Label editing program, installer, and information processing apparatus

Abstract

To provide a label editing program capable of editing label data, which allows a user to easily select a display mode suitable for a label printer to be used by the user.SOLUTION: An editing application 23 installed in a PC 1 includes a normal display mode and a special display mode as display modes with different display styles, and is capable of setting the display mode for operation. When the editing application 23 is started for the first time, printer information 31 stored in the PC 1 is obtained. The editing application 23 determines the display mode according to the attributes based on the intended use of a label printer 2 obtained from the printer information 31, and sets the display mode for operation on the basis of the determined display mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a label editing program capable of editing data to be printed on a label printer, an installer of the label editing program, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a program having a plurality of display modes with different display formats, and a configuration for setting a display mode to be operated at the time of installation or first startup of the program. For example, in Patent Document 1, when installing printer driver software in an information processing apparatus, the type of program installed in the information processing apparatus is investigated. If there are many types, a screen enabling complex print settings can be displayed. If there are not many types, the user is asked about the usage, and a print setting screen suitable for the usage is displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a label editing program capable of editing data to be printed on a label printer, since templates that are easy for the user to use differ depending on the use of the label printer, it is desirable to prepare a plurality of display modes with different display formats and operate in a display mode suitable for the label printer used by the user. In this case, it is necessary to set the display mode to be operated, but the user may be confused about the selection of the display mode. Even if the display mode is automatically set according to the number of types of programs as in Patent Document 1, a display mode suitable for the label printer used by the user is not necessarily set.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] The label editing program made for solving the above-described problem is executable by a computer of an information processing apparatus, and is a label editing program capable of editing label data to be printed by a label printer. The label editing program has a first display mode and a second display mode as display modes with different display manners, and can set a display mode to operate. A screen corresponding to the set display mode can be displayed on a user interface of the information processing apparatus. In the case of the first startup of the label editing program, the computer can be made to execute an acquisition process of acquiring printer information corresponding to each label printer, which is the printer information possessed by the information processing apparatus. The printer information includes attribute information capable of distinguishing attributes based on the use of the label printer. One of a first attribute and a second attribute is indicated in the attribute. In response to executing the acquisition process, the computer is further made to execute a first determination process of determining the display mode to the first display mode when the attribute distinguished by the attribute information included in the printer information acquired in the acquisition process indicates the first attribute, and determining the display mode to the second display mode when the attribute indicates the second attribute, and a first setting process of setting the display mode to operate based on the display mode determined in the first determination process. It is configured as described above.

[0006] The label editing program having the above configuration acquires the printer information possessed by the information processing apparatus at the first startup of the label editing program. The label editing program determines the display mode according to the attribute based on the use of the label printer obtained from the acquired printer information. The label editing program sets the setting mode to operate based on the determined display mode. Thereby, the possibility that a display mode suitable for the label printer used by the user is set in the label editing program is increased.

[0007] An installer, an information processing apparatus, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the label editing program for realizing the functions of the above-described label editing program are also novel and useful.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a label editing program capable of editing label data, in which a display mode suitable for a label printer used by a user is easily selected, is realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 10

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") installed with a label editing program capable of editing label data is disclosed.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the PC1 of the present embodiment is a device having a communication function, a display function, and an operation function. The PC1 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The PC1 is an example of an "information processing apparatus".

[0012] The PC1 is communicably connected to a label printer 2 that creates labels. The label printer 2 is a device having a function of forming an image on a sheet such as a tape based on an instruction from the PC1 or the like. The label printer 2 includes, for example, a thermal transfer type print head, and is a printing device that performs printing while unwinding a tape wound in a roll. The label printer 2 performs printing of an image on the housed tape and conveyance of the tape based on, for example, a print job received from the PC1, and projects the printed portion outside the machine. A label having a predetermined label length and label width is created by the tape protruding outside the machine. Note that the paper may be a seal cut into a predetermined shape in advance, such as a rectangular shape or a flag shape, and attached to a release paper. Further, the paper may be a specially processed one such as a laminated one. The label printer 2 may be a device capable of monochrome printing or color printing.

[0013] The uses of the label printer 2 vary depending on the model. The uses include, for example, general uses such as general households and offices, and special uses such as electrical work and information communication. Specifically, the label printer 2 has different printing methods, compatible tapes, and compatible options for each model. In addition, the usage forms such as a stationary type and a mobile type are different for each model.

