printing is performed under the conditions indicated by the print image 91 . A button 93 is selected when changing the arrangement condition from the condition indicated by the print image 91 to the third condition. A button 94 is selected when changing the arrangement condition from the condition indicated by the print image 91 to the fourth condition. A button 95 is selected when changing the arrangement condition from the condition indicated by the print image 91 to the fifth condition. In addition to the print image 91, the CPU 1 may display on the display unit 8 a message notifying that an overlapping portion will occur under the current conditions.

The CPU 1 determines whether or not a print instruction has been acquired (S17). When the CPU 1 detects that the button 92 has been selected, the CPU 1 determines that a print instruction has been obtained. When the print instruction is not acquired (S17: NO), the CPU 1 determines whether or not the correction instruction is acquired (S19). When the CPU 1 detects selection of any one of the buttons 93 to 95, it determines that a correction instruction has been obtained. When the correction instruction is acquired (S19: YES), the CPU 1 executes correction processing (S20). As shown in FIG. 9, when detecting that the button 93 has been selected, the CPU 1 determines that the non-overlapping arrangement has been selected (S21: YES), specifies the non-overlapping portion TA (S22), and As illustrated in (BX) and FIG. 6 (BY), the size of the print target in the width direction W in which the print target fits within the non-overlapping portion TA is specified, and the layout of the print target is specified ( S23).

When detecting that the button 94 has been selected, the CPU 1 determines that the placement area placement has been selected (S21: NO, S24: YES), and specifies the placement area TF (S25). The CPU 1 adjusts the size of the object to be printed so that it fits within the layout area TF (S26). As illustrated in FIG. 6B-Z, the CPU 1 specifies the size of the print target in the width direction W so that the print target fits within the layout area TF, and specifies the layout of the print target (S26). When the CPU 1 detects that the button 95 has been selected (S21: NO, S24: NO), the CPU 1 specifies the size of the designated print target and specifies the layout of the print target (S27). After the processes of S23, S26, and S27, the CPU 1 ends the correction process and returns the process to the main process of FIG. In the main process, after the correction process (S20), the CPU 1 returns the process to S7.

CPU1 returns a process to S17, when not acquiring a correction instruction|indication (S19:NO). When the CPU 1 detects that the button 92 has been selected, the CPU 1 determines that the print instruction has been selected (S17: YES). Print data for printing is generated (S18). The CPU 1 generates print data for printing a print target including the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA on the print medium when the type of the print medium is one of a transparent laminate, a transparent self-laminate, and a transparent receptor. may be generated. The CPU 1 offsets the boundary between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion to the overlapping portion side in consideration of the influence of the thickness of the print medium, and shifts the print target of the non-overlapping portion TA excluding the offset overlapping portion TB to the print medium. Print data for printing may be generated. The offset amount may be automatically set according to the type of print medium or the like, or may be specified by the user. The CPU 1 may display on the display unit 8 a message notifying that the print target of the overlapping portion TB is not printed under the current conditions.

The CPU 1 controls the drive circuits 13 to 15 according to the print data generated in S18 to print the print image displayed in the process of S16 on the tape M, and then cuts the tape M as necessary (S30). . The CPU 1 may print one line in a plurality of times (divided printing) according to the print density (the number of dots per unit area) for each line in consideration of the print finish. In the case of division printing, the CPU 1 collectively prints one line in the case where the print density is lower than a preset threshold value. When the print density is higher than the threshold value, the CPU 1 divides one line into several times and prints it (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-250130). The CPU 1 then terminates the main processing.

In the above embodiment, the display section 8, CPU 1, and printing device 18 are examples of the display section, control section, and editing device (printing device) of the present invention, respectively. The CPU 1 that executes the process of S2 functions as size acquisition means of the present invention. The CPU 1 that executes the process of S5 functions as a print target acquisition unit of the present invention. CPU1 which performs the process of S3 functions as an outer periphery acquisition means. The CPU 1 that executes the processes of S10, S11, S12, S15, and S16 functions as display control means of the present invention. CPU1 which performs the process of S2 functions as an identification means of this invention. The CPU 1 that executes the processes of S23 and S26 functions as adjustment means of the present invention. The CPU 1 that executes the process of S25 functions as setting means of the present invention. The tape feed motor 9 is an example of the conveying section in this example, and the thermal head 10 is an example of the printing section in this example. CPU1 which performs the process of S18 functions as a production|generation means of this invention. The CPU 1 that executes the process of S30 functions as print control means of the present invention.

