Program, label printer, and printing method

Abstract

To allow a label printer to create a label on which characters are printed with improved visibility.SOLUTION: A PC 1 that executes a label creation application 42 displays a text object 130 to be included in label data, on a user IF 13, and receives editing of the text object 130. The PC 1 enlarges the whole of a character string 132 presented on the text object 130, so that an uppermost position (first position P1) and a lowermost position (second position P2) of a colored portion of the character string 132 may be located an upper end 131a and a lower end 131b of an object area 131.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program for creating label data, a label printer, and a printing method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, printers that print on long print media are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printer that creates receipts by printing multiple lines of text, and determines whether there is a specified margin above or below each line based on the print data, and then reduces the specified margin on a line-by-line basis. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-124572 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In label printers that create labels by printing characters and other information on long print media, it is desirable to improve the visibility of the printed characters. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that reduces the amount of paper used while ensuring character visibility by removing margins, but the size of the characters themselves remains unchanged. Therefore, there is room for improvement in improving character visibility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A program designed to solve the above-mentioned problems is executable on an information processing device and causes the information processing device to create label data to be used for printing on a label printer. The program is configured to cause the information processing device to display text objects that can be included in the label data on a user interface of the information processing device and to execute an editing process to accept editing of the text objects. The program is also configured to cause the information processing device to execute an enlargement process to enlarge the entire character string shown in the text object so that the uppermost and lowermost positions in the height direction of the text object of a portion that will be colored when printed coincide with the uppermost and lowermost positions in the height direction of the text object in the object area of ​​the text object.

[0006] When a character string in a text object does not reach the top or bottom of the object area of ​​the text object in the height direction (width direction of the label), there is a gap between the character string and the top or bottom of the object area. Therefore, a program configured as described above that accepts editing of a text object enlarges the entire character string displayed in the text object so that the top and bottom positions of the character string in the height direction coincide with the top and bottom ends, respectively, of the object area of ​​the text object. This program is expected to improve the visibility of each character in the printed character string when printing label data containing a text object.

[0007] An apparatus for realizing the functions of the above program, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification realizes a technology that improves the visibility of printed characters when creating labels using a label printer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a personal computer equipped with the program of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining an example of an editing screen. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining an example of label data. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of the control procedure of text object editing processing [Figure 5] It is a sub - flowchart for explaining an example of the control procedure of enlargement processing. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the processing image of a character string. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining an example of enlargement. [Figure 8] [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a PC 1 and a label printer 3 are connected to be able to communicate with each other. The PC 1 is equipped with a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing device" or "device." The PC 1 is equipped with a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for hardware and software used to control the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the PC 1. Note that examples of an "information processing device" or "device" are not limited to PCs, but may also include mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablets.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with programs read from the memory 12 and based on user operations. The memory 12 stores various programs, including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 and a label creation application program (hereinafter referred to as "label creation app") 42, as well as various data, including enlargement setting information 46. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. A buffer provided in the CPU 11 is also an example of the memory 12. Note that the memory 12 is not limited to a ROM, RAM, HDD, etc. built into the PC 1, but may also be a storage medium readable and writable by the CPU 11, such as a recording medium, such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0013] The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for accepting user operations. The user IF 13 of the PC 1 may be a combination of a display 13a capable of displaying information and hardware keys having an input acceptance function, or may be a touch panel having a display function and an input acceptance function.

[0014] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the label printer 3. The communication IF 14 is compatible with a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or USB. The PC 1 may be equipped with multiple communication IFs 14 compatible with multiple communication standards.

[0015] The OS 21 is, for example, iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), or Linux (registered trademark).

[0016] The label creation application 42 is a program that, for example, accepts user instructions via the user IF 13 and, based on the accepted instructions, edits the image to be printed and sends a print instruction to the label printer 3. The label creation application 42 has a function to enlarge the character string of a text object included in the label data when an enlargement instruction to enlarge the character string is accepted. The label creation application 42 includes a reference table 45 that serves as a reference when enlarging the character string. The label creation application 42 is an example of a "program."

[0017] The enlargement setting information 46 is information indicating whether or not to enlarge a character string included in a text object. The enlargement setting information 46 may include information regarding the manner in which the character string is enlarged. The enlargement setting information 46 is arbitrarily set in response to a user operation. The label creation application 42, the reference table 45, and the enlargement setting information 46 will be described later.

[0018] <Outline of label printer configuration> The label printer 3 has at least a printing function and a communication function. When the label printer 3 receives a print instruction and label data to be printed from an external device such as the PC 1 via the communication function, it executes printing based on the label data to create a label. The label printer 3 may color the print medium by thermally transferring ink, as with thermal transfer labels, or may color the print medium by emitting light from a photosensitive layer using a print head, as with thermal labels.

[0019] The label printer 3 prints on a continuous tape-like print medium having a predetermined width and transports the print medium in parallel. In this embodiment, the print medium is referred to as "tape," and the width of the tape is referred to as "tape width." The direction in which the tape travels as it is transported through the label printer 3 is referred to as "tape length direction." The tape is made by overlapping continuous long pieces of tape and adhering them to a tape-like base material called a backing paper. The label printer 3 prints labels while unwinding, for example, a roll of tape stored inside, and then ejects the printed labels outside the printer. The label printer 3 may also be equipped with a cutter that cuts off the labels from the tape once they have been ejected outside the printer.

[0020] <Label creation overview> Next, an overview of label data will be described. When the label creation application 42 receives a label creation instruction, it displays, for example, an edit screen 50 shown in Fig. 2 on the user IF 13. The edit screen 50 is a screen for editing the label data.

[0021] The editing screen 50 includes, for example, a printer selection field 51 that accepts the selection of a device to execute printing, a paper setting field 52 that accepts various tape settings, a label display field 56 that displays an image of the label to be printed, an attribute setting field 55 that accepts the setting of the attributes of an object selected in the label display field 56, a print execution button 54 that accepts an instruction to execute printing, and an object specification field 53 that accepts instructions to add various objects. The label creation application 42 causes the PC 1 to accept instruction input into each field.

[0022] A preview image 100 of the label data including the specified object, a label frame 110, and a print area 120 indicating the printable area is displayed in the label display field 56. A margin 111 is provided between the label frame 110 and the print area 120.

