program

Abstract

To provide a program with label editing functionality that makes it easier for users to identify content that extends beyond the printable area. [Solution] PC1 displays the editing screen 50 on the display 13a using the label editing application 41. The editing screen 50 displays a text object 60 consisting of a string 61 and an object frame 62. The position of the text object 60 changes in accordance with the change in the position of the object frame 61. PC1 displays the second character 61b of the string 61 of the text object 60, which is not in the printable area 58b, on the display 13a in a different color from the first character 61a which is in the printable area 58b.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program having a label editing function. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, a program having a label editing function is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of an editor program having a label editing function that displays a warning icon when a character frame protrudes from the print guarantee area of a label. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-250701 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] If the content arranged on the editing screen protrudes from the print guarantee area of the label, it may result in an unintended printing result for the user. Therefore, it is desirable to notify the user of the existence of such content. With the warning according to Patent Document 1, although the user can know that there is an overhang, it is difficult to grasp which content is protruding. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0005] One embodiment of a program made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems is a program executable on an information processing device, which causes the information processing device to perform a screen display process to display an editing screen for accepting label editing on the display of the information processing device, the editing screen displays the printable area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows the placement of a text object whose content is a string composed of multiple characters, the text object has an object frame that shows the outline of the text object, the string is placed within the object frame, and the position of the text object including the string can be changed by changing the position of the object frame through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, the object frame can also be moved outside the printable area, and the information processing device is further configured to perform a character display process for each character constituting the string included in the text object placed on the editing screen, which causes the first character that fits within the printable area to be displayed on the display in a first color, and the second character that does not fit within the printable area to be displayed on the display in a second color different from the first color.

[0006] An information processing device that executes a program having the above configuration displays, for each character constituting a string contained in a text object, the second character that does not fit within the printable area is displayed in a second color different from the first color used to display the first character that fits within the printable area. By changing the color of the second character, the character that extends beyond the printable area becomes more noticeable on the editing screen, making it easier for the user to understand the text object's overflow. Furthermore, because it is easier for the user to understand how the character is overflowing, it is also easier to correct objects where the character extends beyond the printable area.

[0007] Another embodiment of the program made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems is a program executable on an information processing device, wherein the information processing device is configured to execute a screen display process that displays an editing screen for accepting label editing on the display of the information processing device, the editing screen displays the printable area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows the placement of a text object whose content is a string composed of multiple characters, the text object has an object frame that shows the outline of the text object, the string is placed within the object frame, and the position of the text object including the string can be changed by changing the position of the object frame through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, the object frame can also be moved outside the printable area, and the information processing device is further configured to execute a character display process that, for each character constituting the string included in the text object placed on the editing screen, displays the first character, which is a character that fits within the printable area, on the display in a first font, and displays the second character, which is a character that does not fit within the printable area, on the display in a second font different from the first font.

[0008] An information processing device that executes a program having the above configuration displays the second character that does not fit within the printable area of ​​each character constituting the string contained in a text object in a different font than the first character that fits within the printable area. By changing the font of the second character, the character that extends beyond the printable area becomes more noticeable on the editing screen, making it easier for the user to understand the text object's overflow. Furthermore, because it is easier for the user to understand how the character is overflowing, it is also easier to correct objects where the character extends beyond the printable area.

[0009] The devices, control methods, and storage media readable by the computer storing the above-mentioned program are also novel and useful for realizing the functions of the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the technology disclosed in this specification, a program having a label editing function realizes a technology that enables a user to easily grasp the content that protrudes from the printing guarantee area.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal computer equipped with a label editing application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure for label editing processing. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of an editing screen. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure for character display processing. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a display of a text object. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a display of a text object. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure for label editing processing executed by a label editing application according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart for explaining an example of a control procedure for character display processing according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a display of a text object.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, the device according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a program that causes an information processing device connected to a label printer to perform label editing.

[0013] (First Embodiment) <Schematic Configuration of PC1> As shown in FIG. 1, the PC1 includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC1 includes 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. The PC1 can be communicably connected to the label printer 3. The PC1 is an example of an "information processing device". An example of the information processing device is not limited to the PC1, and may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0014] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operation. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used for the control of the PC1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware actually existing in the PC1.