The printing device 18 can distinguish between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA. The user can confirm before printing that part of the print target will be arranged in the overlapping portion when the label 20 is wrapped around the cable and attached. Since the printing device 18 can reduce the possibility of redoing the arrangement of the print target after printing, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when arranging the print target on the label 20 that is used by being attached to the sticking target T such as a cable. .

The printing device 18 distinguishes between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA in at least one of the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target, thereby distinguishing between the two. The arrangement is displayed on the display unit 8. Therefore, the printing device 18 can distinguish between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA by differentiating the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target. By referring to the display unit 8, the user can easily identify the printing target of the overlapping portion TB.

The printing device 18 causes the display unit 8 to display the first portion T1 covering the overlapping portion TB in the non-overlapping portion TA and the second portion T2 other than the first portion T1 in a distinguishable manner. Therefore, the printing device 18 can distinguish between the first portion T1 and the second portion T2 for display. The user can specify the first portion T1 covering the overlapping portion TB by referring to the display section 8 .

The printing device 18 makes the first part T1 and the second part T2 different in at least one of the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target, thereby separating the first part T1 and the second part T2. Displayed on the display unit 8 in a distinguishable manner. The printing device 18 can distinguish between the first part T1 and the second part T2 in the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target, thereby distinguishing between the two. The user can easily specify the print target of the first portion T1.

The printing device 18 identifies the type of printing medium (S2), changes the mode of distinguishing between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA according to the identified type of printing medium, and causes the display unit 8 to display it. (S7-S16). The printing device 18 can change the mode of distinguishing between the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA according to the type of print medium.

If the specified print media type is not classified as a transparent substrate, i.e., the print media type is not one of transparent laminate, transparent self-laminate, and transparent receptor, the printing device 18 prints laminate, receptor, and transparent receptor. If it is one of self-laminating (S9: NO), instead of the overlapping portion TB to be printed, the first portion T1 that covers the printing medium on the one end 21 side of the printing medium is displayed. The portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA are distinguished and displayed on the display section 8 (S11, S16). Therefore, when a print medium whose entire substrate surface is not transparent is specified, the printer 18 can display the print target of the first portion T1 instead of the print target of the overlapping portion TB. In other words, when a print medium whose entire substrate surface is not transparent is specified, the printing device 18 applies the print medium to the pasting target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 22 (32) of the print medium in the specific direction. When pasted along the outer periphery of the , the part of the print target that is placed in the overlapping part TB and becomes invisible is not displayed. By referring to the display unit 8, the user can easily identify the print target arranged in the overlapping portion TB.

If the entire base material of the specified print medium is transparent, that is, if the type of the print medium is one of transparent laminate, transparent self-laminate, and transparent receptor (S9: YES), the printing device 18 The overlapping part TB and the non-overlapping part TA are distinguished from each other on the display unit 8 by superimposing the printing object of the first part T1 covering the printing medium on one end side of the printing medium on the printing object of the overlapping part TB. display (S10, S16). Therefore, when a print medium having transparency on the entire substrate surface is specified, the printing device 18 can display the print target of the first portion T1 overlapping the print target of the overlapping portion TB. In other words, when a print medium having transparency on the entire base material is specified, the printing device 18 sticks the print medium along the outer periphery of the target T in order from one end of the print medium in the specific direction to the other end. When attached, a state in which the overlapping portion TB and the first portion T1 are overlapped can be displayed.

If the identified print medium 40 includes a transparent portion that is transparent and a non-transparent portion that is not transparent (that is, in the case of self-laminating), the printing device 18 selects the label 20 that is the non-transparent portion. The direction toward the film 30 which is the transmissive portion is the side from the one end 21 to the other end 32 of the printing medium 40 . The printing device 18 can distinguish between the covered portion TD and the uncovered portion TE when the print medium 40 is attached along the outer periphery of the attachment target T in order from one end 21 to the other end 32 of the print medium 40. Then, the display unit 8 displays the layout of the print target on the print medium (label 20) (S15, S16). When a print medium (self-laminate) having a transmissive portion and a non-transmissive portion is specified, the printing device 18 can display the covered portion TD and the uncovered portion TE on the display section 8 in a distinguishable manner. The user can confirm the uncovered portion TE by referring to the display section 8 .