[0023] For example, when the user selects an object to be included in the label data in the object specification field 53, the selected object is placed in the print area 120 of the label display field 56. The object may be, for example, a text object, a frame object, an image object, a symbol object, or a graphic object. One or more objects can be placed in the label display field 56. The attribute setting field 55 changes the attributes that can be accepted depending on the object specified in the label display field 56.

[0024] 2 shows a state in which a text object 130 is designated in the label display field 56, and attributes that can be set for the text object 130 are displayed in the attribute setting field 55. For example, when the text object 130 is designated, setting fields for the font, font size, and character style are displayed in the attribute setting field 55. Also displayed in the attribute setting field 55 are a check box 63 for accepting settings related to enlarging the character string 132, a first radio button 64, and a second radio button 65.

[0025] When the check box 63 is checked, it accepts a setting to enlarge the character string 132 included in the text object 130, and when it is not checked, it accepts a setting not to enlarge the character string 132. The first radio button 64 is an operator for accepting a first enlargement instruction. The first enlargement instruction is an instruction to enlarge the text object 130 and the character string 132. The second radio button 65 is an operator for accepting a second enlargement instruction. The second enlargement instruction is an instruction to enlarge the character string 132 without enlarging the text object 130.

[0026] The first and second radio buttons 64, 65 are enabled when the check box 63 is checked, and are disabled when the check box 63 is not checked. The first and second radio buttons 64, 65 are disabled, for example, by being grayed out. The first and second radio buttons 64, 65 may also be disabled by being hidden or by not accepting any operation.

[0027] The settings received via the check box 63 and the first and second radio buttons 64, 65 are stored in the enlargement setting information 46 in the memory 12. The enlargement setting information 46 is stored in the memory 12 when the label creation application 42 is installed. The initial value of the enlargement setting information 46 includes, for example, a setting that does not enlarge the character string 132, and stores neither the first enlargement instruction nor the second enlargement instruction. The enlargement setting information 46 is updated according to the settings received via the check box 63 and the first and second radio buttons 65. The enlargement setting information 46 may or may not be reset to its initial value each time editing of the label data is completed or the label creation application 42 is terminated.

[0028] The object specified in the label display field 56 is edited according to the settings in the attribute setting field 55. The label display field 56 shown in FIG. 2 is an example of a preview image 100 of label data in which a text object 130 including the character string "abcdefg" is placed in the print area 120 without accepting an enlargement instruction. For example, when the text object 130 is selected in the object specification field 53, a blank object frame 133 is displayed in the print area 120, allowing input of characters to be printed. The characters of the text object 130 specified in the label display field 56 are edited according to the attributes set in the attribute setting field 55. Editing of the text object 130 will be described later.

[0029] When the label creation application 42 accepts operation of the print execution button 54 using the user IF 13, it generates a print job including the label data being edited on the edit screen 50 and sends it to the label printer 3 selected in the printer selection field 51. The label printer 3 receives the print job sent by the label creation application 42 and performs printing based on the print job. This creates a label based on the label data.

[0030] <Outline of text object structure> The general configuration of a text object will now be described. Fig. 3 shows a text object 130 included in label data 150, into which the character string "abcdefg" has been input. In Fig. 3, the range of an object region 131 is clearly indicated by dot hatching.

[0031] The text object 130 in this embodiment represents one line of character string 132. The text object 130 is placed within the print area 120 of the label data 150. The number of characters in the character string 132 may be one or more. The text object 130 has an object area 131 inside an object frame 133, which indicates an area that can be colored by the label printer 3. The gap between the object frame 133 and the object area 131 is a margin 134. The part of the character string 132 of the text object 130 that is inside the object area 131 is printed, and the part outside the object area 1331 is not colored.

[0032] If the direction of the text object 130 parallel to the direction perpendicular to the tape feed direction in the label printer 3 (the tape width direction) is defined as the "height direction CH of the text object," and the direction of the text object 130 parallel to the tape feed direction in the label printer 3 (the tape length direction) is defined as the "length direction CL of the text object," then the object area 131 is a rectangular area surrounded by an upper end 131a and a lower end 131b that are parallel to the length direction CL, and left ends 131c and right ends 131d that are parallel to the height direction CH and connect to both ends of the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b. Note that in the figure, TW indicates the width direction of the print area 120. In the figure, TL indicates the length direction of the print area 120.

[0033] The text object 130 can be enlarged or reduced in response to a user operation until the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b of the object area 131 coincide with the upper end 120a and the lower end 120b of the print area 120 in the width direction TW.

[0034] The characters constituting the character string 132 are arranged based on five parallel lines, namely, an ascender line L1, a capital line L2, a mean line L3, a baseline L4, and a descender line L5, in order from the top of the character string. The character string 132 is arranged relative to the text object 130 so that the five lines L1 to L5 are parallel to the length direction CL of the text object 130.

[0035] In this embodiment, if the distance H1 between the capital line L2 and the baseline L4 is "1", the distance H2 between the capital line L2 and the ascender line L1 is set to 10% of the distance H1. The distance H3 between the mean line L3 and the capital line L2 is set to 30% of the distance H1. The distance H4 between the baseline L4 and the mean line L3 is set to 70% of the distance H1. The distance H5 between the baseline L4 and the descender line L5 is set to 30% of the distance H1.

[0036] Lines L1 to L5 are examples of "multiple types of lines." Ascender line L1 is an example of a "first line." Capital line L2 is an example of a "second line." Mean line L3 is an example of a "third line." Baseline L4 is an example of a "fourth line" or "reference line." Descender line L5 is an example of a "fifth line."

[0037] The five types of lines L1 to L5 are internal reference lines for positioning characters, and are not actually displayed or printed in the label display field 56. In this embodiment, characters are classified into six types of patterns, from a first pattern to a sixth pattern, depending on the position of the portion that will be colored when printed relative to the five types of lines L1 to L5.

[0038] The first pattern characters are those in which the bottom edge of the colored portion is on the baseline L4 and the top edge is between the baseline L4 and the midline L3. Examples of the first pattern characters include the alphabets "a," "c," and "s" shown in Figure 6(A). Other examples include the alphabets "w," "u," "o," "z," "x," "v," "n," and "m."

[0039] The second pattern characters are those in which the bottom edge of the colored portion is on the baseline L4 and the top edge is between the mean line L3 and the capital line L2. Examples of second pattern characters include the alphabets "A," "B," and "C" shown in Figure 7(A). Other examples include the alphabets "t," "i," "d," "f," "h," "k," "l," and "b."