[0015] The memory 12 of the PC1 in this embodiment stores various programs and various data including a label editing application program (hereinafter referred to as "label editing app") 41. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed.

[0016] The CPU 11 may read the label editing app 41 from a storage medium readable by the CPU 11. As the storage medium readable by the CPU 11, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, or the like can be used.

[0017] The label editing app 41 is, for example, a program that causes the PC1 to display an editing screen for editing a label and edits an image of the label to be printed based on an instruction from the user received via the user IF 13. The label editing app 41 may have a function of receiving a print instruction via the user IF 13 and transmitting a print job based on the edited image to the label printer 3. The label editing process for editing the label will be described later. The label editing app 41 is an example of a "program".

[0018] The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen to notify the user of information and hardware for receiving operations by the user. The user IF 13 may be composed of separate hardware for the display function and the operation function, such as a display 13a and an operation unit 13b such as a keyboard or a mouse, or the display function and the operation function may be composed of one hardware such as a touch panel. The operation unit 13b is an example of an "input interface".

[0019] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device. The communication standard of the communication IF 14 is Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), USB, etc. The PC 1 may be provided with a plurality of communication IF 14 corresponding to a plurality of communication standards. The communication method may be wired or wireless.

[0020] <Configuration of Label Printer 3> The label printer 3 is a device that prints an image on a long printable medium that becomes a label. The label printer 3 performs printing on a continuous tape-shaped printable medium having a predetermined width and conveys the printable medium, and causes a printed portion of the printable medium to protrude outside the machine. The printing method of the label printer 3 may be a thermal transfer method or a thermal sensitivity method.

[0021] In this embodiment, the printable medium is a "tape". The tape is, for example, a plurality of seal-shaped labels arranged in the length direction of the tape and attached to a mount that is a tape-shaped base material. The shape of the label may be rectangular, T-shaped, circular, oval, or a shape in which a square is cut into a circle. The label printer 3, for example, performs printing on the label while unwinding a built-in roll-shaped tape and cuts out the printed label from the tape. The label printer 3 may be able to handle a plurality of types of tape widths.

[0022] <Label Editing Process> The label editing function described above will be explained with reference to Figure 2. When the label editing application 41 is launched and PC1 receives an editing instruction, the CPU 11 uses the label editing application 41 to execute the label editing process shown in Figure 2. In the label editing process, the image to be printed on the label is edited via the editing screen 50 exemplified in Figure 3.

[0023] Specifically, the CPU 11 first determines whether the label printer 3 to be controlled has already been selected (S11). For example, if the label printer 3 to be controlled is registered in the label editing application 41, the CPU 11 determines that the label printer 3 has already been selected (S11:YES). In this case, the CPU 11 selects the already selected label printer 3 (S13) and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if the label printer 3 has not already been selected (S11:NO), the CPU 11 accepts the selection of the label printer 3 (S12) and then proceeds to S14. Once the label printer 3 to be controlled is selected, the CPU 11 displays the editing screen 50 exemplified in Figure 3 on the display 13a (S14). S14 is an example of "screen display processing".

[0024] The editing screen 50 illustrated in Figure 3 includes a printer selection field 51, a label attribute setting area 52, an edited image display area 58, an object setting area 57, and various operation buttons.

[0025] The printer selection field 51 accepts the selection of the printer to be controlled. In the initial display of the printer selection field 51, the label printer 3 selected in S12 or S13 is displayed in the printer selection field 51. The label attribute setting area 52 is an area that accepts settings related to label attributes. Label attributes include, for example, label width, length, and margins. In the initial display of the label attribute setting area 52, the tape information obtained from the printer selected in the printer selection field 51 is displayed in each item of the label attribute setting area 52. For example, the tape information of the tape currently loaded in the selected printer is displayed in the label attribute setting area 52.

