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. PC1 uses the label editing application 41 to display the background of the first area 63a of the text object 60 that is in the print-guaranteed area 58b in a first color on the display 13a, and the background of the second area 63b that is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b in a second color different from the first color on the display 13a.

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 has been 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 a print guarantee area of a label.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

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, there is a possibility of an unintended printing result, so 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 overhanging.

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 print guarantee area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows for the placement of objects corresponding to content, the objects have an object frame that shows the outline of the object, the content is placed within the object frame, and the position of the object including the content 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 print guarantee area, and the information processing device is further configured to perform a frame display process to display the background of a first area within the print guarantee area in a first color on the display, and the background of a second area not within the print guarantee area in a second color different from the first color on the display.

[0006] With the program having the above configuration, the information processing device displays the background of the second area, which is not within the print-guaranteed area, in a second color different from the first color used to display the background of the first area, which is within the print-guaranteed area, for the area enclosed by the object frame. As a result, the portion of an object placed on the editing screen that extends beyond the print-guaranteed area becomes more noticeable. Therefore, users can easily see where an object displayed on the editing screen extends beyond the print-guaranteed area, and they can also easily understand how the object extends beyond the print-guaranteed area, making it easier to make corrections.

[0007] Furthermore, 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 print guarantee area of ​​the label, the editing screen allows for the placement of objects corresponding to content, the objects have an object frame that shows the outline of the object, the content is placed within the object frame, and the position of the object including the content 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 print guarantee area, and the information processing device is further configured to execute a content display process that displays on the display the first portion of the content placed within the object frame of the object placed on the editing screen that is in the print guarantee area, and does not display on the display the second portion that is not in the print guarantee area.

[0008] With a program having the above configuration, the information processing device does not display the second portion of the content shown in an object that is not within the print-guaranteed area. As a result, in the editing screen, objects that extend beyond the print-guaranteed area will appear as if part of their content is missing. Therefore, users can easily see which parts of objects displayed on the editing screen extend beyond the print-guaranteed area, and because the parts that extend beyond the print-guaranteed area are not displayed, users can easily understand the printed image.

[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] The technology disclosed herein provides a program with label editing capabilities that makes it easier for the user to identify content that extends beyond the printable area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a personal computer equipped with a label editing application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This flowchart illustrates an example of a control procedure for label editing processing. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the editing screen. [Figure 4] This flowchart illustrates an example of a control procedure for displaying content within a frame. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates one example of how an object will be displayed after the frame display processing. [Figure 6] This flowchart illustrates an example of a control procedure for the label editing process performed by the label editing application of the second embodiment. [Figure 7] This flowchart illustrates an example of a control procedure for object display processing performed by the label editing application of the third embodiment. [Figure 8A] This diagram illustrates an example of how an object will be displayed after the object display process. [Figure 8B] This diagram illustrates an example of how an object will appear after being switched to an inactive state. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates one example of how an object can be displayed. [Figure 10A] This diagram illustrates an example of how to display the object frame for a two-dimensional barcode. [Figure 10B] This diagram illustrates an example of how to display the object frame for a two-dimensional barcode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, the apparatus according to this embodiment will be described in detail while referring to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment discloses a program for causing an information processing apparatus connected to a label printer to perform label editing.

[0013] (First Embodiment) <Schematic Configuration of PC1> As shown in FIG. 1, PC1 includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. PC1 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, and these are electrically connected to the controller 10. PC1 can be communicably connected to the label printer 3. PC1 is an example of an "information processing apparatus". An example of the information processing apparatus is not limited to 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 operations. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used for the control of PC1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware actually present in PC1.

[0015] In the memory 12 of PC1 of this embodiment, various programs and various data including a label editing application program (hereinafter referred to as "label editing app") 41 are stored. 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 application 41 is a program that, for example, displays an editing screen for editing labels on PC1 and edits the image of the label to be printed based on user instructions received via user IF13. The label editing application 41 may also have a function to receive print instructions via user IF13 and send a print job based on the edited image to the label printer 3. The label editing process for editing labels will be described later. The label editing application 41 is an example of a "program".