[0040] The third pattern character is a character whose lower edge of the colored portion is on the baseline L4 and whose upper edge is between the capital line L2 and the ascender line L1. For example, the third pattern character includes characters with diacritical marks such as acute accents, grave accents, and umlauts attached above the character, as shown in Figure 7(B).

[0041] Characters in the fourth pattern are characters whose bottom edge of the colored portion is between the baseline L4 and the descender line L5, and between the baseline L4 and the midline L3. Characters in the fourth pattern include, for example, the letters "y," "p," and "q," as shown in Figure 7(C). Other examples include the letter "g."

[0042] A character in the fifth pattern is a character whose bottom edge of the colored portion is between the baseline L4 and the descender line L5, and whose top edge is between the mean line L3 and the capital line L2. Examples of characters in the fifth pattern include the alphabet "j" and "Q," as shown in Figure 7(D). Other examples include characters with diacritics such as a cedilla or ogonek attached below the character.

[0043] The characters in the sixth pattern are those in which the bottom of the colored portion is between the baseline L4 and the descender line L5, and the top of the colored portion is between the capital line L2 and the ascender line L1. For example, as shown in Figure 7(E), there is a character with diacritics both above and below the character.

[0044] Conventionally, when a character string 132 is arranged in a text object 130, the character string is always arranged so that the top ascender line L1 coincides with the top end 131a of the object area 131 and the bottom descender line L5 coincides with the bottom end 131b of the object area 131, as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, for example, as shown in Fig. 6(A) and the left diagrams of Figs. 7(A) to (D), when characters of the first to fifth patterns are arranged in the text object 130, there is a gap K between the character and the top end 131a or bottom end 131b of the object area 131. For example, as shown in Fig. 6(A), a character string 132A consisting only of characters of the first pattern has a gap K between the top end 131a of the object area 131 and the mean line L3.

[0045] The label creation application 42 of this embodiment determines which of the first to sixth patterns the characters included in the character string 132 belong to, and then switches the lines L1 to L5 that are aligned with the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b of the object region 131, as shown in the right diagrams of FIGS. 6(C) and 6(A) to 6(D), thereby enlarging the entire character string 132 so as to minimize the gap K. For example, the character string 132A shown in FIG. 6(A) is placed in the text object 130 so that the mean line L3 is aligned with the upper end 131a of the object region 131 and the baseline L4 is aligned with the lower end 131b of the object region 131, as shown in FIG. 6(C), thereby reducing the gap K between the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b of the object region 131 and the characters that make up the character string 132A. The enlargement process for enlarging the character string 132 will be described later.

[0046] <Text object editing process> The above-mentioned text object editing process will be explained with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 4. The procedures and processing steps of each program explained below basically indicate the processing of the CPU 11 in accordance with the instructions written in each program. That is, processes such as "judging," "deciding," "acquiring," and "receiving" in the following explanation represent the processing of the CPU 11. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the API of the OS 21. In this specification, the operation of each program will be explained without mentioning the OS 21. Furthermore, "acquiring" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request.

[0047] When the CPU 11 of the PC 1 receives the specification of the text object 130 in the label display field 56, it executes the text object editing process shown in Fig. 4 and accepts editing of the specified text object 130. The text object editing process is an example of an "editing process."

[0048] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a user operation has been accepted (S10) using the user IF 13. If a user operation has been accepted (S10: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the character string 132 has been changed by the user operation (S12).

[0049] For example, when a character is input into object area 131 after no character has been input, when a character is added to character string 132 displayed in object area 131, or when a character is deleted from character string 132 displayed in object area 131, CPU 11 determines that character string 132 has been changed (S12: YES). In this case, CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an enlargement instruction to enlarge character string 132 (S14).

[0050] For example, if the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting to enlarge a character string, the CPU 11 determines that an enlargement instruction has been issued (S14: YES). In this case, the CPU 11 executes an enlargement process to enlarge the entire character string 132 included in the text object 130 (S15), and then proceeds to S17. The enlargement process will be described later. S15 is an example of an "enlargement step."

[0051] On the other hand, if the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting that does not enlarge the character string, the CPU 11 determines that there is no enlargement instruction (S14: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 proceeds to S17 without executing the enlargement process of S15.

[0052] When the CPU 11 receives a user operation to change the character string 132 (S10: YES, S12: YES) while the designation of the text object 130 is not released (S17: NO), it executes the processes from S14 onwards in the same manner as described above. In other words, the enlargement process is executed every time the content of the character string 132 is changed.

[0053] For example, when the CPU 11 receives a user operation other than a change to the character string 132 (S10: YES, S12: NO) while the designation of the text object 130 is not released (S17: NO), it determines whether the enlargement setting has been changed by the user operation (S21).

[0054] 2, the setting of not enlarging the character string 132 is changed to a setting of enlarging the character string 132, and therefore the enlargement setting is determined to have been changed (S21: YES). Also, for example, when the CPU 11 receives a user operation to uncheck the check box 63, the setting of enlarging the character string 132 is changed to a setting of not enlarging the character string 132, and therefore the enlargement setting is determined to have been changed (S21: YES). Also, for example, when the CPU 11 receives a user operation to switch between the first radio button 64 and the second radio button 65 while the check box 63 is checked, the first enlargement instruction and the second enlargement instruction are switched, and therefore the enlargement mode of the character string 132 is changed, and therefore the enlargement setting is determined to have been changed (S21: YES).

[0055] When the enlargement setting is changed in this way (S21: YES), the CPU 11 updates the enlargement setting information 46 stored in the memory 12 in accordance with the change in the enlargement setting (S23), as shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the CPU 11 proceeds to S17.

[0056] On the other hand, if CPU 11 receives a user operation other than a change to character string 132 or a change to enlargement settings (S10: YES, S12: NO, S21: NO), it edits text object 130 in accordance with the user operation (S25). For example, if CPU 11 receives a change to the font, font size, or character style in attribute setting field 55 of FIG. 2, it changes the font, font size, or character style of the characters included in the specified text object. Then, CPU 11 proceeds to S17.

[0057] For example, if an object is added in the object specification field 53, if another object is specified in the label display field 56, or if a print instruction is received in response to operation of the print execution button 54, the CPU 11 determines that the specification of the text object has been released (S17: YES) and terminates the text object editing process.

