Program and control method

Abstract

To provide a technology that offers a high degree of design flexibility for databases used to print labels on label printers. [Solution] The printing application 22 selects one of the text objects placed on the label editing screen 50 as the first text object, selects one of the columns constituting the specified database 23 as the first column, and generates and prints label data for each row of the specified database 23 by writing the text shown in the data of the first column into the first text object. The printing application 22 further selects another column constituting the database 23 as the second column, and when printing for each row of the specified database 23, the number of copies of the label data based on that row is determined by the data in the second column of that row.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program and a control method executable by an information processing apparatus connected to a label printer.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a configuration is known in which printing conditions are written in a tabular database composed of rows and columns, and labels are printed on a label printer using that database. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a database is prepared in which a layout number and the number of issued copies of a printing target can be specified in a predetermined column, and a label printing device prints labels according to records corresponding to the rows of that database.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, the configuration of the database is determined in advance. For example, there is no description that the cell for designating the number of issued copies of the label corresponding to the layout number, that is, the number of printing copies, can be freely determined, and the design freedom of the database is low.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The program, which was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, is executable by an information processing device connected to a label printer, and is a program having a label editing function, and comprises: a display process that causes the information processing device to display an editing screen on its user interface, which is an editing screen that accepts label editing and on which at least one text object can be placed; a specification process that specifies a tabular database consisting of rows and columns; an object selection process that selects one of the text objects placed on the editing screen as a first text object; a first column selection process that selects one of the columns constituting the database specified in the specification process as the first column; and the specified in the specification process The information processing device is configured to perform a second column selection process, which selects one of the columns constituting the database, which is different from the first column, as the second column, and to perform a generation process, which generates label data, in response to a first print instruction, for each row constituting the database specified in the specification process, by writing the text shown in the data of the first column selected in the first column selection process to the first text object selected in the object selection process, and a first print process, which is performed on the label printer for the number of copies shown in the data of the second column selected in the second column selection process, based on the label data generated in the generation process.

[0006] A program having the above configuration displays an editing screen on the user interface of an information processing device and selects one of the text objects placed on that editing screen as the first text object. The program also selects one of the columns constituting a specified database as the first column. The program can execute a first printing process that generates label data for each row of the specified database, writing the text shown in the data of the first column into the first text object, and then prints it. The program can further select another column constituting the database as the second column. When the program prints each row of the specified database, the number of copies of the label data based on that row is determined by the data in the second column of that row. As a result, the number of copies printed by the first printing process based on each row can be determined by an arbitrary column, increasing the design flexibility of the database.

[0007] The methods, apparatus, and storage medium readable by the computer storing the program described above are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein provides a highly flexible database design for using a database to print labels on a label printer. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the printing system. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the steps involved in the label creation process. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the label editing screen. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates an example of a database selection screen. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the label editing screen. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the print settings screen when the second method is selected. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for print data generation processing. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for the number of copies determination processing. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen when a column indicating the first method and the number of copies is selected. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen when a column other than the first method and the number of copies is selected. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen when a column other than the first method and the number of copies is selected and the entire row is specified.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments in which the program is embodied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification, a program executed by an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a label printer is disclosed.

[0011] <Schematic Configuration of PC> The print system 100 of this embodiment has a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 1 and a label printer 3, and the PC 1 and the label printer 3 are communicably connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the PC 1 includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing apparatus". The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. Further, the PC 1 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. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used for the control of the PC 1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware actually existing in the PC 1. Note that an example of the "information processing apparatus" is not limited to the PC 1, and may also be a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operations. The memory 12 stores various programs including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 and a printing application program (hereinafter referred to as "printing app") 22, as well as various data including a database 23. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed.

[0013] The CPU 11 may read the printing app 22 from a storage medium readable by the CPU 11. As a storage medium readable by the CPU 11, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, etc. can be used.

[0014] The user IF 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information and hardware for receiving operations by the user. The user IF 13 in this embodiment is a combination of a display 13a capable of displaying information, a mouse 13b having an input reception function, and a keyboard 13c. Note that the user IF 13 may be a touch panel having a display function and an input reception function.

[0015] The communication IF 14 includes hardware for communicating with an external device such as a label printer 3. 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.

[0016] The OS 21 stored in the memory 12 of the PC 1 is, for example, iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), Linux (registered trademark).

[0017] The printing application 22 is a program that, for example, receives a user's instruction via the user interface 13 and causes the PC 1 to edit an image to be printed and transmit a print instruction to the label printer 3 based on the received instruction. The printing application 22 is an example of a "program".

[0018] The database 23 is a tabular database composed of rows and columns and stores a plurality of data. The database 23 is a file created by the user and is not stored in the memory 12 when the PC 1 is shipped from the factory. A plurality of databases 23 may be stored in the memory 12. Details of the printing application 22 and the database 23 will be described later.

[0019] <Schematic configuration of the label printer 3> The label printer 3 of this embodiment has at least a printing function and a communication function. The printing method of the label printer 3 is, for example, a thermal transfer method, an inkjet method, or an electrophotographic method. When the label printer 3 receives a print instruction and label data to be printed from an external device such as the PC 1 via the communication function, it executes printing based on the label data to create a label.

