Editing Equipment

Abstract

To provide an editing device that allows a user to efficiently edit print data when a plurality of labels is overlapped with one another.SOLUTION: An overlapping label includes: a first label printed on first print data; and a second label printed on second print data, the second label being overlapped with an upper part of the first label. An editing device can edit the first print data and the second print data on an editing screen 5 of a display unit to create the overlapping label. The editing device has a first region 23, a second region 24, and a synthesis region 20 in the editing screen 5. The editing device displays a label image 41A for the first print data in a first region 23, displays a label image 41B for the second print data in a second region 24, and displays a synthesis label image 40 formed by overlapping the label images 41A and 41B in a synthesis region 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an editing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a printing system that, when creating a label with multiple overlapping tapes, allows the user to check the overlapping result before printing each tape. The printing system includes a tape printing device and an image display device. The tape printing device prints a print image acquired from the image display device onto the tape. The image display device edits the tape print image in which the print image is arranged on the tape before printing the tape by the tape printing device. The image display device includes a display. An editing screen is displayed on the display, which is a screen for editing the tape print image. An editing screen is provided separately for each tape print image. The editing screen also has a composite image display screen that displays a composite image that is the result of overlapping multiple tape print images. Each editing screen is switched using an image display tab, and either each tape print image or the composite image is displayed on the display. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-17937 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the printing system described in Patent Document 1, the user needs to switch between the editing screens to compare each tape-printed image with the composite image, and therefore, in the printing system, when multiple tapes are superimposed, the user cannot efficiently edit the tape-printed image.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an editing device that allows a user to efficiently edit print data when multiple labels are superimposed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The editing device of the present invention is an editing device capable of editing first print data and second print data on a display unit to create an overlapping label consisting of a first label printed by a printing device based on first print data, and a second label printed by a printing device based on second print data and overlapped on top of the first label, the editing device comprising a control unit and a program memory unit storing a program executed by the control unit, the display unit having a first area, a second area, and a composite area on the same screen of the display unit, and the control unit performs a display process to display an image of the first print data in the first area, an image of the second print data in the second area, and a composite image resulting from overlapping the image of the first print data and the image of the second print data in the composite area by executing the program stored in the program memory unit.

[0007] The editing device allows the user to check the edited images of each print data and the composite image at a glance, so that the user can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0008] In the editing device according to the present invention, the printing device can be equipped with a tape cassette equipped with a tape, and the editing device further includes a color information storage unit that stores color information including information on the print color to be printed on the tape, and the control unit performs an editing process to edit the first print data or the second print data, and in the editing process, a determination process may be performed to determine target color information, which is color information corresponding to each of the first print data and the second print data, based on the color information stored in the color information storage unit. A user can select the color to be printed on the tape from colors that can actually be printed. Thus, the user can efficiently edit the print data.

[0009] In the editing device according to the present invention, the tape cassette may include an ink ribbon, and the printing color may be the color of the ink ribbon. In the editing device, the color information is information on the color of the ink ribbon included in the cassette tape, so that the user can determine the target color information from the color of the ink ribbon.

[0010] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information may further include information on the color of the tape included in the tape cassette. In the editing device, since the color information is information on the combination of the colors of the tape and the ink ribbon included in the cassette tape, the user can determine the target color information from the respective colors of the tape and the ink ribbon of the cassette tape that can actually be used.

[0011] In the editing device according to the present invention, the control unit may perform a color information list creation process for creating a color information list from which color information compatible with the first label and the second label is selected in the editing process, perform a color information list display process for displaying the color information list on the display unit, and determine, in the determination process, the color information selected from the color information list corresponding to either the first label or the second label as one of the target color information. This allows the user to easily determine the target color information based on the color information list.

[0012] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information may further include information on the transmittance of the tape, and in the color information list creation process, color information in which the transmittance of the second label is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold value may be selected in the color information list corresponding to the second label. Since the editing device selects color information in the color information list corresponding to the second label, the number of color information options in the color information list is likely to be reduced. Thus, the user can efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0013] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, in the color information list corresponding to either the first label or the second label, color information determined as the target color information of the other label may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0014] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, in the color information list corresponding to either the first label or the second label, if the printing color of the color information matches the printing color of the other target color information or the tape color, the corresponding color information may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0015] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information further includes information on the color of the tape in the tape cassette, and in the color information list creation process, if the color of the tape in the color information in the color information list corresponding to the first label matches the printing color of the target color information in the second label, the corresponding color information may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0016] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, in addition to the color information lists corresponding to the first label and the second label, one more color information list may be created as an additional color information list, and when an exchange instruction is received from a user in the editing process, an addition process may be performed to add third print data corresponding to the third label that is superimposed on the top of the second label, and in the addition process, target color information of the added third print data may be determined from the additional color information list. Thereby, when a user adds print data, the target color information in the additional print data is determined from the additional color information list, so that the user can easily determine the target color information in the additional print data.

[0017] In the editing process of the editing device according to the present invention, an exchange determination process is performed to determine whether the first print data and the second print data can be exchanged, and if it is determined that the first print data and the second print data can be exchanged based on the determination result of the exchange determination process and an exchange instruction is received from the user, an exchange process is performed to exchange the first print data and the second print data, and in the exchange determination process, a transmittance determination process is performed to determine whether the transmittance of the second label based on the exchanged second print data will be equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value when the first print data and the second print data are exchanged, and if the transmittance determination process determines that the transmittance is less than the second threshold value, the determination result may be that the data cannot be exchanged. The editing device determines whether the first print data and the second print data can be exchanged by executing the exchange determination process. If it is determined that the data can be exchanged based on the determination result of the exchange determination process, the editing device enables the exchange process. Thus, the user can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0018] The editing device of the present invention is an editing device capable of editing the print data of each of the first label to the kth label (k is an integer equal to or greater than 2) on a display unit to create an overlapping label in which k labels, starting from the first label to the kth label (k is an integer equal to or greater than 2), are overlapped and pasted together, and are printed by a printing device based on print data.The editing device is characterized in that it comprises a control unit and a program memory unit which stores a program executed by the control unit, the display unit has a first area to a kth area and a composite area on the same screen of the display unit, and the control unit executes the program stored in the program memory unit to perform display processing to display an image of the nth print data, which is print data corresponding to the nth label (n is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than k), in the nth area, and a composite image, which is the result of overlapping each of the images of the first print data to the kth print data, in the composite area.

[0019] According to the editing device, the user can check the images of the first to kth print data and the composite image at a glance, and thus can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0020] In the editing device according to the present invention, the printing device can be equipped with a tape cassette equipped with a tape, and the editing device further includes a color information storage unit that stores color information, which is information included in the print data and includes information on the print color to be printed on the tape, and the control unit performs an editing process to edit the n-th print data, and in the editing process, a determination process may be performed to determine target color information, which is color information corresponding to the print data, based on the color information stored in the color information storage unit. The user can select the color to be printed on the tape from colors that can actually be printed. Thus, the user can efficiently edit the print data.

[0021] In the editing device according to the present invention, the tape cassette may include an ink ribbon, and the printing color may be the color of the ink ribbon. In the editing device, the color information is information on the color of the ink ribbon included in the cassette tape, so that the user can determine the target color information from the color of the ink ribbon.

[0022] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information may further include information on the color of the tape included in the tape cassette. In the editing device, since the color information is information on the combination of the colors of the tape and the ink ribbon included in the cassette tape, the user can determine the target color information from the respective colors of the tape and the ink ribbon that can actually be used.

