Information processing device, tape printing device, control method for information processing device, and program

Abstract

To prevent an ink ribbon from becoming wrinkled when an ink on an ink ribbon is thermally transferred to a tape.SOLUTION: A portable terminal 1 is communicatively connected to a tape printing apparatus that performs printing by thermal transfer of an ink on an ink ribbon to a tape. The portable terminal includes: a tape width acquirer 110 that acquires a width of a tape; a receiver 120 that receives an instruction to print a print image; a calculator 130 that calculates a margin length, which is a length in a tape width direction, of a margin region provided in the tape width direction, relative to a print region of the tape where the print image is to be printed; a proportion determiner 140 that determines whether or not the margin length is a particular proportion or above of the tape width; and a print controller 160 that controls the tape printing apparatus to print a margin image when it is determined that the margin length is the particular proportion or above of the tape width, and controls the tape printing apparatus not to print the margin image when it is determined that the margin length is not the particular proportion or above of the tape width.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a tape printing device, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been known an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints a print image by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape, and controls the printing of the tape printing device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-074096 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tape printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, when printing on a tape, the tape and ink ribbon are sandwiched between the print head and the platen roller and transported, thereby thermally transferring the ink of the ink ribbon to the tape. However, if the range in the tape width direction where the print image is not printed is large, the range where the ink of the ink ribbon is not thermally transferred to the tape will also be large, and as the tape and ink ribbon pass between the print head and the platen roller, wrinkles will occur in the ink ribbon, which may result in printing defects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape, and includes a tape width acquisition unit that acquires the tape width of the tape, a reception unit that receives a print instruction for a print image, a calculation unit that calculates a margin length, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area on the tape in the tape width direction relative to a printing area in which the print image is printed, a ratio determination unit that determines whether the margin length relative to the tape width is a specific ratio or more, and a print control unit that controls the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and to print a margin image in the margin area when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is the specific ratio or more, and controls the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and not to print the margin image in the margin area when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not the specific ratio or more.

[0006] The information processing device is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape, and includes a tape type acquisition unit that acquires the tape type of the tape, a reception unit that accepts a print instruction for a print image, a tape discrimination unit that determines whether the tape is a specific type or not based on the acquired tape type, and a print control unit that controls the tape printing device to print a print image in a print area of ​​the tape and to print a margin image in a margin area provided on the tape in the tape width direction relative to the print area when the tape is determined to be not of the specific type, and controls the tape printing device to print the print image in the print area and not to print a margin image in the margin area when the tape is determined to not be of the specific type.

[0007] The tape printing device includes a printing unit that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to the tape, a tape width acquisition unit that acquires the tape width of the tape, a receiving unit that accepts a printing instruction for a print image, a calculation unit that calculates a margin length, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area on the tape in the tape width direction relative to a printing area in which the print image is printed, a ratio determination unit that determines whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio, and a print control unit that controls the printing unit to print the print image in the printing area and to print a margin image in the margin area when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, and controls the printing unit to print the print image in the printing area and not to print the margin image in the margin area when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not equal to or greater than the specific ratio.

[0008] The control method of an information processing device is a control method of an information processing device communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape, and the information processing device executes the following steps: acquiring the tape width of the tape; accepting a printing instruction for a print image; calculating a margin length, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area provided in the tape in the tape width direction relative to a printing area in which the print image is printed; determining whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; and, if it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and to print a margin image in the margin area, and, if it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and not to print the margin image in the margin area.

[0009] The program causes an information processing device communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape to execute the following steps: acquiring the tape width of the tape; accepting a print instruction for a print image; calculating a margin length, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area provided in the tape in the tape width direction relative to a printing area in which the print image is printed; determining whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; and, if it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and to print a margin image in the margin area, and, if it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device to print the print image in the printing area and not to print the margin image in the margin area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of a portable terminal and a tape printing device included in the tape printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the portable terminal and the tape printing apparatus. [Diagram 3] This is a view of a normal tape from the +Z direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a regular label. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a margin area of ​​a normal label. [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a normal label different from that shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print instruction process by a mobile terminal. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a selection screen. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of printing of a normal label according to a modified example. [Figure 11] This is a view of the plate tape from the +Z direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of printing on a plate label. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a margin area of ​​a plate label. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of a print instruction process by a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 16] 13 is an explanatory diagram of a margin area of ​​a plate label according to a modified example. FIG. [Figure 17] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of printing on a plate label according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, an information processing device, a tape printing device, and a control method and program for the information processing device will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, although an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is shown in some of the drawings, this is merely for convenience of explanation and does not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0012] 1 is an external view of a portable terminal 1 and a tape printer 2 included in a tape printing system SY. The portable terminal 1 is an example of an "information processing device." The tape printing system SY includes the portable terminal 1 and the tape printer 2, which are connected via wireless communication 5. Note that the portable terminal 1 and the tape printer 2 may be connected by wire, such as a cable, instead of being connected via wireless communication 5.

[0013] The mobile terminal 1 includes a touch panel 11. The touch panel 11 is an example of a "display unit." A label creation application 30 (see FIG. 2) for creating a label LA in cooperation with the tape printer 2 is installed in the mobile terminal 1. The label creation application 30 is an example of a "program." The mobile terminal 1 uses the label creation application 30 to generate print data for creating the label LA and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates a smartphone as the mobile terminal 1, a tablet terminal or a notebook PC (Personal Computer) may also be used.

[0014] The tape printing device 2 includes a keyboard 21, a display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24.

[0015] The keyboard 21 accepts various operations such as editing the print image Ga (see FIG. 5, etc.). The display 22 displays various information such as an editing screen for editing the print image Ga. A tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. The tape cartridge C contains a tape T and an ink ribbon R within its case. The tape cartridge C is also provided with a platen roller 28.

[0016] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a print head 25. The print head 25 is driven to generate heat in accordance with the editing result of the print image Ga when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. As a result, the ink of the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the tape T, and the print image Ga is printed.

[0017] The printed tape T is discharged from the tape discharge opening 24. A cutter 26 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape discharge opening 24. The cutter 26 cuts the tape T in the tape width direction. This causes the printed portion of the tape T to be cut off. The cut-off printed portion of the tape T is used as a label LA.

[0018] The tape printer 2 can print based on the result of editing the print image Ga using the keyboard 21, as well as print based on print data transmitted from the mobile terminal 1. In the first embodiment, a case where the tape printer 2 prints based on print data transmitted from the mobile terminal 1, as in the latter case, will be described.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 1 and the tape printing apparatus 2. The mobile terminal 1 includes a touch panel 11, a mobile terminal side communication unit 12, and a mobile terminal side control unit 13.

[0020] The touch panel 11 accepts various operations by the user and displays various information. For example, the touch panel 11 displays a first selection screen D1 (see FIG. 9) which will be described later.