[0026] The editing image display area 58 is the area that displays the image being edited. The editing image display area 58 includes a print-guaranteed area 58b and an area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a. The print-guaranteed area 58b is an area that virtually represents the label and guarantees the printing of the image. On the other hand, the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a is an area that virtually represents the outside of the label and is an area where the image cannot be printed on the label. In the initial display of the editing image display area 58, the print-guaranteed area 58b is displayed based on the tape information set in the label attribute setting area 52. For example, in Figure 3, when the tape information in the label attribute setting area 52 is set to a tape with a label that has a square cut into a circle, the print-guaranteed area 58b that virtually represents the label is displayed in the editing image display area 58.

[0027] To allow users to edit images while visualizing the print result, the print-guaranteed area 58b of the editable image display area 58 is displayed in the same color as the label's background color (e.g., white), while the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a is displayed in a different color from the label's background color (e.g., light gray). Preferably, the color of the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a is also different from the color of the content printed on the label, so that users can understand the content that extends beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b. The color of the print-guaranteed area 58b is an example of a "third color," and the color of the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a is an example of a "fourth color."

[0028] One or more objects can be placed in the editing image display area 58. An object consists of a rectangular object frame that shows the outline of the object and content placed within the object frame. The position of an object can be changed by changing the position of the object frame through operations via the operation unit 13b. The size of an object can also be changed by changing the size of the object frame through operations via the operation unit 13b. The label editing application 41 comes pre-prepared with several types of objects that can be placed in the editing image display area 58. Examples of object types include text objects, graphic objects, and two-dimensional code objects. The strings, graphics, and two-dimensional codes contained in each of the text object, graphic object, and two-dimensional code object are examples of "content". Figure 3 shows an example of the editing screen 50 with a text object 60 placed in the editing image display area 58, but in the initial display of the editing screen 50, no objects are placed in the print guarantee area 58b.

[0029] The CPU 11, which initially displays the editing screen 50, determines whether a text object has been selected (S21). The label editing application 41 displays pre-prepared object types in the object selection field 53 for selection. The label editing application 41 can select objects to place on the label via the object selection field 53.

[0030] For example, if a text object is selected in the object selection field 53 (S21:YES), the CPU 11 places the text object 60 in the editing image display area 58 in an active state (S22). An active object means that the object is editable. Objects displayed in the editing image display area 58 can be switched between active and inactive states by operating the operation unit 13b. For example, in this configuration, the CPU 11 places the text object 60 in an active state on the display 13a by displaying the object frame 62 of the text object 60, whose content is a string 61, in the print guarantee area 58b. The object frame 62 of the initially displayed text object 60 is placed in the print guarantee area 58b such that all four sides fit within the print guarantee area 58b.

[0031] In this form of text object 60, the background color of the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 is initially set to either "100%" transparency or "none" fill. As a result, the color of the printable area 58b drawn behind the text object 60, and the color of the area outside the printable area 58a, are displayed within the object frame 62. The background color of the text object 60 can be changed by the user. The object frame 62 is displayed in a default color (for example, black). The object frame 62 may also be displayed in a frame color specified by the user, or a frame color automatically selected by the label editing application 41.

[0032] The initially displayed text object 60 has no text entered in it. However, the text object 60 may have sample text pre-filled in it. Depending on the selection of the text object 60, the CPU 11 displays the attributes that can be set for the text object 60 and their settings in the object settings area 57 of the editing screen 50. The attributes that can be set for the text object 60 include, for example, font, font size, font color, background color, and text decoration (bold, italics, underline, etc.).

[0033] When the CPU 11 displays the selected text object 60 in an active state, it determines whether or not there is an editing operation on the selected text object 60 (S23). If there is no editing operation on the selected text object 60 (S23: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to S26, described below. If there is an editing operation on the selected text object 60 (S23: YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the operation is an operation to add characters (S24). The CPU 11 determines that there is an operation to add characters when one character is entered via the operation of the operation unit 13b. If there is an operation to add characters (S24: YES), the CPU 11 displays the added characters in the first color (S25). The first color is determined according to the attributes of the text object 60. The first color is, for example, the printing color of the label. S25 is an example of a "character addition process".

[0034] When CPU 11 displays the added characters in the first color, it determines whether the text object 60 being edited has been switched from an active state to an inactive state (S26). If CPU 11 cannot switch the text object 60 to an inactive state (S26: NO), it returns to S23 and waits for the next operation on the text object 60.