[0018] The user interface 13 includes hardware that displays a screen to inform the user of information and hardware that accepts user input. The user interface 13 may consist of a display 13a and an operation unit 13b such as a keyboard or mouse, where the display function and operation function are configured by separate hardware, or it may consist of a single hardware unit such as a touch panel. The operation unit 13b is an example of an "input interface".

[0019] The communication interface 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices. The communication standards for the communication interface 14 include Ethernet®, Wi-Fi®, and USB. PC1 may have multiple communication interfaces 14 that support multiple 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 images onto a long, printable medium that will become a label. The label printer 3 prints onto a continuous, tape-shaped printable medium of a predetermined width, transports the printable medium, and ejects the printed portion of the printable medium from the machine. The printing method of the label printer 3 may be a thermal transfer method or a thermal printing method.

[0021] In this embodiment, the printing medium is "tape." The tape is, for example, a tape-shaped base material with multiple sticker-like labels attached in a row along the length of the tape. The shape of the labels may be rectangular, T-shaped, circular, elliptical, or a shape with a square cut into a circle. The label printer 3 prints on the labels while unwinding a built-in roll of tape, and then cuts the printed labels from the tape. The label printer 3 may be able to handle multiple 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 an editing command is received on PC1, 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. In this embodiment, the case of editing a text object will be explained as an example.

[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 setting 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 an object has been selected (S21). The label editing application 41 displays the types of pre-prepared objects as selectable in the object selection field 53. The label editing application 41 can select the object to be placed 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 embodiment of the text object 60, the background of the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 is initially set to have 100% transparency or no fill. As a result, the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b drawn behind the text object 60, and the color of the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area, are displayed within the object frame 62. The background color of the text object 60 may be initially set to a default color such as white, or to the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b, i.e., the same color as the label's background color. The background color of the text object 60 may be changed according to the operation of the operation unit 13b.

[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 there is an operation to edit the string 61, which is the content of the text object 60 (S23). If there is an operation to edit the string 61 (S23: YES), the CPU 11 edits the string 61 based on the editing operation (S24). For example, when the CPU 11 receives an operation to input the string 61 using the operation unit 13b, it displays the input string 61 in the object frame 62. The string 61 is displayed in the color to be printed on the label. Also, for example, if the font size is changed in the object setting area 57, the CPU 11 changes the font size of the string 61 displayed in the object frame 62 to the changed font size. After editing the string 61, the CPU 11 returns to S23 and waits for the next operation on the text object 60.

[0034] If there is no operation to edit the string 61 (S23: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an operation to change the position of the object frame 62 (S31). For example, if a drag-and-drop operation is performed on the text object 60 using the operation unit 13b, the CPU 11 determines that there is an operation to change the position of the object frame 62.

[0035] When the CPU 11 detects an operation to change the position of the object frame 62 (S31: YES), it changes the position of the text object 60 containing the string 61 from the drag start position to the drag end position, i.e., the drop position (S32). The area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 of the repositioned text object 60 may be entirely within the print-guaranteed area 58b, or part or all of it may be outside the print-guaranteed area 58b. In other words, the text object 60 can be moved outside the print-guaranteed area 58b. In this case, at least a part of the text object 60 will be in the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area. Furthermore, the text object 60 can be repositioned even if the string 61 is not entered.

[0036] When the position of the text object 60 is changed, the CPU 11 executes the in-frame display process (S33). The in-frame display process is the process of displaying on the display 13a, in a different color from the part of the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 that is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b. The in-frame display process will be described later. After executing the in-frame display process, the CPU 11 returns to S23 and waits for the next operation on the text object 60.