[0014] The label printer 2 is connected to the PC 1 by means of wireless LAN communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). Alternatively, the label printer 2 and the PC 1 may be connected by wire using the USB communication standard.

[0015] The number of label printers 2 connected to the PC 1 is not limited to one, and multiple label printers may be used. When multiple label printers 2 are connected to the PC 1, the uses or models of the respective label printers 2 may be the same or different. The PC 1 may be connected to printers of models other than the label printer 2.

[0016] The PC 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The CPU 11 is an example of a "computer". The PC 1 also includes a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 13 and a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 14, and these are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used for controlling the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the PC 1.

[0017] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the programs read from the memory 12 and based on the operations of the user. The memory 12 stores various programs and various data. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. The buffer included in the CPU 11 is also an example of a memory. Note that an example of the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the PC 1, and may be a storage medium that can be read from and written to by the CPU 11, for example, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[0018] Communication IF13 includes hardware for communicating with an external device. The communication standards of communication IF13 are Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, USB, etc. PC1 may be provided with a plurality of communication IF13 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards. The PC1 of this embodiment can be connected to, for example, the label printer 2 via the communication IF13.

[0019] User IF14 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying a user of information and hardware for receiving an operation by the user. User IF14 may be a combination of a display capable of displaying information and a mouse, keyboard, etc. having an input reception function, or may include a touch panel having a display function and an input reception function.

[0020] The memory 12 of PC1 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21, a printer driver 22, and an editing application program (hereinafter referred to as "editing app") 23. The editing app 23 is an example of a "label editing program". The OS21 is, for example, Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark), iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark).

[0021] The OS21 has a function of creating a printer queue for each printer connected to the PC1. The OS21 has a function of managing printer information 31 corresponding to each printer queue. The OS21 can acquire printer information from a printer connected to the PC1 or a printer driver corresponding to the printer, and store it in association with the printer queue. The printer information 31 includes information about the label printer 2.

[0022] For example, as shown in FIG. 2(A), the information included in the printer information 31 includes the attribute information of the label printer 2. The attribute information is information that can distinguish the attributes based on the use of the label printer 2. The attribute information is, for example, the model name of the label printer 2. In addition to the attribute information, the information included in the printer information 31 may include, for example, the printer name and the IP address. Further, the information included in the printer information 31 may include information on the printing port, the initial values of the printing settings, and the like.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 1, the printer driver 22 and the editing application 23 are programs provided by the vendor of the label printer 2. The editing application 23 can be compatible with a plurality of models of the label printer. The editing application 23 may be installed on the PC1 as a set with the printer driver 22, or may be installed on the PC1 separately from the printer driver 22.

[0024] The printer driver 22 has a function of communicating with the label printer 2 to control the label printer 2. The printer driver 22 has functions of receiving printing settings and image data, generating print data based on the image data, and outputting the print data to the printer. The printer driver 22 is activated, for example, when receiving a printing instruction or an instruction to display a screen for printing settings from the editing application 23 described later.

[0025] The editing application 23 is a program that receives at least the creation and editing of an image to be printed on a label and a printing instruction for the image. The editing application 23 may also receive, for example, instructions such as image saving. The editing application 23 has various screens such as an initial screen and an editing screen, and has a plurality of display modes with different display modes.

[0026] The label printer 2 of the present embodiment can be distinguished into either a label printer for general use or a label printer for special use depending on the model. General use is an example of "the first attribute", and special use is an example of "the second attribute". The editing application 23 of the present embodiment can be compatible with both the label printer for general use and the label printer for special use. The editing application 23 has a general display mode with a display mode suitable for the label printer for general use and a special display mode with a display mode suitable for the label printer for special use. The general display mode is an example of "the first display mode". The special display mode is an example of "the second display mode".

[0027] The editing application 23 has a function of setting the display mode and displays a screen corresponding to the set display mode. The display mode setting function will be described later.

[0028] The editing application 23 of the present embodiment has model mode information 41, setting information 42, and a set flag 43. The model mode information 41, the setting information 42, and the set flag 43 are stored in a storage area for the editing application 23, that is, in the registry if it is Windows.

[0029] The model mode information 41 is information that associates a mode name with a model name, as shown in FIG. 2(B) for example. The mode name is the name of the display mode. The model name is the name of the model of the label printer 2. The model name associated with the mode name may be one type or a plurality of types.