[0020] The label printer 3 can accommodate, for example, a roll-shaped label paper and has a function of printing an image on the label paper to create a label. The roll-shaped label paper is a printing medium in which label paper is overlapped and wound on a continuous strip of release paper. The label paper may be a continuous long tape or a die-cut label that has been cut into a predetermined shape in advance. Further, the label printer 3 of this embodiment may have a function of cutting and discharging the printed portion after printing.

[0021] <Overview of database printing> The printing application 22 in this form can perform database printing based on a database file containing text data. For database printing, the printing application 22 accepts the following: the specification of the database to be printed, the specification of the rows to be printed from the specified database, the specification of the text objects to be placed in the label data, the specification of the column that will be associated with the text objects from among the columns that make up the database (hereinafter referred to as the "first column"), and the specification of the column that will indicate the number of copies from among the columns that make up the database (hereinafter referred to as the "second column").

[0022] When the printing application 22 receives a command to execute database printing, it creates label data for each row specified as the target for printing, by writing the text data from the first column of the specified database into a text object associated with that first column, and then instructs the label printer 3 to print based on the created label data. The printing application 22 creates the label data, with the text data from the specified first column written into a text object, for the number of copies indicated by the data in the specified second column, and passes it to the label printer 3. In this way, the printing application 22 can cause the label printer 3 to create multiple labels with the text data stored in any column of the database printed on them, based on the number of copies determined by any column.

[0023] <Label creation procedure> Next, the procedure for creating labels using database printing will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 2. The procedures and processing steps of each program described below basically represent the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions written in each program. That is, processes such as "judgment," "decision," "acquisition," and "reception" in the following explanation represent the processing of the CPU 11. The processing by the CPU 11 also includes hardware control using the OS 21 API. In this specification, the description of OS 21 is omitted when explaining the operation of each program. Also, "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not necessarily require a request.

[0024] <Create database> A user who wants to create a label creates a database 23 to store the data to be printed (S01) and stores it on PC1 (S02). Database 23 includes, for example, a CSV (comma-separated values) file or an Excel file (Excel is a registered trademark). That is, the database 23 in this embodiment is a so-called relational database or a similar database, and includes tabular tables. The user may create the database 23 using a table creation application program or the like, or may create it as a text file containing text that represents the data. The user may create the database 23 on PC1, or may create it on another device and store it on PC1.

[0025] <Label editing process> As shown in Figure 2, a user performing database printing inputs a command to start the print application 22 on PC1 (S11). Upon startup, the print application 22 displays a label editing screen 50, which accepts instructions for creating labels, on the user IF13's display 13a, as shown in Figure 3 (S12). The label editing screen 50 is an example of an "editing screen". S12 is an example of a "display process" and a "display step". Then, PC1 becomes capable of accepting user input on the displayed label editing screen 50.

[0026] The label editing screen 50, as shown in Figure 3 for example, is a screen that includes a printer selection field 51, a label display area SA11, and buttons for receiving various instructions. The label display area SA11 is an area that displays the print image IM11 of the label to be printed. The exit button 56 is a button that receives an instruction to exit the print application 22. The print button 54 is a button that receives an instruction to execute printing. Button 58 is a button that receives an instruction to select the database to be used for database printing. Button 58 is a button that receives an instruction to specify the file that stores the database to be printed from the files stored on PC1. Note that in Figure 3, the database display area (hereinafter referred to as the "DB display area") SA12, which is displayed below the label display area SA11, is displayed when button 58 is operated and a database is specified, and is not displayed when button 58 is not operated.

[0027] The user generates label data for the label to be printed on the label editing screen 50. To do this, the user arranges objects in the label area LA on the label editing screen 50 to represent the desired label configuration (S15). The print application 22 provides multiple types of objects that can be placed in the label display area SA11, such as text, marks, and photographs. The user who wants to create a label can use the mouse 13b to operate the text object selection button from the object selection button group 53 to place a text object in the label area LA. A text object is an object in which text is written in its designated area. The user determines the number of objects to be printed on one label and places them in the label area LA.

[0028] When a text object is placed in the label area LA, the print application 22 displays button 58 on the label editing screen 50.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the user operates button 58 to specify database 23 (S16). S16 is an example of a "specification process" and "specification step". When button 58 is operated, the print application 22 displays a database specification screen D31, as illustrated in Figure 4, on the user IF13's display 13a. The database specification screen D31 includes a specification field ST31 for specifying a database of a file format supported by the print application 22, and a database display field SA32 that shows an image of the database specified in specification field ST31. The database specification screen D31 illustrated in Figure 4 shows the state in which the image of database 23 IM23 is displayed. Below the image of image IM23, the database specification screen D31 displays checkboxes CH31 for determining whether or not to treat the data in each column of the first row as the title of each column. Figure 4 illustrates the case when checkbox CH31 is checked.