[0021] The mobile terminal communication unit 12 communicates with the tape printing device 2 via wireless communication 5. For example, the mobile terminal communication unit 12 transmits print data to the tape printing device 2 and receives cartridge information indicating the type of the tape cartridge C attached to the tape printing device 2 from the tape printing device 2.

[0022] The mobile terminal control unit 13 includes a mobile terminal central processing unit (CPU) 13a, a mobile terminal read only memory (ROM) 13b, and a mobile terminal random access memory (RAM) 13c.

[0023] The mobile terminal CPU 13a performs various controls by expanding various control programs stored in the mobile terminal ROM 13b into the mobile terminal RAM 13c and executing them. Note that the mobile terminal control unit 13 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as a processor instead of the mobile terminal CPU 13a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0024] The mobile terminal ROM 13b is a rewritable ROM, and stores various control programs and various control data. For example, the mobile terminal ROM 13b stores a label creation application 30. The label creation application 30 is an application program for creating various labels LA, such as a normal label LA1 (see FIG. 5, etc.). The normal label LA1 is a label LA created using a normal tape T1 (see FIG. 3).

[0025] Here, normal tape T1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the X direction indicates the tape length direction, the Y direction indicates the tape width direction, and the Z direction indicates the tape thickness direction. The same applies to other figures including the XYZ orthogonal coordinate system. Regular tape T1 is made of resin, and has a structure in which a release paper is provided in the -Z direction of the printed layer. FIG. 3 shows the printed surface of the printed layer of regular tape T1. During printing, regular tape T1 is transported in the -X direction along a tape transport path (not shown).

[0026] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 2, the tape printing device 2 includes a printing device side communication section 41, a cartridge information acquisition section 42, a printing section 43, and a printing device side control section 44.

[0027] The printing device communication unit 41 communicates with the portable terminal 1 via wireless communication 5.

[0028] The cartridge information acquisition unit 42 includes an optical reading unit (not shown) that optically reads a code image printed on the case of the tape cartridge C or affixed as a label, and acquires cartridge information indicating the type of the tape cartridge C by decoding the image read by the optical reading unit. The cartridge information includes information indicating the tape width Lt of the tape T accommodated in the tape cartridge C.

[0029] The printing unit 43 is a mechanism for printing on the tape T, and includes the print head 25, a feed motor 43a, and a cutter motor 43b. The print head 25 has a plurality of heating elements, and thermally transfers ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The feed motor 43a is a drive source that feeds the tape T and the ink ribbon R. The cutter motor 43b is a drive source that drives the cutter 26.

[0030] The printing device control unit 44 includes a printing device CPU 44a, a printing device ROM 44b, and a printing device RAM 44c.

[0031] The printer CPU 44a performs various controls by loading various control programs stored in the printer ROM 44b into the printer RAM 44c and executing them. Note that the printer control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the printer CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0032] The printer ROM 44b stores various control programs such as firmware. The printer CPU 44a uses the control programs stored in the printer ROM 44b to print on the tape T based on the print data sent from the portable terminal 1. When the printer CPU 44a receives a cartridge information request signal from the portable terminal 1 or when the tape cartridge C is replaced, the printer CPU 44a acquires cartridge information from the code image of the tape cartridge C via the cartridge information acquisition unit 42 and transmits the acquired cartridge information to the portable terminal 1.

[0033] As described above, the tape printer 2 prints the print image Ga on the tape T by conveying the tape T and the ink ribbon R housed in the tape cartridge C while being sandwiched between the print head 25 and the platen roller 28 (see FIG. 1). When printing is performed by the thermal transfer method in this way, if the area in the Y direction of the tape T where the print image Ga is not printed is large, the area where the ink of the ink ribbon R is not thermally transferred to the tape T is also large. This weakens the adhesive force of the ink ribbon R to the tape T, making it difficult for the ink ribbon R to follow the tape T, causing wrinkles in the ink ribbon R and causing printing defects. In order to eliminate such printing defects, when a print instruction is given for the print image Ga such that the area in the Y direction of the tape T where the print image Ga is not printed is large, the mobile terminal 1 according to the first embodiment causes the tape printer 2 to print not only the print image Ga but also a margin image Gb (see FIG. 5, etc.) in at least one of the +Y direction and -Y direction of the print image Ga. The printing of the margin image Gb will be described in detail below.

[0034] 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1. The functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 includes a tape width acquisition unit 110, a reception unit 120, a calculation unit 130, a ratio determination unit 140, a display control unit 150, and a print control unit 160. All of these functions are realized by the mobile terminal side CPU 13a executing the label creation application 30.

[0035] The tape width acquisition unit 110 acquires the tape width Lt of the tape T. The tape width acquisition unit 110 acquires the tape width Lt from the cartridge information transmitted from the tape printing device 2. In the first embodiment, when the print image Ga is edited by the user and an instruction to print the print image Ga is given, the tape width acquisition unit 110 transmits a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2 and receives the cartridge information from the tape printing device 2, thereby acquiring the tape width Lt.

[0036] The reception unit 120 receives, from the user, a print instruction for the print image Ga. The reception unit 120 receives the print instruction for the print image Ga when a print button for instructing printing is selected on an edit screen (not shown).

[0037] The calculation unit 130 calculates a tape margin length Lm, which is the length in the Y direction of a margin area EM provided on the tape T in the Y direction with respect to the printing area E1 where the print image Ga is printed (see FIG. 6 for both). The tape margin length Lm is an example of a "margin length". The margin areas EM provided on the tape T include a first margin area EM1 located on one side of the Y direction with respect to the printing area E1, and a second margin area EM2 located on the other side of the Y direction with respect to the printing area E1. In the first embodiment, the margin area EM located in the +Y direction with respect to the printing area E1 is referred to as the first margin area EM1, and the margin area EM located in the -Y direction with respect to the printing area E1 is referred to as the second margin area EM2. The calculation unit 130 calculates, as the tape margin length Lm, a first tape margin length Lm1 which is the length in the Y direction of the first margin area EM1 and a second tape margin length Lm2 which is the length in the Y direction of the second margin area EM2, based on the tape width Lt acquired by the tape width acquisition unit 110 and the print image Ga for which a print instruction has been accepted by the acceptance unit 120. Note that the position of the print image Ga on the tape T is determined by print image data, which will be described later.

[0038] The ratio determination unit 140 determines whether or not the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, based on the tape width Lt acquired by the tape width acquisition unit 110 and the tape margin length Lm calculated by the calculation unit 130. More specifically, the ratio determination unit 140 determines whether or not the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, and whether or not the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio. The first specific ratio is, for example, 20%.