[0037] If there is no operation to change the position of the object frame 62 (S31: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether or not there is an operation to change the size of the object frame 62 (S34). For example, the CPU 11 determines that there is an operation to change the size of the object frame 62 if a drag operation is performed on one of the four sides of the object frame 62 or on one of the four corners of the object frame 62 using the operation unit 13b.

[0038] When the CPU 11 detects an operation to change the size of the object frame 62 (S34: YES), it changes the size of the corresponding text object 60 (S35). The resized text object 60 may have the entire area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 within the print-guaranteed area 58b, or part or all of the area 63 may be outside the print-guaranteed area 58b. In other words, the text object 60 can be expanded or contracted to extend beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b. In this case, at least a portion of the text object 60 will be in the area 58a outside the print-guaranteed area. Furthermore, the text object 60 can be resized even if no string 61 is entered.

[0039] When CPU 11 changes the size of the text object 60, it performs the in-frame display process (S33). The in-frame display process will be described later. After performing the in-frame display process, CPU 11 returns to S23 and waits for the next operation on the text object 60.

[0040] If there is no operation to change the size of the object frame 62 (S34: NO), CPU 11 determines whether the text object 60 being edited has been switched from an active state to an inactive state (S36). If CPU 11 cannot switch the text object 60 to an inactive state (S36: NO), it returns to S23 and waits for the next operation on the text object 60.

[0041] 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 puts the text object 60 into an inactive state.

[0042] When the text object 60 is switched to an inactive state (S36:YES), CPU 11 returns to S21. For example, when a two-dimensional code object is selected in the object selection field 53 of the editing screen 50 (S21:YES), CPU 11 executes the processes from S22 onwards on the selected two-dimensional code object.

[0043] For example, if there is no operation to select an object (S21: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether there are any other editing operations (S41). If there are other editing operations (S41: YES), the CPU 11 executes the other editing process (S42). 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. Also, for example, if the CPU 11 receives a save command via the editing screen 50, it generates a file to store the contents of the edited image and saves that file to a predetermined location. After the CPU 11 performs other editing operations, it returns to S21 and waits for the next operation.

[0044] 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.

[0045] <Display within frame processing> The frame display process described above will be explained with reference to Figure 4. When the position or size of an object is changed, for example, the CPU 11 executes the frame display process shown in Figure 4 by the label editing application 41. Here, we will explain using the case where the position or size of the text object 60 is changed as an example.

[0046] Specifically, the CPU 11 determines whether the entire area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 is within the printable area 58b (S61). For example, as shown in Figure 3, if the object frame 62 fits within the printable area 58b, that is, if the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 fits within the printable area 58b, the CPU 11 determines that the entire area 63 is within the printable area 58b. If the entire area 63 is within the printable area 58b (S61: YES), the CPU 11 displays the background of the entire area 63 in the first color (S62) and terminates the in-frame display process. In this embodiment, the first color is the color according to the attributes of the text object 60. In other words, nothing changes except the position or size of the text string 61 of the text object 60 and the object frame 62.

[0047] In response, as shown in Figure 5(A), the CPU 11 determines that if the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 extends beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b, the entire area 63 is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b. If the entire area 63 is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b (S61: NO), the CPU 11 displays the background of the first area 63a, which is within the print-guaranteed area 58b, in the first color on the display 13a, and the background of the second area 63b, which is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b, in the second color on the display 13a (S64), and then terminates the in-frame display process.

[0048] It is desirable that the second color be different from the first color displayed in the first area 63a, the color of the print-guaranteed area 58b, i.e., the background color of the label, and the color of the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a, i.e., the background color of the edited image display area 58. This is because displaying the second area 63b separately from the print-guaranteed area 58b and the area outside the print-guaranteed area 58a makes it easier for the user to find the text object 60 that has the second area 63b. Furthermore, it is desirable that the second color be different from the color of the string 61, for example, if the string 61 is a single color. This is so that the user can grasp the entire string 61, including the parts that will not be printed.

