Information processing device, tape printing device, tape printing system, and method and program for controlling an information processing device

Abstract

To allow a user to check how many labels based on print data being edited can be made before a print instruction.SOLUTION: A portable terminal M is communicably connected with a tape printer performing printing on a tape, and comprises: an acquisition unit 510 that acquires a residual tape length being the length of an unprinted part of the tape; a receiving unit 520 that receives an editing operation of print data; a unit label length calculation unit 530 that calculates a unit label length being the length per one label made by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a printable number calculation unit 540 that, based on the residual tape length and the unit label length, calculates a printable number indicating how many labels with the unit label length can be made with a tape with the residual tape length; and a number notification unit 550 that notifies a user of the printable number while the print data is being edited.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, a printing device is known that, when printing print data on a tape loaded in a mounting section, if printing of all the print data is not completed, prints the unprinted portion of the print data on a newly loaded tape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-063045 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the printing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, if a user wants to create five labels based on the print data being edited, but is unable to complete printing with the tape loaded in the loading section, and no new tape is available to load, the user will ultimately be unable to create five labels. For this reason, there is a demand for checking how many labels can be created based on the print data being edited before issuing a print command. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints on tape, and includes an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape, a reception unit that accepts editing operations for the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label created by printing the print data being edited on the tape, a printable number calculation unit that calculates the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be created with tape of the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, a first number notification unit that notifies the user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited, and a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the tape printing device based on an instruction to print the print data.

[0006] The tape printing device of the present invention comprises a printing unit that prints on the tape, an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape, a reception unit that accepts editing operations for the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label created by printing the print data being edited on the tape, a printable number calculation unit that calculates the number of printable labels indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be created with tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, and a first number notification unit that notifies the user of the number of printable labels while the print data is being edited, and the printing unit prints the print data on the tape based on the print instruction for the print data.

[0007] The tape printing system of the present invention is a tape printing system in which a tape printing device that prints on tape and an information processing device are communicatively connected, and the information processing device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape, a reception unit that accepts editing operations for the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label created by printing the print data being edited on the tape, a printable number calculation unit that calculates the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be created with tape of the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, a first number notification unit that notifies the user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited, and a transmission unit that transmits print data to the tape printing device based on an instruction to print the print data.

[0008] The control method of an information processing device of the present invention is a control method of an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints on tape, in which the information processing device executes the following steps: a step of acquiring the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape; a step of accepting an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a step of calculating a unit label length, which is the length per label created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a step of calculating the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be created with tape of the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a step of notifying a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; and a step of sending the print data to the tape printing device based on the instruction to print the print data.

[0009] The program of the present invention causes an information processing device that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device that prints on tape to execute the following steps: acquiring the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape; accepting editing operations for the print data and instructions to print the print data; calculating a unit label length, which is the length of one label created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; calculating the number of printable sheets, which indicates how many labels of the unit label length can be created with tape of the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; notifying a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; and sending the print data to the tape printing device based on an instruction to print the print data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the tape printing device with a tape cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, as viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram showing the tape printing device with a ribbon cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting portion, as viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram of the tape printing device when neither a tape cartridge nor a ribbon cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting section, as viewed from the front side in the mounting direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape cartridge. [Diagram 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the portable terminal and the tape printing apparatus. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a memory element. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile terminal. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing a print instruction process by a mobile terminal. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an edit screen. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a print execution screen. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of creating a label. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a print execution screen when repeated printing is performed. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the display of the print execution screen when repeated printing is performed. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another functional configuration of the mobile terminal. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a warning screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an information processing device, a tape printing device, a tape printing system, a control method for an information processing device, and a program will be described with reference to the attached drawings. Note that, although an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, this is merely for convenience of explanation and does not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0012] First, the tape printer 1, the tape cartridge 101, and the ribbon cartridge 201 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tape printer 1 includes a device case 3 and a mounting section cover 5. A cartridge mounting section 7 is provided on the +Z direction side of the device case 3. The tape cartridge 101 (see Figure 1) and the ribbon cartridge 201 (see Figure 2) are selectively mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7.