[0039] When the ratio determination section 140 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, or when the ratio determination section 140 determines that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the display control section 150 causes the touch panel 11 to display a first selection screen D1 (see FIG. 9) that allows the user to select whether or not to print the margin image Gb. Furthermore, when the ratio determination section 140 determines that both the first tape margin length Lm1 and the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt are equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the display control section 150 causes the touch panel 11 to display the first selection screen D1.

[0040] When printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and also print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM. Also, when not printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0041] More specifically, when the ratio determination unit 140 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio and printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and print the margin image Gb in the first margin area EM1. Also, when the ratio determination unit 140 determines that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio and printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and print the margin image Gb in the second margin area EM2.

[0042] In addition, when the ratio determination unit 140 determines that at least one of the first tape margin length Lm1 and the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio and it is selected on the first selection screen D1 not to print the margin image Gb, the printing control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2.

[0043] When the print control unit 160 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb, the print control unit 160 transmits print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga and the margin image Gb and a print instruction command to the tape printer 2. When the print control unit 160 causes the tape printer 2 to print only the print image Ga, the print control unit 160 transmits print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga and a print instruction command to the tape printer 2.

[0044] Next, specific examples of printing the print image Ga and the margin image Gb will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a regular label LA1 on which a margin image Gb is printed. Hereinafter, the margin image Gb printed in the first margin area EM1 (see Fig. 6) will be referred to as a first margin image Gb1, and the margin image Gb printed in the second margin area EM2 (see Fig. 6) will be referred to as a second margin image Gb2.

[0045] When the entire area of ​​the normal label LA1 is defined as the label area E0, the label area E0 includes the print image data area E2 indicated by the dashed line. The print image data area E2 is an area based on the print image data, and the length of the print image data area E2 in the X direction is determined based on the print image data. The length of the print image data area E2 in the Y direction is determined by the tape width Lt of the tape T. That is, the portable terminal 1 generates print image data with an X direction length according to the print image data and a Y direction length according to the tape width Lt of the tape T, and transmits print data including the generated print image data to the tape printer 2. The length of the label area E0 in the X direction is the length of the print image data area E2 in the X direction plus the front end length Lf. The front end length Lf corresponds to the length between the printing position of the print head 25 and the cutting position of the cutter 26.

[0046] The print image data area E2 also includes a print area E1 indicated by a dashed line. The print area E1 is a rectangular area that surrounds the entire print image Ga. The layout of the print area E1 in the print image data area E2 is determined according to the results of editing the print image Ga, for example, the position and character size of the print image Ga specified by the user.

[0047] In FIG. 5, the length of the label area E0 in the Y direction corresponds to the tape width Lt. The length from the end of the label area E0 in the +Y direction to the end of the print area E1 in the +Y direction corresponds to the first tape margin length Lm1 described above, and the length from the end of the label area E0 in the -Y direction to the end of the print area E1 in the -Y direction corresponds to the second tape margin length Lm2 described above. The length obtained by subtracting the length from the end of the label area E0 in the +Y direction to the end of the print image data area E2 in the +Y direction from the first tape margin length Lm1 is referred to as the first real margin length Ln1. The length obtained by subtracting the length from the end of the label area E0 in the -Y direction to the end of the print image data area E2 in the -Y direction from the second tape margin length Lm2 is referred to as the second real margin length Ln2. The first substantial margin length Ln1 and the second substantial margin length Ln2 are determined taking into consideration the specifications of the print head 25, the length of the platen roller 28, and the like.

[0048] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the margin area EM in the normal label LA1 shown in Fig. 5. The normal label LA1 shown in Fig. 5 has a first margin area EM1 and a second margin area EM2 as the margin area EM, as shown by shading. The first margin area EM1 is an area of ​​the label area E0 excluding the front end length Lf at the -X direction end and having a first tape margin length Lm1 at the +Y direction end. The second margin area EM2 is an area of ​​the label area E0 excluding the front end length Lf at the -X direction end and having a second tape margin length Lm2 at the -Y direction end.

[0049] The first margin image Gb1 is printed in a first substantial margin area (not shown) that is an area of ​​the first margin area EM1 that is the first substantial margin length Ln1 in the -Y direction. More preferably, the first margin image Gb1 is printed at the +Y direction end of the first substantial margin area. Moreover, the second margin image Gb2 is printed in a second substantial margin area (not shown) that is an area of ​​the second margin area EM2 that is the second substantial margin length Ln2 in the +Y direction. More preferably, the second margin image Gb2 is printed at the -Y direction end of the second substantial margin area.

[0050] The first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 are printed from one end to the other end in the X direction of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, respectively. The pattern characters for printing the margin image Gb are stored in advance as part of the label creation application 30, and the mobile terminal 1 determines the number of repetitions of the pattern characters according to the lengths in the X direction of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, and generates the margin image Gb by arranging the pattern characters in the X direction by the determined number of repetitions. In the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the pattern characters are filled in black diamond marks "◆".

[0051] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a normal label LA1 on which a first margin image Gb1 is printed and a second margin image Gb2 is not printed. As shown in Fig. 7, when the ratio of the second tape margin length Lm2 to the tape width Lt is small, that is, when the second tape margin length Lm2 to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the mobile terminal 1 controls the tape printer 2 not to print the second margin image Gb2.

[0052] The flow of the print instruction process by the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. It is assumed that the user has completed editing the print image Ga before the flowchart of Fig. 8 starts.

[0053] In step S01, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not it has received a print instruction for the print image Ga. If it determines that it has received a print instruction for the print image Ga, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S02. If it determines that it has not received a print instruction for the print image Ga, the mobile terminal 1 repeats step S01.

[0054] In step S02, the portable terminal 1 acquires the tape width of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C attached to the tape printing device 2. The portable terminal 1 acquires the tape width indicated by the cartridge information by transmitting a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2.

[0055] In step S03, the mobile terminal 1 calculates the tape margin length Lm based on the print image Ga instructed to be printed in step S01 and the tape width acquired in step S02. The mobile terminal 1 calculates a first tape margin length Lm1 and a second tape margin length Lm2 as the tape margin length Lm.

[0056] In step S04, the portable terminal 1 determines whether or not the ratio of the first tape margin length Lm1 to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, and whether or not the ratio of the second tape margin length Lm2 to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio. If the portable terminal 1 determines that at least one of the ratio of the first tape margin length Lm1 to the tape width Lt and the ratio of the second tape margin length Lm2 to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the portable terminal 1 proceeds to step S06. If the portable terminal 1 determines that both the ratio of the first tape margin length Lm1 to the tape width Lt and the ratio of the second tape margin length Lm2 to the tape width Lt are not equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the portable terminal 1 proceeds to step S05.

[0057] In step S05, the portable terminal 1 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga. That is, the portable terminal 1 generates print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. After step S05, the portable terminal 1 ends the print instruction process.

[0058] In step S06, the mobile terminal 1 displays on the touch panel 11 a first selection screen D1 (see FIG. 9).