[0023] In the editing device according to the present invention, the control unit may perform a color information list creation process for creating a color information list from which color information compatible with the n-th label is selected in the editing process, perform a color information list display process for displaying the color information list on the display unit, and may determine, in the determination process, the color information selected from the color information list corresponding to the n-th label as the target color information for the n-th label. This allows the user to easily determine the target color information based on the color information list.

[0024] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information may further include information on the transmittance of the tape, and in the color information list creation process, color information in which the transmittance of the entire overlapping of the second label to the kth label is equal to or greater than a predetermined third threshold value may be selected in the color information list corresponding to the mth label (m is an integer equal to or greater than 2 and equal to or less than k). Since the editing device selects color information from the color information list corresponding to each of the second label to the kth label, the number of color information options in the color information list is likely to be reduced. Thus, the user can efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0025] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, in the color information list corresponding to the n-th label, color information determined as the target color information of labels other than the n-th label may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0026] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, if the printing color of color information in the color information list corresponding to the nth label matches the printing color of the target color information of a label other than the nth label or the color of the tape, the corresponding color information may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0027] In the editing device according to the present invention, the color information further includes information on the color of the tape in the tape cassette, and in the color information list creation process, if the tape color of the color information in the color information list corresponding to the first label matches the printing color of the target color information of any of the second label to the kth label, the corresponding color information may be excluded from the color information list. This makes it easier to reduce the number of color information options in the color information list, allowing the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0028] In the color information list creation process of the editing device according to the present invention, in addition to the color information lists corresponding to each of the first label to the kth label, one more color information list is created as an additional color information list, and when a replacement instruction is received from a user in the editing process, an addition process is performed to add the k+1th print data corresponding to the k+1th label superimposed on the kth label, and in the addition process, the target color information of the added k+1th print data may be determined from the additional color information list. In this way, when a user adds print data, the target color information in the additional print data is determined from the additional color information list, making it easy to determine the target color information in the additional print data.

[0029] In the editing process of the editing device according to the present invention, an exchange determination process is performed to determine whether the nth print data and the pth print data (p is an integer other than n, equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than k) can be exchanged. If it is determined that the data can be exchanged based on the result of the exchange determination process and an exchange instruction is received from the user, an exchange process is performed to exchange the nth print data and the pth print data. In the exchange determination process, a transmittance determination process is performed to determine whether the transmittance of the entire data obtained by overlapping the second label to the kth label is equal to or greater than a fourth threshold value determined in advance when the nth print data and the pth print data are exchanged. If the transmittance determination process determines that the transmittance is less than the fourth threshold value, the determination result may be that the data cannot be exchanged. The editing device performs the exchange determination process to determine whether or not the two print data can be exchanged. The editing device is able to perform the exchange process for the two print data that are determined to be exchangeable based on the result of the exchange determination process. Thus, the user can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels. In addition, an editing device according to the present invention includes a control unit, a program memory unit storing a program executed by the control unit, and a display unit, and is capable of editing the first print data and the second print data on the display unit to create an overlapping label consisting of a first label printed by a printing device based on first print data and a second label printed by the printing device based on second print data and overlapped on top of the first label.The display unit has at least a first area and a composite area on the same screen of the display unit, and the control unit may execute a display process by executing the program stored in the program memory unit to simultaneously display an image of the first print data in the first area and a composite image resulting from overlapping the image of the first print data and the image of the second print data in the composite area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing system 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of an overlapping label 94. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an editing device 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a color information table 97 stored in the flash memory 12. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first example of an editing screen 5. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second example of the editing screen 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third example of the editing screen 5. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart of an editing process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart of an editing process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of an editing process. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a first color information list creation process performed in the editing process. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart of an upper layer color information list creation process performed in the editing process. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of an exchange determination process performed in the editing process. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart of a target color information determination process performed in the editing process. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart of an upper layer addition process performed in the editing process. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart of an upper layer deletion process performed in the editing process. [Figure 17] 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a color information list 34 stored in the flash memory 12. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth example of the editing screen 5. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth example of the editing screen 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] An editing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to explain technical features that may be adopted by the present invention. The configuration of the device shown in the drawings is merely an illustrative example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0032] The configuration of a printing system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 19. As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes an editing device 1 and a printing device 50. The editing device 1 is a general-purpose personal computer. The editing device 1 can communicate with the printing device 50 via wireless communication 99. The editing device 1 can edit print data for creating a label. The label is composed of a tape 80 and an image 95 to be printed on the tape 80. The image 95 is composed of, for example, characters, figures, symbols, etc. The print data has information on the shape of the image 95, color information, etc. The color information includes information on the color of the image 95 (hereinafter referred to as the print color), information on the color of the tape 80 (hereinafter referred to as the tape color), and information on transmittance. In this embodiment, the transmittance is the ratio of the radiant emittance of incident light to the radiant emittance of transmitted light when visible light is incident on the tape 80.

[0033] The printing device 50 is a general-purpose thermal printer. The printing device 50 includes a mounting section 55 and a thermal head (not shown). The printing device 50 is capable of mounting a tape cassette 70 in the mounting section 55. The tape cassette 70 includes a cassette case 71, a tape 80, and an ink ribbon 81. The cassette case 71 houses the tape 80 and the ink ribbon 81 inside. The thermal head performs a printing operation based on the print data edited by the editing device 1. In the printing operation, the ink ribbon 81 is used to print an image 95 on the tape 80, and a label is created. That is, in this embodiment, the printing color is the color of the ink ribbon 81. The tape cassette 70 has one color information based on the colors of the tape 80 and the ink ribbon 81. The printing device 50 is capable of printing a label having an image of one color information in one printing.

[0034] The overlapping label 94 will now be described. The overlapping label 94 is created by overlapping multiple labels. In the example of FIG. 2, the overlapping label 94 is created by overlapping and pasting together a first label 91, a second label 92, and a third label 93 in that order from the bottom. The labels other than the first label 91 among the labels constituting the overlapping label 94 are collectively referred to as the upper layer labels. The first label 91 has a green image 95A printed on a semi-transparent white tape 96A. The second label 92 has a red image 95B printed on a transparent tape 96B. The third label 93 has a black image 95C printed on a transparent tape 96B.

[0035] The image 95D of the overlapping label 94 is formed by overlapping the images 95A to 95C of the first label 91, the second label 92, and the third label 93. Since the tape 96B of the second label 92 and the third label 93 is transparent, the user can see a part of the printed surface of the first label 91 through the upper label. On the left side of the image 95D of the overlapping label 94, the red image 95B and the black image 95C are overlapped in order on the top of the green image 95A, forming an image of a watermelon. In this way, the printing system 100 can create an overlapping label 94 (so-called a multi-color label) that looks like it has images of multiple colors printed on it, using the printing device 50 that creates a label having an image of one printing color in one printing. The editing device 1 can edit the printing data of the label in order to create the overlapping label 94.

[0036] The electrical configuration of the editing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. The editing device 1 includes a CPU 11. The CPU 11 controls the editing device 1 and functions as a processor. The CPU 11 is electrically connected to a flash memory 12, a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a communication unit 15, a drive device 16, an input unit 2, and a display unit 3. The flash memory 12 is a non-temporary storage medium that stores a program executed by the CPU 11, a color information table 97 described later, a color information list 34 described later, and the like. The RAM 14 stores various temporary data. The ROM 13 stores various information required by the CPU 11 when executing various programs. The communication unit 15 is a controller for communicating with the printing device 50 by wireless communication 99. The drive device 16 can read information stored in a recording medium 98. The recording medium 98 is a semiconductor memory, an optical disk, or the like. The CPU 11 can read the program and the like stored in the recording medium 98 by the drive device 16 and store it in the flash memory 12. The input unit 2 is a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, and inputs various information to the editing device 1 in response to a user's operation. The display unit 3 includes an LCD 4 capable of color display, and displays various information such as information based on edited print data.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 4, the color information table 97 stored in the flash memory 12 will be described. The color information table 97 includes color information 39A to 39K. Hereinafter, the color information 39A to 39K will be collectively referred to as color information 39. A color information number is assigned to the color information 39. The color information number is a number that identifies the color information 39. The print color information and tape color information included in the color information 39 correspond to the colors of the tape 80 and ink ribbon 81 provided in the tape cassette 70, respectively.