[0058] <Enlargement processing> Next, the above-mentioned enlargement process will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The CPU 11 acquires the character string 132 shown in the specified text object 130 (S41), thereby specifying the object to be enlarged.

[0059] The CPU 11 determines the top line L101 from the five types of lines L1 to L5. The top line L101 is the line that contacts the first position P1, which is the uppermost position in the height direction CH, of the colored portion of the character string 132 to be enlarged, or the line that is the lowest of the lines above the first position P1. The highest position of the character string 132 refers to the highest position of the character that is tallest in the height direction CH among the characters that make up the character string 132.

[0060] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the character string 132 acquired in S41 includes any characters that extend above the capital line L2 (S42). For example, if the first position P1 of the character string 132 touches the ascender line L1 or is between the ascender line L1 and the capital line L2, the CPU 11 determines that the character string 132 acquired in S41 includes any characters that extend above the capital line L2 (S42: YES), and determines the ascender line L1 to be the top line L101.

[0061] When the CPU 11 determines that the character string 132 acquired in S41 does not include any characters that extend above the capital line L2 (S42: NO), it determines whether the character string 132 acquired in S41 includes any characters that extend above the mean line L3 (S51). For example, if the first position P1 of the character string 132 is in contact with the capital line L2 or is between the capital line L2 and the mean line L3, the CPU 11 determines that the character string 132 acquired in S41 includes characters that extend above the mean line L3 (S51: YES), and determines the capital line L2 to be the top line L101 (S52).

[0062] For example, if the first position P1 of the character string 132 is in contact with the mean line L3 or is between the capital line L2 and the mean line L3, the CPU 11 determines that the character string 132 obtained in S41 does not contain any characters that extend above the mean line L3 (S51: NO), and determines the mean line L3 to be the top line L101 (S53).

[0063] After determining the top line L101, the CPU 11 determines the bottom line L102 from the five types of lines L1 to L5. The bottom line L102 is the line that contacts the second position P2, which is the lowest position in the height direction CH, of the colored portion of the character string 132 to be enlarged, or the line that is in the uppermost position of the lines below the second position P2. The lowest position of the character string 132 refers to the lowest position of the character that is shortest in the height direction CH among the characters that make up the character string 132.

[0064] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the character string 132 acquired in S41 includes a character that extends below the baseline L4 (S44). For example, if the second position P2 of the character string 132 is in contact with the descender line L5 or is between the baseline L4 and the descender line L5, the CPU 11 determines that the character string acquired in S41 includes a character that extends below the baseline L4 (S44: YES), and determines the descender line L5 to be the bottom line L102 (S45).

[0065] On the other hand, for example, if the second position P2 of the character string 132 is in contact with the baseline L4, the CPU 11 determines that the character string 132 acquired in S41 does not contain any characters that extend below the baseline L4 (S44: NO), and determines the baseline L4 to be the bottom line L102 (S55).

[0066] A method for determining the top line L101 and bottom line L102 will be specifically described using an example of a character string 132. Fig. 6(A) shows a text object 130A including a character string 132A consisting only of Roman characters of the third pattern described above. In the character string 132A, the first position P1 does not extend above the mean line L3, and the second position P2 does not extend below the baseline L4. In this case, the mean line L3 is determined to be the top line L101, and the baseline L4 is determined to be the bottom line L102.

[0067] 7A shows a text object 130B including a character string 132B composed of Roman characters of the second and third patterns described above. In the character string 132B, a first position P1 that extends above a mean line L3 does not extend above a capital line L2, and a second position P2 does not extend below a baseline L4. In this case, the capital line L2 is determined as the top line L101, and the baseline L4 is determined as the bottom line L102.

[0068] 7B shows a text object 130C including a character string 132C composed of Roman characters of the first and third patterns described above. In the character string 132C, the first position P1 extends above the capital line L2, and the second position P2 does not extend below the baseline L4. In this case, the ascender line L1 is determined to be the top line L101, and the baseline L4 is determined to be the bottom line L102.

[0069] 7C shows a text object 130D including a character string 132D composed of Roman characters of the fourth and third patterns described above. The first position P1 of the character string 132D does not extend above the midline L3, and the second position P2 extends below the baseline L4. In this case, the midline L3 is determined to be the top line L101, and the descender line L5 is determined to be the bottom line L102.

[0070] 7(D) shows a text object 130E including a character string 132E composed of Roman characters of the fifth and third patterns described above. In the character string 132E, a first position P1 that extends above the mean line L3 does not extend above the capital line L2, and a second position P2 extends below the baseline L4. In this case, the capital line L2 is determined to be the top line L101, and the descender line L5 is determined to be the bottom line L102.

[0071] 7(E) shows a text object 130F including a character string 132F consisting entirely of Roman characters of the sixth pattern described above. In this case, the first position P1 of the character string 132F extends above the capital line L2, and the second position P2 extends below the baseline L4. In this case, the ascender line L1 is determined to be the top line L101, and the descender line L5 is determined to be the bottom line L102.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 5, the CPU 11 executes a change process to change the size of the entire character string 132 based on the determined top line L101 and bottom line L102 (S46), and then ends the enlargement process.

[0073] <Change processing> The change processing will be described with reference to FIG. 8. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8(A), the CPU 11 acquires the font size set in the specified text object 130 (S63). S63 is an example of an "acquisition step." The CPU 11 determines a font magnification indicating the magnification rate of the font size of the characters included in the text object 130 (S64). Furthermore, the CPU 11 determines the shift amount of the baseline L4 (S65). The CPU 11 changes the font size based on the magnification determined in S64 (S66). The CPU 11 changes the position of the baseline L4 based on the shift amount determined in S65 (S67). These processes will be described using a specific example.

[0074] In the label creation application 42, the font magnification and the shift amount of the baseline L4 based on the positions of the upper end line L101 and the lower end line L102 are predefined in the reference table 45 shown in FIG. 8(B).

[0075] For example, in the case of a character string 132A in which the mean line L3 is set to the top line L101 and the baseline L4 is set to the bottom line L102 as shown in text object 130A in Fig. 6(A), CPU 11 determines the font magnification to "2.0x" (S64) and the shift amount to "shift upward by 5%" (S65) based on reference table 45 shown in Fig. 8(B). The magnitude of the shift amount is set based on the distance H1 between the capital line L2 and the baseline L4.

[0076] 6(B), CPU 11 increases the font size of text object 130A by a font magnification factor of "2.0" (S66). As a result, the height direction CH and length direction CL of each character constituting character string 132A are each increased by 2.0. Therefore, the entire character string 132A is enlarged while maintaining the balance of the characters.