[0059] In step S07, the mobile terminal 1 accepts a user's selection on the first selection screen D1.

[0060] In step S08, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not printing of the margin image Gb has been selected on the first selection screen D1. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that printing of the margin image Gb has been selected on the first selection screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S09. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that not printing of the margin image Gb has been selected on the first selection screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S05.

[0061] In step S09, the portable terminal 1 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb. That is, the portable terminal 1 generates print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga and the margin image Gb, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. After step S09, the portable terminal 1 ends the print instruction process.

[0062] 9 is a diagram showing a display example of the first selection screen D1. The first selection screen D1 displays a first message 51, a Yes button 52, and a No button 53. The first message 51 is a message that prompts the user to select whether or not to print the margin image Gb. When the Yes button 52 is selected on the first selection screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 determines that printing of the margin image Gb has been selected. Also, when the No button 53 is selected on the first selection screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 determines that not printing of the margin image Gb has been selected.

[0063] As described above, the portable terminal 1 according to the first embodiment determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, and when printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, controls the tape printing device 2 to print the first margin image Gb1 in the first margin area EM1. Also, when the portable terminal 1 determines that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, and when printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, controls the tape printing device 2 to print the second margin image Gb2 in the second margin area EM2. In addition, when the portable terminal 1 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, it controls the tape printing device 2 so as not to print the first margin image Gb1 in the first margin area EM1, and when the portable terminal 1 determines that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, it controls the tape printing device 2 so as not to print the second margin image Gb2 in the second margin area EM2.

[0064] In this way, when the ratio of the tape margin length Lm to the tape width Lt is large, the mobile terminal 1 prints the margin image Gb in the margin area EM, thereby narrowing the range in the Y direction where the ink of the ink ribbon R is not thermally transferred to the tape T. This prevents wrinkles from occurring in the ink ribbon R, and thus prevents printing defects. Also, when the ratio of the tape margin length Lm to the tape width Lt is small, the margin image Gb is not printed, thereby preventing unnecessary printing.

[0065] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 1 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 or the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, it displays a first selection screen D1 on the touch panel 11, which allows the user to select whether or not to print a margin image Gb. This allows the user to select whether or not to print a margin image Gb depending on the intended use of the label LA and their preferences.

[0066] Furthermore, when the mobile terminal 1 causes the tape printing device 2 to print the margin image Gb, the mobile terminal 1 causes the margin image Gb to be printed from one end to the other end in the X direction of the margin area EM. This allows the mobile terminal 1 to minimize the occurrence of wrinkles in the ink ribbon R.

[0067] In the first embodiment, the following modifications can be adopted. [Variation 1-1] The mobile terminal 1 may be configured to omit the display control unit 150. In this case, the first selection screen D1 is not displayed. That is, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 based on the determination result of the ratio determination unit 140, regardless of the selection result on the first selection screen D1 by the user.

[0068] [Variation 1-2] The calculation unit 130 of the mobile terminal 1 may calculate the total margin length, which is the sum of the first tape margin length Lm1 and the second tape margin length Lm2, as the tape margin length Lm. In this case, the ratio determination unit 140 determines whether the total margin length with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a second specific ratio different from the first specific ratio. The second specific ratio is, for example, 40%. Furthermore, when it is determined that the total margin length with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the print area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in at least one of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2. Furthermore, when it is determined that the total margin length relative to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in either the first margin area EM1 or the second margin area EM2. According to this configuration, the mobile terminal 1 can print the margin image Gb when the ratio of the length of the print area E1 in the Y direction relative to the tape width Lt is small.

[0069] In addition, when the printing control unit 160 determines that the total margin length relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a second specific ratio, it is preferable to control the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in at least one of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, whichever is longer in the Y direction.

[0070] [Variation 1-3] The print control unit 160 of the portable terminal 1 may cause the tape printer 2 to print a margin image Gb as shown in Fig. 10. In the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2 of the normal label LA1 shown in Fig. 10, a first margin image Gb1 and a second margin image Gb2 are printed in a range corresponding to one end to the other end of the print area E1 in the X direction, respectively. In this way, the margin image Gb does not necessarily have to be printed from one end to the other end of each of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2 in the X direction, but may be printed in a range corresponding to one end to the other end of the print area E1 in the X direction in the X direction.

[0071] [Variation 1-4] When printing of the margin image Gb is selected on the first selection screen D1, the display control unit 150 of the mobile terminal 1 may allow the user to select whether to print the margin image Gb in the first embodiment or in the form of the modified example 1-3. Specifically, the display control unit 150 displays on the touch panel 11 a second selection screen (not shown) that allows the user to select whether to print the margin image Gb from one end to the other end in the X direction of each of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, or to print in a range corresponding to one end to the other end in the X direction of the print area E1. In this way, the print control unit 160 may determine whether to print the margin image Gb as shown in FIG. 6 or the margin image Gb as shown in FIG. 10 according to the selection result on the second selection screen.

[0072] As a further modified example, the mobile terminal 1 may be capable of printing the blank image Gb in a plurality of lines arranged in the Y direction, and the user may be allowed to select the number of lines on the second selection screen.

[0073] [Variation 1-5] The display control unit 150 of the mobile terminal 1 may display a third selection screen (not shown) that allows the user to select a pattern character of the blank image Gb. The third selection screen displays a selection of multiple pattern characters. For example, the third selection screen may display pattern characters such as an underscore "_" or a circle "○" as a selection. The pattern character is not limited to one image, but may be composed of multiple types of images such as a black diamond and a circle "◆○". The blank image Gb is not limited to characters, but may be composed of continuous images such as solid lines, dashed lines, and decorative patterns.

[0074] As a further modified example, the mobile terminal 1 may use a character string input by the user as the pattern characters, rather than allowing the user to select the pattern characters from a plurality of options. Also, the mobile terminal 1 may allow the user to select the size of the pattern characters on the third selection screen.

[0075] [Variation 1-6] The ratio determination unit 140 of the mobile terminal 1 may determine the ratio of the actual margin length Ln to the tape width Lt, instead of the ratio of the tape margin length Lm to the tape width Lt. The actual margin length Ln is an example of a "margin length." That is, the ratio determination unit 140 may determine whether or not a first actual margin length Ln1 to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, and whether or not a second actual margin length Ln2 to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio.

[0076] [Variation 1-7] The functional configuration of the portable terminal 1 shown in FIG. 4 may be realized by the tape printer 2. In this case, all of the functions shown in FIG. 4 are realized by the printer CPU 44a executing a control program such as firmware stored in the printer ROM 44b. The tape printer 2 performs printing based on the result of editing the print image Ga using the keyboard 21. The tape width acquisition unit 110 of the tape printer 2 acquires the tape width indicated by the cartridge information obtained from the cartridge information acquisition unit 42. The display control unit 150 of the tape printer 2 displays the first selection screen D1 on the display 22. The print control unit 160 of the tape printer 2 controls the print unit 43 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb.