[0038] 5, the editing screen 5 displayed on the LCD 4 of the display unit 3 will be described. The editing screen 5 has a single area 21, an area addition section 28, an exchange instruction section 29, and a composite area 20. The single area 21, the area addition section 28, and the exchange instruction section 29 are provided on the upper side of the editing screen 5, and the composite area 20 is provided on the lower side of the editing screen 5.

[0039] The single area 21 is an area where the print data for one label is displayed. The number of single areas 21 is the same as the number of labels that make up the overlapped label 94. In the example of FIG. 5, there are two single areas 21, and the first print data for the first label 91 and the second print data for the second label 92 are displayed, respectively. The single area 21 where the first print data is displayed is referred to as the first area 23. The single area 21 where the second print data is displayed is referred to as the second area 24. The first area 23 and the second area 24 are provided in this order from the upper left of the editing screen 5 to the right. The user edits the print data for the corresponding label based on the display of the single area 21.

[0040] The area addition unit 28 is provided in the upper right part of the editing screen 5. When the user operates the area addition unit 28 via the input unit 2, an individual area 21 corresponding to the upper label is added to the editing screen 5. The label corresponding to the added individual area 21 becomes the uppermost label in the overlapping label 94. When the area addition unit 28 is operated in the example of FIG. 5, a third area 25 corresponding to the third label 93 is added (see FIG. 18).

[0041] The exchange instruction section 29 is provided below the area addition section 28. The user can exchange two pieces of print data by operating the exchange instruction section 29 via the input section 2. When the exchange instruction section 29 is operated in the example of FIG. 5, the first print data and the second print data are exchanged. The second print data before the exchange is displayed in the first area 23, and the first print data before the exchange is displayed in the second area 24. Note that in order to exchange the two pieces of print data, certain conditions must be met, which will be described in detail later.

[0042] The synthesis area 20 is an area where a synthetic label image 40, which is the result of superimposing all of the label images 41 described later, is displayed.

[0043] The single area 21 will now be described. The single area 21 includes a target color information section 32, a label image 41, a caption display section 31, a hierarchy confirmation section 36, and a display switching section 37. The single area 21 other than the first area 23 further includes a deletion instruction section 35.

[0044] The target color information section 32 is provided in the upper right corner of the single area 21. The target color information section 32 displays the target color information. The target color information is color information included in the print data. The letters "ABC" are provided in the target color information section 32. The color of the letters "ABC" indicates the printing color of the target color information, and colors other than the letters "ABC" indicate the tape color of the target color information. Note that if the tape color is transparent, colors other than the letters "ABC" are displayed in a manner indicating transparency (for example, silver).

[0045] The label image 41 is provided in the center of the single area 21. The label image 41 is an image based on the printing data, and is an image showing a prediction of the completed label created by the printing device 50. The label image 41 has an object 45. The object 45 is composed of characters, figures, symbols, etc. The object 45 shows a prediction of the completed label image 95. The object 45 is displayed in the printing color of the target color information. The parts of the label image 41 other than the object 45 are displayed in the tape color of the target color information. As with the target color information section 32, when the tape color of the target color information is transparent, the parts of the label image 41 other than the object 45 are displayed in a manner showing transparency (for example, silver).

[0046] The caption display unit 31 is provided in the upper left of the single area 21, and displays the name of the label (e.g., first label) corresponding to the print data displayed by the single area 21. The hierarchy confirmation unit 36 ​​is provided in the lower left of the single area 21. The hierarchy confirmation unit 36 ​​shows in black the label corresponding to the single area 21 in which it is displayed, and in white the labels corresponding to single areas 21 other than the single area 21 in which it is displayed. The hierarchy confirmation unit 36 ​​indicates the top-bottom relationship of the labels in the overlapping label 94 by overlapping white on black. In the hierarchy confirmation unit 36 ​​of the first area 23 in Figure 5, white is overlapped on black, indicating that the first label 91 corresponding to the first area 23 is located below the second label 92.

[0047] The display switching unit 37 is provided at the lower right of the single area 21. The display switching unit 37 displays either the currently displayed image 37A or the non-displayed image 37B (see FIG. 6). When the display switching unit 37 is displaying the currently displayed image 37A, the caption display unit 31, the target color information unit 32, the hierarchy confirmation unit 36, the display switching unit 37, and the label image 41 are displayed in the single area 21. When the display switching unit 37 is displaying the non-displayed image 37B, only the caption display unit 31 and the display switching unit 37 are displayed in the single area 21, and the label image 41 is not displayed (see FIG. 6). When the user operates the display switching unit 37 via the input unit 2, the designated single area 21 is displayed or not displayed. Specifically, when the display switching unit 37 is operated while displaying the currently displayed image 37A, only the caption display unit 31 and the display switching unit 37 are displayed in the designated single area 21, as shown in FIG. 6. Then, in display switching section 37, non-display image 37B is displayed in place of displayed image 37A. When display switching section 37 displaying non-display image 37B is operated, as shown in Fig. 5, caption display section 31, target color information section 32, hierarchy confirmation section 36, display switching section 37, and label image 41 are displayed in designated single area 21. Then, in display switching section 37, displayed image 37A is displayed in place of non-display image 37B.

[0048] The deletion instruction section 35 is provided at the center in the left-right direction above the single area 21 other than the first area 23. When the user operates the deletion instruction section 35 via the input section 2, the specified single area 21 is deleted from the editing screen 5.

[0049] The compositing area 20 will now be described. The compositing area 20 is provided with a composite label image 40 and a caption display section 30. The composite label image 40 is provided in the center of the compositing area 20. In the example of FIG. 5, the composite label image 40 shows the result of superimposing a label image 41A of the first print data and a label image 41B of the second print data. The composite label image 40 has a composite object 46. The composite object 46 is an image in which all objects 45 are superimposed. In the example of FIG. 5, the result of superimposing an object 45A of the label image 41A and an object 45B of the label image 41B is shown. The caption display section 30 is provided in the upper left of the compositing area 20, indicating that the area is the compositing area 20.

[0050] In the example of Fig. 5, object color information 33A is displayed in object color information section 32 of first region 23. The print color of object color information 33A is green, and the tape color is translucent white. Meanwhile, object color information 33B is displayed in object color information section 32 of second region 24. The print color of object color information 33B is red, and the tape color is transparent. In composite label image 40, composite object 46 is displayed in green and red, and the part other than composite object 46 is displayed in translucent white.

[0051] The determination of the target color information will be briefly described with reference to Fig. 7. The target color information is determined based on the color information 39 in the color information table 97. When the user determines the target color information, the user operates the target color information section 32 via the input section 2. In response to the operation of the target color information section 32, the CPU 11 displays a color information list 34 in the upper right portion of the single area 21.