[0030] As shown in the image IM23 of Figure 4, the database 23 includes multiple rows and multiple columns. The first row is a row to which the titles of one or more items are associated. In this embodiment, the first row has the items "Date", "Code", "Name", and "Number of Copies". The rows from the second row onward are associated with data for each item. The cells indicated by rows and columns are generally called cells. The database 23 in this embodiment has multiple cells 233. In this embodiment, each cell where a row and column intersect, including the first row, is considered a cell 233. Characters can be entered into each of the multiple cells 233. Blank cells 233 may also exist. In this embodiment, for example, cell 233o in the fourth column is blank. Invalid characters can be entered into cells 233 for the items in the first row. In this embodiment, for example, cell 233p in the fourth column has invalid characters entered into it. Invalid characters include, for example, non-numeric data such as "なにぬ". Invalid characters are not limited to non-numeric data; they may also include numbers that exceed the print limit of the controlled label printer, or negative numbers. Figure 4 shows an example where all 233 cells except for the 4th column contain characters that are valid for a title.

[0031] The database selection screen D31 includes an OK button SW31 for confirming the database selection. The print application 22 accepts the database selection entered in the selection field ST31 and the decision on how to handle the first row in response to the operation of the OK button SW31. The process of using the data in each column of the first row as the title of each column via the checkbox CH31 is an example of a "decision process" or "decision step".

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, when a database 23 is specified, the print application 22 reads the specified database 23 from memory 12 (S17) and displays a database image 61 showing the contents of the specified database 23 in the DB display area SA12 of the label editing screen 50 (S19). Figure 3 shows an example in which the database 23 specified in Figure 4 has been read, and the items in the first row have been determined to be the titles of each row. Except for the first row which has been determined to be treated as a title, each row of the database image 61 has a checkbox 62 for selecting it as a print target.

[0033] If checkbox CH31 is not checked and the data in each column of the first row is not treated as the title of each column, the print application 22 displays the database image 61x shown in Figure 5 in the DB display area SA12. Database image 61x differs from database image 61 in Figure 3, which is displayed when the data in each column of the first row is determined to be the title of each column, in that the data in each column of the database 23 is displayed corresponding to the column distinguishing items "R1", "R2", "R3", and "R4", and checkbox 62 is also displayed in the first row.

[0034] The user performs a mapping operation via the label editing screen 50 (S21). The mapping operation is an operation that associates a specified database column with a text object. In this form of the print application 22, the mapping operation is accepted by a drag-and-drop operation (hereinafter referred to as "D&D operation") in which one of the titles included in the database image 61 is dragged and dropped onto a text object placed in the label area LA. The mapping operation may be an operation other than a D&D operation, such as a flip operation.

[0035] The print application 22 selects the dragged title column as the first column and the dropped text object as the first text object (S22). S22 is an example of the "object selection process," "first column selection process," "object selection step," and "first column selection step." The print application 22 associates the first column selected in S22 with the first text object selected in S22 (S23), and displays one of the data contained in the first column in the first text object (S24). In this embodiment, the data of the row closest to the beginning of the rows selected for printing is displayed.

[0036] For example, as shown in Figure 3, suppose the user places three text objects TO1, TO2, and TO3 in the label area LA. The user uses the mouse 13b to drag cell 233f, which displays the title "Date," and drops it onto text object TO1. The print application 22 selects column 232a as the first column and text object TO1 as the first text object, and associates them. The print application 22 writes "2019 / 4 / 25," shown in cell 233j of the selected row 231b, into text object TO1 and displays it. At this time, the print application 22 may display a mark M on text object TO1 to indicate that it is a text object that has been associated. Note that the mark M is displayed on the label editing screen 50, but it is not included in the label data and is not printed on the label.

[0037] Similarly, the print application 22 associates column 232b with text object TO2, and column 232c with text object TO3, respectively, using drag-and-drop operations. Text objects TO1, TO2, and TO3 are examples of "first text objects." Columns 232a, 232b, and 232c are examples of "first columns." Therefore, the print application 22 can easily associate text objects to be placed in the label data with columns contained in the database 23 using drag-and-drop operations.

[0038] Note that columns that have already been mapped may be excluded from the drag-and-drop operation and removed from the selection of the first column. The print application 22 may, for example, display a warning on the display 13a if the title of a column containing only numerical data is selected as the first column by a drag-and-drop operation.

[0039] <Print settings processing> As shown in Figure 2, when the user operates the print button 54 on the label editing screen 50, the print application 22 accepts the print command (S31). The print command in S31 is an example of a "first print command" and a "second print command". Upon receiving the print command, the print application 22 displays the print settings screen (S33).

[0040] For example, the print settings screen 80 illustrated in Figure 6 includes a print settings area SA21, a print button 86, and a cancel button 87. The print settings area SA21 is an area that accepts various print settings. The print settings area SA21 includes, for example, a printer selection field 81, and can accept settings or changes to the printer to be controlled.

[0041] The print settings area SA21 allows for specifying the number of copies. In this configuration, there are two methods for specifying the number of copies: a first method that sets the number of copies for each print target based on a database, and a second method that sets the number of copies for all print targets at once. In the print settings area SA21 of this configuration, the selection between the first method and the second method is mutually exclusive.

[0042] In other words, the print settings area SA21 includes a copy setting field 82 that accepts the number of copies of the labels to be printed by the second method. The copy setting field 82 may be configured to not accept negative numbers, values ​​above a predetermined value (values ​​outside the set range for the number of copies), or data other than numbers. The copy setting field 82 is an example of a "copy object".

