Image processing program and information processing device

Abstract

To provide a technique that enables a user to easily know whether a database of a template can be replaced with another database.SOLUTION: A control part of an information processing device displays a sample image of a print image that can be printed by a printer. The print image includes a link object associated with a specific field in a first database. The sample image includes a link sample object indicative of the link object. The control part receives first request operation to request association of a second database with the print image. The control part makes an emphasized display of the link sample object when the first request operation is received and a field having compatibility with the specific field is present in the second database.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for processing, by an information processing device, an image to be printed by a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a list screen of templates including objects to be printed by a label printer is displayed, and when a template is selected from the list screen, an editing screen for that template is displayed.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for allocating data from a database to any object in a template and printing the template including that data using a label printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-037244 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-211904 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To improve user convenience, it is conceivable to provide templates that already contain databases. If such templates are provided through a template list screen, it becomes possible to efficiently create and print images that include database data.

[0006] However, since the database pre-included in the template as described above is provided merely as a template, it is not necessarily user-friendly.

[0007] Therefore, it would be convenient if the template database could be replaced with another database prepared by the user that suits the user's purpose. One aspect of the present disclosure is that it is desirable for a user to be able to easily know whether a template database can be replaced with another database. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an image processing program executable by an information processing device, the information processing device including a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit, the control unit being capable of executing the image processing program.

[0009] The image processing program causes the control unit to execute a first display process, which displays a summary image on the display unit, the summary image showing a summary of a print image that can be printed by a printing device.

[0010] The print image includes one or more objects and is associated with a first database, the one or more objects including a linked object, the linked object being an object associated with a first specific field, which is a specific data field in the first database.

[0011] The overview image may include any information that allows the user to recognize, for example, the content, form, properties, and / or attributes of the printed image. The overview image of the present disclosure includes a sample image (or preview image) that is a sample of the printed image. The sample image includes one or more sample objects that represent each of the one or more objects. The one or more sample objects include a link sample object that represents a link object.

[0012] The image processing program causes the control unit to execute a first reception process. The first reception process receives a first request operation via the input unit. The first request operation requests that the second database be linked to the print image.

[0013] The image processing program causes the control unit to execute a highlighting process that highlights the link sample object when the first request operation is accepted in the first accepting process and the second database contains a second specified field that is a data field compatible with the first specified field.

[0014] Note that "associating the second database with the printed image" means associating (or linking) the second database with the printed image or information related thereto (e.g., the first database). In the present disclosure, when the first request operation is performed, the link sample object is highlighted if the second database has a second specific field. Therefore, "associating the second database with the printed image," while merely an example, may be more specifically interpreted as associating the second database with the first database, in other words, comparing the second database with the first database, or even more specifically, comparing the second database with the first database to determine whether the second database has the second specific field.

[0015] Furthermore, the phrase "the second specified field is compatible with the first specified field" may be interpreted as meaning that, for example, even if at least the first specified field is replaced with the second specified field, the association with the link object is switched to the second specified field and maintained. In other words, even if the first database is replaced with another database including the second specified field, the association with at least the link object in the print image is maintained with the second specified field in the other database instead of the first specified field.

[0016] The highlighting may be performed in any manner, for example, by displaying the link sample object itself and / or a predetermined area around it in a manner different from the normal non-highlighted state.

[0017] In an information processing device that executes such an image processing program, a user can easily check whether it is possible to replace the first database with the second database (i.e., whether the second database has a data field that is compatible with the first database) by performing a first request operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a label image and a first database associated with the label image. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a template file. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a second database. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a home screen and a file selection window are simultaneously displayed. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating compatibility check and replacement of a database file associated with a label image. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of a home screen display process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a template download process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of a user action waiting process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described. [1. Embodiment] (1-1) Printing system configuration 1, the printing system of this embodiment includes an information processing device 1, a printing device 101, and a server 150. The information processing device 1 is capable of communicating with the printing device 101 and the server 150.

[0020] When the printing device 101 receives a print command including image data from the information processing device 1, it can print an image represented by the image data on a print medium 110. The printing device 101 of this embodiment is in the form of a label printer or label writer. That is, the print medium 110 of this embodiment is, for example, long and tape-like. The printing device 101 prints a label image 115 on the print medium 110 according to its intended use as a label. The label image 115 is printed on the print medium 110 along its length (hereinafter referred to as the "medium length direction"). Note that a label image 120 in FIG. 2 (described later) is an exemplary embodiment of the label image 115. Therefore, in the following description, the "label image 115" may be interpreted as including the label image 120 in FIG. 2.

[0021] The print medium 110 on which the label images 115 are printed is automatically or manually cut for each label image 115. Each label is affixed to various objects, such as name tags, file spines, store price tags, mailing envelopes, industrial materials, fixtures, notebooks, signs, and the like.