[0077] However, as shown by X in the figure, if the font size of character string 132A is changed without changing the position of text object 130A, the first position P1 or upper line L101 will be enlarged so that it approaches the upper end 131a of object area 131, but the second position P2 or lower line L102 will be positioned below the lower end 131b of object area 131, and there is a possibility that some parts will not be printed.

[0078] 6(C), CPU 11 shifts the position of baseline L4 upward (toward the upper end 120a of print area 120) by 5% of the distance H1 between capital line L2 and baseline L4 based on the shift amount determined using reference table 45. Character string 132A is shifted in accordance with the shift of baseline L4. As a result, for text object 130A, first position P1 or upper end line L101 of enlarged character string 132A is positioned at upper end 131a of object area 131, and second position P2 or lower end line L102 is positioned at lower end 131b of object area 131. Thus, character string 132A is enlarged to fill object area 131 while maintaining the balance of the characters and preventing partial loss during printing.

[0079] Also, for example, in the case of a character string 132B in which the capital line L2 is set to the top line L101 and the baseline L4 is set to the bottom line L102, as shown in the text object 130B in FIG. 7(A), the CPU 11 determines the font magnification to be "1.5x" and the shift amount to be "10% shift downward" based on the reference table 45 shown in FIG. 8(B).

[0080] Character string 132B, whose font size has been enlarged based on the determined font magnification, may have first position P1 or top line L101 extending above top end 131a of object area 131. However, character string 132B after font size enlargement is moved downward based on the determined shift amount. As a result, character string 132B of text object 130B after font size enlargement no longer extends above object area 131, and character string 132B as a whole is enlarged to fill object area 131 while maintaining the balance of the characters and preventing partial loss when printed.

[0081] Similarly, for example, for text object 130C shown in Fig. 7(B), text object 130D shown in Fig. 7(C), and text object 130E shown in Fig. 7(D), the font magnifications "1.21x," "1.5x," and "1.21x" and shift amounts "30% shift down," "40% shift up," and "10% shift up" are determined by comparing the positions of upper line L101 and lower line L102 with reference table 45, and character strings 132C, 132D, and 132E are enlarged and moved accordingly. As a result, text objects 130C, 130D, and 130E are enlarged to fill object area 131, respectively, so that the entire character strings 132C, 132D, and 132E are printed without missing any parts while maintaining the balance of the characters.

[0082] For example, in the case of a character string 132F in which ascender line L1 is set to the top line L101 and descender line L5 is set to the bottom line L102 as shown in text object 130F in Fig. 7(E), CPU 11 determines the font magnification to "1.0" and the shift amount to "no shift" based on reference table 45 shown in Fig. 8(B). Therefore, character string 132F, whose first position P1 and second position P2 are at the top end 131a and bottom end 131b of object area 131, is neither enlarged nor moved.

[0083] 8(A), after enlarging the entire character string 132A to the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b of the object area 131, the CPU 11 determines whether the first enlargement instruction or the second enlargement instruction has been received based on the enlargement setting information 46 in the memory 12 (S68). If the enlargement setting information 46 includes the first enlargement instruction, the CPU 11 determines that the first enlargement instruction has been received (S68: first enlargement instruction), and enlarges the text object 130 (S69).

[0084] 6(D), CPU 11 expands text object 130A so that top end 131a and bottom end 131b of object area 131 become top end 120a and bottom end 120b of print area 120. Accordingly, top end line L101 and bottom end line L102 of text object 130A become top end 131a and bottom end 131b of object area 131, and the entire character string 132A is expanded to fill print area 120 while maintaining the balance of the characters and preventing missing characters from occurring during printing. CPU 11 then proceeds to S17 in FIG.

[0085] On the other hand, if the enlargement setting information 46 includes a second enlargement instruction, the CPU 11 determines that the second enlargement instruction has been received (S68: Second enlargement instruction), does not enlarge the text object 130, and proceeds to S17 in Fig. 4. In this case, the text object 130A is enlarged so that the entire character string 132A extends to the upper end 131a and lower end 131b of the object area 131 while maintaining the balance of the characters, but is not enlarged to the upper end 120a and lower end 120b of the print area 120.

[0086] As explained above, for example, as shown in Figures 6(A), 7(A), 7(B), 7(C), and 7(D), if the character strings 132A to 132E in the text objects 130A to 130E do not reach the upper end 131a or the lower end 131b in the height direction CH of the object area 131 of the text objects 130A to 130E, there is a gap K between the character strings 132A to 132E and the upper end 131a or the lower end 131b of the object area 131. Therefore, the label creation application 42 of the first embodiment, which accepts editing of the text object 130, enlarges the entire character strings 132A-132E so that the uppermost position (first position P1) and the lowermost position (second position P2) in the height direction CH of the character string 132 shown in the text object 130 coincide with the upper end 131a and the lower end 131b, respectively, in the height direction CH of the object area 131 of the text objects 130A-130E. When printing label data including a text object, such a label creation application 42 is expected to improve the visibility of each character included in the printed character string 132.

[0087] For example, FIG. 9(A) shows a text object 130H including a character string 132H composed of Roman characters of the first to sixth patterns. FIG. 9(B) shows a label LB11 created by enlarging the character string 132H character by character without changing the size of the text object 130H shown in FIG. 9(A). FIG. 9(C) shows a label LB21 created by enlarging the character string 132H character by character without changing the size of the text object 130H shown in FIG. 9(A). FIG. 9(D) shows a label LB12 created by enlarging the text object 130H shown in FIG. 9(A) to the print area 120 and then enlarging the character string 132H character by character. FIG. 9(E) shows a label LB22 created by enlarging the text object 130H shown in FIG. 9(A) to the print area 120 and then enlarging the character string 132H character by character.

[0088] As shown by labels LB11 and LB12 in Figures 9(B) and 9(D), enlarging the character string 132H of the text object 130H character by character improves the visibility of each individual character. Furthermore, as shown by label LB12 in Figure 9(D), the characters of the character string 132H are enlarged to the upper end 120a and the lower end 120b of the print area 120, respectively, reducing the uncolored portion of the text object 130H. However, this could result in the baseline L4 being misaligned in relation to other characters, the font size varying from character to character, or the distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters becoming unclear, potentially resulting in an unbalanced character string 132H as a whole that is difficult to read.