[0043] The print settings area SA21 includes a copy specification method selection field 83 for switching between the first method and the second method. The print settings area SA21 also includes a column selection field 83a that accepts the selection of a column to indicate the number of copies. The print application 22 can identify the column to indicate the number of copies using the column selection field 83a. If there is a setting via the checkbox CH31 to treat the data in each column of the first row as the title of each column, the column selection field 83a can display a list of the data indicated by each item in the first row: "Date", "Code", "Name", and "Number of Copies". On the other hand, if there is a setting via the checkbox CH31 to not treat the data in each column of the first row as the title of each column, the column selection field 83a can display a list of items used to distinguish rows instead of titles: "R1", "R2", "R3", and "R4" (see Figure 5). Therefore, by displaying the titles indicated by the first row of the database 23 in the column selection field 83a, even if the data content of each column differs depending on the database, the user can easily understand the data content of each column and easily identify the column indicating the number of copies. Furthermore, the absence of a copy title in the column selection field 83a makes it easier for users to understand that the number of copies has not been set for each row in database 23. The initial value of column selection field 83a may be predetermined, or it may display the item selected during the previous database print.

[0044] The copy specification method selection field 83 in this form is a checkbox that, when checked, selects the first method, disables the copy setting field 82, and makes the column selection field 83a operable. If unchecked, it selects the second method, makes the copy setting field 82 operable, and disables the column selection field 83a. Disabling the copy setting field 82 and column selection field 83a can be done in ways such as graying them out, hiding them, or not accepting any operations.

[0045] The print settings area SA21 has a print target specification field 85 for specifying the rows to be printed. In this configuration, the print target specification field 85 allows the user to choose between "All," "Selected Records," and "Range." "All" accepts the instruction to print all rows in the specified database 23. "Selected Records" accepts the instruction to print the rows selected in the checkbox 62 included in the database image 61 on the label editing screen 50. "Range" accepts the instruction to print rows within a range specified by the user. The rows selected by "Selected Records" or "Range" may be one row or multiple rows.

[0046] The print settings area SA21 can accept settings for items other than the number of copies and the items to be printed, such as label size, text color, and print density.

[0047] The print application 22 executes a print data generation process (S34) based on the label data edited on the label editing screen 50 and the initial values ​​on the print settings screen 80. The print data generation process is the process of generating print data. The print data generation process will be described later. After executing the print data generation process, the print application 22 displays a preview image IM1 showing the print image of the label in the preview image display area SA22 of the print settings screen 80 (S35). The print settings screen 80 is an example of a "preview screen". Note that the preview image IM1 may be displayed on a screen other than the print settings screen 80.

[0048] When a user changes the print settings via the print settings screen 80 (S41), the print application 22 executes a print data generation process based on the changed print settings (S42). In other words, the print data generated reflects the changes in the print settings. Based on the generated print data, the print application 22 displays a preview image IM1 that reflects the changes in the print settings in the preview image display area SA22. The print data generation process in S34 is the same as the print data generation process in S32. The process of displaying the preview image in S43 is the same as the process in S35. The processes in S35 and S43 are examples of "preview processing" and "preview steps". The process of generating print data will be described later.

[0049] <Printing process> When the user operates the print button 86 on the print settings screen 80, the print application 22 accepts the print execution command as shown in Figure 2 (S51). The print application 22 outputs the print data generated in the print data generation process to the controlled label printer 3 and causes the label printer 3 to print the labels (S52).

[0050] If the method for specifying the number of copies received via the print settings screen 80 is the first method, the print application 22 sends print data to the label printer 3 for each row specified in the print target specification field 85, according to the number of copies indicated by the data in the column specified in the column selection field 83a, and prints labels. In this case, the number of labels created for each row may differ depending on the number of copies set for each row. On the other hand, if the method for specifying the number of copies is the second method, the print application 22 sends print data to the label printer 3 for each row specified in the print target specification field 85, according to the number of copies set in the number of copies setting field 82, and prints labels. In this case, the number of labels created for each row will be the same. Note that the processing in S52 when the first method is specified is an example of the "first printing process" and "first printing step". The processing in S52 when the second method is specified is an example of the "second printing process" and "second printing step".

[0051] <Print Data Generation Process> The print data generation process described above will be explained based on Figure 7. The CPU 11 of PC1 executes the print data generation process as a process performed by the print application 22. First, the CPU 11 determines whether the row specification is for all rows or not (S101).

[0052] If "All" is set in the print target specification field 85 of the print settings screen 80, the CPU 11 determines that all rows are specified. If all rows are specified (S101:YES), the CPU 11 determines whether or not to exclude the first row from the print target (S102). If the checkbox CH31 is checked when specifying the database, the CPU 11 determines to exclude the first row from the print target. If the CPU 11 excludes the first row from the print target (S102:YES), it sets the rows from the second row to the last row of the specified database 23 as the print target (S103) and proceeds to S111. On the other hand, if the checkbox CH31 is not checked when specifying the database, the CPU 11 determines not to exclude the first row from the print target. If CPU11 does not exclude the first row from printing (S102:NO), it sets all rows, including the first row, of the specified database 23 to be printed (S104), and proceeds to S111.