[0022] The server 150 provides the user with templates (i.e., models) of various label images 115. Each template includes one or more objects. The objects may be, for example, text, symbols, figures, illustrations, photographs, frames, tables, or barcodes. The server 150 provides one or more templates for each of a number of categories classified according to their intended use. Each template is provided to the user in the form of a template file containing information about the template.

[0023] The information processing device 1 can execute a label image creation application 5a (hereinafter abbreviated as "application 5a"). The application 5a is software including a computer program for creating a label image 115 to be printed by the printing device 101. A user of the printing system can use the application 5a to realize various functions on the information processing device 1.

[0024] Specifically, a user can download a desired template belonging to a desired category from the server 150 to the information processing device 1. The user can create a label image 115 based on the downloaded template. The user can also save the created label image 115, open and edit the saved label image 115, and issue a print instruction for the label image 115. When a print instruction is issued, a print command for the label image 115 is sent to the printing device 101.

[0025] The information processing device 1 may communicate with the printing device 101 using any communication method. The information processing device 1 and the printing device 101 may, for example, be capable of wireless or wired communication with each other. Wireless communication methods may include, for example, wireless LAN and Bluetooth. "Bluetooth" is a registered trademark. Wired communication methods may include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) and wired LAN. The same applies to communication between the information processing device 1 and the server 150. The information processing device 1 may be, for example, in the form of a desktop personal computer, or in the form of an easily portable so-called laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or the like.

[0026] (1-2) Configuration of information processing device 1, the information processing device 1 includes a control unit 2, a display unit 3, an input unit 4, a storage unit 5, and a communication unit 6. The control unit 2 includes a CPU 2a and a memory 2b. The CPU 2a as a processor executes processing in accordance with computer programs stored in the memory 2b and the storage unit 5. The memory 2b may include semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, or a flash memory.

[0027] The storage unit 5 includes storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores various computer programs and data. In this embodiment, the programs stored in the storage unit 5 include an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") and a printer driver. The printer driver is software for controlling the printing device 101 from the information processing device 1. The storage unit 5 also stores the above-mentioned application 5a. In this embodiment, the OS, printer driver, and application 5a are installed in the information processing device 1 and used.

[0028] The application 5a may be stored in any manner in the storage unit 5. For example, the application 5a may be read into the information processing device 1 from a storage medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB memory and stored in the storage unit 5. Alternatively, the application 5a may be downloaded from an external device (for example, the server 150) to the information processing device 1 and stored in the storage unit 5. In the following description, the entity that executes a program (the control unit 2 in the information processing device 1) may be referred to simply by the program name or software name. For example, the description "application 5a" may more specifically mean "the control unit 2 that executes application 5a."

[0029] The display unit 3 displays various screens to the user of the information processing device 1. An example of the display unit 3 is a liquid crystal display. An example of the various screens is a home screen 10 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later. The input unit 4 includes one or more input devices for receiving input operations from the user. Specifically, the input unit 4 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and / or a touch panel, or may include an input device of a different form.

[0030] The communication unit 6 performs wireless or wired communication with the communication unit 105 of the printing device 101 according to the above-mentioned communication method. The above-mentioned print command is transmitted from the communication unit 6. The communication unit 6 also performs wireless or wired communication with the server 150 as described above.

[0031] (1-3) Printer configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 101 includes a control unit 102, a display unit 103, an input unit 104, a communication unit 105, and a printing unit 106.

[0032] The control unit 102 includes a CPU 102a and a memory 102b. The memory 102b may include semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, NVRAM, or flash memory. Computer programs and data for implementing various functions of the printing device 101 are stored in a non-volatile memory (e.g., flash memory) in the memory 102b. The CPU 102a as a processor performs overall control of the printing device 101 by executing processes in accordance with the computer programs stored in the memory 102b.

[0033] The display unit 103 displays various information to the user. The input unit 104 accepts various input operations from the user. The communication unit 105 communicates with the communication unit 6 of the information processing device 1 via wireless or wired communication in accordance with the above-mentioned communication method. The above-mentioned print command is received by the communication unit 105.

[0034] The printing unit 106 prints a label image 115 on the print medium 110. The printing unit 106 prints an image using any of various printing methods, such as thermal transfer, thermal printing, or inkjet printing. In this embodiment, the printing unit 106 prints an image on the print medium 110 using, for example, thermal transfer printing. When the control unit 102 receives a print command from the information processing device 1 via the communication unit 105, it causes the printing unit 106 to print the label image 115 based on the print command.

[0035] (1-4) Label images associated with the database The label image 115 includes one or more objects. The user can arbitrarily decide where and what kind of objects to place.

[0036] A database may also be associated with the label image 115. A database has one or more data fields (i.e., columns) and one or more records (i.e., rows). A link object may be placed on a label image 115 associated with a database. A link object is an object associated with a specific data field in the database (or one cell in that data field). A data field associated with a link object is called a link field. A link object is an image (e.g., text) that shows the data of one of the cells in the link field.