[0030] The setting information 42 stores the information set in the editing application 23. The setting information 42 includes mode information indicating the display mode set in the editing application 23. The content of the mode information can be changed by a user operation. The setting information 42 may include, in addition to the mode information, printer information of the printer selected in the editing application 23, printing settings, and other such information.

[0031] When the editing application 23 is updated, it can store the setting information set in the version before the update (hereinafter referred to as the "old version") separately from the setting information 42 of the new version in the storage area for the editing application 23. In this case, when updated, the editing application 23 can store the setting information 42 of the new version while inheriting the setting information of the old version.

[0032] The set flag 43 is information indicating whether the display mode has been set in the editing application 23. The set flag 43 is set to OFF at the time of installation of the editing application 23, and is switched from OFF to ON when the display mode is set. Note that when the editing application 23 is updated, it does not inherit the set flag set in the old version, and OFF is set for the set flag 43 at the first startup after the update.

[0033] Subsequently, the display mode setting function by the above-described editing application 23 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. When the editing application 23 is installed on the PC 1, a startup icon for starting the editing application 23 is generated. When the PC 1 receives an operation of the startup icon, it starts the editing application 23 and starts the process shown in FIG. 3. Note that the processes and each process step of the flowchart in the following description basically show the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions described in the program such as the editing application 23.

[0034] The CPU 11 first determines whether it is the first startup (S11). When the set flag 43 is set to OFF, the CPU 11 determines that it is the first startup (S11: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 determines whether it is after the update of the editing application 23 (S12).

[0035] When the CPU 11 determines that the old version of the setting information is not stored in the memory 12, it means that the editing application 23 is installed on the PC 1 for the first time and has not been updated after the installation (S12: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 executes an acquisition process to obtain the printer information 31 that the PC 1 has (S13).

[0036] The acquisition process will be described with reference to FIG. 4. The CPU 11 accesses the OS 21 and determines whether a plurality of label printers 2 are connected to the PC 1 (S41). When the CPU 11 accesses the OS 21 and there is one printer queue corresponding to the label printer 2, it determines that a plurality of label printers 2 are not connected to the PC 1 (S41: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 obtains the printer information 31 stored in association with the printer queue from the OS 21 (S43) and ends the acquisition process.

[0037] When there are a plurality of printer queues corresponding to the label printer 2, the CPU 11 determines that a plurality of label printers 2 are connected to the PC 1 (S41: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 identifies the most recently used printer queue and obtains the printer information 31 corresponding to the identified printer queue from the OS 21 (S42). Then, the CPU 11 ends the acquisition process.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 3, after the acquisition process ends, the CPU 11 executes a determination process to determine the display mode (S14).

[0039] The determination process will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The CPU 11 identifies the model name of the label printer 2 based on the printer information 31 obtained in the acquisition process (S50). The CPU 11 collates the model name identified in S50 with the model mode information 41 and determines the display mode associated with the identified model name as the display mode for operation (S51). S50 and S51 are an example of the "first determination process". The CPU 11 determines whether the display mode determined in S51 is either the general display mode or the special display mode (S52).

[0040] The CPU 11 sets the initial value of the option according to the display mode determined in S51 and displays the mode selection screen.

[0041] For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the editing application 23 causes the user IF 14 to display a mode selection screen 101 for selecting a display mode. The mode selection screen 101 is an example of a "selection screen". The mode selection screen 101 includes a first selection button 102, a second selection button 103, and an OK button 104. The first selection button 102 is an operator for selecting the general display mode. The second selection button 103 is an operator for selecting the special display mode. The OK button 104 is an operator for receiving an instruction to confirm the selection of the display mode. The first and second selection buttons 102 and 103 are examples of "options".

[0042] When the display mode determined in S51 is the special display mode (S52: special display mode), the CPU 11 displays the mode selection screen 101 with the second selection button 103 selected (S53). On the other hand, when the display mode determined in S51 is the general display mode (S52: general display mode), the CPU 11 displays the mode selection screen 101 with the first selection button 102 selected (S56). The user can change the display mode from the initial value by operating the first selection button 102 and the second selection button 103.

[0043] After S53 or S56, the CPU 11 determines whether the selection of the display mode has been confirmed (S54). When the CPU 11 does not receive an operation of the OK button 104, it determines that the selection of the display mode has not been confirmed (S54: NO) and waits.