[0052] The color information list 34 displays the target color information and the color information 39. The color information 39 in the color information list 34 is selected from the color information table 97 as being compatible with the print data. The method of selecting the color information 39 will be described later. The user selects one of the color information 39 from the color information list 34 via the input unit 2. The selected color information 39 is determined as the target color information. As a result, the colors of the target color information section 32, the label image 41, and the composite label image 40 are changed based on the target color information. In the example of FIG. 7, the color information 39K (print color is green, tape color is black) is selected from the color information list 34 in the first area 23. The color information 39K is determined as the target color information 33A and is displayed in the target color information section 32. In the label image 41A, the object 45A is displayed in green, and the part other than the object 45A is displayed in black. In the target color information 33B, the print color is red, and the tape color is transparent. In the composite label image 40, the composite object 46 is displayed in green and red, and the area other than the composite object 46 is displayed in black.

[0053] The editing process executed by the CPU 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 16. In the editing process, print data for creating an overlapping label 94 is edited, and display control is performed based on the edited print data. In the following, the editing screen 5 shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 18 will be appropriately used as an example to explain a case where editing is performed for creating an overlapping label 94 consisting of a first label 91 and a second label 92. When starting the editing process, the user operates the input unit 2. In response to the operation, the CPU 11 reads and executes a program for the editing process stored in the flash memory 12.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 8, the CPU 11 executes an initialization process (S1). In the initialization process, the CPU 11 sets the values ​​of variables K, J, G, F, and E stored in the RAM 14 to 1, and the value of variable H to 2. The CPU 11 stores 0 in each of the multiple exchange prohibition flags stored in the RAM 14 to turn them OFF. The variable K indicates the total number of single areas 21. In other words, the variable K indicates the number of labels that make up the overlapping label 94. The variables J and G each indicate a color information number stored in the color information table 97 (see Fig. 4). The variables H, F, E and the multiple exchange prohibition flags will be described later.

[0055] The CPU 11 determines whether a read operation of edited data has been received (S2). When the user reads edited data stored in the flash memory 12, the user performs a read operation on the input unit 2. Edited data is composed of print data and related information such as a variable K. When the CPU 11 receives a read operation (S2: YES), the CPU 11 obtains the value of the variable K included in the edited data and stores it in the RAM 14 (S3). The CPU 11 displays K independent areas 21 (the first area 23 to the Kth area) and the composite area 20 on the edit screen 5 (S4). The CPU 11 displays print data (the first print data to the Kth print data) in each of the independent areas 21 (S5). The CPU 11 superimposes all the label images 41 to create a composite label image 40 and displays it in the composite area 20 (S6). The CPU 11 transitions the process to S11.

[0056] If the CPU 11 has not received a read operation (S2: NO), it determines whether it has received an operation to create new edited data (S7). When the user wants to create new edited data for the overlaid label 94, the user performs a new creation operation on the input unit 2. If the CPU 11 has received a new creation operation (S7: YES), it displays the first area 23 and the composite area 20 on the edit screen 5 (S8). The CPU 11 sets the target color information 33A to predetermined initial color information (S9) and moves the process to S11. In this embodiment, the initial color information is color information 39A in the color information table 97 (see FIG. 4). If the CPU 11 has not received a new creation operation (S7: NO), the CPU 11 returns the process to S2.

[0057] The CPU 11 executes a first color information list creation process (S11) and an upper layer color information list creation process (S12). In S11 and S12, color information 39 that can be matched with the label is selected from the color information table 97 for the color information list 34. One color information list 34 is created corresponding to one label. The color information lists 34 each have different matched color information 39. In S11, a first color information list 34A corresponding to the first label 91 is created. In S12, a Kth color information list is created from the second color information list corresponding to each of the upper layer labels, the second label 92 to the Kth label.

[0058] 11, when CPU 11 starts executing the first color information list creation process, it acquires target color information for all print data (the first print data to the Kth print data) (S71). CPU 11 sets the value of variable J to 1 (S72). CPU 11 acquires color information 39 with the Jth color information number from color information table 97 (S73).

[0059] In S74 to S76, the CPU 11 removes the color information 39 that is incompatible with the first label 91 from the first color information list 34A. The CPU 11 determines whether the J-th color information 39 has already been determined as the target color information of the other print data (S74). If the J-th color information 39 has already been determined as the target color information of the other print data (S74: YES), the CPU 11 does not execute the process of adding the color information 39 to the color information list 34 (S77), and shifts the process to S78. When the first color information list 34A is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the target color information 33B of the second print data is color information 39B (see FIG. 4) with a print color of red and a tape color of transparent. Therefore, in S74, the color information 39B is removed from the first color information list 34A. If the J-th color information 39 has not already been determined as the target color information of the other print data (S74: NO), the CPU 11 shifts the process to S75.

[0060] The CPU 11 determines whether the tape color of the Jth color information 39 matches the print color of the other print data (S75). If the tape color of the Jth color information 39 matches the print color of the other print data (S75: YES), the CPU 11 does not execute S77 and shifts the process to S78. When the first color information list 34A is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the tape color of color information 39G, 39H (see FIG. 4) is red, which matches the print color (red) of the second print data. Therefore, in S75, the color information 39G, 39H is excluded from the first color information list 34A. If the tape color of the Jth color information 39 does not match the print color of the other print data (S75: NO), the CPU 11 shifts the process to S76.

[0061] The CPU 11 determines whether the print color of the Jth color information 39 matches at least one of the print color and tape color of the other print data (S76). If the print color of the Jth color information 39 matches at least one of the print color and tape color of the target color information of the other print data (S76: YES), the CPU 11 does not execute S77 and shifts the process to S78. When the first color information list 34A is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the print color of the color information 39E, 39J (see FIG. 4) is red, which matches the print color (red) of the second print data. Therefore, the color information 39E, 39J is excluded from the first color information list 34A in S76. If the print color of the Jth color information 39 does not match either the print color or tape color of the target color information of the other print data (S76: NO), the CPU 11 shifts the process to S77.

[0062] The CPU 11 adds the Jth color information 39 to the first color information list 34A (S77). The CPU 11 determines whether the value of the variable J matches the maximum color information number (S78). The maximum color information number is the maximum value of the color information numbers in the color information table 97 (10 in this embodiment). If the value of the variable J is not the maximum color information number (S78: NO), the CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of the variable J (S79) and returns the process to S73.

[0063] If the value of variable J is the maximum color information number (S78: YES), CPU 11 stores the created color information list 34 in flash memory 12 (S80) and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 8). When first color information list 34A is created using FIG. 5 as an example, color information 39A, 39C, 39D, 39F, and 39K that were added in S77 (i.e., not removed from first color information list 34A in S74 to S76) are stored in first color information list 34A, as shown in FIG. 17(A).

[0064] After executing the first color information list creation process (S11), CPU 11 executes the upper layer color information list creation process (S12) (see FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 12, CPU 11 acquires the target color information of all print data (S81) in the same manner as S71 (see FIG. 11). CPU 11 sets the value of variable H to 2 and the value of variable G to 1 (S82). The value of variable H indicates which upper layer label the color information list 34 being created corresponds to. For example, when H=2, the color information list 34 being created corresponds to the second label 92. CPU 11 acquires the color information 39 with the Gth color information number from the color information table 97 (S83).

[0065] In S84 to S86, the CPU 11 removes the color information 39 that is incompatible with the Hth label from the Hth color information list. The CPU 11 determines whether the Gth color information 39 has already been determined as the target color information of the other print data (S84). If the Gth color information 39 is the target color information of the other print data (S84: YES), the CPU 11 does not execute the process of adding the color information 39 to the Hth color information list (S87) and proceeds to S88. When the second color information list is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the target color information 33A of the first print data is color information 39F (see FIG. 4) with a print color of green and a tape color of semi-transparent white. Therefore, in S84, the color information 39F is removed from the second color information list. If the Gth color information 39 has not already been determined as the target color information of the other print data (S84: NO), the CPU 11 proceeds to S85.