[0013] A tape inlet 9 is provided on the surface of the device case 3 in the +X direction. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, the second tape T2 unwound from a tape roll provided outside the tape printer 1 is introduced from the tape inlet 9. A tape outlet 11 is provided on the surface of the device case 3 in the -X direction. The first tape T1 unwound from the tape cartridge 101 mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7 or the second tape T2 introduced from the tape inlet 9 is discharged from the tape outlet 11. A cutter 41 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 7 and the tape outlet 11. The cutter 41 cuts the tape T in the tape width direction. This separates the printed portion of the tape T. The mounting section cover 5 opens and closes the cartridge mounting section 7. The mounting section cover 5 is attached to the device case 3 so as to be rotatable around a hinge portion 13 provided at the end in the +Y direction.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the tape cartridge 101 includes a tape core 103, a first platen roller 105, a first payout core 107, a first take-up core 109, and a first cartridge case 111 that houses them. A first tape T1 is wound around the tape core 103. The first tape T1 paid out from the tape core 103 is fed out from the first cartridge case 111 through a tape feed outlet (not shown) provided in a peripheral wall portion in the -X direction of the first cartridge case 111. A first ink ribbon R1 is wound around the first payout core 107. The first ink ribbon R1 paid out from the first payout core 107 is taken up by the first take-up core 109. A first head insertion hole 119 is provided in the first cartridge case 111 so as to penetrate in the Z direction.

[0015] 4, a first circuit board C1 is provided on the outer peripheral surface in the +X direction and +Y direction of the first cartridge case 111. Cartridge information, which will be described later, is stored on the first circuit board C1. The first circuit board C1 is connected to a circuit board connection portion 51 (see FIG. 3) provided on the cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the ribbon cartridge 201 includes a second platen roller 205, a second payout core 207, a second winding core 209, and a second cartridge case 211 that houses these. A second ink ribbon R2 is wound around the second payout core 207. The second ink ribbon R2 paid out from the second payout core 207 is wound around the second winding core 209. A second head insertion hole 219 is provided in the second cartridge case 211 so as to penetrate in the Z direction. In addition, a second tape path 221 is provided in the second cartridge case 211. The second tape T2 introduced from the tape inlet 9 is sent to the tape outlet 11 through the second tape path 221.

[0017] 5, a second circuit board C2 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second cartridge case 211 at a position in contact with the circuit board connection portion 51 of the cartridge mounting portion 7. Cartridge information is stored on the second circuit board C2, similar to the first circuit board C1.

[0018] In this embodiment, the length of the second tape T2 in the unused tape roll and the length of the second ink ribbon R2 housed in the unused ribbon cartridge 201 are longer than the length of the first tape T1 and the length of the first ink ribbon R1 housed in the unused tape cartridge 101. For this reason, for example, when producing a large number of labels L (see FIG. 13) at one time, the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7.

[0019] Furthermore, the tape roll that pays out the second tape T2 is intended to be used in combination with the ribbon cartridge 201, and the tape roll and ribbon cartridge 201 are sold as a set. For this reason, the length of the second tape T2 in an unused tape roll and the length of the second ink ribbon R2 housed in an unused ribbon cartridge 201 are approximately the same length.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge mounting section 7 is formed in a concave shape with an open +Z direction. A head section 19 is provided on the mounting bottom surface 17, which is the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting section 7, that is, the surface in the -Z direction, so as to protrude in the +Z direction. The head section 19 includes a thermal head 21 (see FIG. 6) and a head cover 23 that covers at least the thermal head 21 in the +X direction, the -Y direction, and the +Z direction. The head cover 23 protrudes in the +Z direction to the same extent as a platen shaft 25 described later, and is inserted into the first head insertion hole 119 when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, and guides the mounting of the tape cartridge 101. In addition, the head cover 23 is inserted into the second head insertion hole 219 when the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, and guides the mounting of the ribbon cartridge 201.

[0021] In addition, on the mounting bottom surface 17, in order from the -X direction, a platen shaft 25, a first winding shaft 29, a first payout shaft 27, a second payout shaft 31, and a second winding shaft 33 are provided protruding in the +Z direction.

[0022] The platen shaft 25 is provided in the +Y direction of the thermal head 21. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the platen shaft 25 is inserted through the first platen roller 105 and, together with the head cover 23, guides the mounting of the tape cartridge 101. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the platen shaft 25 is inserted through the second platen roller 205 and, together with the head cover 23, guides the mounting of the ribbon cartridge 201.