[0044] On the one hand, when the CPU 11 receives the operation of the OK button 104, it determines that the selection of the display mode is finalized (S54: YES), and determines the display mode to be operated as the display mode selected on the mode selection screen 101 (S55). That is, when the display mode is not changed from the initial value, the editing application 23 sets the display mode determined in S51 as the display mode to be operated. When the display mode is changed from the initial value on the mode selection screen 101, the editing application 23 sets the changed display mode as the display mode to be operated. After that, the CPU 11 ends the determination process. S52 to S56 are an example of the "first selection process".

[0045] Returning to FIG. 3, the CPU 11 stores the display mode determined in the determination process in the setting information 42 (S15). As a result, the editing application 23 sets the display mode 42 in the setting information 42 for the first time. S15 is an example of the "first setting process". The CPU 11 switches the set flag 43 from OFF to ON (S16). As a result, the CPU 11 can determine that the display mode is set in the editing application 23.

[0046] The CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display the initial screen based on the setting information 42, and ends the startup process. For example, when the display mode set in the setting information 42 is the general display mode, the CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display the first initial screen 200 for general use shown in FIG. 7(A). For example, when the display mode set in the setting information 42 is the special display mode, the CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display the second initial screen 300 for special use shown in FIG. 7(B). The first and second initial screens 200 and 300 are an example of the "screen corresponding to the set display mode".

[0047] The first initial screen 200 shown in FIG. 7(A) and the second initial screen 300 shown in FIG. 7(B) each include a printer selection column 201, 301, a template display column 202, 302, and selection buttons 204, 304. The printer selection columns 201, 301 are columns that receive selection of a label printer for executing printing. The template display columns 202, 302 are columns in which label templates are displayed in a selectable manner. The selection buttons 204, 304 are operators that receive an instruction to confirm the selection of a template.

[0048] Templates that are easy for the user to use differ depending on the use of the label printer 2. Therefore, for example, if templates suitable for general use and templates suitable for special use are mixed on the initial screen, the user will be confused as to which template is suitable for the use of the label printer 2 to be used, and it will be difficult to use the template.

[0049] Therefore, when the general display mode is set based on the model of the label printer 2, the editing application 23 causes the user IF14 to display the first initial screen 200 that displays templates for general use in the template display column 202 as shown in FIG. 7(A). Further, when the special display mode is set based on the model of the label printer 2, the editing application 23 causes the user IF14 to display the second initial screen 300 that displays templates for special use in the template display column 302 as shown in FIG. 7(B). Since the editing application 23 causes the user IF14 to display a template suitable for the model of the label printer 2 to be used, the user can easily select a template suitable for the use of the label printer 2, and the usability is good.

[0050] The editing app 23 of this embodiment always has its display mode set at the first startup. Therefore, when the editing app 23 is launched after the first startup, as shown in FIG. 3, since the ON state is set in the set flag 43, the CPU 11 can determine that this launch is not the first startup (S11: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 displays the initial screen based on the display mode stored in the setting information 42 (S17). That is, the CPU 11 immediately displays the initial screen without accepting the setting of the display mode. After that, the CPU 11 ends the startup process.

[0051] The editing app 23 installed on the PC 1 can be updated. When the OFF state is set in the set flag 43 and the setting information of the old version is stored in the memory 12, the CPU 11 determines that the editing app 23 has been launched for the first time after the update (S11: YES, S12: YES).

[0052] In this case, the CPU 11 determines whether the old version has a display mode setting function (S21). For example, when the setting information of the old version includes mode information, the CPU 11 determines that the old version of the editing app 23 has a display mode setting function (S21: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 determines the same display mode as the display mode set in the old version as the display mode for operation (S22). S22 is an example of the "second determination process".

[0053] The CPU 11 updates the setting information 42 according to the display mode determined in S22 (S23). S23 is an example of the "second setting process".

[0054] If the old version has a display mode setting function, it is highly likely that the display mode the user wants to use is set in the old version. In this case, after the update of the editing app 23, the user is highly likely to set the display mode that was set in the old version. Therefore, when the editing app 23 of the present embodiment sets the display mode based on the display mode of the old version, for example, without displaying the mode selection screen 101 and allowing the user to make the final setting of the display mode, the display mode is automatically set based on the display mode set in the old version. According to this, the trouble for the user to set the display mode is reduced.

[0055] After that, the CPU 11 switches the set flag 43 for the editing app 23 after the update from OFF to ON (S16). Further, the CPU 11 displays the initial screen based on the setting of the display mode included in the setting information 42 updated in S23 (S17), and ends the startup process. The processing of S16 and S17 has been described above, so the description is omitted.