[0077] [Second embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the above first embodiment, printing is performed on normal tape T1 (see FIG. 3), but in the second embodiment, printing is performed on plate tape T2 (see FIG. 11) will now be described. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below. Note that in the second embodiment, components similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted. Also, modified examples applied to components similar to those in the first embodiment are similarly applied to the second embodiment.

[0078] 11 is a view of the plate tape T2 as viewed from the +Z direction. The plate tape T2 is made of resin, and plate portions MP are formed at equal intervals in the X direction. The thickness of the plate tape T2 is thicker than that of the normal tape T1, and the printed surface, which is the surface of the plate tape T2 in the +Z direction, has a smaller coefficient of friction than the normal tape T1. In this way, when the tape T is thick and the coefficient of friction of the printed surface is small, the adhesive strength of the ink ribbon R to the tape T is easily weakened, and the ink ribbon R has difficulty following the tape T. Therefore, when the plate tape T2 is used, wrinkles are more likely to occur in the ink ribbon R than when the normal tape T1 is used.

[0079] Further, perforations 61 are provided on the outer edge of the plate portion MP of the plate tape T2 so that the plate portion MP can be cut off along the perforations 61. The plate portion MP is used as a marker plate, and is attached to an object such as a cable by passing cable ties or wires through a plurality of holes 62 provided on both ends in the X direction.

[0080] In addition, a plurality of detection protrusions 66 are provided on the side portion in the +Y direction of the plate tape T2. The plurality of detection protrusions 66 are partially protruding from the side portion in the +Y direction of the plate tape T2, and are provided at approximately equal intervals in the X direction. The detection protrusions 66 are provided for each plate part MP in the X direction, and are used by the tape printing device 2 to detect the position of the plate part MP. Although not shown, the tape printing device 2 is provided with a sensor that detects the detection protrusions 66 of the plate tape T2 transported along the tape transport path, and the tape printing device 2 determines the printing start timing based on the detection result of the sensor. The detection protrusions 66 extend in the +Y direction from the end in the +Y direction with respect to the tape width Lt of the plate tape T2.

[0081] 12 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 according to the second embodiment. The functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 includes a tape type acquisition unit 210, a reception unit 120, a tape discrimination unit 220, and a print control unit 160. All of these functions are realized by the mobile terminal side CPU 13a executing the label creation application 30.

[0082] The tape type acquisition unit 210 acquires the tape type of the tape T. The cartridge information acquired by the cartridge information acquisition unit 42 of the tape printing device 2 includes information indicating the tape type of the tape T. The tape type is, for example, information such as "normal tape T1" or "plate tape T2." The tape type acquisition unit 210 acquires the tape type from the cartridge information transmitted from the tape printing device 2.

[0083] The tape discrimination unit 220 determines whether or not the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C is of a specific type, based on the tape type acquired by the tape type acquisition unit 210. In the second embodiment, the tape discrimination unit 220 determines whether or not the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C is the plate tape T2.

[0084] When the tape T is determined to be plate tape T2, the printing control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and when the tape T is determined to not be plate tape T2, the printing control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0085] More specifically, when the tape T is determined to be the plate tape T2, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1 and to print the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 in the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, respectively. Furthermore, when the tape T is determined to not be the plate tape T2, the print control unit 160 controls the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga in the print area E1, but not to print the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, respectively.

[0086] A specific example of printing the print image Ga and the margin image Gb will be described with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a plate label LA2 on which a margin image Gb is printed. The plate label LA2 is a label LA created using a plate tape T2.

[0087] The label area E0 of the plate label LA2 is the area of ​​the entire area of ​​the plate label LA2 that corresponds to the -Y direction of the detection convex portion 66. That is, the label area E0 of the plate label LA2 is an area of ​​the tape width Lt at the -Y direction end of the plate label LA2. The plate label LA2 includes a print image data area E2 indicated by a dashed line. The print image data area E2 is an area based on the print image data. The print image data area E2 also includes a print area E1 indicated by a dashed line. The print area E1 is a rectangular area that surrounds the entire print image Ga. In the second embodiment, the print area E1 is an area inside the plate part MP.

[0088] In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the length from the +Y end of the label area E0 to the +Y end of the print area E1 is the first tape margin length Lm1, and the length from the -Y end of the label area E0 to the -Y end of the print area E1 is the second tape margin length Lm2. The length obtained by subtracting the length from the +Y end of the label area E0 to the +Y end of the print image data area E2 from the first tape margin length Lm1 is the first actual margin length Ln1, and the length obtained by subtracting the length from the -Y end of the label area E0 to the -Y end of the print image data area E2 from the second tape margin length Lm2 is the second actual margin length Ln2.

[0089] Fig. 14 is an explanatory diagram of the margin area EM in the plate label LA2 shown in Fig. 13. The plate label LA2 has a first margin area EM1 and a second margin area EM2 as the margin area EM, as shown by hatching. The first margin area EM1 is a region shown by hatching, and is a region of the print image data area E2 that is a first tape margin length Lm1 in the -Y direction from the edge in the +Y direction of the print image data area E2. The second margin area EM2 is a region shown by hatching, and is a region of the print image data area E2 that is a second tape margin length Lm2 in the +Y direction from the edge in the -Y direction of the print image data area E2.

[0090] The first margin image Gb1 is printed in a first substantial margin area (not shown) that is an area of ​​the first margin area EM1 that is the first substantial margin length Ln1 in the -Y direction. The second margin image Gb2 is printed in a second substantial margin area (not shown) that is an area of ​​the second margin area EM2 that is the second substantial margin length Ln2 in the +Y direction. In the second embodiment, the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 are printed in an area outside the plate part MP. The first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 are printed from one end to the other end in the X direction of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, respectively.

[0091] The flow of print instruction processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 15. In step S11, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a print instruction to print the print image Ga has been accepted. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a print instruction to print the print image Ga has been accepted, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S12. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a print instruction to print the print image Ga has not been accepted, the mobile terminal 1 repeats step S11.

[0092] In step S12, the portable terminal 1 obtains the tape type of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C attached to the tape printing device 2. The portable terminal 1 transmits a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2, thereby obtaining the tape type indicated by the cartridge information.

[0093] In step S13, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether the tape T is the plate tape T2 based on the tape type acquired in step S12. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that the tape T is the plate tape T2, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S14. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that the tape T is not the plate tape T2, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S15.

[0094] In step S14, the portable terminal 1 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb. That is, the portable terminal 1 generates print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga and the margin image Gb, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. After step S14, the portable terminal 1 ends the print instruction process.