[0035] On the other hand, if another object is selected in the object selection field 53 of the editing screen 50, for example, the CPU 11 switches the text object 60 being edited from an active state to an inactive state. When the text object 60 is switched to an inactive state, the object frame 62 is hidden. Also, for example, if the CPU 11 receives a print command or save command via the operation buttons on the editing screen 50, it deactivates the active text object 60.

[0036] When the text object 60 is switched to an inactive state (S26:YES), CPU 11 returns to S21. The processing from S21 onwards will be described later.

[0037] If the editing operation on the selected text object 60 is not an operation to add characters (S23: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the editing operation on the selected text object 60 involves changing the position or size of the object frame 62 (S31). If the CPU 11 determines that there is an operation to change the position or size of the object frame 62 (S31: YES), it changes the position or size of the text object 60 according to the operation (S32).

[0038] For example, when the CPU 11 uses the operation unit 13b to perform a drag-and-drop operation on the text object 60, it determines that there is an operation to change the position of the object frame 62, and changes the position of the text object 60 from the starting position of the drag to the ending position of the drag, i.e., the drop position.

[0039] For example, if the CPU 11 uses the operation unit 13b to perform a drag operation on one of the four sides of the object frame 62, or on one of the four corners of the object frame 62, it determines that there is an operation to change the size of the object frame 62 and changes the size of the corresponding text object 60.

[0040] The object frame 62, whose position or size has been changed, may be entirely within the printable area 58b, or partially or entirely outside the printable area 58b. In other words, the text object 60 can be resized and positioned outside the printable area 58b. In this case, at least a portion of the text object 60 will be in the area 58a outside the printable area. Furthermore, the object frame 62 can be resized and positioned even if no characters are entered in the text object 60.

[0041] When the position or size of the text object 60 is changed, the CPU 11 executes character display processing (S33) and proceeds to S26. The character display processing is the process of displaying characters that do not fit within the printable area 58b in a different color than the characters that do fit within the printable area 58b if there are characters in the string 61 that make up the text object 60 that do not fit within the printable area 58b. When the position or size of the text object 60 is changed, the characters that make up the string 61 may extend beyond the printable area 58b. Therefore, the label editing application 41 in this form executes character display processing when the position or size of the text object 60 is changed. The character display processing will be described later. The processing in S26 has been described above, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0042] The CPU 11 determines whether an editing operation on the selected text object 60 is an operation to change the font size (S35) if it is not an operation to change the position or size of the object frame 62 (S31: NO). If the CPU 11 determines that an operation to change the font size of the text object 60 is performed (S35: YES), it changes the font size of the string 61 (S36), then performs the character display process (S33), and proceeds to S26. The text object 60 expands in size in accordance with the expansion of the font size of the string 61, and the characters constituting the string 61 may extend beyond the printable area 58b. Therefore, the CPU 11 performs the character display process at the time the font size of the text object 60 is changed. The character display process will be described later.

[0043] If the editing operation on the selected text object 60 is not an operation to add characters, an operation to change the position or size of the object frame 62, or an operation to change the font size (S24:NO, S31:NO, S35:NO), CPU 11 performs other text editing operations (S37) and proceeds to S26. For example, if the font is changed in the object setting area 57, CPU 11 displays the string 61 in the changed font.

[0044] If the text object 60 is not selected (S21: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether there are any other editing operations (S41). If there are other editing operations, the CPU 11 performs processing according to those operations (S42) and returns to S21. For example, if a two-dimensional code object is selected in the object selection field 53, the CPU 11 edits the two-dimensional code object according to the operation of the operation unit 13b. Also, for example, if the tape to be used is changed in the label attribute setting area 52 of the editing screen 50 from a tape with a rectangular label with rounded corners attached to the backing to a tape with a T-shaped label attached to the backing, the CPU 11 sets the shape of the print guarantee area 58b to a T-shape. In this case, the CPU 11 does not change the position or size of the object. Also, for example, if the CPU 11 receives a print command via the editing screen 50, it generates print data based on the edited image and sends the print job containing the generated print data to the label printer 3. Furthermore, for example, if the CPU 11 receives a save command via the editing screen 50, it generates a file that stores the contents of the edited image and saves that file to a predetermined location.