When the type of printing medium is self-laminating, the printing device 18 identifies the overlapping portion TB and the non-overlapping portion TA in the non-transmissive portion. That is, the printing device 18 specifies neither the overlapping portion TB nor the non-overlapping portion TA in the transmissive portion. The printing device 18 displays the print target of the first portion T1 that covers the print medium on one end side of the print medium instead of the print target of the specified overlap portion TB, so that the overlap portion TB and the non-overlap portion TA are displayed. and are displayed on the display unit 8 (S11, S16). Therefore, the printing device 18 can display the printing target of the first portion T1 instead of the printing target of the overlapping portion TB even in a print medium (self-laminate) having a transparent portion and a non-transparent portion. By referring to the display unit 8, the user can easily identify the print target arranged in the overlapping portion TB.

The printing device 18 adjusts the size of the print target so that the print target fits within the non-overlapping portion TA, and arranges the print target within the non-overlapping portion TA (S23, S26). Therefore, the printing device 18 can save the user the trouble of adjusting the size of the print target to fit within the non-overlapping portion TA.

The printing device 18 sets an arrangement area TF in which the print target is arranged in the non-overlapping portion TA (S25). The printing device 18 adjusts the size of the object to be printed so that it fits within the layout area TF, and arranges the object to be printed within the layout area TF (S26). Therefore, the printing device 18 can save the user the trouble of adjusting the size of the print target to fit within the layout area TF within the non-overlapping portion TA.

Since the printing device 18 does not print the print target of the overlapping portion TB, it is possible to realize low current consumption compared to the case of printing the print target of the overlapping portion TB. Furthermore, when the printing device 18 prints one line in a plurality of times according to the printing density (the number of dots per unit area) for each line (divided printing), the printing device 18 prints the overlapping portion TB. The printing density can be kept low compared to the case of printing , and high-speed printing can be realized.

The editing apparatus, editing program, and printing apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the following modifications may be added as appropriate. The following modifications may be combined as appropriate.

(A) The configuration of the editing device may be changed as appropriate. The editing device may include a display unit and a control unit, and may be a device without a printing function, such as a PC, a terminal device, or a dedicated device. If the editing device is a printing device having a printing function, the printing device may be any device capable of printing a print target on a print medium. A printing device, for example, may not have a cutter and a cutter motor. The print medium may be appropriately selected according to the type of printing apparatus, and may be, for example, paper, cloth, heat-shrinkable material, or plastic sheet, in addition to the tape-shaped print medium. The print medium may be an adhesive tape without a release paper. The print medium may be a die-cut tape, and the sides 22 of the label 20 and the sides 31 of the film 30 do not have to coincide. However, it is desirable that the side 22 of the label 20 be included in the range of the side 31 of the film 30 . The label 20 and the film 30 need not be rectangular as long as the label 20 can be covered in whole or in part. For example, it may be trapezoidal or triangular. Although the side surface of the cable is exemplified as the sticking target, the sticking target may be changed as appropriate. For example, the curved surface on which the print medium is placed may be the inner surface of a cylinder, the side surface of a polygonal column that can approximate the side surface of a cylinder, or the curved surface of an imaginary cylinder. Alternatively, a cylindrical member having an elliptical cross section may be used. The print target is not limited to characters, and may be symbols, barcodes, graphics, images, or combinations thereof. A margin may be appropriately set on the print medium.

(B) A program including instructions for executing the main processing (see FIG. 5) may be stored in the storage device of the editing device by the time the control unit executes the program. Therefore, each of the program acquisition method, the acquisition route, and the device storing the program may be changed as appropriate. The program executed by the control unit may be received from another device via cable or wireless communication and stored in a storage device such as flash memory. Other devices include, for example, PCs and servers connected via a network.

(C) Each step of the main processing of the editing device (see FIG. 5) is not limited to being executed by the CPU 1, and may be partially or wholly executed by another electronic device (eg, ASIC). The configuration of the control unit may be changed as appropriate. Each step of the main processing may be distributed and processed by a plurality of electronic devices (for example, a plurality of CPUs). Each step of the main process can be changed in order, omitted, or added as required. A mode in which an operating system (OS) or the like running on the editing device performs part or all of the main processing based on instructions from the control unit is also included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the following changes (C-1) to (C-4) may be added to the main process as appropriate.