[0023] When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, the platen shaft 25, the first payout shaft 27, and the first take-up shaft 29 are inserted into the first platen roller 105, the first payout core 107, and the first take-up core 109, respectively (see FIG. 1). When the mounting section cover 5 is closed in this state, the thermal head 21 moves toward the platen shaft 25 by a head moving mechanism (not shown). As a result, the first tape T1 and the first ink ribbon R1 are sandwiched between the thermal head 21 and the first platen roller 105. The tape printing device 1 prints print data transmitted from a mobile terminal M (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, onto the first tape T1 by heating the thermal head 21 while feeding the first tape T1 and the first ink ribbon R1 by rotating the first platen roller 105.

[0024] Furthermore, when the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7, the platen shaft 25, the second payout shaft 31, and the second take-up shaft 33 are inserted into the second platen roller 205, the second payout core 207, and the second take-up core 209, respectively (see FIG. 2). In this state, when the mounting section cover 5 is closed, the head moving mechanism moves the thermal head 21 toward the platen shaft 25. As a result, the second tape T2 and the second ink ribbon R2 are sandwiched between the thermal head 21 and the second platen roller 205. The tape printing device 1 prints the print data transmitted from the mobile terminal M onto the second tape T2 by heating the thermal head 21 while feeding the second tape T2 and the second ink ribbon R2 by rotating the second platen roller 205.

[0025] A circuit board connection portion 51 is provided on an inner circumferential surface located in the +X direction of a common area 37 in which the tape cartridge 101 and the ribbon cartridge 201 are commonly mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7. When the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the circuit board connection portion 51 is connected to a first circuit board C1 (see FIG. 4) provided in the tape cartridge 101. When the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7, the circuit board connection portion 51 is connected to a second circuit board C2 (see FIG. 5) provided in the ribbon cartridge 201.

[0026] The circuit board connection unit 51 reads the cartridge information from the first circuit board C1 and the second circuit board C2. Both the first circuit board C1 and the second circuit board C2 are equipped with a memory element 500 (see FIG. 7). The memory element 500 is equipped with a tape ribbon information memory area 501 that stores tape ribbon information, and a printed tape length memory area 502 that stores the printed tape length. The printed tape length refers to the printed length of the tape T. The circuit board connection unit 51 reads the tape ribbon information stored in the tape ribbon information memory area 501 and the printed tape length stored in the printed tape length memory area 502 as the cartridge information.

[0027] The tape / ribbon information storage area 501 is a storage area that cannot be rewritten in the tape printer 1. On the other hand, the printed tape length storage area 502 is a storage area that can be rewritten in the tape printer 1.

[0028] The tape / ribbon information storage area 501 of the first circuit board C1 stores the following information as tape / ribbon information: information indicating the cartridge type, information indicating the length of the first tape T1 and first ink ribbon R1 contained in the unused tape cartridge 101, information indicating the width, color, material, etc. of the first tape T1, and information indicating the width, color, etc. of the first ink ribbon R1. The "length of the first tape T1 in the unused tape cartridge 101" is an example of the "initial tape length." The cartridge type is whether it is a tape cartridge 101 or a ribbon cartridge 201.

[0029] Furthermore, the printed tape length storage area 502 of the first circuit board C1 stores the printed tape length of the first tape T1. Note that the printed tape length of the first tape T1 and the used length of the first ink ribbon R1 are substantially the same length.

[0030] Furthermore, the tape / ribbon information storage area 501 of the second circuit board C2 stores the following information as tape / ribbon information: information indicating the cartridge type, information indicating the length of the second tape T2 in an unused tape roll, information indicating the length of the second ink ribbon R2 contained in an unused ribbon cartridge 201, information indicating the width, color, material, etc. of the second tape T2, and information indicating the width, color, etc. of the second ink ribbon R2. "The length of the second tape T2 in an unused tape roll" is an example of "initial tape length."

[0031] The printed tape length storage area 502 of the second circuit board C2 stores the printed tape length of the second tape T2. The printed tape length of the second tape T2 and the used length of the second ink ribbon R2 are substantially the same length.

[0032] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the first tape T1 and the second tape T2, they will simply be referred to as "tape T." When there is no need to distinguish between the first ink ribbon R1 and the second ink ribbon R2, they will simply be referred to as "ink ribbon R." When there is no need to distinguish between the first circuit board C1 and the second circuit board C2, they will simply be referred to as "circuit board C."