[0089] In contrast, in the label creation application 42 of this embodiment, when the character string 132H of the text object 130H is enlarged throughout the entire character string 132H, as shown in labels LB21 and LB22 in Figures 9(C) and 9(E), it is possible to align the baseline L4 of all characters, make the font size uniform, and enlarge each character so that uppercase and lowercase letters can be clearly distinguished, thereby improving visibility without disrupting the balance of the entire character string 132H. Also, for example, the label LB22 shown in Figure 9(E) has larger gaps between the upper end 120a and the lower end 120b of the print area 120 and the characters of the character string 132, compared to the label LB12 shown in Figure 9(D), but the label length can be shortened, thereby reducing tape usage.

[0090] (Second embodiment) Next, a label printer according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the label printer enlarges the character string of a text object. This differs from the first embodiment, in which a label creation application installed in a PC enlarges the character string of a text object. The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and the same configurations and processes as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described as appropriate.

[0091] <Outline of label printer configuration> As shown in FIG. 10, the label printer 203 is communicably connected to a PC 1 that has a label creation application 242. The label printer 203 has a controller 230 that has a CPU 231 and memory 232. The label printer 203 also has a communication IF 234 and a printing unit 235, which are connected to the controller 230. The printing unit 235 includes a configuration for printing images on tape or the like. The controller 230, CPU 231, memory 232, and communication IF 234 are similar to the CPU 11, memory 12, and communication IF 14 of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. The label printer 203 is an example of a "device." The CPU 231 is an example of a "controller."

[0092] The memory 12 stores a control program 252. The control program 252 has a function to cause the printing unit 235 to execute printing based on label data. When the control program 252 causes the printing unit 235 to print label data including a text object, the control program 252 has a function to enlarge the character string of the text object in response to an enlargement instruction. The control program 252 includes a reference table 45.

[0093] <Label creation process overview> 11(A), the CPU 11 of the PC 1 displays the editing screen 50 provided by the label creation application 242 on the display 13a of the user IF 13 (S211), and edits the label data in accordance with the operation received via the editing screen 50 (S212). For example, the CPU 11 receives via the editing screen 50 a setting for whether to enlarge the character string 132 included in the text object 130, and a first enlargement instruction or a second enlargement instruction that specifies the enlargement manner of the character string 132, and stores enlargement setting information 46 including these settings in the memory 12. The CPU 11 executes the above process until, for example, a print execution instruction is received via the editing screen 50 (S213: NO). The label creation application 242 does not execute the enlargement process.

[0094] When the CPU 11 receives a print command (S213: YES), it generates a print job that includes the label data being edited (S214). Based on the enlargement setting information 46, the CPU 11 determines whether an enlargement command to enlarge the character string 132 has been received (S215).

[0095] If the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting to enlarge the character string 132, the CPU 11 determines that an enlargement instruction has been received (S215: YES) and associates an enlargement command that instructs enlargement of the character string 132 with the label data to be sent (S216). In this case, the CPU 11 associates the first enlargement instruction or the second enlargement instruction included in the enlargement setting information 46 with the label data to be printed. The CPU 11 then uses the communication IF 14 to send a print job that includes the label data associated with the enlargement command to the label printer 203 that will execute printing (S217). The CPU 11 then ends the label production process.

[0096] If the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting that does not enlarge the character string 132, the CPU 11 does not associate the enlargement command with the label data to be sent, and sends the print job to the label printer 203 using the communication IF 14 (S217).The CPU 11 then ends the label production process.

[0097] <Printing process> When the label printer 203 receives a print job using the communication IF 234, it executes the print process shown in Figure 11(B) using the control program 252. The CPU 231 of the label printer 203 determines whether there is an enlargement instruction (S231). If an enlargement command is associated with the label data included in the received print job, the CPU 231 determines that there is an enlargement instruction (S231: YES). In this case, the CPU 231 executes the enlargement process (S15) and enlarges the character string 132 of the text object 130 included in the label data. The CPU 231 then causes the printing unit 235 to print the label data including the enlarged character string 132 (S233), and the print process ends.

[0098] On the other hand, if the label data included in the received print job is not associated with an enlargement command, the label printer 203 determines that there is no enlargement instruction (S231: NO). In this case, the CPU 231 causes the printing unit 235 to print the received label data without executing the enlargement process (S233), and ends the printing process.

[0099] As described above, when the label printer 203 of the second embodiment causes the printing unit 235 to print based on label data associated with an enlargement command, it executes the enlargement process in the same way as the label creation application 42 of the first embodiment, enlarging the entire character string 132 of the text object 130 included in the label data to be printed. This improves the visibility of each character without disrupting the balance of the character string 132.

[0100] Furthermore, the label printer 203 of this embodiment associates an enlargement command and an enlargement mode with each piece of label data, so it can determine whether to enlarge text for each piece of label data, and the enlargement mode when text is enlarged for each piece of label data, providing a high degree of printing flexibility.

[0101] (Third embodiment) Next, a label printer according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The label printer 303 of this embodiment executes enlargement processing in response to an enlargement instruction received via the operation panel. This differs from the label printer 203 of the second embodiment, which executes enlargement processing in response to an enlargement command associated with label data received from the PC 1. The following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment, and the same configurations and processes as those of the second embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals in the drawings and will not be described as appropriate.

[0102] <Outline of label printer configuration> As shown in FIG. 12, the label printer 303 is communicably connected to a PC 1 in which a label creation application 342 is installed. The label printer 303 has an operation panel 333 connected to the controller 230. The operation panel 333 includes, for example, a display 333a that displays information, a touch panel 333b that accepts input operations, and a print button 333c that accepts a print execution instruction. The label printer 303 has a control program 352 stored in the memory 232 that controls the operation of the label printer 303. The memory 232 also stores a label creation application 342 that edits label data, accepts enlargement instructions, enlarges character strings, and the like. The label creation application 342 includes a reference table 45. The memory 232 also stores enlargement setting information 46. The label printer 303 is an example of a "device."

[0103] <Label data editing process> The label printer 303 receives, for example, a template of label data created by the PC 1 from the PC 1 using the communication IF 234 and stores it in the memory 232. For example, when the label creation application 342 receives an instruction to create label data, it displays an editing screen on the display 333a. For example, the label creation application 342 displays the template received from the PC 1 on the editing screen, receives input information for the template using the touch panel 333b, and edits the label data.