[0066] The CPU 11 determines whether the print color of the Gth color information 39 matches at least one of the print color and tape color of the other print data (S85). If the print color of the Gth color information 39 matches at least one of the print color and tape color of the other print data (S85: YES), the CPU 11 does not execute S87 and shifts the process to S88. When the second color information list is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the print color of the color information 39C, 39H, and 39K (see FIG. 4) is green, which matches the print color (green) of the first print data. Therefore, the color information 39C, 39H, and 39K are excluded from the second color information list in S85. If the print color of the Gth color information 39 does not match at least one of the print color and tape color of the other print data (S85: NO), the CPU 11 shifts the process to S86.

[0067] The CPU 11 judges whether the overall transmittance of all the upper layer labels superimposed (hereinafter referred to as the upper layer transmittance) is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S86). In the case of the superimposed label 94 consisting of three labels in FIG. 2, the upper layer transmittance is the transmittance of the upper layer label formed by superimposing the second label 92 and the third label 93. In this case, the upper layer transmittance is calculated by multiplying the transmittances of the second label 92 and the third label 93. In this embodiment, the threshold is 65%. If the upper layer transmittance is smaller than the threshold (S86: NO), the CPU 11 does not execute S87 and shifts the process to S88. When the second color information list is created using FIG. 5 as an example, since there is only one upper label, the second label 92, the upper layer transmittance is equal to the transmittance of the color information 39 in the color information table 97. Therefore, in S86, the color information 39G and 39J (see FIG. 4) are excluded from the second color information list. If the upper layer transmittance is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S86: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to S87.

[0068] The CPU 11 adds the Gth color information 39 to the Hth color information list (S87). The CPU 11 determines whether the value of the variable G matches the maximum color information number (S88). If the value of the variable G is not the maximum color information number (S88: NO), the CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of the variable G (S89) and returns the process to S83.

[0069] If the value of variable G is the maximum color information number (S88: YES), CPU 11 determines whether the value of variable H matches the value of K+1 (S90). If the value of variable H is not the value of K+1 (S90: NO), CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of variable H, sets the value of variable G to 1 (S91), and returns the process to S83. CPU 11 repeats S83 to S91 to create color information list 34 for upper layer labels.

[0070] Since the value of the variable K indicates the number of labels constituting the overlapping label 94, the total number of upper layer labels is K-1. S83 to S91 are repeated K-1 times (i.e., repeated until H=K), and a color information list 34 for the upper layer labels is created. The color information list 34 created after the value of the variable H becomes K+1 in S91 is the K+1th color information list corresponding to the K+1th region added by operating the region adding unit 28. Such a color information list 34 is called an added color information list 34B.

[0071] When the additional color information list 34B is created using FIG. 5 as an example, the additional color information list 34B is the third color information list corresponding to the third area 25. The target color information 33A is color information 39F (see FIG. 4) in which the print color is green and the tape color is semi-transparent white. The target color information 33B is color information 39B (see FIG. 4) in which the print color is red and the tape color is transparent. Therefore, in S84, the color information 39B and 39F are excluded from the additional color information list 34B. In S85, the color information 39C, 39E, 39H, and 39J are excluded from the color information list 34. The upper layer transmittance is the result of multiplying the transmittance of the target color information 33B (color information 39B) by the transmittance of the Gth color information 39. In S86, the color information 39G and 39K are excluded from the additional color information list 34B.

[0072] When the upper layer label color information list 34 and the additional color information list 34B are created and the value of the variable H matches the value of K+1 (S90: YES), the CPU 11 proceeds to S92. The CPU 11 stores the created color information list 34 in the flash memory 12 (S92) and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 8). When the upper layer color information list creation process is executed using FIG. 5 as an example, FIG. 17(B) shows the second color information list and FIG. 17(C) shows the additional color information list 34B. The second color information list stores color information 39A, 39B, 39D, and 39E added in S77. The additional color information list 34B stores color information 39A and 39D added in S77.

[0073] After executing the upper layer color information list creation process (S12), the CPU 11 executes the exchange determination process (S13) (see FIG. 8). S13 is a process for setting an exchange prohibition flag. The exchange prohibition flag is used to determine whether two pieces of print data, which will be described later, can be exchanged (S38, see FIG. 9). As shown in FIG. 13, the CPU 11 determines whether the value of the variable K is 2 or greater (S101). If the value of the variable K is 1 (S101: NO), there is only one single area 21, and the print data corresponding to the single area 21 cannot be exchanged, so the CPU 11 returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 8).

[0074] If the value of the variable K is 2 or more (S101: YES), the CPU 11 acquires target color information of all the print data (S102). The CPU 11 sets the values ​​of the variables F and E to 1 (S103). The CPU 11 determines whether the Fth print data and the F+Eth print data can be exchanged in the exchange determination process. The CPU 11 provisionally exchanges the Fth print data and the F+Eth print data (S104). In S104, the CPU 11 provisionally sets the F+Eth print data before the exchange as the Fth print data, and the Fth print data before the exchange as the F+Eth print data. Note that the changes to the print data are reflected and displayed in each independent area 21 at S51 (see FIG. 10) described later, and the changes are not displayed at the time of S104.

[0075] The CPU 11 determines whether the upper layer transmittance is equal to or greater than the threshold value for the print data of the upper layer label after the temporary exchange (S105) in the same manner as S86 (see FIG. 12). In this embodiment, the threshold value in S105 is 65%, the same as the threshold value in S86. If the upper layer transmittance is equal to or greater than the threshold value (S105: YES), the CPU 11 does not operate the exchange prohibition flag and shifts the process to S108. If the upper layer transmittance is smaller than the threshold value (S105: NO), the CPU 11 stores 1 in the exchange prohibition flag corresponding to the combination of the Fth print data and the F+Eth print data, turning it ON (S106). The CPU 11 exchanges the Fth print data and the F+Eth print data again, returning it to the state before the temporary exchange (S107). The CPU 11 shifts the process to S108.

[0076] CPU 11 determines whether the value of F+E matches the value of variable K (S108). If the value of F+E does not match the value of variable K (S108: NO), CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of variable E (S109) and returns the process to S104. If the value of F+E matches the value of variable K (S108: YES), CPU 11 determines whether the value of variable F matches the value of K-1 (S110). If the value of variable F does not match the value of K-1 (S110: NO), CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of variable F, sets the value of variable E to 1 (S111), and returns the process to S104.

[0077] The CPU 11 repeats steps S104 to S111, and determines whether all combinations of two print data are interchangeable in step S105. If the value of the variable F matches the value of K-1 (S110: YES), the CPU 11 has determined whether all combinations of two print data are interchangeable in step S105, and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 8).

[0078] As shown in FIG. 8, after executing the exchange determination process (S13), the CPU 11 determines whether an operation to add an object 45 has been received (S21). When the user wants to add an object 45 to the label image 41, the user operates the input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies the area number and the object 45 to be added. The area number is a number that identifies the single area 21 to be edited. Each single area 21 has its own area number. The area number of the nth area (n is a natural number) is n. If an operation to add an object 45 has been received (S21: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the specified area number (S22). The CPU 11 adds the object 45 according to the operation to the label image 41 of the single area 21 corresponding to the area number (S23). The CPU 11 transitions to the process at S51 (see FIG. 10).