[0037] The server 150 also provides templates of label images 115 associated with databases. The databases included in the templates are themselves provided to the user as prototypes. The application 5a can download the templates from the server 150 and process them according to the user's instructions. The user can edit the databases included in the templates. The user can then use the templates to easily create label images 115 associated with desired data fields in the database.

[0038] 2 shows one example of a template provided by the server 150. This template includes a label image 120 and a first database 130 associated therewith. As described above, this label image 120 is an example of a label image 115 that can be printed by the printing device 101. The first database 130 is also an example of a database that can be associated with the label image 115. FIG. 2 shows the label image 120 in its current state after it has been downloaded from the server 150 and has not yet been edited by the user.

[0039] 2, the label image 120 includes, for example, a first object 121, a second object 122, and a third object 123. The first and second objects 121 and 122 are text. The third object 123 is a frame.

[0040] 2, the first database 130 includes, as an example, at least a first data field F11 and a second data field F12. The first database 130 also has a first row R10, a first record R11, a second record R12, a third record R13, and so on. The first row R10 specifies the name of each data field (i.e., the field name). The first row R10 may also be used as a record.

[0041] By way of example only, the first and third objects 121 and 123 are not associated with any data fields in the first database 130. On the other hand, the second object 122 is a linked object associated with the first database 130. Specifically, the second object 122 is associated with the second data field F12. In other words, the second data field F12 is a link field. The second object 122 includes the text of any one of the selected data in the second data field F12.

[0042] The user can cause the printing device 101 to print one or more label images 120, in which one or more pieces of data in the second data field F12 are each displayed as a second object 122. For example, the user can cause the printing device 101 to print a label image 120 in which the data "A-001" of the cell in the first record R11 in the second data field F12 is displayed as the second object 122. Alternatively, for example, the user can cause the printing device 101 to individually print three label images 120, in which the data of the first to third records R11 to R13 are displayed, respectively.

[0043] 2 is merely one example of the label image 115 provided as a template. The label image 115 provided as a template may not include a link object, or may include a mixture of objects not associated with a database and link objects.

[0044] (1-5) Template file The template file is provided in the form of a standard template file 51 or an extended template file 52, as shown in Fig. 3. The standard template file 51 includes an LBX file 56 and a sample image file 58, but does not include a database file 57, which will be described later.

[0045] The LBX file 56 includes layout information. The layout information indicates the specific content of the label image 115 provided as a template. The layout information includes various information such as paper size information, the position of each object included in the label image 115, the specific content (i.e., appearance, shape, pattern, color scheme, etc.), and size. The LBX file 56 has an extension of ".lbx," for example. The label image 115 provided in the form of the standard template file 51 is not associated with a database.

[0046] The sample image file 58 includes sample image data. The sample image data indicates a sample image. The sample image is a sample of the label image 115 (in other words, a preview image). The sample image includes one or more sample objects indicating one or more objects included in the label image 115. Note that a sample object indicating a link object is specifically referred to as a link sample object. In this embodiment, the sample image is provided in the form of a thumbnail. The extension of the sample image data is, for example, ".png."

[0047] The extended template file 52 includes an SLBX file 55 and a sample image file 58. The SLBX file 55 includes an LBX file 56 and a database file 57. The database file 57 represents a database. In this embodiment, the extension of the database file 57 is, for example, ".csv." In other words, the database file 57 in this embodiment is a CSV file. The template illustrated in FIG. 2 is provided in the form of an extended template file 52.

[0048] The layout information of the LBX file 56 contained in the SLBX file 55 includes, in addition to the various types of information described above, information indicating the database (e.g., the file name of the database), link information and display format information for each link object. The link information indicates information indicating the link field to which the link object is associated (e.g., the field name), and default display data. The default display data indicates the data of a specific row in the associated link field. The default display data is displayed as the aforementioned link sample object in the sample image.

[0049] The SLBX file 55 is in the form of a compressed file in which the LBX file 56 and the database file 57 are compressed in a predetermined compression format. In this embodiment, the predetermined compression format is the ZIP format. The extension of the SLBX file 55 may be ".zip," which is the standard extension for the ZIP format, but in this embodiment, the extension is different from ".zip," for example, ".slbx," so that the user can easily recognize that it is an SLBX file 55.

[0050] (1-6) Home screen When the application 5a is started, it displays the home screen 10 shown in Fig. 4 on the display unit 3. More specifically, the home screen 10 is completed while a template download process is performed in parallel as needed.

[0051] The template download process is a process of downloading a new template (more specifically, a template file) that has not been downloaded to the information processing device 1 from the server 150. Whether or not a download is necessary may be determined in any manner. In this embodiment, whether or not a template needs to be downloaded is determined, for example, as follows.