[0033] Next, a control system of the tape printing system SY will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a portable terminal M and a tape printer 1. The tape printing system SY includes a portable terminal M and a tape printer 1. The portable terminal M is an example of an "information processing terminal." The portable terminal M is communicatively connected to the tape printer 1 via wireless communication 100. The wireless communication 100 is, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication. It should be noted that the portable terminal M may be connected to the tape printer 1 via wired communication.

[0034] The mobile terminal M is, for example, a smartphone. The mobile terminal M includes, as main hardware components, a touch panel 410, a mobile terminal side communication unit 420, and a mobile terminal side control unit 430. The mobile terminal side communication unit 420 is an example of a "receiving unit" and a "transmitting unit".

[0035] The touch panel 410 is used for various operations by the user and for displaying various information. For example, the touch panel 410 displays an edit screen D1 (see FIG. 10, etc.) and a print execution screen D2 (see FIG. 12, etc.). The user uses the edit screen D1 to edit print data, give print instructions for the print data, and so on.

[0036] The mobile terminal communication unit 420 communicates with the tape printing device 1 via the wireless communication 100. For example, the mobile terminal communication unit 420 transmits print data to the tape printing device 1 and receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 1.

[0037] The mobile terminal control unit 430 includes a mobile terminal central processing unit (CPU) 431, a mobile terminal read only memory (ROM) 432, and a mobile terminal random access memory (RAM) 433.

[0038] The mobile terminal CPU 431 performs various controls by loading various control programs stored in the mobile terminal ROM 432 into the mobile terminal RAM 433 and executing them. The mobile terminal control unit 430 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as a processor instead of the mobile terminal CPU 431. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0039] The mobile terminal ROM 432 is a rewritable ROM, and stores various control programs and various control data. For example, the mobile terminal ROM 432 stores a dedicated application 435 for controlling the tape printer 1. The above-mentioned edit screen D1 and print execution screen D2 are screens displayed based on the dedicated application 435. The mobile terminal CPU 431 also generates print data using the dedicated application 435.

[0040] Furthermore, when the dedicated application 435 is started or when the user performs a predetermined operation to request cartridge information, the mobile terminal side CPU 431 requests cartridge information from the tape printing device 1. In response to a request from the mobile terminal M, the tape printing device 1 transmits the cartridge information read from the circuit board C to the mobile terminal M.

[0041] The mobile terminal RAM 433 is used as a work area for the mobile terminal CPU 431 to perform various controls.

[0042] The tape printing device 1 includes a printing device side communication section 310, a circuit board connection section 51, a printing section 330, and a printing device side control section 340.

[0043] The printing device communication unit 310 communicates with the portable terminal M via wireless communication 100.

[0044] The circuit board connection portion 51 is connected to the circuit board C.

[0045] The printing unit 330 is a mechanism for printing on the tape T, and includes a thermal head 21, a feed motor 332, and a cutter motor 333. The thermal head 21 has a plurality of heating elements, and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The feed motor 332 is a drive source that drives the first platen roller 105 and the first take-up core 109 when the tape cartridge 101 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 7. The feed motor 332 is also a drive source that drives the second platen roller 205 and the second take-up core 209 when the ribbon cartridge 201 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 7. The cutter motor 333 is a drive source that drives the cutter 41.

[0046] The printing device control unit 340 includes a printing device CPU 341 , a printing device ROM 342 , and a printing device RAM 343 .

[0047] The printing device CPU 341 performs various controls by loading various control programs stored in the printing device ROM 342 into the printing device RAM 343 and executing them. Note that the printing device control unit 340 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the printing device CPU 341. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0048] The printer ROM 342 stores various control programs and various control data, and the printer RAM 343 is used as a work area for the printer CPU 341 to perform various controls.

[0049] The printing device CPU 341 uses a control program stored in the printing device ROM 342 to print on the tape T based on the print data transmitted from the mobile terminal M. More specifically, the printing device CPU 341 prints by controlling the energization of the multiple heating elements provided in the thermal head 21 and the drive of the feed motor 332 in coordination. In this way, the printing device CPU 341 controls the printing unit 330 to print on the tape T, and cuts the printed portion of the tape T to create a label L (see FIG. 13).