[0049] In the frame display process, the background color of area 63 is displayed based on the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 and the print guarantee area 58b. Therefore, even if the string 61 (content) corresponding to the text object 60 (object) does not extend beyond the print guarantee area 58b, if the margin of the text object 60 extends beyond the print guarantee area 58b, the extended portion will be displayed as a second area 63b in a second color.

[0050] In the case of text object 60, if the number of characters is small, the user may not notice that the margin is too long and extends beyond the printable area 58b. However, in this form of label editing application 41, if the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 of text object 60 extends beyond the printable area 58b, the extended second area 63b is displayed in a different color from the first area 63a that does not extend beyond the printable area 58b, making it stand out. Therefore, it is expected that the user will modify the text object 60 to reduce the margin.

[0051] Furthermore, in the frame display process, for example, even if no string 61 is entered in the text object 60, if the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 extends beyond the printable area 58b, the extended second area 63b will be displayed in a different color than the first area 63a that does not extend beyond the area. Therefore, users can adjust the layout of objects where content is not displayed so that they do not extend beyond the printable area 58b, making it easier to edit labels.

[0052] In this first embodiment, when the text object 60 changes from an active state to an inactive state, the label editing application 41 does not display the object frame 62 of the text object 60. In an inactive state, the background color of the text object 60 may revert to the color according to its attributes, but as shown in Figure 5(B), the background of the second area 63b may be displayed in a second color. By displaying the second area 63b in a second color, even if the user performs other edits without correcting the text object 60 that extends beyond the print guarantee area 58b, the second area 63b of the text object 60 will continue to be displayed in a second color on the editing screen 50, allowing the user to notice the text object 60 extending beyond the print guarantee area. Furthermore, by not displaying the object frame 62 for objects that are not being edited on the editing screen 50, the label editing application 41 can display the image to be printed on the label in the print guarantee area 58b according to the print image while also notifying the user of object extensions.

[0053] As described above, in the label editing application 41 of the first embodiment, when the position or size of the object frame 62 is changed, the PC1 displays the background of the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62, which is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b, in a second color different from the first color used to display the background of the first area 63a which is in the print-guaranteed area 58b. As a result, the portion of the text object 60 placed on the editing screen 50 that extends beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b becomes more noticeable. Therefore, the user can easily see the text object 60 displayed on the editing screen 50 that extends beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b, and it is also easy to understand how the text object 60 extends beyond the print-guaranteed area 58b, making it easier to make corrections.

[0054] (Second Embodiment) Next, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment executes the in-frame display process when an object changes from an active state to an inactive state. This differs from the first embodiment, which executes the in-frame display process when the position or size of an object is changed. In the second embodiment, the configurations and processes that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals will be used for the same configurations and processes as in the first embodiment, and explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0055] As shown in Figure 6, if the CPU 11 changes the position or size of the text object 60 in response to a change in the position or size of the object frame 62 (S32, S35), it returns to S23 without performing the in-frame display process.

[0056] When the text object 60 being edited is switched from an active state to an inactive state (S36:YES), the CPU 11 executes the display process within the frame (S33) and returns to S21. For example, as shown in Figure 5(B), for a text object 60 having a second area 63b, the CPU 11 displays the second area 63b in a different color from the first area 63a, while hiding the object frame 62. This allows the user to understand that the text object 60 is no longer being edited, while also being able to see if the text object 60 is overflowing.

[0057] Furthermore, if the inactive text object 60 extends beyond the printable area 58b, the object frame 62 may be left visible. Leaving the object frame 62 visible makes it easier for the user to identify and correct the overflowing portion of the text object 60 compared to when the object frame 62 is not displayed.

[0058] Thus, the PC1 executing the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment changes the background color of the second area 63b, which is not in the print guarantee area 58b, when the text object becomes inactive, or when the object changes from an active state to an inactive state. Therefore, the label editing application 41 of the second embodiment can reduce the processing load on the PC1 when editing an object compared to the case where the background color of the second area 63b is changed each time the text object 60 is edited.