[0052] That is, the application 5a transmits language information (e.g., Japanese) of the template to be downloaded to the server 150 and obtains category list information of the template corresponding to the language information. Based on the category list information, the application 5a determines the categories for which downloading should be requested (e.g., some or all of the categories managed by the application 5a). The application 5a obtains a content list for each determined category from the server 150 by requesting the server 150 for the content list. The content list is a list of templates held by the server 150. For each category, the application 5a compares the obtained content list with the templates already downloaded to the information processing device 1 to determine whether there are any templates that have not yet been downloaded. If there are any templates that have not yet been downloaded, the application 5a extracts those templates as templates to be downloaded. If there are templates that have already been downloaded but have been updated on the server 150 after downloading, the application 5a may also extract those templates as templates to be downloaded. The templates extracted as templates to be downloaded include templates provided in the form of the standard template file 51 and / or templates provided in the form of the extended template file 52.

[0053] If no templates to be downloaded are extracted, app 5a determines that downloading is unnecessary. On the other hand, if templates to be downloaded are extracted, app 5a determines that downloading is necessary and requests the extracted templates, for example, one by one, from server 150 and downloads them from server 150.

[0054] 4, the home screen 10 includes a template list screen 11. The template list screen 11 includes a category selection area 12 and a template display area 13. A mouse pointer (hereinafter abbreviated as "pointer") 200 is displayed on the home screen 10. The user can move the pointer 200 via the input unit 4.

[0055] A plurality of category icons 12a are displayed in the category selection area 12. Each category icon 12a corresponds to one of the plurality of categories described above. Each category icon 12a is associated with a template belonging to the corresponding category.

[0056] In the template display area 13, template overview images (hereinafter simply referred to as "overview images") for each downloaded template are displayed in a list in a predetermined direction (for example, the vertical direction of the screen). Basically, one overview image corresponds to one template. The overview image includes various information related to the label image 115 of the corresponding template. The user can learn what templates are available from each overview image.

[0057] The template display area 13 is divided into categories in a predetermined direction. In each category area, sections for templates belonging to that category are arranged in the predetermined direction, and a summary image of the corresponding template is displayed in each section. FIG. 4 illustrates a state in which two summary images 13a and 13b out of multiple summary images belonging to category A are displayed. The user can display other summary images of category A and even summary images of categories other than category A by scrolling the template display area 13 up and down. Furthermore, when one of the category icons 12a is selected via the input unit 4, the display content of the template display area 13 jumps to the summary image of a predetermined (e.g., the first) template in the corresponding category.

[0058] The summary image 13a illustrated in Figure 4 corresponds to the template illustrated in Figure 2, i.e., the label image 120 associated with the first database 130. In other words, this summary image 13a represents a template downloaded in the form of an extended template file 52. As shown in Figure 4, this summary image 13a includes a sample image 20, content information 25, and a drop zone 30. The content information 25 includes various information related to the template that may be useful to the user.

[0059] The sample image 20 is displayed based on the above-mentioned sample image data. The sample image 20 includes first to third sample objects 21, 22, and 23 corresponding to the first to third objects 121 to 123 of the label image 120, respectively.

[0060] As described above, the second object 122 of the label image 120 is a link object. Therefore, the second sample object 22 is a link sample object. In this embodiment, the default display data is preset to, for example, the data of the first record R11. Therefore, the second sample object 22 shows the data of the first record R11 in the second data field F12 (see FIG. 4).

[0061] The drop zone 30 is displayed as an image indicating that a database is associated with the label image 120 indicated by the overview image 13a. The drop zone 30 also represents an area for accepting a database replacement request. A database replacement request requests that the database associated with the label image 120 be replaced (i.e., changed) with another database. In this embodiment, the database replacement request involves dragging and dropping an icon or other file object associated with the database to be replaced onto the drop zone 30.

[0062] The summary image 13b illustrated in FIG. 4 corresponds to a label image that has no associated database, and includes a sample image 100 that is a sample of the label image. When one of the outline images listed in the template display area 13 is selected via the input unit 4, an editing screen (not shown) on which the template corresponding to the selected outline image can be edited is displayed on the display unit 3. The outline image may be selected by, for example, double-clicking or double-tapping on the outline image.

[0063] The user can edit the label image provided as a template via the editing screen. For example, the user can add new objects to the label image, delete existing objects, or change the position or form (size, font, color, etc.) of objects. Furthermore, if the template to be edited is based on the extended template file 52, the user can associate a desired data field with a newly added object, or conversely, disassociate a database from a linked object. The user can also instruct the printing of the edited label image. When printing is instructed, a print command for the edited label image is generated and sent to the printing device 101.

[0064] (1-7) Check database compatibility and replace In this embodiment, a database that is compatible with the first database 130 originally associated with the label image 120 can be associated with the label image 120 instead of the first database 130 .

[0065] A compatible database may be defined in any way. In this embodiment, if another database has a data field with the same field name as the field name of the link field of the currently associated database, the other database is compatible with the currently associated database.

[0066] 5 is stored in the storage unit 5. This second database 140 is compatible with the first database . That is, as an example, the second database 140 includes at least a first data field F21 and a second data field F22. The second database 140 also has a first row R20, a first record R21, a second record R22, a third record R23, and so on. As is clear from a comparison with the first database 130 in FIG. 2, the field name "Category" of the second data field F22 in the second database 140 matches the field name "Category" of the second data field F12 in the first database 130. In this embodiment, compatibility is achieved when there is at least one data field with a matching field name.