[0050] Furthermore, the printing device CPU 341 performs a tape usage writing process to write the amount of tape usage to the circuit board C. When printing by the printing unit 330 is completed, the printing device CPU 341 writes the amount of tape usage, which indicates the length of tape used by printing, to the circuit board C via the circuit board connection unit 51. The printing device CPU 341 calculates the amount of tape usage based on the number of tape feed dots in the length direction of the tape T.

[0051] The control unit (not shown) of the circuit board C updates the printed tape length memory area 502 based on the written amount of tape usage. The control unit of the circuit board C adds the tape length indicated by the written amount of tape usage to the printed tape length before update stored in the printed tape length memory area 502 to calculate the updated printed tape length, and stores the calculated printed tape length in the printed tape length memory area 502. Note that the printing device side CPU 341 may be configured to read the printed tape length before update from the printed tape length memory area 502, calculate the updated printed tape length, and write the calculated updated printed tape length to the circuit board C. In this case, the control unit of the circuit board C may store the written printed tape length in the printed tape length memory area 502.

[0052] The printer CPU 341 also performs the tape usage writing process when the user performs a tape feed operation to feed the tape T by a predetermined length. The user performs the tape feed operation, for example, by pressing a button (not shown) provided on the tape printer 1. When the tape feed operation is performed, the printer CPU 341 writes the tape usage indicating the predetermined tape feed length onto the circuit board C via the circuit board connection part 51 at the end of tape feeding.

[0053] Furthermore, when cartridge information is requested by the portable terminal M, the printing device CPU 341 reads out the tape / ribbon information stored in the tape / ribbon information storage area 501 and the printed tape length stored in the printed tape length storage area 502 via the circuit board connection unit 51. The printing device CPU 341 transmits the read out tape / ribbon information and printed tape length to the portable terminal M as the above-mentioned cartridge information.

[0054] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the mobile terminal M. The mobile terminal M includes, as its functional configuration, an acquisition unit 510, a reception unit 520, a unit label length calculation unit 530, a printable number calculation unit 540, a number notification unit 550, and a size notification unit 560. The number notification unit 550 is an example of a "first number notification unit." These functions are mainly realized by the mobile terminal side CPU 431 executing the dedicated application 435. That is, FIG. 8 shows functions mainly realized by the mobile terminal side control unit 430. Among the functions shown in FIG. 8, the reception unit 520, the number notification unit 550, and the size notification unit 560 are functions realized by the mobile terminal side control unit 430 and the touch panel 410.

[0055] The acquiring unit 510 acquires the remaining tape length, which is the length of the unprinted portion of the tape T used in the tape printer 1. The acquiring unit 510 acquires the remaining tape length based on the cartridge information transmitted from the tape printer 1. As described above, the cartridge information includes information indicating the initial tape length, which indicates the length of the first tape T1 in the unused tape cartridge 101 or the length of the second tape T2 in the unused tape roll, and the printed tape length. Hereinafter, the information indicating the initial tape length and the printed tape length will be referred to as "tape length information." The acquiring unit 510 acquires the remaining tape length by subtracting the printed tape length from the initial tape length based on the tape length information. For example, if the initial tape length is "800 cm" and the printed tape length is "275 cm," the remaining tape length is calculated to be "525 cm."

[0056] The acquiring unit 510 may acquire the remaining tape length directly from the tape printing device 1. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may transmit the remaining tape length, which is obtained by subtracting the printed tape length from the initial tape length, to the portable terminal M as part of the cartridge information.

[0057] The reception unit 520 receives an editing operation for the print data and an instruction to print the print data. The reception unit 520 receives an editing operation for the print data and an instruction to print the print data on an editing screen D1 (see FIG. 10, etc.) described later.

[0058] The unit label length calculation unit 530 calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label L created by printing the print data being edited on the editing screen D1 on the tape T. The unit label length calculation unit 530 calculates the unit label length by adding together the length in the tape length direction of the print image G printed based on the print data and the length in the tape length direction of the margin areas provided before and after the print image G in the tape length direction. Note that the length in the tape length direction of the margin areas may be zero. The unit label length calculation unit 530 also calculates the unit label length each time the reception unit 520 receives an editing operation that changes the unit label length.

[0059] The printable number calculation unit 540 calculates the printable number indicating how many labels L of the unit label length can be produced with the tape T of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length acquired by the acquisition unit 510 and the unit label length calculated by the unit label length calculation unit 530.