[0059] However, as in the label editing application 41 of the first embodiment, PC1 changes the background color of the second area 63b, which is not in the print guarantee area 58b, when the position or size of the object is changed. This allows the user to immediately understand whether the position or size of the object is appropriate, compared to changing the background color of the second area 63b when the object becomes inactive.

[0060] (Third embodiment) Next, the label editing application 41 of the third embodiment will be described. The label editing application 41 of the third embodiment differs from the label editing application 41 of the first embodiment in that it performs the object display process shown in Figure 7 instead of the frame display process shown in S33 of Figure 2. In the third embodiment, configurations and processes that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used for the same configurations and processes, and explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

[0061] When the position or size of the object to be edited is changed, the CPU 11 of PC1 executes the object display process shown in Figure 7 using the label editing application 41 of the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the case where the object display process is performed on a text object 60 will be explained as an example.

[0062] The CPU 11 determines whether the entire content of an object whose position or size has been changed is within the print-guaranteed area 58b (S201). The CPU 11 determines that the entire content is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b if even a part of the colored portion of the content is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b. For example, if the entire "text object," which is the string 61 that makes up the text object 60, is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b (S201: NO), the CPU 11 displays the first part 61a of the string 61 of the "text object" that is within the print-guaranteed area 58b on the display 13a, as shown in Figure 8A, and does not display the second part 61b that is not within the print-guaranteed area 58b on the display 13a (S202). S202 is an example of "content display processing".

[0063] The CPU 11 does not hide the string 61 character by character, as shown in the "ji" character of the "text object" that makes up the string 61, but rather hides any part of the string that is not in the printable area 58b, even if it is in the middle of a character. In other words, the CPU 11 does not display the second part 61b of the string 61, just as in the printed result. Therefore, the user can see on the editing screen 50 how the string 61 will not be printed on the label.

[0064] In this form of label editing application 41, a mask 64 is used to hide the second part 61b. Specifically, the CPU 11 displays the string 61 on the display 13a in a state that extends beyond the printable area 58b, depending on the position or size of the text object 60. The CPU 11 does not apply the mask 64 to the first part 61a of the string 61 that is in the printable area 58b, but applies the mask 64 to the second part 61b that is not in the printable area 58b. As a result, the second part 61b of the string 61 is not displayed on the display 13a, making it easier for the user to understand the print image. The CPU 11 further enhances the user's ability to understand the print image by displaying the mask 64 in the same color as the area 58a outside the printable area.

[0065] When the CPU 11 hides the second portion 61b of the string 61 that is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b, as shown in Figure 8A, it displays the first frame portion 62a of the object frame 62 of the text object 60 that is in the print-guaranteed area 58b on the display 13a, and does not display the second frame portion 62b that is not in the print-guaranteed area 58b on the display 13a (S203). S203 is an example of the "second object frame display process".

[0066] In this configuration, the CPU 11 hides the second frame portion 62b of the object frame 62 by applying a mask 64 to it. For the portion of the text object 60 that extends beyond the printable area 58b, not only the text string 61 but also the object frame 62 is not displayed, making it easier for the user to understand the printed image of the label. Once the second frame portion 62b is hidden, the CPU 11 terminates the object display process.

[0067] Furthermore, if the entire string 61 is within the printable area 58b (S201: YES), the CPU 11 skips S202 and S203 and terminates the object display process. In other words, the CPU 11 ensures that the text object 60 is displayed in the printable area 58b without any loss of the string 61 or the object frame 62.

[0068] When the CPU 11 switches the text object 60 from an active state to an inactive state after the object display processing, the object frame 62 disappears, as shown in Figure 8B. Even though the object frame 62 is not displayed, the user can notice that the string 61 extends beyond the printable area 58b because the second part 61b of the string 61 is not displayed.