[0053] In response to this, the CPU 11 determines that if "Selected Records" or "Range Specification" is set in the print target specification field 85 of the print settings screen 80, then rows are selected, and therefore the specified rows are not all rows. If the specified rows are not all rows (S101:NO), the CPU 11 sets the selected rows as the print target (S105) and proceeds to S111. For example, in the label editing screen 50 illustrated in Figure 3, after receiving a print command with row 231b specified via the checkbox 62 of the database image 61, the CPU 11 sets row 231b as the print target if "Selected Records" is set in the print target specification field 85 of the print settings screen 80, as shown in Figure 6. Also, for example, if "Range Specification" is set in the print target specification field 85 of the print settings screen 80, and that range is set to rows 3 to 4, the CPU 11 sets rows 231d and 231e of database 23 as the print target. Note that specifying rows via the print target specification field 85 is an example of a "row setting process" or "row setting step."

[0054] The CPU 11, which has set the print target, determines whether the method for specifying the number of copies is the first method or the second method (S111). If the CPU 11 does not check the number of copies selection field 83 on the print settings screen 80, it determines that the method for specifying the number of copies is the second method (S111: second method) and proceeds to S131. On the other hand, if the CPU 11 checks the number of copies selection field 83 on the print settings screen 80, it determines that the method for specifying the number of copies is the first method (S111: first method) and proceeds to S121. The process of setting whether to use the first method or the second method via the number of copies selection field 83 is an example of a "method setting process" or "method setting step".

[0055] If the method for specifying the number of copies is the second method (S111: second method), CPU 11 retrieves the set value of the number of copies set in the number of copies setting field 82 (S131). The process of setting the number of copies via the number of copies setting field 82 is an example of a "number of copies setting process" or "number of copies setting step". For each line to be printed, CPU 11 generates print data for the number of copies set in S131 (S132). S132 is an example of a "generation process" or "generation step".

[0056] For example, suppose a user selects row 231b via checkbox 62 on the label editing screen 50 and then operates the print button 54, selecting the second method as the method for specifying the number of copies on the print settings screen 80, as shown in Figure 6. In this case, the CPU 11 writes the data from the first column to the first text object for each row to be printed, generating label data. For example, if columns 232a, 232b, and 232c of database 23 are associated with text objects TO1, TO2, and TO3 respectively, the CPU 11 writes the data "2019 / 4 / 25", "11111", and "あいう" shown in columns 232a, 232b, and 232c of row 231b to text objects TO1, TO2, and TO3 respectively, generating label data for row 231b. The CPU 11 then renders the label data to generate print data. The CPU 11 generates one print data based on the number of copies set in the number of copies setting field 82, which is "1 copy".

[0057] If the number of copies set in the number of copies setting field 82 is two or more, the CPU 11 will copy and create the print data according to that number. Also, if there are multiple items to print, the CPU 11 will create print data for each row of the items to print, according to the number of copies set in the number of copies setting field 82.

[0058] When the CPU 11 receives the second method and generates print data for each specified row according to the number of copies set in the copy setting field 82, it terminates the print data generation process. Based on the print data, the CPU 11 displays a preview image of the label for each row in the preview image display area SA22 of the print settings screen 80 (S35, S43 in Figure 2). In other words, when printing data using the second method, the number of print data created for each row and the number of preview images displayed for each row will be the same. Since the number of copies for each row is the same, one preview image may be displayed for each row.

[0059] Therefore, if the number of copies is the same for all rows, choosing the second method and printing from the database is expected to reduce the user's workload because it eliminates the need to write the number of copies for every row when creating the database.

[0060] In response, the CPU 11, having determined that the method for specifying the number of copies is the first method, identifies the second column (S121). That is, the CPU 11 identifies the column already set in the column selection field 83a of the print settings screen 80 as the second column. The process of setting the second column in the column selection field 83a is an example of the "second column selection process" or "second column selection step".

[0061] CPU 11 extracts one specified row (S122) and executes the copy determination process (S123). The copy determination process determines the number of copies for each row to be printed based on the data shown in the second column identified in S121. The print application 22 may not be able to determine which columns contain what kind of data in the database created by the user. Therefore, CPU 11 has the user select a column that indicates the number of copies, and determines the number of copies based on the data in the selected column. The copy determination process will be described later.

[0062] Once the CPU 11 determines the number of copies, it generates print data based on the data of the rows extracted in S122 for the number of copies determined in S123 (S124). In other words, the CPU 11 generates print data with the same content for the number of copies determined in S123. The method of generating the print data is the same as in S132, so the explanation is omitted. S124 is an example of a "generation process" or "generation step".

[0063] When CPU 11 generates print data for the extracted rows, it determines whether or not it has generated print data for all rows to be printed (S125). If multiple rows are specified and there are rows for which print data has not been generated, CPU 11 determines that it has not generated print data for all rows to be printed (S125: NO), returns to S122, extracts the next row, and generates print data. On the other hand, if CPU 11 has generated print data for all specified rows, it determines that it has generated print data for all rows to be printed (S125: YES), and terminates the print data generation process. CPU 11 displays preview images of each label for the number of copies determined in S123 (S35, S42 in Figure 2). In other words, when selecting the first method for data printing, the number of print data created for each row and the number of preview images displayed for each row may differ depending on the row.