[0045] If there are no other editing operations (S41:NO), CPU 11 determines whether or not to terminate the label editing process (S43). If the exit button 54 on the editing screen 50 is not operated, CPU 11 decides not to terminate the label editing process. If the label editing is not terminated (S43:NO), CPU 11 returns to S21 and waits for the next operation. On the other hand, if the exit button 54 is operated, CPU 11 decides to terminate the label editing process (S43:YES) and terminates the label editing process shown in Figure 2.

[0046] <Character display processing> The character display process described above will be explained with reference to Figure 4. When the position or size of the text object 60 is changed, or when the character size of the text object 60 is changed, the CPU 11 executes the character display process shown in Figure 4 by the label editing application 41.

[0047] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the string 61 constituting the text object 60 contains a second character that does not fit within the printable area 58b (S61). If the CPU 11 finds a second character (S61: YES), it displays the second character in a second color (S62) and terminates the character display process. It is desirable that the second color be different from the character color (first color) of the first character that fits within the printable area 58b, the display color of the printable area 58b, i.e., the background color of the label, and the display color of the area 58a outside the printable area. This is because the second character that does not fit within the printable area 58b is displayed more conspicuously, making it easier for the user to find the second character. The CPU 11 does not change the display color of the first character that fits within the printable area 58b and continues to display it in the first color.

[0048] Specifically, the characters are designed within a reference frame located inside a square virtual body standardized by the JIS standard. Both the virtual body and the reference frame are internal frames for arranging characters and are not displayed on the editing screen 50 or printed on the label. The CPU 11 determines for each character whether the reference frame extends beyond the printable area 58b. The CPU 11 designates characters whose reference frame does not extend beyond the printable area 58b as the first character that fits within the printable area 58b. The CPU 11 designates characters whose reference frame extends beyond the printable area 58b in any way as the second character that does not fit within the printable area 58b.

[0049] For example, when the characters of a string that makes up a text object, such as kanji, hiragana, and katakana, are in a Japanese font, each character is designed based on a square reference frame. In the text object 60 illustrated in Figure 5, the characters "テ", "キ", "ス", and "ト" that make up the string 61 are all placed within the print guarantee area 58b, with their entire reference frames contained within the print guarantee area 58b. For "ジ", a portion of the reference frame is placed within the print guarantee area 58b, with the remainder placed in the area 58a outside the print guarantee area, beyond the rightmost edge 58b-R in the figure, and therefore does not fit within the print guarantee area 58b. For the characters "ェ", "ク", and "ト", their entire reference frames are placed in the area 58a outside the print guarantee area, and therefore do not fit within the print guarantee area 58b. The CPU 11 treats "ジ", "ェ", "ク", and "ト" as second characters 61b that do not fit within the printable area 58b, and changes their display color from the first color to the second color. The CPU 11 continues to display "テ", "キ", "ス", and "ト" as first characters 61a that fit within the printable area 58b, in the first color. In other words, any character whose colored portion extends beyond the printable area 58b is treated as a second character and displayed in the second color.

[0050] For example, if the characters in a string that makes up a text object, such as the alphabet, are in a Western font, the height within the reference frame will differ depending on the character. Western font characters are designed based on five reference lines (ascender line, capital line, mean line, baseline, and descender line) that are placed parallel to each other from the top edge of the reference frame. The five reference lines are internal reference lines for positioning characters and are not displayed on the editing screen 50 or printed on the label. The reference frame is divided into four sections from top to bottom by the five reference lines. The first section is the section between the ascender line and the capital line. The second section is the section between the capital line and the mean line. The third section is the section between the mean line and the baseline. The fourth section is the section between the baseline and the descender line. If the string contains characters in a Western font, the CPU 11 determines whether there are any sections among the first to fourth sections that extend beyond the print guarantee area 58b for the characters in the Western font.

[0051] When the CPU 11 determines whether or not a character of a Western font extends beyond the printable area 58b in the vertical direction, it determines whether or not there is a section among the first to fourth sections of the string that extends outside the printable area 58b. If there is a section that extends beyond the printable area, it identifies the character that has a colored portion in that section from the characters that make up the string, designates the identified character as the second character, and changes the display color from the first color to the second color.