[0069] Furthermore, if the text object 60 becomes inactive while it extends beyond the printable area 58b, the object frame 62 displayed in S203 may remain. The remaining object frame 62 makes it easier for the user to notice that the string 61 extends beyond the printable area 58b compared to when the object frame 62 is not displayed.

[0070] As described above, when the position or size of the object frame 62 is changed, the PC1 running the label editing application 41 of the third embodiment does not display the second part 61b of the string 61, which is the content of the text object, that is not in the printable area 58b. As a result, in the editing screen 50, text objects 60 that extend beyond the printable area 58b will appear as if a part of the string 61 is missing. Therefore, the user can easily see which parts of the text objects 60 displayed on the editing screen 50 extend beyond the printable area 58b, and furthermore, because the parts that extend beyond the printable area 58b are not displayed, the user can easily grasp the print image.

[0071] 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.

[0072] For example, S203 in Figure 7 may be a frame display process that displays both the first frame portion 62a and the second frame portion 62b of the object frame 62. A frame display process that displays both the first frame portion 62a and the second frame portion 62b is an example of the "first object frame display process". Note that the "first object frame display process" may be executed even if S203 in Figure 7 is omitted. As shown in Figure 9, by displaying the object frame 62 including the second frame portion 62b on the display 13a, it is easier for the user to recognize the presence of the overflow portion of the object compared to the case where the second frame portion 62b is not displayed, as shown in Figure 8A.

[0073] For example, objects that extend beyond the printable area 58b may be objects other than text objects 60, such as two-dimensional code objects or graphic objects. Two-dimensional codes include, for example, barcodes and QR codes (registered trademarks).

[0074] For example, as illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, in the case of a two-dimensional code object 70, a margin 75 is necessary to distinguish it from other designs. If the margin 75 extends beyond the printable area 58b and the entire two-dimensional code is not printed on the label, it may not function as a two-dimensional code. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10A, the label editing application 41 also displays the second area 73b, which is not in the printable area 58b, in a different color to make it stand out, so that users can easily make corrections.

[0075] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10B, the label editing application 41 displays the first portion 71a of the two-dimensional code 71, which is the content of the two-dimensional code object 70, that is located in the print-guaranteed area 58b, and does not display the second portion 71b that is not located in the print-guaranteed area 58b. This makes it easier for the user to understand if the two-dimensional code 71 is overflowing, and also makes it easier for the user to understand if the printed image has a missing part of the two-dimensional code 71. In addition, since both the first portion 72a of the object frame 72 that is located in the print-guaranteed area 58b and the second portion 72b that is not located in the print-guaranteed area 58b are displayed on the display 13a, it is easier for the user to correct the two-dimensional code object 70 that overflows the print-guaranteed area 58b so that it is positioned within the print-guaranteed area 58b up to the margin 75.

[0076] For example, the second area 63b within the area 63 enclosed by the object frame 62 that does not fit within the printable area 58b may be the same color as the printable area 58b, or the same color as the area 58a outside the printable area. However, using a different color makes the part of the object that extends beyond the printable area 58b more noticeable, making it easier for the user to notice the object's overflow.

[0077] For example, in the first embodiment described above, when an object becomes inactive, the background of the second area may stop being displayed in the second color, or it may remain displayed in the second color.

[0078] For example, the timing for changing the display color of the second area, or for hiding the second part of the content, can be either a change in the object's position or a change in the size of the object's frame. However, if the display color of the second area and the second part of the content are changed at the same time as both the position and size changes, the display of the object will be switched more appropriately each time the object is changed, making it easier for the user to notice and correct any object overflow.