[0079] If an operation to add an object 45 has not been received (S21: NO), as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 11 determines whether an operation to change the shape of the object 45 has been received (S24). When the user wants to change the shape of the object 45 in the single area 21, the user operates the input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies the area number and the changes to be made to the object 45. If an operation to change the shape of the object 45 has been received (S24: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the specified area number (S25). The CPU 11 changes the shape of the object 45 in the single area 21 corresponding to the area number in accordance with the operation (S26). The CPU 11 transitions the process to S51.

[0080] If an operation to change the shape of the object 45 has not been received (S24: NO), the CPU 11 judges whether an operation to delete the object 45 has been received (S27). When deleting an object 45 from the label image 41 of the single region 21, the user operates the input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies the region number and the object 45 to be deleted. If an operation to delete the object 45 has been received (S27: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the specified region number (S28). The CPU 11 deletes the specified object 45 from the single region 21 corresponding to the region number (S29). The CPU 11 transitions the process to S51.

[0081] If an operation to delete object 45 has not been received (S27: NO), CPU 11 determines whether target color information unit 32 has been operated (S30). As described above, when the user determines target color information, the user operates target color information unit 32 via input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies a region number. If target color information unit 32 has been operated (S30: YES), CPU 11 executes a target color information determination process (S31). After executing S31, CPU 11 transitions to S51.

[0082] The target color information determination process (S31) will be described. As shown in Fig. 14, CPU 11 acquires a specified area number (S121). CPU 11 acquires color information list 34 of single area 21 corresponding to the area number from flash memory 12 (S122). CPU 11 determines whether color information 39 is present in acquired color information list 34 (S123).

[0083] If no color information 39 in the color information table 97 is added to the color information list 34 in S77 of the first color information list creation process (see FIG. 11) or in S87 of the upper layer color information list creation process (see FIG. 12), there is no color information 39 in the color information list 34 (S123: NO). In this case, the CPU 11 displays an error message on the editing screen 5 for a certain period of time (S129). The CPU 11 returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 9).

[0084] If the acquired color information list 34 contains color information 39 (S123: YES), the CPU 11 displays the color information list 34 in the single area 21 (S124). As described above, the color information list 34 is displayed in the upper right portion of the single area 21 (see FIG. 7). The CPU 11 judges whether color information 39 has been selected (S125). The user selects color information 39 to be applied to the specified single area 21 from the color information 39 in the color information list 34 via the input unit 2. The CPU 11 continues the judgment of S125 until color information 39 is selected (S125: NO). If color information 39 has been selected (S125: YES), the CPU 11 determines that the target color information of the specified single area 21 is the color information 39 according to the selection (S126). The CPU 11 returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 9).

[0085] 9, if the target color information unit 32 has not been operated (S30: NO), the CPU 11 determines whether the area adding unit 28 has been operated (S32). As described above, when the user wants to add an upper layer label, the user operates the area adding unit 28 via the input unit 2. If the area adding unit 28 has been operated (S32: YES), the CPU 11 executes an upper layer addition process (S33). After executing S33, the CPU 11 shifts the process to S51.

[0086] The upper layer addition process (S33) will now be described. As shown in Fig. 15, the CPU 11 acquires the added color information list 34B from the flash memory 12 (S141). The CPU 11 determines whether the added color information list 34B contains color information 39 (S142). If the added color information list 34B does not contain color information 39 (S142: NO), the CPU 11 displays an error message on the editing screen 5 for a certain period of time (S149). The CPU 11 returns the process to the editing process (see Fig. 9).

[0087] If color information 39 is present in the additional color information list 34B (S142: YES), the CPU 11 adds the K+1th area to the editing screen 5 (S143). The CPU 11 displays the additional color information list 34B in the upper right corner of the added K+1th area (S144). In the example of Fig. 18, a third area 25 corresponding to the third print data of the third label 93 is added to the right of the second area 24, and the additional color information list 34B including color information 39A, 39D is displayed in the third area 25.

[0088] The CPU 11 determines whether color information 39 has been selected (S145). The user selects color information 39 to be applied to the specified single region 21 from the color information list 34 via the input unit 2. The CPU 11 continues the determination of S145 until color information 39 is selected (S145: NO). If color information 39 has been selected (S145: YES), the CPU 11 determines the target color information of the (K+1)th region to be the color information 39 corresponding to the selection (S146). The CPU 11 adds 1 to the value of the variable K (S147) and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 9).

[0089] As shown in FIG. 9, if the area addition unit 28 has not been operated (S32: NO), the CPU 11 judges whether the deletion instruction unit 35 has been operated (S34). When deleting an individual area 21, the user operates the deletion instruction unit 35 of the individual area 21 to be deleted via the input unit 2. This specifies the area number of the individual area 21 to be deleted. Since the first area 23 does not have a deletion instruction unit 35, the first area 23 is not specified as the individual area 21 to be deleted. The input unit 2 outputs an upper layer deletion instruction to the CPU 11 in response to the operation. If the deletion instruction unit 35 has been operated (S34: YES), an upper layer deletion process is executed (S35). After executing S35, the CPU 11 shifts the process to S51.

[0090] The upper layer deletion process (S35) will now be described. As shown in Fig. 16, the CPU 11 acquires a specified area number (S151) and deletes the single area 21 corresponding to the specified area number (S152). In S152, the CPU 11 also deletes the print data corresponding to the deleted single area 21. The CPU 11 determines whether the single area 21 corresponding to the specified area number is the Kth area (S153). That is, in S153, it is determined whether the label corresponding to the single area 21 to be deleted is the uppermost label among the overlapping labels 94.

[0091] If the single area 21 corresponding to the specified area number is the Kth area (S153: YES), the CPU 11 subtracts 1 from the value of the variable K (S155) and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 9). If the single area 21 corresponding to the specified area number is not the Kth area (S153: NO), the CPU 11 subtracts 1 from the area number of the label above the label corresponding to the specified single area 21 (S154). In S154, for example, if the area number is n, the CPU 11 sets the area number to n-1, and sets the corresponding nth area and nth print data to the n-1th area and n-1st print data, respectively. The CPU 11 subtracts 1 from the value of the variable K (S155) and returns the process to the editing process (see FIG. 9).

[0092] As shown in FIG. 9, if the deletion instruction unit 35 has not been operated (S34: NO), the CPU 11 judges whether the exchange instruction unit 29 has been operated (S36). As described above, when the user exchanges two print data, the user operates the exchange instruction unit 29 via the input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies two area numbers. Specifically, the user operates the exchange instruction unit 29 via the input unit 2, and then further selects two single areas 21. This specifies area numbers corresponding to the two selected single areas 21. If the exchange instruction unit 29 has been operated (S36: YES), the CPU 11 acquires the two specified area numbers (S37). The CPU 11 judges whether the two print data corresponding to the specified area numbers can be exchanged (S38). In S38, the judgment is made based on the exchange prohibition flag set in the exchange judgment process (see FIG. 13).

[0093] If the exchange prohibition flag corresponding to the combination of two print data corresponding to the specified area number is ON, CPU 11 determines that the two specified print data cannot be exchanged (S38: NO). In this case, CPU 11 does not exchange the two specified print data and shifts the process to S40 (see FIG. 10). If the exchange prohibition flag corresponding to the combination of two print data corresponding to the specified area number is OFF, CPU 11 determines that the two specified print data can be exchanged (S38: YES). In this case, CPU 11 exchanges the two specified print data (S39) and shifts the process to S51.