[0056] On the other hand, when the setting information of the old version does not include mode information, the CPU 11 determines that the old version of the editing app 23 does not have a display mode setting function (S21: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 identifies the attributes of the label printer 2 selected in the old version (S31). For example, the CPU 11 obtains the printer information 31 of the label printer 2 selected in the old version from the setting information of the old version. The CPU 11 identifies the attributes of the label printer 2 selected in the old version based on the attribute information included in the obtained printer information 31.

[0057] The CPU 11 determines the display mode based on the identified attributes (S32). For example, when the setting information of the old version includes the model name of the label printer 2 set in the old version, the model name is collated with the model mode information 41 to determine the display mode. S31 and S32 are an example of the "second determination process".

[0058] The CPU 11 determines whether the display mode determined in S32 is the general display mode or the special display mode (S33). When the CPU 11 determines that the display mode determined in S32 is the general display mode (S33: general display mode), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display a mode selection screen 101 with the initial value of the display mode options set to the general display mode (S38). On the other hand, when the CPU 11 determines that the display mode determined in S32 is the special display mode (S33: special display mode), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display a mode selection screen 101 with the initial value of the display mode options set to the special display mode (S34).

[0059] The CPU 11 determines whether the selection of the display mode has been finalized (S35). The CPU 11 waits until the selection of the display mode is finalized (S35: NO). When the selection of the display mode is finalized by the operation of the OK button 104 on the mode selection screen 101 (S35: YES), the CPU 11 determines the selected display mode as the operating display mode (S36). S33 to S36 and S38 are examples of the "second selection process". Since S33 to S36 and S38 are the same as S52 to S56 in FIG. 5, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0060] The CPU 11 updates the setting information 42 according to the display mode determined in S36 (S37). S37 is an example of the "second setting process".

[0061] When the old version does not have a display mode setting function, even if the display mode is determined based on the model of the old version label printer 2, the user does not necessarily set that display mode. Therefore, when the editing application 23 of the present embodiment determines the display mode based on attributes such as the model of the old version, the mode selection screen 101 is displayed to allow the user to make the final setting of the display mode. As a result, the degree of freedom for the user to set the display mode is expanded, improving usability.

[0062] Thereafter, the CPU 11 switches the set flag 43 of the edited editing application 23 from OFF to ON (S16). Further, the CPU 11 displays the initial screen based on the display mode setting included in the setting information 42 updated in S37 (S17), and ends the startup process.

[0063] As described in detail above, the editing application 23 of the present embodiment acquires the printer information 31 possessed by the PC 1 when the editing application 23 is started for the first time. The editing application 23 determines the display mode according to the attribute (in this embodiment, the model name) based on the use of the label printer 2 obtained from the printer information 31, and sets the display mode for operation based on the determined display mode. Thereby, the possibility that a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 used by the user is set in the editing application 23 is increased. Therefore, according to the editing application 23 of the present embodiment, it is an editing application 23 capable of editing label data, and a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 used by the user is likely to be selected.

[0064] (Second Embodiment) Subsequently, the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the second embodiment, an installer, which is a program different from the editing application 23, sets the display mode of the installed editing application 23. This is different from the first embodiment in which the editing application 23 sets the display mode by itself. Here, the description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same components and processes as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0065] The PC 1 can install the editing application 23 using an installer different from the editing application 23. When the CPU 11 receives an installation instruction to install the editing application 23, it starts the installation process shown in FIG. 8.

[0066] First, the CPU 11 installs the editing application 23 on the PC 1 (S111). When the installer updates the editing application 23, it stores the setting information of the old version and the setting information 42 of the new version in the storage area for the editing application 23, for example, in the registry if it is Windows. The setting information 42 of the new version inherits and stores the setting information of the old version, and the setting content can be changed by the user operation after installation.

[0067] After that, the CPU 11 determines whether the editing application 23 has been updated and installed (S112). For example, if the setting information of the old version is not stored in the storage area for the editing application 23, the CPU 11 determines that the editing application 23 has been installed without being updated (S112: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 executes the processes of S13 to S14, determines the display mode based on the model of the label printer 2 to be used, updates the setting information 42 in the determined display mode, and ends the installation process. That is, the installer updates the setting information 42 of the editing application 23 installed in S111.