[0052] For example, the text object 80 illustrated in Figure 6 is an example of a text object in which each character of "Typewriter" is included in the string 81 and its position is moved upward towards the top of the editing image display area 58. The string 81 is displayed in the editing image display area 58 with the mean line located at the upper edge 58b-U of the print guarantee area 58b, the first and second sections extending above the upper edge 58b-U of the print guarantee area 58b, and the third and fourth sections fitting within the print guarantee area 58b. Of the characters that make up the string 81, the characters "T", "i", and "t" are identified as the second character because the upper edge of the colored portion is above the mean line and is located in the second section that extends above the upper edge 58b-U of the print guarantee area 58b, and their display color is changed from the first color to the second color. On the other hand, the characters "y", "p", "e", "w", "r", "e", and "r" are not identified as second characters and continue to be displayed in the first color, because the upper edge of the colored portion is below the mean line and they are not located in either the first or second section that extends above the upper edge 58b-U of the print guarantee area 58b.

[0053] For example, the text object 90 illustrated in Figure 6 is an example of a text object in which the same characters "Typewriter" as in text object 80 are included in the string 91, and its position has been moved downwards in the editing image display area 58. The string 91 is displayed in the editing image display area 58 with its baseline located at the lower end 58b-D of the print guarantee area 58b, the fourth section extending below the print guarantee area 58b, and the first to third sections fitting within the print guarantee area 58b. The CPU 11 identifies the characters "y" and "p" in the string 91 as the second character because the lower end of the colored portion is below the baseline and is located in the fourth section that extends below the lower end 58b-D of the print guarantee area 58b, and the display color is changed from the first color to the second color. On the other hand, the characters "T", "e", "w", "r", "i", "t", "e", and "r" are not identified as second characters and continue to be displayed in the first color because the lower edge of the colored portion is on the baseline and does not extend below the lower edge 58b-D of the print guarantee area 58b.

[0054] Furthermore, when determining whether characters in the Latin font included in strings 81 and 91 extend beyond the left and right edges of the print guarantee area 58b, the determination is made based on whether the reference frame extends outside the print guarantee area 58b, rather than using the five reference lines.

[0055] Therefore, the user can easily identify text objects that extend beyond the printable area 58b because some characters are displayed in a second color. Furthermore, by changing the color displayed on the display 13a on a character-by-character basis, the user can identify which characters are extending beyond the printable area 58b and correct them.

[0056] As described above, when the position or size of the object frame 62 is changed, or when the font size is changed, the PC1 running the label editing application 41 of the first embodiment displays the second character 61b that does not fit within the printable area 58b in a second color different from the first color used to display the first character 61a that fits within the printable area 58b. By changing the color of the second character 61b, the characters that extend beyond the printable area 58b become more noticeable on the editing screen 50, making it easier for the user to understand the text object 60's overflow from the printable area 58b. Furthermore, because it is easier for the user to understand how the characters are overflowing, it is also easier to correct objects where characters extend beyond the printable area 58b.

[0057] (Second Embodiment) Next, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment executes text display processing when an object changes from an active state to an inactive state. This differs from the first embodiment, which executes text display processing when the position or size of an object is changed, or when the font size is changed. Also, as shown in Figure 8, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment changes the display color and font of characters that do not fit within the printable area 58b. This differs from the first embodiment, which changes the display color of characters that do not fit within the printable area 58b, but does not change the font. In the second embodiment, configurations and processes that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be used for configurations and processes that are the same as in the first embodiment, and explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0058] As shown in Figure 7, when characters are added to the text object 60 (S24), the CPU 11 displays the added characters in a first color and a first font. The first color and first font are predetermined or specified by the user. In other words, the first color and first font are determined according to the attributes of the text object 60.