[0060] While the print data is being edited on the editing screen D1, the number notification unit 550 notifies the user of the printable number calculated by the printable number calculation unit 540. The number notification unit 550 notifies the user of the printable number by displaying first printable number information 602 (see FIG. 10, etc.) on the editing screen D1.

[0061] While the print data is being edited on the editing screen D1, the size notification unit 560 notifies the user of the size of the label L to be created based on the print data being edited. The size notification unit 560 notifies the user of the size of the label L by displaying first label size information 601 (see FIG. 10, etc.) on the editing screen D1.

[0062] Furthermore, the size notification unit 560 notifies the user of the size of the label L to be created based on the print data while printing of the print data is being executed in the tape printing device 1. The size notification unit 560 notifies the user of the size of the label L by displaying second label size information 611 (see FIG. 12, etc.) on the print execution screen D2.

[0063] Next, a print instruction process by the mobile terminal M will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 9. The print instruction process starts when a user performs an operation to display the edit screen D1.

[0064] In step S01, the portable terminal M receives cartridge information from the tape printing apparatus 1. The portable terminal M receives the cartridge information from the tape printing apparatus 1 by transmitting a request signal to the tape printing apparatus 1 requesting cartridge information.

[0065] In step S02, the mobile terminal M acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T used in the tape printing device 1, based on the tape length information included in the cartridge information received in step S01.

[0066] In step S03, the mobile terminal M displays the editing screen D1 on the touch panel 410.

[0067] In step S04, the mobile terminal M accepts an editing operation for the print data on the editing screen D1.

[0068] In step S05, the portable terminal M determines whether an editing operation has been performed that changes the unit label length, which is the length of the label L created based on the print data being edited. If the portable terminal M determines that an editing operation that changes the unit label length has been performed, the portable terminal M proceeds to step S06. If the portable terminal M determines that an editing operation that changes the unit label length has not been performed, the portable terminal M proceeds to step S09.

[0069] In step S06, the portable terminal M calculates the unit label length.

[0070] In step S07, the mobile terminal M calculates the number of printable sheets based on the remaining tape length acquired in step S02 and the unit label length calculated in step S06.

[0071] In step S08, the mobile terminal M updates the display of the first printable sheet count information 602 on the editing screen D1 based on the printable sheet count calculated in step S07.

[0072] In step S09, the portable terminal M determines whether or not a print instruction has been issued. If the portable terminal M determines that a print instruction has been issued, the portable terminal M proceeds to step S10. If the portable terminal M determines that a print instruction has not been issued, the portable terminal M returns to step S04.

[0073] In step S10, the portable terminal M transmits print data to the tape printing apparatus 1.

[0074] In step S11, the portable terminal M displays the print execution screen D2 on the touch panel 410 while printing of the print data is being executed in the tape printing device 1. It is assumed that the tape printing device 1 transmits a print end signal to the portable terminal M when printing of the print data is completed.

[0075] In step S12, the portable terminal M determines whether printing has been completed in the tape printing device 1. When the portable terminal M receives a print completion signal from the tape printing device 1, it determines that printing has been completed. If the portable terminal M determines that printing has been completed, it ends the print instruction process. If the portable terminal M determines that printing has been completed, it makes the print execution screen D2 invisible and displays the edit screen D1 on the touch panel 410. Furthermore, if the portable terminal M determines that printing has not been completed, it repeats the determination in step S12.

[0076] Next, various screens and labels L will be described with specific examples with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 13. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of an edit screen D1. The edit screen D1 includes a first information area E1, a label image display area E2, an edit area E3, and a print button 600. Note that the dashed lines shown in Fig. 10 indicate each area and are not actually displayed on the edit screen D1.

[0077] The first information area E1 displays first label size information 601 and first printable number information 602. The first label size information 601 is information including the length of the label L created based on the print data being edited in the editing area E3, i.e., the unit label length, and the width of the label L based on the cartridge information. The unit label length of the first label size information 601 changes as the print data is edited in the editing area E3.

[0078] The first printable number information 602 is information including the text "remaining number" and the number of printable sheets. In the editing screen D1, the number of printable sheets is displayed as "remaining number". In other words, "remaining number" and "number of printable sheets" are synonymous. The first printable number information 602 changes the number of printable sheets as the print data is edited in the editing area E3. The example in FIG. 10 assumes that the remaining tape length is "525 cm", and since the unit label length is "5.0 cm", the number of printable sheets is displayed as "105 sheets".