[0068] If the setting information of the old version is stored in the storage area for the editing application 23, the CPU 11 can determine that the editing application 23 has been updated and installed (S112: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 executes the processes of S21 to S23 and S31 to S38 and ends the installation process. Also in this case, in S23 or S37, the installer updates the setting information of the editing application 23 installed in S111.

[0069] Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the installer of the PC 1 according to the second embodiment sets the display mode in the editing application 23 according to the attributes of the label printer 2, so that it is easier for the editing application 23 to select a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 used by the user.

[0070] Note that this embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the editing application 23 may acquire printer information from the printer driver 22. For example, the display modes are not limited to two types and may be three or more types.

[0071] For example, when the printer information 31 can include information indicating the use of the label printer 2, the attribute information may be the use of the label printer 2. In that case, the editing application 23 may store use mode information associating the display mode with the use of the label printer 2, collate the use included in the printer information 31 with the use mode information, and determine the display mode to operate. Also, for example, when the setting information 42 includes the use of the label printer 2 set in the old version, in the process of S32, the use may be collated with the use mode information to determine the display mode.

[0072] For example, the processes of S53, S54, and S56 in FIG. 5 may be omitted, and the display mode determined based on the attribute information included in the printer information 31 may be automatically set in the setting information 42 in S15 in FIG. 3. However, as shown in FIG. 5, after determining the display mode based on attribute information such as the model name and use, a mode selection screen 101 for selecting the display mode is displayed, and the determined display mode is set as the initial value of the options on the mode selection screen 101. Thus, it is easier for the user to select the determined display mode, and the possibility that the determined display mode, that is, the display mode suitable for the label printer used by the user, is set increases. Also, since the user can select a display mode different from the determined display mode, the degree of freedom in using the display mode is higher compared to the case where the determined display mode is automatically set.

[0073] For example, the acquisition process shown in S13 of FIG. 3 may be executed according to a procedure different from the procedure shown in FIG. 4. For example, in the acquisition process shown in FIG. 9, when a plurality of label printers 2 are connected to the PC1 (S41: YES), the CPU 11 causes the user IF 14 to display a printer selection screen for selecting one of the plurality of printer information 31 (S141), and determines whether or not the label printer 2 has been selected (S142). The CPU 11 waits until the label printer 2 is selected (S142: NO). When the CPU 11 receives the selection of the label printer 2 via the printer selection screen (S142: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the printer information 31 of the selected label printer 2 from the OS 21 (S143). Thereby, when there is a plurality of printer information 31, the PC1 can set a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 that the user is highly likely to use by having the user select the printer information 31 for determining the display mode.

[0074] Also, for example, the acquisition process shown in S13 and the determination process shown in S14 in FIG. 3 may be executed in a procedure different from the procedures shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, in the acquisition process shown in FIG. 10(A), when a plurality of label printers 2 are connected to the PC1 (S41: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the printer information 31 of each label printer 2 from the OS 21 (S241). In the determination process shown in FIG. 10(B), the CPU 11 counts the number of printer information for each attribute (for example, model name, usage) of the label printer 2 for the plurality of printer information 31 acquired in S241 (S251: YES) (S252). The CPU 11 identifies the attribute (for example, model name, usage) with the largest number of printer information 31 (S253), and determines the display mode corresponding to the identified attribute as the display mode to be operated (S254). For example, when the number of printer information 31 including attribute information indicating a special use is larger than the number of printer information 31 including attribute information indicating a general use, the CPU 11 determines the display mode to operate the special display mode. The determination process shown in FIG. 10(B) is an example of the "first determination process". According to this, when there is a plurality of printer information 31 in the PC1, by calculating the number of label printers 2 for each attribute and determining the display mode to operate the display mode corresponding to the most numerous attribute, the possibility that a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 used by the user is set increases. In this case, the user may be allowed to select the final display mode via the mode selection screen 101.

[0075] However, since it is highly likely that the label printer 2 corresponding to the printer information 31 corresponding to the most recently generated printer queue is the most frequently used, as shown in the acquisition process of FIG. 5, when a plurality of label printers 2 are connected to the PC1, by acquiring the printer information 31 corresponding to the most recently generated printer queue from the OS 21 (S42), a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 that the user is likely to use can be set. For example, in S42 of FIG. 4, in addition to the most recent printer information, if there is a label printer 2 set as the printer (default printer) normally used in the OS 21, the printer information corresponding to that label printer 2 may be acquired. Also in this case, the editing application 23 can set a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 that the user is likely to use.