[0067] For example, a user may need to change the database associated with the label image 120 from the first database 130 to the second database 140. In other words, the user may need to print a label image 120 that includes data in the second data field F22 of the second database 140. The application 5a can meet such needs.

[0068] Furthermore, when replacing the first database 130 with the second database 140, it would be convenient to be able to easily know whether the replacement is possible in the first place, that is, whether the second database 140 is compatible with the first database 130. The application 5a can also meet such needs.

[0069] That is, when the user wants to replace the first database 130 with the second database 140, the user causes a file object representing the second database 140 to be displayed on the display unit 3. The file object of the second database 140 may be displayed in any manner. In this embodiment, when a predetermined window display operation is performed via the input unit 4, the application 5a displays a file selection window 60 on the display unit 3, as illustrated in FIG.

[0070] The file selection window 60 lists the files saved in a specified folder. The user can arbitrarily select a folder to be displayed in the file selection window 60. FIG. 6 shows an example in which a folder in which the second database 140 is saved is displayed in the file selection window 60. In the file selection window 60, the file object representing the second database 140 may be displayed in any form. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the file object representing the second database 140 is displayed in the form of a database icon 61. The user can drag (i.e., move) the database icon 61, for example, using the pointer 200.

[0071] The application 5a moves the database icon 61 in response to a drag operation on the database icon 61. When the database icon 61 is dragged onto the overview image 13a as illustrated in Fig. 7, the application 5a determines whether the second database 140 associated with the database icon 61 is compatible with the first database 130 associated with the overview image 13a.

[0072] In other words, the dragging of the database icon 61 to the overview image 13a is an operation requesting association of the second database 140 with the label image 120. Associating the second database 140 with the label image 120 can be said to be an operation requesting confirmation of whether or not it is possible to associate the second database 140 instead of the first database 130.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, the second data field F22 of the second database 140 is compatible with the second data field F12 of the first database 130. Therefore, the application 5a determines that the second database 140 is compatible. If the application 5a determines that the second database 140 is compatible, it highlights the linked sample object in the sample image 20 that is associated with the compatible data field. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second sample object 22 is highlighted.

[0074] Highlighting may be performed in any manner. In this embodiment, a highlighting region is set individually for each link sample object. A highlight image is then superimposed on the highlighting region set for the link sample object to be highlighted. In the sample image 20 of FIG. 7, the second sample object 22 is a link sample object, so a highlighting region 22a is set for the second sample object 22. The second sample object 22 is then highlighted by superimposing a highlight image on the highlighting region 22a.

[0075] The highlight image may be any image. For example, the highlight image may be a monochromatic or multicolor image, or may be an image with a specific design or pattern. The highlight image has a transparency that allows the second sample object 22 to be visible. Therefore, even if the highlight image is superimposed on the highlighted display region 22a, the user can still see the second sample object 22.

[0076] The highlighting may be performed in a manner different from the superimposed display of the highlight image as described above. For example, the link sample object to be highlighted may itself be displayed in a manner different from when it is not highlighted.

[0077] When the database icon 61 is dragged and dropped onto the drop zone 30 (i.e., the above-mentioned database replacement request is made), the application 5a replaces the first database 130 with the second database 140. In other words, the application 5a associates the second database 140 with the label image 120 instead of the first database 130. Specifically, the application 5a associates the second data field F22 with the second object 122 in the label image 120.

[0078] (1-8) Processing of app 5a The home screen display process and user action waiting process executed by the control unit 2 (more specifically, the CPU 2a) of the information processing device 1 to realize the above-mentioned various functions will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0079] (1-8-1) Home screen display process 8 is realized by executing a program corresponding to the home screen display process, which is included in the application 5a. When the control unit 2 is started up, the control unit 2 repeatedly executes the home screen display process, for example, at a predetermined control period.

[0080] When the control unit 2 starts the home screen display process, it determines in S110 whether or not a template needs to be downloaded. The specific method of determination is as described above. If it is determined that downloading is not necessary, the process proceeds to S130, and if it is determined that downloading is necessary, the process proceeds to S120.

[0081] At S120, the control unit 2 executes the template download process. The outline of the template download process has been described above, but more details are shown in Figure 9. When the control unit 2 moves to the template download process, at S310, it downloads one template file of the templates extracted as targets for download from the server 150 to a predetermined application area in the storage unit 5.

[0082] In S320, the control unit 2 determines whether the template file downloaded in S310 includes an SLBX file 55, that is, whether the template file is in the form of an extended template file 52. If the downloaded template file does not include an SLBX file 55 (that is, if the template file is in the form of a standard template file 51), the process proceeds to S360. If the downloaded template file includes an SLBX file 55, the process proceeds to S330.