[0104] <Enlargement setting process> When the label creation application 342 receives a user operation via the operation panel 333, it causes the CPU 231 of the label printer 303 to execute the enlargement setting process shown in Fig. 13A, for example. The CPU 231 determines whether the enlargement setting for enlarging the character string of a text object has been changed (S331).

[0105] For example, the touch panel 333b has a mode switching button that switches between an enlargement mode in which the character string is enlarged and a non-enlargement mode in which the character string is not enlarged. That is, the label creation application 342 can receive an enlargement instruction to enlarge the character string via the mode switching button. The touch panel 333b has an enlargement mode setting button that receives a first enlargement instruction or a second enlargement instruction.

[0106] If the accepted user operation is the operation of the mode switching button or the enlargement mode setting button, the CPU 231 determines that the enlargement setting has been changed (S331: YES). In this case, the CPU 231 updates the enlargement setting information 46 based on the change (S332) and ends the enlargement setting process. On the other hand, if the accepted user operation is not the operation of the mode switching button or the enlargement mode setting button, the CPU 231 determines that the enlargement setting has not been changed (S331: NO) and ends the enlargement setting process without updating the enlargement setting information 46. Therefore, the label printer 303 can accept an enlargement instruction via the operation panel 333 even if an enlargement instruction is not associated with individual label data.

[0107] <Printing process> When the label creation application 342 receives a print instruction using the print button 333b while the edited label data is selected as described above, it executes the print process shown in Fig. 13(B). The label creation application 342 references the enlargement setting information 46 stored in the memory 232 in response to an operation on the operation panel 333, and determines whether an enlargement instruction has been issued (S351).

[0108] For example, if the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting to enlarge the character string, the label creation application 342 determines that an enlargement instruction has been issued (S351: YES), executes the enlargement process (S15), and proceeds to S352. This enlarges the character string of the text object included in the selected label data. On the other hand, if the enlargement setting information 46 includes a setting not to enlarge the character string, the label creation application 342 determines that an enlargement instruction has not been issued (S351: NO), does not execute the enlargement process (S15), and proceeds to S352.

[0109] In S352, the label creation application 342 generates print data based on the edited label data. The label creation application 342 passes the generated print data to the control program 352. The control program 352 causes the printing unit 235 to execute printing based on the received print data.

[0110] As described above, the label printer 303 of the third embodiment is highly convenient because it can enlarge character strings of text objects included in label data to be printed by performing a setting operation on the operation panel 333, eliminating the need to issue an enlargement instruction for each piece of label data.

[0111] It should be noted 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 spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the label creation application 42 may enlarge character strings for characters of different heights other than Roman characters. The reference table 45 may be incorporated into the PC 1 or label printer 203, 303 separately from the label creation application 42, 342 and the control program 252.

[0112] For example, the reference table 45 may not be necessary. However, the label creation application 42 and label printers 203, 303 can reduce the amount of calculation required to enlarge the character string 132 by determining the top line L101 and bottom line L102 based on five predetermined types of lines L1 to L5, and then comparing the determined top line L101 and bottom line L102 with the reference table 45 to determine the font magnification.

[0113] 8A may be omitted. However, it is necessary to shift the baseline L4 as the character string is enlarged. Therefore, the label creation application 42 and label printers 203, 303 determine the top line L101 and bottom line L102 based on five predetermined types of lines L1 to L5, compare the determined top line L101 and bottom line L102 with the reference table 45, determine the font magnification and the shift amount of the baseline L4, and shift the baseline L4, thereby reducing the amount of calculation required to enlarge the character string 132.

[0114] For example, the multiple types of lines that the text object 130 has may be different from the five types of lines L1 to L5. However, since Roman characters are formed by the five types of lines L1 to L5, if the font magnification and shift amount are determined based on the five types of lines L1 to L5, the amount of calculation required to enlarge the character string 132 can be reduced.

[0115] For example, the label creation application 42 may omit S14 in Fig. 4 and the check box 63 in Fig. 2 and always enlarge the character string 132. However, some users do not need to enlarge the character string 132. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, for example, the label creation application 42 may provide a check box 63 on the editing screen 50 that accepts a setting as to whether or not to enlarge the character string 132, and enlarge the character string 132 in response to an instruction from the user, thereby enabling the character string 132 to be processed in a manner that suits the user's intention.

[0116] For example, the setting of whether to enlarge the text string and the enlargement mode may be accepted based on a method other than the check box 63 or the first and second radio buttons 64, 65 displayed on the editing screen 50, such as an operation from a menu.

[0117] 2 and S68 and S69 in FIG. 8 may be omitted, and the entire character string 132 may be enlarged within the object area 131, without enlarging it to the print area 120. However, by enlarging the text object 130 to fit the print area 120 and then enlarging the character string 132 to fit the enlarged text object 130, the visibility of the characters may be further improved.

[0118] 2 and S68 and S69 in Fig. 8 may be omitted, and the entire character string 132 may always be enlarged in the same enlargement manner. However, the label creation application 42 and label printers 203, 303 accept two types of enlargement instructions, a first enlargement instruction and a second enlargement instruction, and the first enlargement instruction enlarges the text object 130 and then enlarges the character string 132 to match the enlarged text object 130, while the second enlargement instruction enlarges only the character string 132 without enlarging the text object 130, allowing the user to select the enlargement manner of the character string 132 and increasing the degree of freedom in label design.

[0119] 4 after receiving a print instruction in S17, and may perform enlargement processing on the text object 130 for which the content of the character string 132 has been finalized. However, by performing the enlargement processing each time the content of the character string 132 is changed, that is, each time a character is input, the label creation application 42 can display the character string 132 in the label display field 56 on the editing screen 50 at an optimal magnification each time the character string 132 is changed, which is convenient.

[0120] For example, when enlargement settings or enlargement processing is performed on the label printer side, there is a possibility that the character string will be enlarged against the user's intention. Therefore, for example, the label printer 303 may display a preview image on the operation panel 333 after enlargement processing.

[0121] For example, the label printer 303 may receive label data including a text object from the PC 1 and enlarge the character string of the text object in response to an enlargement instruction received via the operation panel 333.

[0122] In addition, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or can be executed in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in the processing content. For example, in the enlargement processing shown in Figure 8, the bottom line L102 may be determined first, and then the top line L101 may be determined.