[0095] In step S15, the portable terminal 1 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga. That is, the portable terminal 1 generates print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. After step S15, the portable terminal 1 ends the print instruction process.

[0096] As described above, when the mobile terminal 1 according to the second embodiment determines that the tape T used in the tape printer 2 is the plate tape T2, it controls the tape printer 2 to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and when it determines that the tape T used in the tape printer 2 is not the plate tape T2, it controls the tape printer 2 not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM. In this way, when the type of tape is one that is prone to wrinkles in the ink ribbon R, the mobile terminal 1 prints the margin image Gb in the margin area EM, thereby effectively preventing wrinkles from occurring in the ink ribbon R and thus preventing printing defects. Furthermore, when it determines that the tape T used in the tape printer 2 is not the plate tape T2, it does not print the margin image Gb, thereby preventing unnecessary printing.

[0097] In the second embodiment, the following modifications can be adopted. [Variation 2-1] In FIG. 14, the first margin area EM1 is an area of ​​the print image data area E2 that is from the side in the +Y direction of the print image data area E2 to the -Y direction by the first tape margin length Lm1. The second margin area EM2 is an area of ​​the print image data area E2 that is from the side in the -Y direction of the print image data area E2 to the +Y direction by the second tape margin length Lm2. Here, when the tape discrimination unit 220 discriminates that the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C is the plate tape T2, as shown in FIG. 16, the first margin area EM1 may be an area from the side in the +Y direction of the print image data area E2 to the outer edge of the plate part MP in the -Y direction. Similarly, the second margin area EM2 may be an area from the side in the -Y direction of the print image data area E2 to the outer edge of the plate part MP in the +Y direction. According to this configuration, the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 are not printed within the range of the plate part MP, and it is possible to prevent images that are unnecessary for the user from being printed within the plate part MP.

[0098] [Variation 2-2] The print control unit 160 of the mobile terminal 1 causes the tape printing device 2 to print a pattern image in which pattern characters are repeated as the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2, but may also cause the tape printing device 2 to print a character string as shown in Fig. 17. In this case, character string information for printing the margin image Gb is stored in advance as part of the label creation application 30. With this configuration, information that is considered to be useful to the user, such as a character string indicating how to cut out the plate portion MP, can be printed as the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2.

[0099] In addition, in the modified example 2-2, the print control unit 160 may change the length in the X direction of the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 by editing a part of the character string so that the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 are printed from one end to the other end in the X direction of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2, respectively. For example, when printing a character string such as "↓Please cut along the perforation.↓" as the first margin image Gb1 as shown in FIG. 17, the print control unit 160 may change the length of the first margin image Gb1 and the second margin image Gb2 by increasing or decreasing the number of arrows included at the beginning and end of the character string.

[0100] [Variation 2-3] The print control unit 160 of the mobile terminal 1 may perform control combined with the first embodiment. More specifically, when the print control unit 160 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt of the tape T is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, or when the print control unit 160 determines that the tape T is the plate tape T2, the print control unit 160 may control the tape printing device 2 to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM. Furthermore, when the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt of the tape T is not equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, and the tape T is not the plate tape T2, the print control unit 160 may control the tape printing device 2 not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0101] [Variation 2-4] The tape discrimination unit 220 may discriminate whether the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C is a die-cut tape or not, based on the tape type acquired by the tape type acquisition unit 210. A die-cut tape is a tape in which die-cut label members are provided at approximately equal intervals in the X direction on a tape mount. In this case, when the print control unit 160 determines that the tape T is a die-cut tape, it controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the print area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and when the print control unit 160 determines that the tape T is not a die-cut tape, it controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the print area E1 and not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0102] As a further modified example, the tape discrimination unit 220 may discriminate whether the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C is a die-cut tape without waste based on the tape type acquired by the tape type acquisition unit 210. A die-cut tape without waste refers to a die-cut tape in which the periphery of the label member has not been peeled off from the tape backing. More specifically, when the print control unit 160 determines that the tape T is a die-cut tape without waste, it controls the tape printer 2 to print a print image Ga in the print area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM. When the print control unit 160 determines that the tape T is a normal tape T1 or a die-cut tape with waste, it controls the tape printer 2 to print a print image Ga in the print area E1 and not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0103] [Variation 2-5] The tape type acquisition unit 210 of the mobile terminal 1 may acquire, as the tape type, the material of the tape T, the thickness of the tape T, the friction coefficient of the printed surface of the tape T, etc. In this case, the tape discrimination unit 220 discriminates whether the material of the tape T is a specific material, whether the thickness of the tape T is equal to or greater than a thickness threshold, whether the friction coefficient of the printed surface of the tape T is equal to or less than a friction coefficient threshold, etc. Furthermore, when it is determined that the material of the tape T is a specific material, when it is determined that the thickness of the tape T is equal to or greater than a thickness threshold, or when it is determined that the friction coefficient of the printed surface of the tape T is equal to or less than a friction coefficient threshold, the printing control unit 160 causes the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga and a margin image Gb, respectively.

[0104] [Variation 2-6] The functional configuration of the portable terminal 1 shown in Fig. 12 may be realized by the tape printer 2. In this case, all of the functions shown in Fig. 12 are realized by the printer side CPU 44a executing a control program such as firmware stored in the printer side ROM 44b. The tape printer 2 performs printing based on the result of editing the print image Ga using the keyboard 21. The tape type acquisition unit 210 of the tape printer 2 acquires the tape type indicated by the cartridge information acquired from the cartridge information acquisition unit 42. The print control unit 160 of the tape printer 2 controls the printing unit 43 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb.

[0105] The following modifications can be commonly adopted in both the first and second embodiments. [Variation 3-1] When the print control unit 160 of the mobile terminal 1 causes the tape printer 2 to print the print image Ga and the margin image Gb, the print control unit 160 may transmit print data including print image data for printing the print image Ga, an addition command for adding the margin image Gb, and a print instruction command to the tape printer 2. In this case, the tape printer 2 stores pattern characters or character strings in a storage area such as the printer-side ROM 44b. When the tape printer 2 receives print data including the addition command, it determines the length of the margin image Gb based on the length in the X direction of the print image data area E2, which is an area based on the print image data. In addition, the tape printer 2 generates a margin image Gb of the determined length using the stored pattern characters or character strings and adds it to the print image data.

[0106] [Variation 3-2] The portable terminal 1 may send a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2 when the label creation application 30 is launched or when an editing screen for editing the print image Ga is displayed, other than when a print instruction is given by the user.

[0107] [Variation 3-3] The cartridge information acquisition unit 42 of the tape printing device 2 may include a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of a convex portion or a concave portion formed on the tape cartridge C, and may acquire the cartridge information from the detection result of the detection unit. Alternatively, the cartridge information acquisition unit 42 of the tape printing device 2 may acquire the cartridge information from a circuit board having a memory element that is provided on the case of the tape cartridge C.