[0076] For example, S21 to S23 and S31 to S38 in FIG. 3 may be omitted. However, when the editing application 23 is updated, by determining the display mode based on the setting information 42 set in the old version, the possibility of setting a more suitable display mode for the label printer 2 used by the user is increased.

[0077] For example, S21 to S23 in FIG. 3 may be omitted. However, when the editing application 23 is updated from an old version having a display mode, since it is highly likely that the display mode to be operated is set, by inheriting that setting, the user can use the same display mode even after the update.

[0078] For example, S31 to S32 in FIG. 3 may be omitted. However, when the editing application 23 is updated from an old version that does not have a display mode setting function, since the display mode cannot be inherited, by determining the display mode from the attribute information of the selected label printer, the possibility of setting a display mode suitable for the label printer 2 selected in the old version is increased.

[0079] For example, S33 to S36 and S38 in FIG. 3 may be omitted. Alternatively, after S22, the processes of S33 to S36 and S38 may be performed to allow the user to select the final display mode. However, when the editing application 23 determines the display mode from the attribute information of the old version label printer 2, by displaying the mode selection screen 101, the user can finally set the display mode, and the degree of freedom in using the display mode is increased. On the other hand, when the editing application 23 determines the display mode from the mode information included in the old version setting information 42, since it is highly likely to continue using the same display mode, the user's labor can be reduced by omitting the user's final selection of the display mode.

[0080] For example, the display modes of the mode selection screen 101 and the first and second initial screens 200 and 300 may be different from those in the present embodiment. Regarding the screens other than the mode selection screen 101 and the first and second initial screens 200 and 300, the display modes may also be different according to the set display mode.

[0081] Also, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiment, the plurality of processes in any plurality of steps can be arbitrarily changed in the execution order or executed in parallel within a range where there is no contradiction in the processing content.

[0082] Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiment can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium recording a program for executing the process, or a method.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0083] 1 PC 2 Label Printer 11 CPU (an example of a computer) 14 User IF 23 Editing Application (an example of a label editing program)

Claims

1. A label editing program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus and can edit label data to be printed by a label printer. The label editing program has a first display mode and a second display mode as display modes with different display formats, and can set the display mode to be operated. A screen corresponding to the set display mode can be displayed on the user interface of the information processing apparatus. When the label editing program is started for the first time, the computer is capable of executing an acquisition process for acquiring printer information corresponding to each label printer, where the printer information includes attribute information that can distinguish attributes based on the use of the label printer, and either the first attribute or the second attribute is indicated for the attribute. In response to executing the acquisition process, the computer further performs a first determination process of determining the display mode to the first display mode when the attribute indicated by the attribute information included in the printer information acquired in the acquisition process indicates the first attribute, and determining the display mode to the second display mode when the second attribute is indicated. Based on the display mode determined in the first determination process, a first setting process of setting the display mode to be operated is performed. and is configured to execute such that the label editing program is configured.

2. The label editing program according to claim 1, wherein the attribute information is information indicating the model of the label printer. The label editing program has model mode information associating the model of the label printer with the display mode. In the first determination process, based on the model mode information, it is determined to the display mode corresponding to the model indicated by the attribute information included in the printer information acquired in the acquisition process. such that the label editing program is configured.

3. The label editing program according to claim 1, in response to executing the first determination process, the computer displays a selection screen for selecting the display mode on the user interface of the information processing apparatus, accepts the selection of the display mode, and executes a first selection process of setting the display mode determined in the first determination process as the initial value of the options on the selection screen. In the first setting process, the display mode selected in the first selection process is set as the display mode to be operated. A label editing program configured as described above.

4. The label editing program according to claim 1, In the first startup of the label editing program, if it is not after the update of the label editing program, the computer is caused to execute the acquisition process, and in response to the execution of the acquisition process, the first determination process and the first setting process are executed, while in the first startup of the label editing program, if it is after the update of the label editing program, the computer is not caused to execute the acquisition process, a second determination process for determining the display mode based on the setting information set in the version before the update of the label editing program, and a second setting process for setting the display mode to be operated based on the display mode determined in the second determination process, are executed. A label editing program configured as described above.