[0123] The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by hardware such as a single CPU, multiple CPUs, or ASIC, or a combination thereof. The processes disclosed in the embodiments may be realized in various ways, such as a recording medium on which a program for executing the processes is recorded, or a method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1 PC 3,203,303 Label Printer 13 User Interface 42 Printing Program 130 Text Objects 131 Object Area 132 strings 150 Label Data 231 CPU 232 memory 234 Communication Interface 235 Printing Department 333 Operation Panel CH Height of the text object P1 1st position P2 2nd position

Claims

1. A program executable by an information processing device to cause the information processing device to create label data to be used for printing by a label printer, The information processing device includes: displaying text objects that can be included in the label data on a user interface of the information processing device, and executing an editing process for accepting editing of the text objects; The information processing device further includes: executes an enlargement process for enlarging the entire character string so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of a portion of the character string shown in the text object that will be colored when printed in the height direction of the text object coincide with the upper end and lower end, respectively, of the object area of ​​the text object in the height direction; A program that is structured as follows.

2. 2. The program according to claim 1, the object region of the text object includes a plurality of types of lines that are different in position in the height direction of the text object and are parallel to the length direction of the text object; In the enlargement process, a top line is defined as a line that is adjacent to a first position, which is the uppermost position in the height direction of the character string shown in the text object, or a line that is located at the lowermost position among lines that are located at a position above the first position; a bottom line is defined as a line that is adjacent to a second position, which is the lowermost position in the height direction of the character string shown in the text object, or a line that is located at the uppermost position among lines that are located at a position below the second position; and a magnification ratio for enlarging the entire character string is determined based on the top line and the bottom line. A program that is structured as follows.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, the plurality of types of lines include a reference line for arranging each character constituting the character string shown in the text object in a length direction of the text object; In the enlargement process, determining the magnification for enlarging the entire character string and the shift amount for shifting the position of the reference line in the height direction of the text object based on the top line and the bottom line; A program that is structured as follows.

4. 3. The program according to claim 2, the text object includes, as the plurality of types of lines, five types of lines, namely, a first line, a second line, a third line, a fourth line, and a fifth line, in that order from the top in the height direction of the text object; In the enlargement process, If the character string shown in the text object includes characters that extend above the second line, the first line is set as the top line; if the character string includes characters that do not extend above the second line but extend above the third line, the second line is set as the top line; and if there are no characters that extend above the third line, the third line is set as the top line; If the character string shown in the text object includes characters that extend below the fourth line, the fifth line is set as the bottom line, and if no characters extend below the fourth line, the fourth line is set as the bottom line; determining a magnification for enlarging the entire character string based on the set upper end line and lower end line; A program that is structured as follows.

5. 2. The program according to claim 1, The information processing device includes: receiving an enlargement instruction during editing of the text object by the editing process, and executing the enlargement process in response to receiving the enlargement instruction via the user interface; A program that is structured as follows.

6. 6. A program according to claim 5, In the enlargement process, enlarging the text object so that the upper and lower ends of the text object in the height direction in the object area become the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the width direction of the print area, and enlarging the entire character string so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of the text object in the height direction of the character string shown in the text object become the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the height direction of the object area of ​​the enlarged text object; A program that is structured as follows.

7. 6. A program according to claim 5, the enlargement instruction that can be accepted during editing of the text object by the editing process includes a first enlargement instruction and a second enlargement instruction; In the enlargement process, When the first enlargement instruction is received as the enlargement instruction, the method enlarges the text object so that the upper and lower ends of the object area of ​​the text object in the height direction become the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the width direction of a print area, and enlarges the entire character string so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of the character string shown in the text object in the height direction become the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the object area of ​​the enlarged text object in the height direction, when the second enlargement instruction is received as the enlargement instruction, the text object is not enlarged, and the entire character string is enlarged so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of the character string shown in the text object in the height direction of the text object become the upper end and the lower end, respectively, in the height direction of the object area of ​​the unenlarged text object; A program that is structured as follows.

8. 2. The program according to claim 1, The information processing device includes: executing the enlargement process every time the content of the character string shown in the text object is changed during editing of the text object by the editing process; A program that is structured as follows.

9. A printing department; A controller; Equipped with The controller When printing based on label data is performed by the printing unit, The apparatus is capable of executing an enlargement process for enlarging the entire character string shown in a text object included in the label data so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of a portion of the character string shown in the text object included in the label data that will be colored when printed in the height direction of the text object coincide with the uppermost and lowermost ends of the object area of ​​the text object in the height direction, respectively. A label printer configured to:

10. 10. The label printer according to claim 9, the object region of the text object includes a plurality of types of lines that are different in position in the height direction of the text object and are parallel to the length direction of the text object; In the enlargement process, a top line is defined as a line that is adjacent to a first position, which is the uppermost position in the height direction of the character string shown in the text object, or a line that is located at the lowermost position among lines that are located at a position above the first position; a bottom line is defined as a line that is adjacent to a second position, which is the lowermost position in the height direction of the character string shown in the text object, or a line that is located at the uppermost position among lines that are located at a position below the second position; and a magnification ratio for enlarging the entire character string is determined based on the top line and the bottom line. A label printer configured to:

11. 10. The label printer according to claim 9, An operation panel, Memory and Equipped with the operation panel accepts a setting as to whether or not to enlarge a character string displayed in a text object; The memory stores the settings received via the operation panel, The controller When the printing unit prints based on the label data, When the setting for enlarging a character string displayed in a text object is stored in the memory, the enlarging process is executed; When the setting for not enlarging a character string displayed in a text object is stored in the memory, the enlargement process is not executed. A label printer configured to:

12. 10. The label printer according to claim 9, a communication interface is provided, and the label data can be received from an information processing device connected via the communication interface, and the information processing device can associate an enlargement command with the label data to be transmitted; The controller When the printing unit is caused to print based on the label data received via the communication interface, if the enlargement command is associated with the received label data, the enlargement process is executed. A label printer configured to:

13. A printing method for causing a label printer to print based on label data, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring, by the information processing device that creates the label data or the label printer, a character string indicated in a text object included in the label data to be printed; an enlargement step of enlarging the entire character string acquired by the device that performed the acquisition step so that the uppermost and lowermost positions of a portion of the character string acquired in the acquisition step, in a height direction of the text object, that will be colored when printed, correspond to the upper end and lower end, respectively, in the height direction of an object area of ​​the text object; A printing method including:

Images