[0059] When the text object 60 being edited is switched to an inactive state (S26:YES), the CPU 11 executes a character display process (S102). The character display process in the second embodiment is a process that changes the display color and font of characters that extend beyond the printable area 58b. In the second embodiment, the character display process is not executed even if the position or size of the text object 60 is changed (S31:YES, S32) or the character size of the string 61 is changed. In order to reduce the processing load on the PC1 during character editing compared to executing the character display process each time the position or size of the object frame 62 or the character size of the string 61 is changed, in the second embodiment, the character display process is executed when the text object 60 becomes inactive. When the CPU 11 executes the character display process each time the position or size of the object frame 62 or the character size of the string 61 is changed, the user can immediately understand whether the position or size of the text object 60 or the character size of the string 61 is appropriate, compared to when the character display process is executed when the object becomes inactive.

[0060] The character display processing of the second embodiment will now be described. In the character display processing shown in Figure 8, the CPU 11 changes the character color from the first color to the second color (S62) and further changes the font from the first font to the second font (S111) for characters in the text object 60 that do not fit within the printable area 58b, as shown in Figure 9. The font change may be, for example, a change to bold or italics, or the addition of decorative elements to the characters, such as an underline or strikethrough.

[0061] As described above, when the text object becomes inactive, the PC1 running the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment displays the second character 61b that does not fit within the printable area 58b in a different color and font than the first character 61a that fits within the printable area 58b. By changing the color and font of the second character 61b, the character that extends beyond the printable area 58b becomes more noticeable on the editing screen 50, making it easier for the user to understand the text object 60's overflow from the printable area 58b. Furthermore, because it is easier for the user to understand how the character is overflowing, it is also easier to correct the object in which the character extends beyond the printable area 58b.

[0062] In the second embodiment, the label editing application 41 executes character display processing when a text object becomes inactive and changes the display color of the second character that is not in the printable area 58b from the first color to the second color. This reduces the processing load on PC1 compared to when character display processing is executed each time the position or size of the object frame 62 or the character size of the string 61 is changed. However, when PC1 executes character display processing each time the position or size of the object frame 62 or the character size of the string 61 is changed, it is easier for the user to properly identify text objects that extend beyond the printable area 58b compared to when character display processing is executed when a taste object becomes inactive.

[0063] The embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed herein can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence.

[0064] For example, the second color used to display the second character in the character display processing of the first embodiment may be the same as the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b or the color of the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area. However, if the second color is the same as the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b or the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area, it becomes difficult to distinguish the second character from the print-guaranteed area 58b or the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area. Therefore, by making the second color different from the first color, the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b, and the color of the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area, the second character is displayed conspicuously on the editing screen 50, making it easier for the user to identify the second character which is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b.

[0065] For example, in the character display processing of the first embodiment, the display color of the second character may be changed to the second color, and the font of the second character may also be changed. In addition, in the character display processing of the second embodiment, step S62 in Figure 4 may be omitted. In other words, only the font of the second character may be changed. By changing both the color and font of the second character, the second character will be displayed more prominently compared to the case where only the color or font of the second character is changed, making it easier for the user to recognize the second character and modify the text object 60 containing the second character.

[0066] For example, if an inactive text object 60 contains a second character 61b that extends beyond the printable area 58b, the object frame 62 may or may not be displayed. Even if the object frame 62 is not displayed, the user can still notice the presence of the second character 61b because it is displayed as a different character from the first character 61a. If the object frame 62 is displayed, the text object 60 containing the second character 61b becomes more prominent, making it even easier for the user to notice the second character 61b.

[0067] For example, in the first embodiment, the character display process was executed when the position of the object frame 62 was changed, when the size of the object frame 62 was changed, or when the character size of the string 61 was changed. However, the character display process may be executed at only one of these timings. By executing the character display process each time the position of the object frame 62 is changed, the user can appropriately identify the second character that is not in the printable area 58b in response to the change in the position of the text object 60. By executing the character display process each time the size of the object frame 62 is changed, the user can appropriately identify the second character that is not in the printable area 58b in response to the change in the size of the text object 60. By executing the character display process each time the character size of the string 61 is changed, the user can appropriately identify the second character that is not in the printable area 58b in response to the change in character size.

[0068] For example, the character display process in the first embodiment may be executed when the text object 60 becomes inactive. For example, the character display process in the second embodiment may be executed when at least one of the following occurs: when the position of the object frame 62 is changed, when the size of the object frame 62 is changed, or when the character size of the string 61 is changed.