[0094] If the exchange instruction unit 29 has not been operated (S36: NO), the CPU 11 judges whether the display switching unit 37 has been operated (S40), as shown in Fig. 10. The user operates the display switching unit 37 of the single area 21 for which display or non-display is to be switched via the input unit 2. This specifies the area number of the single area 21 for which display or non-display is to be switched, and whether the single area 21 is to be displayed or not. If the CPU 11 receives a display switching instruction (S40: YES), it acquires the specified area number (S41). The CPU 11 switches display or non-display of the single area 21 corresponding to the area number in response to the operation (S42). The CPU 11 moves the process to S51.

[0095] After executing processes (S23, S26, S29, S31, S33, S35, S39, S42) according to the operations performed on the input unit 2, the CPU 11 reflects and displays the print data changed by the processes in the independent area 21 (S51). The CPU 11 creates a composite label image 40 by superimposing the label images 41, and displays the created composite label image 40 in the composition area 20 (S52). The CPU 11 shifts the process to S61. In the example of FIG. 7, in response to the selection of color information 39K as the target color information 33A, the label image 41A is displayed with its color changed based on the target color information 33A. In response to the change in color of the label image 41A, the composite label image 40 is displayed with its color changed.

[0096] If the display switching unit 37 has not been operated (S40: NO), or after the composite label image 40 has been displayed in the composite area 20 (S52), the CPU 11 determines whether a save operation has been accepted (S61). To save the edited data in the flash memory 12, the user performs a save operation on the input unit 2. If the CPU 11 has accepted a save operation (S61: YES), the CPU 11 saves the edited data in the flash memory 12 (S62). The CPU 11 shifts the process to S63. If the CPU 11 has not accepted a save operation (S61: NO), the edited data is not saved and the process shifts to S63.

[0097] The CPU 11 determines whether a print operation has been accepted (S63). When the user wishes to print labels based on each edited print data, the user performs a print operation on the input unit 2. In this operation, the user specifies an area number. If the CPU 11 has accepted the print operation (S63: YES), it obtains the specified area number (S64). The CPU 11 sends the print data corresponding to the area number from the communications unit 15 to the printing device 50 (S65). The CPU 11 proceeds to S66. If the CPU 11 has not accepted the print operation (S63: NO), it does not send the print data to the printing device 50 and proceeds to S66.

[0098] The CPU 11 determines whether an end operation has been received (S66). When the user wishes to end editing of the print data, the user performs an end operation on the input unit 2. If the CPU 11 has not received the end operation (S66: NO), the process returns to S11. The user edits the print data by operating the input unit 2. If the CPU 11 has received the end operation (S66: YES), the editing process ends.

[0099] As described above, the overlapping label 94 is composed of the first label 91 printed by the printing device 50 based on the first print data, and the second label 92 printed by the printing device 50 based on the second print data and overlapped on the first label 91. The editing device 1 is capable of editing the first print data and the second print data on the editing screen 5 of the display unit 3 in order to create the overlapping label 94. The editing device 1 includes a CPU 11 and a flash memory 12. The flash memory 12 stores a program for the editing process executed by the CPU 11. The display unit 3 includes an LCD 4. The display unit 3 has a first area 23, a second area 24, and a merging area 20 on the editing screen 5 of the LCD 4. In S51 and S52 of the editing process, the CPU 11 displays the label image 41A of the first print data in the first area 23, the label image 41B of the second print data in the second area 24, and the merging label image 40 in the merging area 20, respectively (see FIG. 5). This allows the user to at a glance check the edited label images 41 of each print data and the composite label image 40. Therefore, the user can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0100] A tape cassette 70 equipped with a tape 80 can be attached to the printing device 50. The flash memory 12 stores a color information table 97. The color information table 97 is provided with color information 39 including information on the print color to be printed on the tape 80. In a target color information determination process (S31), the CPU 11 determines target color information corresponding to each of the first print data and the second print data based on the color information 39 in the color information table 97. This allows the user to select a print color from colors that can actually be printed. This allows the user to efficiently edit the print data.

[0101] The tape cassette 70 is provided with an ink ribbon 81, and the printing color is the color of the ink ribbon 81. This allows the user to determine the target color information from the color of the ink ribbon 81.

[0102] The color information 39 includes information about the color of the tape 80. Since the color information 39 is information about the color combination of the tape 80 and the ink ribbon 81 provided in the tape cassette 70, the user can determine the target color information from the respective colors of the tape 80 and the ink ribbon 81 of the tape cassette 70 that can actually be used.

[0103] The CPU 11 executes a first color information list creation process (S11) for creating a first color information list 34A from which color information 39 compatible with the first label 91 is selected. The CPU 11 executes an upper layer color information list creation process (S12) for creating a color information list 34 from which color information 39 compatible with the second label 92 is selected. The CPU 11 displays the color information list 34 created in the target color information determination process (S124). The CPU 11 determines the color information 39 selected in the color information list 34 corresponding to either the first label 91 or the second label 92 as the target color information for that one of the labels (S126). This allows the user to easily determine the target color information based on the color information list 34.

[0104] The color information 39 includes information on the transmittance of the tape 80. In the upper layer color information list creation process, the CPU 11 selects, for the second color information list, color information 39 for which the transmittance of the second label 92 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S86: YES). Because color information 39 is selected for the second color information list, the number of options for color information 39 in the color information list 34 is likely to decrease. This allows the user to efficiently edit print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0105] In the first color information list creation process and the upper layer color information list creation process, the CPU 11 excludes the color information 39 determined as the target color information of either the first label 91 or the second label 92 from the color information list 34 corresponding to the other one (S74, S84: YES). This makes it easier to reduce the number of options for the color information 39 in the color information list 34, allowing the user to efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0106] In the first color information list creation process and the upper layer color information list creation process, the CPU 11 excludes from the color information list 34 corresponding to either the first label 91 or the second label 92 color information 39 that includes a printing color that is the same as the printing color or tape color in the target color information of the other label (S76, S85: YES). This makes it easier to reduce the number of options for color information 39 in the color information list 34, allowing the user to efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0107] In the first color information list creation process, the CPU 11 excludes from the first color information list 34A any color information 39 that includes a tape color that is the same as the print color in the target color information of the second label 92 (S75: YES). This makes it easier to reduce the number of options for color information 39 in the color information list 34, allowing the user to efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0108] In the upper layer color information list creation process, the CPU 11 creates the additional color information list 34B. The CPU 11 can execute an upper layer addition process (S33) that adds third print data corresponding to the third label 93. In the upper layer addition process, the CPU 11 determines the color information 39 selected from the additional color information list 34B as the target color information of the third print data (S146). This allows the user to easily determine the target color information of the third print data when adding print data.

[0109] In the exchange determination process (S13), the CPU 11 determines whether the first print data and the second print data can be exchanged. In the exchange determination process, the CPU 11 determines whether the transmittance (upper layer transmittance) of the second label 92 based on the second print data after the exchange when the first print data and the second print data are exchanged is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (S105). If the upper layer transmittance is smaller than the threshold (S105: NO), the CPU 11 stores 1 in the exchange prohibition flag for the first print data and the second print data and turns it ON (S106). The CPU 11 determines whether an exchange instruction output by the input unit 2 by a user operation is received (S36). If the CPU 11 receives the exchange instruction (S36: YES) and the exchange prohibition flag is OFF, the first print data and the second print data are exchanged. If the CPU 11 determines that the exchange is possible based on the result of the exchange determination process, the exchange process is possible. Therefore, the user can efficiently edit the print data when overlapping multiple labels.