[0083] In S330, the control unit 2 extracts (i.e., decompresses) the downloaded SLBX file 55 into a temporary work folder in the storage unit 5. The temporary work folder is a folder that is temporarily used for decompression. The temporary work folder is, for example, a folder that is managed by the OS as a so-called hidden folder. Note that a further work folder may be created in the temporary work folder, and the SLBX file 55 may be extracted into that work folder.

[0084] In S340, the control unit 2 reads the LBX file 56 and the database file 57 obtained by the expansion, acquires the contents of the label image 115 indicated by the LBX file 56, and lists the link objects included in the label image 115. In addition, the control unit 2 acquires specific contents of the link objects, such as their size and their position within the entire label image 115.

[0085] In S350, the control unit 2 performs a highlighting region setting process. Specifically, the control unit 2 acquires the contents of the sample image based on the sample image file 58 downloaded together with the SLBX file 55. Then, the control unit 2 sets a highlighting region for the link sample object in the sample image. At this time, the control unit 2 determines the range to be set in the highlighting region based on the specific contents (size, position, etc.) of the link object acquired in S340.

[0086] In S360, the control unit 2 generates template information for the template to be processed. The template information includes, for example, the file paths of the various files that make up the template to be processed, setting information for the highlighted display area set in S350, category information indicating the category to which the template belongs, and content information for the template. If the template to be processed is provided in the form of a standard template file 51, the template information includes, for example, the file path of the LBX file 56 and the file path of the sample image file 58. If the template to be processed is provided in the form of an extended template file 52, the template information includes, for example, the file path of the SLBX file 55 and the file path of the sample image file 58.

[0087] In S370, the control unit 2 determines whether there are any other templates to download. If all templates extracted as download targets have been downloaded, the process proceeds to S380. If there are any extracted templates that have not yet been downloaded, the process proceeds to S310.

[0088] When the process proceeds to S380, template information has been generated for each downloaded template by the processes of S320 to S360. In S380, the control unit 2 adds the generated template information to a template information file. The template information file is a file in which template information for each template managed by the application 5a is accumulated, and each time a new template is downloaded, the template information for that template is added (or updated).

[0089] Returning to FIG. 8, the description will continue. In S130, the control unit 2 reads the template information file. In S140, the control unit 2 creates a template display information table. Then, the control unit 2 stores display information for each template included in the template information file in the template display information table. The display information is information necessary for displaying an overview image on the home screen 10. The overview image is drawn based on the display information.

[0090] In S150, the control unit 2 reads, from the template display information table generated in S140, one piece of unprocessed display information that has not yet undergone the overview image display process in S160, as a processing target.

[0091] In S160, the control unit 2 executes a summary image display process based on the display information read in S150. The summary image display process is a process of drawing a summary image of the template to be processed in the template display area 13 of the home screen 10. In this embodiment, the summary image display process includes a process (not shown) of setting a section in which the summary image is to be drawn in the template display area 13, and further includes the processes of S161 to S164.

[0092] In S161, the control unit 2 arranges a sample image (see sample image 20 in FIG. 4) within the set section. In S162, the control unit 2 places other information other than the sample image in the set section. The other information includes content information (see content information 25 in FIG. 4). If the template to be processed is associated with a database, the other information also includes a drop zone 30 (see FIG. 4).

[0093] In S163, the control unit 2 determines whether or not a highlighted display area is set in the sample image (in other words, whether or not the sample image includes a linked sample object). If a highlighted display area is not set, the process proceeds to S170. If a highlighted display area is set, the process proceeds to S164.

[0094] In S164, the control unit 2 prepares for highlighting. Specifically, for example, based on the setting information for the highlighting area, the control unit 2 arranges the highlighting area for the sample image arranged in the section. Then, the arranged highlighting area is temporarily set to a non-highlighted state in which no highlight image is displayed.

[0095] In S170, the control unit 2 determines whether unprocessed display information remains in the template display information table. If unprocessed display information remains, the process proceeds to S150. In this manner, a summary image of each saved template is drawn, allowing the user to view the summary image of the desired template on the home screen 10.

[0096] (1-8-2) User action waiting process 10 is realized by executing a program included in the application 5a that corresponds to the user action waiting process. The control unit 2 periodically and repeatedly executes the user action waiting process after the main screen display process is completed or in parallel with the main screen display process.

[0097] When the control unit 2 starts the user action waiting process, it determines in S510 whether a request has been made to switch the file selection window 60 (see FIG. 6) between display and non-display. The operation of switching to display includes the aforementioned window display operation being performed when the file selection window 60 is not displayed. The operation of switching to non-display includes the predetermined window non-display operation being performed when the file selection window 60 is displayed.

[0098] If a switching request has not been made, this process is temporarily terminated. If a switching request has been made, the control unit 2 switches the display of the file selection window 60 in S520. Specifically, if a window display operation has been made, the file selection window 60 is displayed, and if a window non-display operation has been made, the currently displayed file selection window 60 is erased.