[0108] [Variation 3-4] The tape printing device 2 may print by unwinding the tape T that is not contained in the case of the tape cartridge C, instead of unwinding the tape T that is contained in the case of the tape cartridge C. Other appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0109] [Note] The following additionally describes an information processing device, a tape printing device, a control method for the information processing device, and a program. The portable terminal 1 is communicably connected to a tape printing device 2 that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R to a tape T, and includes a tape width acquisition unit 110 that acquires a tape width Lt of the tape T, an acceptance unit 120 that accepts a printing instruction for a print image Ga, a calculation unit 130 that calculates a tape margin length Lm, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area EM provided in the tape T in the tape width direction with respect to a print area E1 where the print image Ga is printed, and a calculation unit 130 that calculates a tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt at a specific ratio. and a print control unit 160 which, when it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not the specific ratio or more, controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and, when it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not the specific ratio or more, controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0110] The tape printing device 2 includes a printing unit 43 that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R to the tape T, a tape width acquisition unit 110 that acquires the tape width Lt of the tape T, a reception unit 120 that receives a printing instruction for the print image Ga, a calculation unit 130 that calculates a tape margin length Lm, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area EM provided in the tape T in the tape width direction with respect to a print area E1 where the print image Ga is printed, and a calculation unit 130 that determines whether the tape margin length Lm with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio. and a print control unit 160 which, when it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not the specific ratio or more, controls the printing unit 43 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and, when it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not the specific ratio or more, controls the printing unit 43 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0111] The control method for the portable terminal 1 is a control method for the portable terminal 1 that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device 2 that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R to a tape T, and the portable terminal 1 executes the following steps: acquiring the tape width Lt of the tape T; accepting a printing instruction for a print image Ga; calculating a tape margin length Lm, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area EM provided in the tape T in the tape width direction with respect to a printing area E1 in which the print image Ga is printed; determining whether the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; and, if it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM;

[0112] The label creation application 30 causes a portable terminal 1 communicably connected to a tape printing device 2 that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R to the tape T to execute the following steps: acquiring the tape width Lt of the tape T; accepting a print instruction for a print image Ga; calculating a tape margin length Lm, which is the length in the tape width direction of a margin area EM provided in the tape width direction for a printing area E1 in which the print image Ga is printed on the tape T; determining whether the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; and, if it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and, if it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM.

[0113] When the mobile terminal 1 determines that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio, it controls the tape printer 2 to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and when it determines that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is not equal to or greater than a specific ratio, it controls the tape printer 2 not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM. In this way, when the ratio of the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is large, the mobile terminal 1 can narrow the range in the tape width direction where the ink of the ink ribbon R is not thermally transferred to the tape T by printing a margin image Gb in the margin area EM. This can suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the ink ribbon R when the ink of the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the tape T, and thus suppress printing defects. Also, when the ratio of the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is small, the margin image Gb is not printed, so unnecessary printing can be suppressed.

[0114] In the above-described portable terminal 1, a first margin area EM1 located on one side of the print area E1 in the tape width direction and a second margin area EM2 located on the other side of the print area E1 in the tape width direction are provided on the tape T as margin areas EM, and the calculation unit 130 calculates, as the tape margin length Lm, a first tape margin length Lm1 which is the length of the first margin area EM1 in the tape width direction and a second tape margin length Lm2 which is the length of the second margin area EM2 in the tape width direction, and the ratio determination unit 140 uses a first specific ratio as the specific ratio and determines whether the first tape margin length Lm1 with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio and It is preferable that the printing control unit 160 determines whether the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a first specific ratio, and if it is determined that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, it controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and a margin image Gb in the first margin area EM1, and if it is determined that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, it controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and a margin image Gb in the second margin area EM2.

[0115] When the portable terminal 1 determines that the first tape margin length Lm1 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, it prints a margin image Gb in the first margin area EM1, and when the portable terminal 1 determines that the second tape margin length Lm2 relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, it prints a margin image Gb in the second margin area EM2. In this way, the portable terminal 1 determines whether or not the ratio of the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio for each of the two margin areas EM provided in the tape width direction, and therefore can narrow the range in the tape width direction where the ink of the ink ribbon R is not thermally transferred to the tape T. This allows the portable terminal 1 to more effectively suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the ink ribbon R.

[0116] In the above-mentioned portable terminal 1, it is preferable that the margin areas EM are provided on the tape T as a first margin area EM1 located on one side of the printing area E1 in the tape width direction and a second margin area EM2 located on the other side of the printing area E1 in the tape width direction, the calculation unit 130 calculates, as the tape margin length Lm, a total margin length which is the sum of a first tape margin length Lm1 which is the length of the first margin area EM1 in the tape width direction and a second tape margin length Lm2 which is the length of the second margin area EM2 in the tape width direction, the ratio determination unit 140 uses a second specific ratio as the specific ratio and determines whether the total margin length with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, and when it is determined that the total margin length with respect to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, the printing control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and to print a margin image Gb in at least one of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2.

[0117] The portable terminal 1 determines whether the total margin length, which is the sum of the first tape margin length Lm1 and the second tape margin length Lm2, relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a second specific ratio, and when it determines that the total margin length relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, causes a margin image Gb to be printed in at least one of the first margin area EM1 and the second margin area EM2. As a result, the portable terminal 1 causes the margin image Gb to be printed when the ratio of the length of the print area E1 in the tape width direction relative to the tape width Lt is small.

[0118] In the above-mentioned mobile terminal 1, when it is determined that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio, the mobile terminal 1 further includes a display control unit 150 that displays on the touch panel 11 a first selection screen D1 that allows the user to select whether or not to print a margin image Gb, and it is preferable that the printing control unit 160 controls the tape printing device 2 to print a print image Ga in the printing area E1 and also print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM when it is selected in the first selection screen D1 to print the margin image Gb, and controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM when it is selected in the first selection screen D1 to not print the margin image Gb.

[0119] When the mobile terminal 1 determines that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio, it displays a first selection screen D1 that allows the user to select whether or not to print a margin image Gb. This allows the user to select whether or not to print a margin image Gb depending on the intended use of the label LA and their preferences.

[0120] In the above-mentioned portable terminal 1, when the printing control unit 160 determines that the tape margin length Lm relative to the tape width Lt is equal to or greater than a specific ratio, it is preferable to control the tape printing device 2 so that a printing image Ga is printed in the printing area E1 and a margin image Gb is printed from one end of the margin area EM to the other end in the tape length direction.

[0121] The portable terminal 1 prints the margin image Gb from one end to the other end in the tape length direction of the margin area EM. This allows the portable terminal 1 to minimize the occurrence of wrinkles in the ink ribbon R when the ink of the ink ribbon R is thermally transferred to the tape T.