[0110] In the above embodiment, CPU 11 corresponds to the "control unit" of the present invention. Flash memory 12 corresponds to the "program storage unit" and "color information storage unit" of the present invention. Composite label image 40 corresponds to the "composite image" of the present invention. S51 and S52 executed by CPU 11 correspond to the "display process" of the present invention. S31 executed by CPU 11 corresponds to the "decision process" of the present invention. S124 executed by CPU 11 corresponds to the "color information list display process" of the present invention. The threshold value used in S86 corresponds to the "first threshold value" of the present invention. The value of the exchange prohibition flag corresponds to the "determination result" of the present invention. S39 executed by CPU 11 corresponds to the "exchange process" of the present invention. The threshold value used in S105 corresponds to the "second threshold value" of the present invention. S105 executed by CPU 11 corresponds to the "transmittance determination process" of the present invention.

[0111] The present invention can be modified in various ways from the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, the editing process is described as an editing process for creating an overlapping label 94 consisting of a first label 91 and a second label 92, but an editing process for creating an overlapping label 94 consisting of three or more labels may be performed. The editing device 1 is capable of editing to create an overlapping label 94 consisting of three or more labels in the editing process described in the above embodiment. In this case, the threshold value used in S86 corresponds to the "third threshold value" of the present invention. The threshold value used in S105 corresponds to the "fourth threshold value" of the present invention. In FIG. 19, an object 45C is added to the label image 41C of the third region 25 by S23. The target color information 33C corresponding to the third region 25 is the color information 39 determined in S146 when the third region 25 is added in the upper layer addition process (see FIG. 15), or the color information 39 determined in S126 of the target color information determination process (see FIG. 14). A composite label image 40 in which the label images 41A to 41C are superimposed is displayed in the composite region 20.

[0112] The configuration and number of devices in the printing system 100 may be changed as appropriate. In the printing system 100, the editing device 1 may be capable of executing a printing operation, and the printing system 100 may not include the printing device 50. The printing device 50 may be a printer other than a thermal printer, for example, an inkjet printer. The editing device 1 may not include the display unit 3, and may be capable of communicating with, for example, a display device separate from the editing device 1. In this case, the CPU 11 may send instructions to the display device to perform various displays.

[0113] The LCD 4 does not have to be capable of color display. In this case, the display unit 3 only needs to display colors in a distinguishable manner. Specifically, the display unit 3 may assign codes corresponding to the colors to each of the label images 41 and the composite label image 40, and display which color each code indicates, or may express the difference in color with diagonal lines, horizontal lines, vertical lines, etc. instead of codes.

[0114] The printing device 50 may be configured so that multiple types of tape cassettes 70 can be loaded at once. In this case, the user is saved the trouble of replacing the tape cassette 70 every time the color information changes. The printing device 50 does not have to be able to load the tape cassette 70. The tape cassette 70 does not have to be equipped with the ink ribbon 81. The printing device 50 may be able to load roll paper.

[0115] Color information 39 does not have to include at least one of tape color and transmittance information. Color information 39 may include information on the width of tape 80. A usage history of color information 39 may be stored in flash memory 12. In this case, CPU 11 may display frequently used color information 39 in color information list 34 in an easily selectable manner, based on the usage history stored in flash memory 12. Initial color information may be determined based on the usage history stored in flash memory 12. Color information table 97 may be stored in a second flash memory different from flash memory 12.

[0116] Instead of the CPU 11, a microcomputer, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or the like may be used as a processor. The editing process may be distributed among a plurality of processors. The non-transitory storage medium may be any storage medium capable of retaining information regardless of the period for which the information is stored. The non-transitory storage medium may not include a temporary storage medium (e.g., a transmitted signal). For example, the program may be downloaded (i.e., transmitted as a transmission signal) from a server connected to a network and stored in the flash memory 12. In this case, the program may be stored in a non-transitory storage medium such as a hard disk drive provided in the server. The above-mentioned modified examples may be combined with each other as long as no contradiction occurs.

[0117] The order of each step of the editing process can be changed, and steps can be omitted or added as necessary. The scope of the present disclosure also includes a mode in which an operating system (OS) running on the editing device 1 performs part or all of the editing process in response to a command from the CPU 11. For example, the following modifications may be made to the editing process as appropriate.

[0118] The CPU 11 may omit steps S2 to S7, S61, and S62. That is, the edited data may not be stored in the flash memory 12, and the editing device 1 may perform the edit process only when newly generating and editing print data.

[0119] CPU 11 may perform first color information list creation processing (S11) in response to receiving a target color information determination instruction (S30: YES). Similarly, CPU 11 may perform upper layer color information list creation processing (S12) in response to receiving a target color information determination instruction (S30: YES). In this case, it is preferable that S12 is also performed when CPU 11 receives an upper layer addition instruction (S32: YES). CPU 11 may perform replacement determination processing (S13) in response to receiving a replacement instruction (S36: YES). In this case, it is preferable that S13 is performed before S38.

[0120] The thresholds of S86 and S105 may be different from each other. The upper layer transmittance may be the sum of the transmittances of the upper layer labels. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 1 Editing equipment 3 Display section 5 Editing screen 11 CPU 12. Flash Memory 20 Synthesis area 21 Solo Area 33 Target color information 34 Color Information List 39 Color Information 40 Composite Label Images 41 Label Images 70 Tape Cassette 80 Tape 91 First Label 92 2nd Label 93 3rd Label 94 Stacking Labels 97 Color Information Table 100 Printing System

Claims

1. A control unit; a program storage unit that stores a program to be executed by the control unit; A display unit; Equipped with a first label printed by a printing device based on first print data including information of a first print color; a second label printed by the printing device based on second print data including information on a second print color different from the first print color and superimposed on the first label, an editing device capable of editing the first print data and the second print data on a display unit, the display unit has at least a first area and a composite area on a same screen of the display unit, The control unit executes the program stored in the program storage unit, A display process for simultaneously displaying an image of the first print data in the first area and a composite image resulting from superimposing the image of the first print data and the image of the second print data in the composite area. An editing apparatus comprising:

2. The second label is a label printed in the second printing color on a tape having a visible light transmittance equal to or higher than a threshold value.

2. The editing device according to claim 1.

3. The printing device is capable of mounting a tape cassette having a tape therein, the editing device further includes a color information storage unit that stores color information including information on a printing color to be printed on the tape; The control unit is performing an editing process for editing the first print data or the second print data; In the editing process, a determination process is performed to determine target color information, which is the color information corresponding to each of the first print data and the second print data, based on the color information stored in the color information storage unit.

2. The editing device according to claim 1.

4. 4. The editing device according to claim 3, wherein the tape cassette is provided with an ink ribbon, and the printing color is the color of the ink ribbon.

5. 4. The editing device according to claim 3, wherein the color information further includes information about the color of the tape contained in the tape cassette.

6. The control unit is In the editing process, performing a color information list creation process for creating a color information list in which the color information compatible with each of the first label and the second label is selected; performing a color information list display process for displaying the color information list on the display unit; In the determination process, The color information selected from the color information list corresponding to either the first label or the second label is determined as the target color information of the one of the labels.

4. The editing device according to claim 3.

7. The first area and the composite area are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the display unit.

2. The editing device according to claim 1 .

8. The first area and the combined area are aligned in a width direction that is a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the image of the first print data displayed in the first area.

2. The editing device according to claim 1 .

9. The control unit displays, in the first area, first medium type information including information on a printing color to be printed on a tape used for printing the first print data.

2. The editing device according to claim 1 .

10. the display unit has a second region in addition to the first region and the composite region on the same screen of the display unit, The control unit, in the display process, An image of the first print data is displayed in the first area, an image of the second print data is displayed in the second area, and the composite image is displayed in the composite area, simultaneously; Displaying second medium type information in the second area, the second medium type information including information on a print color to be printed on a tape used for printing the second print data.

2. The editing device according to claim 1 .

Images