[0099] In S530, the control unit 2 determines whether a file object of a database file has been dragged into the extended template section. The "extended template section" refers to part or all (in this embodiment, all) of the area where the overview image of the template based on the extended template file 52 is displayed.

[0100] If, at S530, a file object of a database file has not been dragged into the extended template section, the process proceeds to S560. At S560, the control unit 2 executes a highlight cancellation process. Specifically, the highlighting of all the set highlight display areas is cancelled.

[0101] If a file object of a database file is dragged into the extended template section at S530, the process proceeds to S540. At S540, the control unit 2 determines whether the dragged database is compatible with the database associated with the destination template. If the dragged database is not compatible, i.e., if there is no compatible data field, the process proceeds to S560. If the dragged database is compatible, i.e., if there is one or more compatible data fields, the process proceeds to S550.

[0102] In S550, the control unit 2 executes highlighting processing. Specifically, the control unit 2 highlights the linked sample object associated with a compatible data field in the sample image in the drag destination section. More specifically, the control unit 2 superimposes the highlighted image on the highlighted display area set for the linked sample object.

[0103] In S570, the control unit 2 determines whether the file object being dragged into the extended template section has also been dropped onto the drop zone 30. If not, the process proceeds to S530; if dropped, the process proceeds to S580.

[0104] In S580, the control unit 2 performs an association change process. Specifically, the database in the template at the drop destination is replaced. In other words, the dropped database is associated in place of the currently associated database. At this time, the SLBX file 55 of the template at the drop destination may be temporarily decompressed, and a series of processes for replacement may be performed on the decompressed LBX file 56 and database file 57. Furthermore, an editing screen may be displayed, and the label image and the replaced database may be displayed on the editing screen to accept editing of the label image.

[0105] (1-9) Effects of the embodiment In the embodiment described above, when the database icon 61 is dragged onto the overview image 13a, the application 5a determines whether the second database 140 is compatible with the first database 130. If the databases are compatible, the application 5a highlights the link sample objects in the sample image 20 that indicate the compatible link objects.

[0106] Therefore, the user can easily find out whether the database he or she wants to replace is compatible with the database he or she wants to replace, that is, whether the second database 140 has data fields that are compatible with the first database 130, by simply dragging the database.

[0107] Furthermore, when a compatible database is dropped onto the drop zone 30, the application 5a actually replaces the database. Therefore, after the user has confirmed that the databases are compatible by checking the highlighting, the user can easily replace the databases by dropping the databases into the drop zone 30 if necessary.

[0108] (1-10) Correspondence of words The label image creation application 5a corresponds to an example of an image processing program in the present disclosure. The server 150 corresponds to an example of another information processing device in the present disclosure. The label image 115 provided in the form of the extended template file 52 is an example of a print image in the present disclosure. The second data field F12 of the first database 130 corresponds to an example of a first specified field in the present disclosure, and the second data field F22 of the second database 140 corresponds to an example of a second specified field in the present disclosure. The file selection window 60 corresponds to an example of a second database selection screen in the present disclosure. The database icon 61 corresponds to an example of a second database object in the present disclosure. The area on the home screen 10 where the overview image 13a is displayed, i.e., the area within the extended template section, corresponds to an example of a first area in the present disclosure. The drop zone 30 corresponds to an example of an icon and a second area in the present disclosure. The operation of dragging the database icon 61 to the overview image 13a corresponds to an example of a first request operation in the present disclosure. The operation of dragging and dropping the database icon 61 into the drop zone 30 in the overview image 13a (i.e., a database replacement request) corresponds to an example of a second request operation in the present disclosure. The LBX file 56 of the label image 120 corresponds to an example of a first file in the present disclosure. The database file 57 of the first database 130 corresponds to an example of a second file in the present disclosure. The SLBX file 55, which is obtained by compressing the LBX file 56 of the label image 120 and the database file 57 of the first database 130, corresponds to an example of an integrated database file in the present disclosure.

[0109] The processing of S310 corresponds to an example of a file acquisition processing in the present disclosure, and the processing of S330 corresponds to an example of a storage processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S160 corresponds to an example of a first display processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S520 corresponds to an example of a second display processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S530 corresponds to an example of a first reception processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S570 corresponds to an example of a second reception processing in the present disclosure.

[0110] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0111] (2-1) In the above embodiment, the first and second databases 130, 140 have mutually compatible data fields in the same column (specifically, the second column). However, data fields with the same field name may be determined to be compatible even if they exist in different columns. Furthermore, compatibility may or may not require that the number of rows and / or the number of columns in each database match.

[0112] (2-2) For example, suppose there are first and second link objects in a label image, which are associated with first and second data fields in a first database, respectively. Also, suppose there is a second database separate from the first database, which has a data field compatible with the first data field but does not have a data field compatible with the second data field.