(C-1) The method of specifying the print target may be changed as appropriate. The method of setting the placement area may be changed as appropriate. For example, if the object to be pasted is a quadrangular prism, one of the four side faces of the quadrangular prism, which is a non-overlapping portion, may be set as the placement area. In this case, the editing device may, for example, acquire information as to which part of the paste target is to be pasted with one end of the print medium in a specific direction, and set the placement area based on the acquired information. For example, when the object to be affixed is a cylinder such as a cable, the editing device sets a non-overlapping portion in the winding direction, which corresponds to a specified amount such as 1/3 of the circumference, as the placement area. You may A plurality of placement areas may be set. For example, when the print target is characters that span multiple lines, the characters in each line are regarded as separate print targets, and each character is placed in a separate placement area. good too. The one end and the other end of the specific direction may be set according to a user's instruction, or may be automatically set by the editing device according to the type of print medium, print target, and the like. For example, when the object to be printed is characters, the editing device may set the upper side of the characters as one end in the specific direction. Alternatively, the editing device may set the head side in the direction in which the characters are arranged as one end in the specific direction.

(C-2) The method of obtaining the size and type of print medium may be changed as appropriate. For example, the size of the print medium may be set by using the length of the print medium in the width direction as a value input by the user. Further, for example, the width direction and length direction of the print medium and the type of the print medium may be specified by the user. The editing device may be a device that assumes one type of print medium, and does not need to change the display mode of the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion according to the type of print medium. The editing device may display the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion in a manner specified by the user from among a plurality of display manners so that the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion can be distinguished. When the print medium includes a transmissive portion and a non-transmissive portion, the transmissive portion and the non-transmissive portion may have the same length in the width direction, or may differ from each other. When the print medium includes a transmissive portion and a non-transmissive portion, the printing device does not have to distinguish between the covered portion and the non-covered portion.

(C-3) The editing device may not have the function of arranging the print target within the non-overlapping portion or the arrangement area. If the editing device has a function of arranging the print target within the non-overlapping portion or the arrangement area, the processing of S22, S23, or S25, S26 may be executed in the processing of S6 according to the instruction from the user. The editing device may appropriately set the arrangement in the cross direction (eg, length direction) that intersects a specific direction. You can set the placement.

(C-4) The display method of the print image may be changed as appropriate. The printed image may be, for example, an image that schematically or stereoscopically shows a state in which a print medium is wrapped around an attachment target and attached. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 2C, only one surface of the print medium is visible when the print medium is wrapped around the object to be pasted and pasted. Therefore, the editing device may be capable of changing the display range and viewpoint of the print image according to the user's instructions. The editing device may or may not be able to select the layout condition when starting printing. The types of selectable placement conditions may be changed as appropriate. The printing apparatus may generate print data for printing both the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion of the print target onto the print medium regardless of the type of the print medium. The control unit may generate print data for printing the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion when instructed by the user. In the processing of S16 in FIG. 5, a plurality of images generated by different methods may be displayed at predetermined intervals and in a predetermined order. For example, in the process of S16, the print image 91 of FIG. 8 and the normal image may be alternately displayed.

1: CPU, 2: ROM, 4: RAM, 5: Flash memory, 6: Detector, 7: Operation unit, 9: Tape feed motor, 10: Thermal head, 18: Printer

Claims (13)