[0064] <Processing to determine the number of copies> The above-mentioned process for determining the number of copies will be explained based on Figure 8. The CPU 11 retrieves the data from the column selected as the second column in S121 from the rows extracted in S122 in Figure 7 (S211).

[0065] In the print settings screen 80 illustrated in Figure 9, the checkbox in the number of copies selection field 83 is checked, indicating that the number of copies is set to Method 1. Furthermore, the column with the title "Number of Copies" is selected in the column selection field 83a. Additionally, "Selected Records" is set in the print target selection field 85. In this example, only row 231b of database 23 is selected as the print target.

[0066] In the case of the print settings shown in Figure 9, the CPU 11 retrieves the data "3" from the column 232d (cell 233n) which indicates "number of copies" among the data contained in row 231b of the database 23 shown in Figure 4. In this case, as shown in Figure 8, the CPU 11 determines that there is data in cell 233n and therefore it is not blank (S214: NO). The CPU 11 determines whether the retrieved data is "3" and consists only of a number (S215: YES) and whether the retrieved data is a valid number of prints (S216). The CPU 11 determines that the retrieved data is a valid number of prints if it is less than or equal to the number of printable pages controlled and is not a negative number. If the CPU 11 determines that it is a valid number of prints (S216: YES), it determines the data "3" retrieved from the second column as the number of copies (S217) and terminates the number of copies determination process.

[0067] In this case, the CPU 11 generates print data for the determined number of copies "3" and displays three preview images IM3 on the print settings screen, as shown in Figure 9. Therefore, if you want to set individual copies for each row, it is preferable to select the first method and use database printing, which allows you to specify the number of copies for each row in any column.

[0068] In the print settings screen 80 illustrated in Figure 10, the print settings are assumed to be the same as the print settings screen 80 in Figure 9, except that the column titled "Date" is selected in the column selection field 83a.

[0069] In the print settings shown in Figure 10, CPU 11 retrieves the data "2019 / 4 / 25" from the data in column 232a (cell 233m) which indicates the "date," from row 231b of database 23 shown in Figure 4. In this case, as shown in Figure 8, CPU 11 determines that although there is data in cell 233m and it is not blank (S214: NO), the retrieved data "2019 / 4 / 25" contains a " / " (slash) and therefore does not consist solely of numbers. Since CPU 11 cannot determine the number of copies because the retrieved data does not consist solely of numbers (S215: NO), it determines the number of copies to be "1 copy" (S222) and terminates the copy determination process.

[0070] In this case, since the determined number of copies is "1," the CPU 11 generates one print data and displays one preview image IM1 on the print settings screen 80, as shown in Figure 10. As a result, the print application 22 can print one copy of the selected row's label even if, for example, the number of copies is selected incorrectly in the column selection field 83a.

[0071] For example, the print settings screen 80 shown in Figure 11 has the same print settings as in Figure 9, except that the print target specification field 85 is set to "All". In this case, the CPU 11 sequentially performs the copy determination process for all rows of the database 23 except for the first row, and determines the number of copies for each row.

[0072] As shown in Figure 4, CPU 11 determines the number of copies for row 231b of database 23 as described above, and then determines the number of copies for the second row, row 231c. In this case, column 232d (cell 233o) of row 231c is blank. As shown in Figure 8, CPU 11 determines that it is blank (S214: YES), and since the number of copies cannot be determined, it sets the number of copies for row 231c to "0 copies" (S223).

[0073] Furthermore, when CPU 11 determines the number of copies for row 231d of the third row of database 23 shown in Figure 4, it finds that column 232d (cell 233p) of row 231d is not blank (S214:NO), but it stores data "naninu" which does not consist only of numbers (S215:NO), so it sets the number of copies to "1 copy" (S222) and terminates the number determination process.

[0074] If the data obtained in S211 is a negative number, or a number that exceeds the upper limit of the number of prints that the controlled label printer 3 can handle, the CPU 11 determines that it is not a blank field (S214: NO), that the obtained data consists only of numbers (S215: YES), but that it is not a valid number of prints. If the numerical value of the obtained data is not a valid number of prints (S216: NO), the CPU 11 determines the number of copies for that row to be "1 copy" (S222).

[0075] Furthermore, when the CPU 11 determines the number of copies for row 231e of the database 23 shown in Figure 4, if the data "4" stored in column 232d (cell 233q) of row 231e is a valid number of prints (S214: NO, S215: YES, S216: YES), the CPU 11 determines the data "4" stored in cell 233q as the number of copies (S217).

[0076] Figure 11 shows the print settings screen 80, where the number of copies is set to method 1, and print data is generated for all rows of the database 23 shown in Figure 4, and a preview image of the data is displayed. The print settings screen 80 displays three preview images IM1 based on row 231b, one preview image IM2 based on row 231d, and four preview images IM3 based on row 231e, according to the determination made in the number of copies determination process. For row 231c, where the second column is blank, no print data is generated, and no preview image is displayed on the print settings screen 80.