5. The label editing program according to claim 4, when the version before the update of the label editing program has a plurality of the display modes, the setting information includes mode information indicating the display mode set in the version before the update of the label editing program, in the second determination process, when the mode information indicating the first display mode is included in the setting information set in the version before the update of the label editing program, the display mode is determined as the first display mode, and when the mode information indicating the second display mode is included, the display mode is determined as the second display mode. A label editing program configured as described above.

6. The label editing program according to claim 5, the setting information includes the attribute information corresponding to the label printer selected in the version before the update of the label editing program, when the version before the update of the label editing program does not have the display mode, the setting information does not include the mode information, in the second determination process, If the mode information is not included in the setting information set in the version before the update of the label editing program, and if the attribute information indicating the first attribute is included in the setting information, the display mode is determined to be the first display mode, and if the attribute information indicating the second attribute is included in the setting information, the display mode is determined to be the second display mode. A label editing program configured as described above.

7. The label editing program according to claim 6, wherein In response to determining the display mode based on the attribute information included in the setting information in the second determination process, the computer Displays a selection screen for selecting the display mode on the user interface of the information processing device, accepts the selection of the display mode, and executes a second selection process in which the display mode determined in the second determination process is set as the initial value of the options on the selection screen. In the second setting process, When the display mode is determined based on the attribute information included in the setting information in the second determination process and the second selection process is executed, while setting the display mode selected in the second selection process as the display mode to operate, When the display mode is determined based on the mode information included in the setting information in the second determination process, the display mode determined in the second determination process is set as the display mode to operate without displaying the selection screen on the user interface of the information processing device. A label editing program configured as described above.

8. The label editing program according to claim 1, wherein In the acquisition process, When there is a plurality of the printer information in the information processing device, the printer information corresponding to the most recently generated printer queue is acquired. A label editing program configured as described above.

9. The label editing program according to claim 1, wherein In the acquisition process, When there is a plurality of the printer information in the information processing device, a screen for selecting one of the plurality of printer information is displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, the selection of the printer information is accepted, and the selected printer information is acquired. A label editing program configured as described above.

10. The label editing program according to claim 1, wherein In the acquisition process, When there is a plurality of the printer information in the information processing apparatus, all of the plurality of the printer information is acquired, In the first determination process, Based on the plurality of the printer information acquired in the acquisition process, if the number of the printer information including the attribute information indicating the first attribute is larger than the number of the printer information including the attribute information indicating the second attribute, it is determined as the first display mode, and if not, it is determined as the second display mode. A label editing program configured as described above.

11. The label editing program according to claim 1, The screen to be displayed on the user interface of the information processing apparatus includes a template of label data, and in the first display mode and the second display mode, at least the display content of the template included in the screen is different. A label editing program configured as described above.

12. An installer for a label editing program that can be executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus and can edit label data to be printed on a label printer. The label editing program has a first display mode and a second display mode as display modes with different display styles, and can set the display mode to be operated. It is possible to display a screen corresponding to the set display mode on the user interface of the information processing apparatus. On the computer, It is possible to execute an acquisition process for acquiring printer information corresponding to each label printer, where the printer information included in the printer information of the information processing apparatus includes attribute information that can distinguish attributes based on the use of the label printer, and one of the first attribute and the second attribute is indicated in the attribute. In response to executing the acquisition process, further on the computer, A first determination process for determining the display mode as the first display mode when the attribute distinguished by the attribute information included in the printer information acquired in the acquisition process indicates the first attribute, and determining the display mode as the second display mode when the attribute indicates the second attribute, A first setting process for setting the display mode to be operated of the label editing program based on the display mode determined in the first determination process, To be executed, An installer configured as described above.

13. An information processing apparatus capable of installing a label editing program that enables editing of label data to be printed on a label printer, wherein the label editing program has a first display mode and a second display mode as display modes with different display formats, and it is possible to set the display mode to be operated, and a screen corresponding to the set display mode can be displayed on the user interface of the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is printer information corresponding to each label printer, and it is possible to acquire the printer information possessed by the information processing apparatus. The printer information includes attribute information capable of distinguishing attributes based on the use of the label printer, and one of the first attribute and the second attribute is indicated for the attribute. In response to acquiring the printer information, the information processing apparatus further determines the display mode of the label editing program to the first display mode when the attribute distinguished by the attribute information included in the acquired printer information indicates the first attribute, and determines the display mode of the label editing program to the second display mode when the attribute indicates the second attribute. sets the display mode to be operated of the label editing program based on the determined display mode. An information processing apparatus configured as described above.

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