[0113] In such a case, the first database may not be replaceable with the second database. In other words, if a label image includes multiple link objects (i.e., if the related first database has multiple link fields), the first database may be replaceable with the second database only if the second database has multiple link fields that are compatible with all of the multiple link fields.

[0114] Alternatively, even in the above-described assumed case, the first database may be replaced with the second database. In this case, how to process the second link object may be determined appropriately. For example, the second link object may be left blank.

[0115] (2-3) In the above embodiment, the database was replaced by dragging and dropping the database icon 61 onto the drop zone 30. However, the target area for dragging and dropping is not limited to the drop zone 30 and may be set anywhere. For example, the database may be replaced by dragging and dropping anywhere on the overview image 13a.

[0116] (2-4) The operation for requesting confirmation of database compatibility is not limited to dragging the database icon 61, and various other operation methods may be used. The operation for requesting replacement of the database is not limited to dragging and dropping the database icon 61, and various other operation methods may be used.

[0117] (2-5) The present disclosure is not limited to application to the printing device 101 in the form of a label printer. The present disclosure is applicable to various printing devices in forms other than label printers. (2-6) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1...information processing device, 2...control unit, 2a...CPU, 2b...memory, 3...display unit, 4...input unit, 5...storage unit, 5a...label image creation application, 6...communication unit, 10...home screen, 13a...overview image, 20...sample image, 21-23...first to third sample objects, 22a...highlighted display area, 30...drop zone, 51...standard template file, 52...extended template file, 55...SLBX file, 56...LBX file, 57...database file, 58...sample image file, 60...file selection window, 61...database icon, 101...printing device, 115, 120...label image, 121-123...first to third objects, 130...first database, 140...second database, 150...server.

Claims

1. An image processing program executable by a control unit in an information processing device including a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit, The control unit a first display process for displaying on the display unit an outline image showing an outline of a print image that can be printed by the printing device; Execute the printed image includes one or more objects and is associated with a first database, the one or more objects including a linked object associated with a first specific field, the first specific field being a specific data field in the first database; the overview image includes a sample image that is a sample of the print image, the sample image includes one or more sample objects that represent each of the one or more objects, and the one or more sample objects include a link sample object that represents the link object; The image processing program causes the control unit to a first reception process for receiving, via the input unit, a first request operation for requesting that a second database be linked to the print image; a highlighting process for highlighting the link sample object when the first request operation is accepted in the first accepting process and the second database has a second specified field that is a data field compatible with the first specified field; An image processing program that executes the following:

2. 2. The image processing program according to claim 1, In the highlighting process, the compatibility of the second specified field with the first specified field includes a name of the second specified field matching a name of the first specified field. Image processing program.

3. 2. The image processing program according to claim 1, The control unit a second display process for displaying a second database object, which is an object indicating the second database, on the display unit; Execute the first request operation includes an operation of dragging the second database object into a first area set in the sample image; Image processing program.

4. 4. The image processing program according to claim 3, the first area includes an icon indicating that the first database is associated with the printed image; Image processing program.

5. 2. The image processing program according to claim 1, The control unit a second receiving process for receiving, via the input unit, a second request operation for requesting that the second database be associated with the print image; an association change process for associating the second database with the print image instead of the first database when the second request operation is performed and the second database has the second specific field; An image processing program that executes the following:

6. 6. The image processing program according to claim 5, the association change process includes associating the second specified field with the link object instead of the first specified field; Image processing program.

7. 6. The image processing program according to claim 5, The control unit a second display process for displaying a second database selection screen including a second database object, which is an object indicating the second database, on the display unit; Execute The second request operation includes an operation of dragging and dropping the second database object into a second region associated with the sample image. Image processing program.

8. 8. The image processing program according to claim 7, the second area includes an icon indicating that the first database is associated with the printed image; Image processing program.

9. 2. The image processing program according to claim 1, The information processing device includes: A memory unit; a communication unit configured to be able to communicate with another information processing device different from the information processing device; Equipped with The image processing program causes the control unit to a file acquisition process for acquiring an integrated database file obtained by compressing a first file representing the print image and a second file representing the first database in a predetermined compression format from the other information processing device via the communication unit; a storage process of decompressing the database integrated file acquired by the file acquisition process and storing the first file and the second file in the storage unit; An image processing program that executes the following:

10. An information processing device including a display unit, an input unit, and a control unit, The control unit a first display process for displaying on the display unit an outline image showing an outline of a print image that can be printed by the printing device; configured to run the printed image includes one or more objects and is associated with a first database, the one or more objects including a linked object associated with a first specific field, the first specific field being a specific data field in the first database; the overview image includes a sample image that is a sample of the print image, the sample image includes one or more sample objects that represent each of the one or more objects, and the one or more sample objects include a link sample object that represents the link object; The control unit a first reception process for receiving, via the input unit, a first request operation for requesting that a second database be linked to the print image; a highlighting process for highlighting the link sample object when the first request operation is accepted in the first accepting process and the second database has a second specified field that is a data field compatible with the first specified field; An information processing device configured to execute the above.

Images