[0079] For example, in the above embodiment, if the label attributes are changed in the label attribute setting area 52 of the editing screen 50, the display within the frame processing or object display processing may be executed. For example, suppose that the shape of the print guarantee area 58b is changed to a T shape because the tape used is changed from a tape with a rectangular label with rounded corners attached to the backing paper to a tape with a T-shaped label attached to the backing paper (S42 in Figure 6). In this case, the area 63 of the text object 60 that was contained within the print guarantee area 58b before the change may extend beyond the T-shaped print guarantee area after the change. Therefore, when the label attributes are changed, the color of the second area of ​​the object that extends beyond the print guarantee area 58b after the change can be made more noticeable, or the second area can be hidden, so that the user can make corrections.

[0080] For example, in the third embodiment, after displaying the entire content, a mask 64 is applied to the portion of the content that extends beyond the printable area 58b, thereby hiding the portion of the content that extends beyond the printable area 58b. The procedure for hiding the portion of the content that extends beyond the printable area 58b may, for example, be a procedure in which, when changing the position or size of an object, content that does not extend beyond the printable area 58b is displayed on the display 13a from the beginning.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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]

[0083] 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 objects corresponding to content, the objects have an object frame indicating the outline of the object, the content is placed within the object frame, and the position of the object including the content 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: The following frame display processing is performed on the editing screen: the background of the first area within the print guarantee area of ​​the object frame of the object placed on the editing screen is displayed on the display in a first color, and the background of the second area not 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 frame display process, The background of the second region is displayed on the display using 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, The aforementioned information processing device, The information processing device, through its input interface, causes the object to change from an active state to an inactive state, and in response, the display process within the frame is executed. A program configured in such a way.

4. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The information processing device, through the input interface, performs the in-frame display process in response to a change in the position of the object placed on the editing screen. A program configured in such a way.

5. A program according to claim 4, The aforementioned information processing device, The information processing device executes the in-frame display process in response to a change in the size of the object placed on the editing screen through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, and the object's size 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.

6. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned object is a text object whose content is a string, In the aforementioned frame display process, Of the areas enclosed by the object frame of the text object, the background of the first area is displayed on the display in the first color, and the background of the second area is displayed on the display in the second color. A program configured in such a way.

7. A program according to claim 1, The object is a two-dimensional code object whose content is a two-dimensional code, In the aforementioned frame display process, Of the regions enclosed by the object frame of the two-dimensional code object, the background of the first region is displayed on the display in the first color, and the background of the second region is displayed on the display in the second color. 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 objects corresponding to content, the objects have an object frame indicating the outline of the object, the content is placed within the object frame, and the position of the object including the content 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: A content display process is performed such that, of the content of the object placed within the object frame of the object placed on the editing screen, the first portion located in the print-guaranteed area is displayed on the display, and the second portion not located in the print-guaranteed area is not displayed on the display. A program configured in such a way.

9. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, With respect to the object frame of the object placed on the editing screen, the first object frame display process is executed to display both the first frame portion in the print guarantee area and the second frame portion not in the print guarantee area on the display. A program configured in such a way.

10. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The second object frame display process is executed to display the first frame portion of the object frame of the object placed on the editing screen that is located in the print guarantee area on the display, and to hide the second frame portion that is not located in the print guarantee area on the display. A program configured in such a way.

11. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The content display process is executed in response to the object changing 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.

12. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned information processing device, The content display process is executed in response to a change in the position of the 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.

13. A program according to claim 12, The aforementioned information processing device, The content display process is executed in response to a change in the size of the object placed on the editing screen through an operation via the input interface of the information processing device, and the size of the 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.

14. A program according to claim 8, The aforementioned object is a text object whose content is a string, In the aforementioned content display process, Of the string shown in the object placed on the editing screen, the first part is displayed on the display, and the second part is not displayed on the display. A program configured in such a way.

15. A program according to claim 8, The object is a two-dimensional code object whose content is a two-dimensional code, In the aforementioned content display process, Of the two-dimensional code shown on the object placed on the editing screen, the first portion is displayed on the display, and the second portion is not displayed on the display. A program configured in such a way.

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