[0077] In this way, the print application 22 displays preview images IM1, IM2, and IM3 for each row of the database 23, making it easy for the user to confirm whether the correct number of copies has been set. Furthermore, the user can easily distinguish between rows in the database 23 that should be printed and those that should not.

[0078] As described above, the print application 22 in this form displays the label editing screen 50 to the user IF 13 of PC1 and selects one of the text objects placed in the label area LA of the label editing screen 50 as the first text object. The print application 22 also selects one of the columns that make up the specified database 23 as the first column. The print application 22 can perform a first printing process to generate label data for each row of the specified database 23 by writing the text shown in the data of the first column into the first text object and printing it. The print application 22 can further select another column that makes up the database 23 as the second column. When the print application 22 prints each row of the specified database 23, the number of copies of the label data based on that row is determined by the data in the second column of that row. As a result, the number of copies printed by the first printing process based on each row can be determined by any column, increasing the design flexibility of the database.

[0079] This embodiment is merely illustrative and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the printing medium of the label printer is not limited to roll-shaped label paper, but may also be fanfold paper or cut-sheet-shaped label paper.

[0080] Furthermore, the configurations of each display screen illustrated in the attached diagrams are not limited to the illustrated examples and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the arrangement and shape of each button are not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, labels may include shapes in addition to text.

[0081] For example, the print target specification field 85 can be omitted, and the application does not accept row selection. However, the print application 22 allows the user to specify the rows to be printed from the database 23, making it user-friendly as the user can specify and print any row in the database 23.

[0082] For example, the print application 22 may disable the number of copies setting field 82 when printing from a database, omitting the processes S111, S131-S132 in Figure 7, and thus avoiding the usual number of copies setting. However, the print application 22 can also display the number of copies setting field 82 in an operable state when printing from a database, allowing for the usual number of copies to be set. This makes database-based printing possible without having to create a second column in the database corresponding to the number of copies, thus improving the usability of the database.

[0083] For example, the number of copies setting field 82 and the column selection field 83a may be displayed in a way that allows simultaneous operation, and the selection of the first method and the second method may not be mutually exclusive. However, the print application 22 can avoid confusion in setting the number of copies by ensuring that the selection of the first method and the second method is mutually exclusive.

[0084] For example, the print application 22 may determine the number of copies to be 1 if the second column is blank. By treating a blank column as a number of copies of 1, data entry into the second column can be omitted during database design.

[0085] For example, if the data in the second column is not a number, the printing application 22 may determine the number of copies to be 0 and avoid printing.

[0086] For example, in steps S35 and S43 of Figure 2, the preview images do not need to be displayed for the number of copies specified in the database. However, the print application 22 displays preview images for each row in the database, making it easier for the user to confirm whether the correct number of copies has been set.

[0087] For example, steps S35 and S43 in Figure 2 may be omitted, and the preview image may not be displayed on the print settings screen 80 when setting the print output. In this case, the print data generation process may be executed after receiving a print execution command by operating the print button 86 on the print settings screen 80. In this case, the print execution command is an example of a "first print command" or a "second print command".

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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]

[0090] 1 PC 3. Label printer 11 CPU 13 User Interface

Claims

1. A program that can be executed by an information processing device connected to a label printer and has a label editing function, The aforementioned information processing device, A display process that causes an editing screen for which label editing is accepted, and on which at least one text object can be placed, to be displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, A specification process that specifies a tabular database consisting of rows and columns, An object selection process in which one of the text objects placed on the editing screen is selected as the first text object, A first column selection process that selects one of the columns constituting the database specified in the above designation process as the first column, A second column selection process, which selects as the second column one of the columns constituting the database specified in the aforementioned designation process, and which is different from the first column, It is possible to make it run, The aforementioned information processing device further includes: In response to the first print command, for each row constituting the database specified in the specified process, A generation process that generates label data by writing the text shown in the data of the first column selected in the first column selection process to the first text object selected in the object selection process, A first printing process in which the label printer is instructed to print based on the label data generated in the generation process for the number of copies indicated in the data of the second column selected in the second column selection process, To execute A program configured in such a way.

2. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The row setting process is executed to set the rows to be printed from among the rows that make up the database specified in the above specification process. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: In response to the first print command, the generation process and the first print process are executed for each row set in the row setting process. A program configured in such a way.

3. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, A quantity object that accepts the number of copies can be displayed on the user interface of the information processing device, and a quantity setting process for setting the number of copies can be executed via the quantity object. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: In response to the second print instruction, for each row constituting the database specified in the above-mentioned processing, The above generation process and, A second printing process, which causes the label printer to print based on the label data generated in the generation process for the number of copies set in the copy setting process, To execute A program configured in such a way.

4. A program according to claim 3, The aforementioned information processing device, The process of setting whether to use the first method or the second method for specifying the number of copies is executed. If the first method is set in the method setting process, the second column selection process is made executable and the first print command is made available, while the number of copies setting process is made unavailable and the second print command is made unavailable. If the second method is set in the method setting process, the number of copies setting process is made executable and the second print command is made available, while the second column selection process is made unavailable and the first print command is made unavailable. A program configured in such a way.