[0122] The portable terminal 1 is communicatively connected to a tape printing device 2 that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R to a tape T, and is equipped with a tape type acquisition unit 210 that acquires the tape type of the tape T, a reception unit 120 that accepts a printing instruction for a print image Ga, a tape discrimination unit 220 that determines whether the tape T is a specific type or not based on the acquired tape type, and a print control unit 160 that controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 of the tape T and to print a margin image Gb in a margin area EM provided on the tape T in the tape width direction relative to the printing area E1, if the tape T is determined to not be of the specific type, and controls the tape printing device 2 to print the print image Ga in the printing area E1 and not to print the margin image Gb in the margin area EM, if the tape T is determined to not be of the specific type.

[0123] When the portable terminal 1 determines that the type of the tape T used in the tape printer 2 is a specific type, it controls the tape printer 2 to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, and when it determines that the type of the tape T used in the tape printer 2 is not a specific type, it controls the tape printer 2 not to print a margin image Gb in the margin area EM. In this way, when the type of tape is one that is prone to wrinkles in the ink ribbon R, the portable terminal 1 prints a margin image Gb in the margin area EM, thereby effectively preventing wrinkles from occurring in the ink ribbon R and thus preventing printing defects. Furthermore, when it determines that the type of tape used in the tape printer 2 is not a specific type, it does not print a margin image Gb, thereby preventing unnecessary printing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...mobile terminal, 2...tape printing device 21...touch panel, 22...display, 43...printing unit, 110...tape width acquisition unit, 120...reception unit, 130...calculation unit, 140...ratio discrimination unit, 150...display control unit, 160...printing control unit, 210...tape type acquisition unit, 220...tape discrimination unit, C...tape cartridge, D1...first selection screen, E0...label area, E1...printing area, EM...margin area, EM1...first margin area, EM2...second margin area, Ga...printed image, Gb...margin image, Gb1...first margin image, Gb2...second margin image, Lm...tape margin length, Lm1...first tape margin length, Lm2...second tape margin length, Lt...tape width, R...ink ribbon, SY...tape printing system, T...tape.

Claims

1. An information processing device communicably connected to a tape printing device that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon onto a tape, a tape width acquisition unit for acquiring a tape width of the tape; A reception unit that receives a print instruction for the print image; a calculation unit that calculates a margin length, which is a length in a tape width direction of a margin area provided in a print area in which the print image is printed on the tape; a ratio determination unit that determines whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device so as to print the print image in the print area and print a margin image in the margin area; and a print control unit that controls the tape printing device so that, when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not greater than the specific ratio, the print image is printed in the print area and the margin image is not printed in the margin area.

2. As the margin area, a first margin area is provided on the tape, the first margin area being located on one side of the print area in the tape width direction, and a second margin area is provided on the tape, the second margin area being located on the other side of the print area in the tape width direction, the calculation unit calculates, as the margin lengths, a first margin length which is a length of the first margin area in a tape width direction, and a second margin length which is a length of the second margin area in the tape width direction; the ratio determination unit uses a first specific ratio as the specific ratio and determines whether or not the first margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio and whether or not the second margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio; The print control unit when it is determined that the first margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device to print the print image in the print area and print the margin image in the first margin area; The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when it is determined that the second margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the first specific ratio, the tape printing device is controlled so as to print the print image in the print area and to print the margin image in the second margin area.

3. As the margin area, a first margin area is provided on the tape, the first margin area being located on one side of the print area in the tape width direction, and a second margin area is provided on the tape, the second margin area being located on the other side of the print area in the tape width direction, the calculation unit calculates, as the margin length, a total margin length that is a sum of a first margin length that is a length of the first margin area in the tape width direction and a second margin length that is a length of the second margin area in the tape width direction; the ratio determination unit uses a second specific ratio as the specific ratio and determines whether the total margin length with respect to the tape width is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio; The print control unit The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that when it is determined that the total margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the second specific ratio, the tape printing device is controlled to print the print image in the printing area and to print the margin image in at least one of the first margin area and the second margin area.

4. a display control unit that displays on a display unit a selection screen that allows a user to select whether or not to print the margin image when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, The print control unit when printing the margin image is selected on the selection screen, controlling the tape printing device so as to print the print image in the print area and print the margin image in the margin area; An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when it is selected on the selection screen not to print the margin image, the tape printing device is controlled so as to print the print image in the print area and not to print the margin image in the margin area.

5. The print control unit An information processing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, the tape printing device is controlled so that the print image is printed in the print area and the margin image is printed from one end of the margin area in the tape length direction to the other end.

6. An information processing device communicably connected to a tape printing device that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon onto a tape, a tape type acquisition unit for acquiring a tape type of the tape; A reception unit that receives a print instruction for the print image; a tape discrimination unit that discriminates whether the tape is of a specific type based on the acquired tape type; when the tape is determined to be of the specific type, controlling the tape printer so as to print the print image in the print area of ​​the tape and to print a margin image in a margin area of ​​the tape that is provided in a tape width direction with respect to the print area, an information processing device comprising: a printing control unit that controls the tape printing device so that, when the tape is determined to not be of the specific type, the printing image is printed in the printing area and the margin image is not printed in the margin area.

7. a printing unit that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon to a tape; a tape width acquisition unit for acquiring a tape width of the tape; A reception unit that receives a print instruction for the print image; a calculation unit that calculates a margin length, which is a length in a tape width direction of a margin area provided in a print area in which the print image is printed on the tape; a ratio determination unit that determines whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the printing unit to print the print image in the print area and to print a margin image in the margin area; a print control unit that controls the printing unit so that, when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not greater than the specific ratio, the print image is printed in the print area and the margin image is not printed in the margin area.

8. A method for controlling an information processing device communicably connected to a tape printing device that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon onto a tape, comprising: The information processing device, obtaining a tape width of the tape; Receiving a print instruction for a print image; calculating a margin length, which is a length in the tape width direction of a margin area provided in the tape width direction with respect to a print area in which the print image is printed; determining whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device so as to print the print image in the print area and print a margin image in the margin area; a step of controlling the tape printing device so that, when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not greater than the specific ratio, the printing image is printed in the printing area and the margin image is not printed in the margin area.

9. An information processing device communicably connected to a tape printing device that performs printing by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon onto a tape, obtaining a tape width of the tape; Receiving a print instruction for a print image; calculating a margin length, which is a length in the tape width direction of a margin area provided in the tape width direction with respect to a print area in which the print image is printed; determining whether the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than a specific ratio; when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is equal to or greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device so as to print the print image in the print area and print a margin image in the margin area; and when it is determined that the margin length relative to the tape width is not greater than the specific ratio, controlling the tape printing device so that the print image is printed in the print area and the margin image is not printed in the margin area.

Images