a display unit;
A control unit that controls the display unit,
The control unit
a size obtaining means for obtaining the size of a print medium;
a print target acquisition unit that acquires an arrangement of a print target to be printed on the print medium with respect to the print medium;
Perimeter acquiring means for acquiring the length of the perimeter of an object to which the print medium is to be affixed;
With one end of the print medium in a specific direction as a starting point, the specific direction being a winding direction along the outer circumference of the object to be pasted, the print medium is wound in order from one end to the other end of the object to be pasted in the specific direction. In the case of wrapping and pasting along the outer circumference, the overlapping portion covered by the printing medium on the other end side of the printing medium and the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion of the printing medium. An editing apparatus functioning as display control means for displaying the arrangement of the print target on the print medium on the display unit so that the print target can be distinguished. The display control means is
By making at least one of the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target different between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion, both can be distinguished from each other. 2. The editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arrangement is displayed on said display unit. The display control means is
3. The editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first portion covering said overlapping portion and a second portion other than said first portion, among said non-overlapping portions, are distinguished and displayed on said display section. . The display control means is
The first part and the second part are distinguished from each other by making at least one of the display mode of the print target and the display mode of the background of the print target different between the first part and the second part. 4. The editing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display is displayed. The control unit
further functioning as identifying means for identifying the type of the print medium;
The display control means is
5. The display unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a mode of distinguishing the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion is changed according to the type of the printing medium specified by the specifying means, and displayed on the display unit. The editing device according to 1. The display control means is
When the print medium specified by the specifying means does not have transparency, the print target of the portion covering the print medium on the one end side of the print medium is displayed instead of the print target of the overlapping portion. 6. The editing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion are displayed on the display section by distinguishing between the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion. The display control means is
When the print medium specified by the specifying means has transparency, the print target of the portion covering the print medium on the one end side of the print medium is superimposed and displayed on the print target of the overlapping portion. 7. The editing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion are displayed on the display section by distinguishing between them. The display control means is
When the print medium specified by the specifying unit includes a transparent portion having transparency and a non-transmissive portion having no transparency, the direction from the non-transmissive portion to the transparent portion is set from the one end of the print medium. on the transmissive portion of the non-transmissive portion when the print medium is pasted along the outer circumference of the object to be pasted in order from the one end to the other end of the print medium, facing the other end 8. The arrangement of the printing object on the printing medium is displayed on the display unit so that a covered portion that is covered and an uncovered portion that is not covered by the transmissive portion can be distinguished from each other. The editing device according to any one of the above. The display control means is
In the non-transmissive portion, the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion are specified, and the portion covering the printing medium on the one end side of the printing medium is printed instead of the overlapping portion as the printing target. 9. The editing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the overlapping portion and the non-overlapping portion are displayed on the display section by displaying the object. The control unit
10. The editing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further functioning as adjustment means for adjusting the size of the object to be printed to a size that allows the object to be printed to fit within the non-overlapping portion. The control unit
further functioning as setting means for setting an arrangement area for arranging the print target within the non-overlapping portion;
11. The editing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the size of the print target so that it fits within the layout area. In the control unit of an editing device having a display unit and a control unit ,
a size obtaining means for obtaining the size of a print medium;
a print target acquisition unit that acquires an arrangement of a print target to be printed on the print medium with respect to the print medium;
Perimeter acquiring means for acquiring the length of the perimeter of an object to which the print medium is to be affixed;
With one end of the print medium in a specific direction as a starting point, the specific direction being a winding direction along the outer circumference of the object to be pasted, the print medium is wound in order from one end to the other end of the object to be pasted in the specific direction. In the case of wrapping and pasting along the outer circumference, the overlapping portion covered by the printing medium on the other end side of the printing medium and the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion of the printing medium. display control means for causing the display unit to display the layout of the print target with respect to the print medium so that the print target can be distinguished;
An editing program that contains instructions to make it work as a . a display unit;
a transport unit that transports the print medium along the transport path;
a printing unit that prints on the print medium conveyed by the conveying unit;
A control unit that controls the display unit, the transport unit, and the printing unit,
The control unit
a size obtaining means for obtaining the size of the print medium;
a print target acquisition unit that acquires an arrangement of a print target to be printed on the print medium with respect to the print medium;
Perimeter acquiring means for acquiring the length of the perimeter of an object to which the print medium is to be affixed;
With one end of the print medium in a specific direction as a starting point, the specific direction being a winding direction along the outer circumference of the object to be pasted, the print medium is wound in order from one end to the other end of the object to be pasted in the specific direction. In the case of wrapping and pasting along the outer circumference, the overlapping portion covered by the printing medium on the other end side of the printing medium and the non-overlapping portion excluding the overlapping portion of the printing medium. display control means for causing the display unit to display the layout of the print target with respect to the print medium so that the print target can be distinguished;
generating means for generating print data for printing the non-overlapping portion of the print target excluding the overlapping portion on the print medium;
A printing apparatus that functions as print control means for controlling the printing unit and printing on the print medium according to the print data generated by the generation means.

Images