[0069] For example, in the first embodiment, when the text object 60 changes from an active state to an inactive state, the color of the second character that extends beyond the printable area 58b may be changed back to the first color, or it may remain in the second color.

[0070] For example, the character display processing in the first and second embodiments may be executed when the tape information is changed in the label attribute setting area 52. For example, if the shape of the label is changed from a rectangular shape with arc-shaped corners to a T-shape due to a change in the tape set in the label attribute setting area 52, the text object 60 placed in the print guarantee area 58b before the change may extend beyond the T-shaped print guarantee area after the change. Therefore, by executing the character change processing when the tape information is changed in the label attribute setting area 52, the user can easily identify the second character that extends beyond the print guarantee area 58b after the change.

[0071] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of any multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as no inconsistencies arise in the processing content.

[0072] Furthermore, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, such as a recording medium or method that stores a program for executing the process. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 1 PC 13a Display 13b Operation section 41 Label editing app

Claims

1. A program that can be executed on an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device, The system executes a screen display process to display an editing screen for accepting label editing on the display of the information processing device, the editing screen displays the print guarantee area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows for the placement of text objects whose content consists of a string of characters, the text object has an object frame that shows the outline of the text object, the string of characters is placed within the object frame, and the position of the text object including the string of characters can be changed by changing the position of the object frame through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, and the object frame can also be moved outside the print guarantee area. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: For each character constituting the string contained in the text object placed on the editing screen, a character display process is performed in which the first character, which fits within the print guarantee area, is displayed on the display in a first color, and the second character, which does not fit within the print guarantee area, is displayed on the display in a second color different from the first color. A program configured in such a way.

2. A program according to claim 1, In the aforementioned screen display process, Of the editing screen, the print-guaranteed area is displayed on the display in a third color, and the area outside the print-guaranteed area is displayed on the display in a fourth color different from the third color. In the aforementioned character display process, The second character is displayed on the display in a second color that is different from the first, third, and fourth colors. A program configured in such a way.

3. A program according to claim 1, In the aforementioned character display process, The second character is displayed on the display in the second color and in a different font from the first character. A program configured in such a way.

4. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The system accepts editing of the string contained in the text object placed on the editing screen, and when a character is added to the string by an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, it executes a character addition process to display the added character in the first color on the display. The aforementioned information processing device, The character display process is executed in response to the change in the text object from an active state to an inactive state, through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

5. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The character display process is executed in response to a change in the position of the text object placed on the editing screen, which is caused by an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

6. A program according to claim 5, The aforementioned information processing device, The text display process is executed in response to a change in the size of the text object placed on the editing screen through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, and the size of the text object can be changed by changing the size of the object frame through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

7. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The text display process is executed in response to a change in the font size set for the text object placed on the editing screen. A program configured in such a way.

8. A program that can be executed on an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device, The system executes a screen display process to display an editing screen for accepting label editing on the display of the information processing device, the editing screen displays the print guarantee area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows for the placement of text objects whose content consists of a string of characters, the text object has an object frame that shows the outline of the text object, the string of characters is placed within the object frame, and the position of the text object including the string of characters can be changed by changing the position of the object frame through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, and the object frame can also be moved outside the print guarantee area. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: For each character constituting the string contained in the text object placed on the editing screen, a character display process is performed in which the first character, which fits within the print guarantee area, is displayed on the display using a first font, and the second character, which does not fit within the print guarantee area, is displayed on the display using a second font different from the first font. A program configured in such a way.

9. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The system accepts editing of the string contained in the text object placed on the editing screen, and when a character is added to the string by an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, it executes a character addition process to display the added character on the display using the first font. The aforementioned information processing device, The character display process is executed in response to the change in the text object from an active state to an inactive state, through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

10. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The character display process is executed in response to a change in the position of the text object placed on the editing screen, which is caused by an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

11. A program according to claim 10, The aforementioned information processing device, The character display process is executed in response to a change in the size of the text object placed on the editing screen, which is caused by an operation via the input interface of the information processing device. A program configured in such a way.

12. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The text display process is executed in response to a change in the font size set for the text object placed on the editing screen. A program configured in such a way.

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