5. A program according to claim 1, In the first printing process, The number of copies for rows where the second column is blank is set to 0. A program configured in such a way.

6. A program according to claim 1, In the first printing process, The number of copies for rows where the second column is blank is set to 1. A program configured in such a way.

7. A program according to claim 1, In the first printing process, For rows where the second column contains data other than numbers, the number of copies is set to 0. A program configured in such a way.

8. A program according to claim 1, In the first printing process, The number of copies of a row where the second column contains data other than a number is defined as 1. A program configured in such a way.

9. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The first row of the database specified in the above-mentioned specified process is read, and a determination process is executed to determine the data in each column of the read first row as the title of each column. In the aforementioned two-column selection process, The titles of each column determined in the aforementioned determination process are displayed in a list, and by selecting one of the displayed column titles, the second column is selected. The aforementioned information processing device further, In response to the first print instruction, the generation process and the first print process are executed for each row of the database specified in the designated process, excluding the first row. A program configured in such a way.

10. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, For each row constituting the database specified in the specified processing, a preview screen is executed on the user interface of the information processing device, which displays a preview screen on the user interface of the information processing device that displays a preview screen on each row for the number of copies of the label data generated in the generation processing, wherein the preview screen displays the number of copies of the print image indicated in the data in the second column of that row. A program configured in such a way.

11. A program according to claim 1, The aforementioned information processing device, The database specified in the aforementioned designation process can be included in the editing screen and displayed on the user interface of the information processing device. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: The user interface of the information processing device allows for a drag-and-drop operation, where the user drags one of the columns constituting the database included in the editing screen and drops it onto one of the text objects placed on the editing screen. In the aforementioned first-column selection process, Select the column dragged by the aforementioned drag-and-drop operation as the first column, In the aforementioned object selection process, Select the text object dropped by the aforementioned drag-and-drop operation as the first text object. A program configured in such a way.

12. A method for controlling an information processing device connected to a label printer, A display step of displaying an editing screen that accepts label editing and allows at least one text object to be placed on the user interface of the information processing device, A specification step that specifies a tabular database consisting of rows and columns, An object selection step of selecting one of the text objects placed on the editing screen as the first text object, A first column selection step in which one of the columns constituting the database specified in the above designation step is selected as the first column, A second column selection step in which one of the columns constituting the database specified in the above designation step, which is different from the first column, is selected as the second column, Includes, moreover, In response to the first print command, the following steps are performed for each row constituting the database specified in the specified step: A generation step that generates label data by writing the text shown in the data of the first column selected in the first column selection step to the first text object selected in the object selection step, A first printing step involves causing the label printer to print based on the label data generated in the generation step for the number of copies indicated in the data of the second column selected in the second column selection step, including, Control method.

13. A control method for an information processing device according to claim 12, The process includes a row setting step in which, via the user interface of the information processing device, rows to be printed are selected from the rows constituting the database specified in the designated step, moreover, In response to the first print instruction, the following steps are performed for each row set in the row setting step, including the generation step and the first print step: Control method.

14. A control method for an information processing device according to claim 12, The process includes displaying a quantity object that accepts the number of copies on the user interface of the information processing device, and setting the number of copies via the quantity object, moreover, In response to a second print instruction, the following steps are performed for each row constituting the database specified in the aforementioned step: The above generation step, A second printing step involves causing the label printer to print based on the label data generated in the generation step for the number of copies set in the number of copies setting step, including, Control method.

15. A control method for an information processing device as described in claim 14, The method setting step includes a step to set whether to use the first method or the second method for specifying the number of copies. moreover, If the first method is set in the method setting step, the second column selection step is made possible and the first print command is made possible, while the number of copies setting step is made impossible and the second print command is made impossible. If the second method is set in the method setting step, the number of copies setting step is made possible and the second print instruction is made possible, while the second column selection step is made impossible and the first print instruction is made impossible. Control method.

16. A control method for an information processing device according to claim 12, The process includes a determination step in which the first row of the database specified in the aforementioned designated step is read, and the data in each column of the read first row is determined to be the title of each column, In the aforementioned second column selection step, The titles of each column determined in the aforementioned decision step are displayed in a list, and by selecting one of the displayed column titles, the second column is selected. moreover, In response to the first print instruction, the following steps are performed for each row of the database specified in the designated step, excluding the first row: the generation step and the first print step, Control method.

17. A control method for an information processing device according to claim 12, A preview step is provided to display on the user interface of the information processing device a preview screen that displays a print image of the label data generated in the generation step for each row constituting the database specified in the designated step, wherein the preview screen displays the number of copies of the print image for each row indicated in the data in the second column of that row. Control method.

18. A control method for an information processing device according to claim 12, The database specified in the specified step can be included in the editing screen and displayed on the user interface of the information processing device. moreover, The user interface of the information processing device allows for a drag-and-drop operation, where the user drags one of the columns constituting the database included in the editing screen and drops it onto one of the text objects placed on the editing screen. In the aforementioned first column selection step, Select the column dragged by the aforementioned drag-and-drop operation as the first column, In the aforementioned object selection step, Select the text object dropped by the aforementioned drag-and-drop operation as the first text object. Control method.

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