[0079] The characters included in the first printable number information 602 are not limited to "remaining number" and may be any characters that indicate the number of printable sheets. Also, the first printable number information 602 may include a mark that indicates the number of printable sheets instead of characters.

[0080] Label image display area E2 displays a label image 603, which is an image of a label L created based on the print data being edited in editing area E3. The label image 603 is a tape image with a black background and a white character image superimposed on it. The length of the displayed characters and tape image in label image 603 changes as the print data is edited in editing area E3.

[0081] In the editing area E3, the print data is edited. When creating a label L on which a character print image G is printed as shown in FIG. 13, the characters are edited in the editing area E3. In this case, in addition to the characters to be edited, a line head mark 605 and a cursor 606 are displayed in the editing area E3. The line head mark 605 is a mark that indicates, by using a number, which line is being edited. The cursor 606 is a mark that indicates the editing position. The editing area E3 in FIG. 10 shows a state in which the characters "ABC" have been entered in the first line, the characters "DEFGH" have been entered in the second line, and the cursor 606 has been added to the last character "H" in the second line.

[0082] The print button 600 is a button for a user to issue a print instruction. When the print button 600 is selected, the mobile terminal M generates print data based on the edited content in the edit area E3 and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 1.

[0083] Fig. 11 shows a state in which the characters "IJ" have been added to the second line of editing area E3 from the state shown in Fig. 10. In this way, the label image 603 in label image display area E2 has changed with the addition of the characters. In addition, with the addition of the characters, the unit label length in first label size information 601 has changed to "7.5 cm". In addition, with the change in unit label length, the printable number in first printable number information 602 has changed to "70 sheets".

[0084] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a print execution screen D2 that is displayed when the print button 600 is selected in the state of Fig. 11. The print execution screen D2 includes a printing notification area E4, a second information area E5, and a third information area E6.

[0085] The printing notification area E4 displays the words "PRINTING" to indicate that the tape printer 1 is currently printing.

[0086] In the second information area E5, second label size information 611 and first print count information 612 are displayed. The second label size information 611 is information including the unit label length based on the print data being printed by the tape printer 1 and the width of the label L. The second label size information 611 indicates the same values ​​as the unit label length "7.5 cm" and the width of the label L "24 mm" of the first label size information 601 shown in FIG. 11. The first print count information 612 is information indicating the number of prints. FIG. 12 shows the case where the number of prints is "1 sheet".

[0087] In the third information region E6, second printable number information 613 is displayed. The second printable number information 613 is information including the text "printable number" and the number of printable sheets. The second printable number information 613 indicates the same numerical value as the printable number "70 sheets" of the first printable number information 602 shown in FIG.

[0088] The characters included in the second printable number information 613 are not limited to "printable number," but may be anything that indicates the number of printable sheets, such as "remaining number." The second printable number information 613 may also include a mark indicating the number of printable sheets instead of characters.

[0089] Furthermore, the display on the print execution screen D2 according to this embodiment does not change during printing. For example, when the number of prints is "2", the mobile terminal M continues to display the same information from the start of printing the first label L to the end of printing the second label L.

[0090] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a label L created after the print execution screen D2 of Fig. 12 is displayed. Fig. 13 shows a label L on which a print image G showing black characters is printed on a white tape T. The label image 603 displayed on the edit screen D1 of Fig. 11 is a black tape image with a white character image superimposed thereon, so the label L of Fig. 13 looks like the label image 603 inverted black and white. Furthermore, the label L of Fig. 13 has a unit label length of "7.5 cm" and a width of "24 mm" as shown in the first label size information 601 of the edit screen D1 of Fig. 11 and the second label size information 611 of the print execution screen D2 of Fig. 12.

[0091] As described above, the mobile terminal M according to this embodiment notifies the user of the printable number indicating how many labels L of the unit label length based on the print data being edited can be created with the acquired remaining tape length while the print data is being edited. This allows the user to check how many labels L can be created based on the print data being edited before issuing a print instruction. This allows the user to prepare a replacement tape cartridge 101 or a set of ribbon cartridge 201 and tape roll before issuing a print instruction if the user wants to create more labels L than the notified printable number. Furthermore, if the user is unable to prepare a replacement tape cartridge 101 or the like, the user can edit the print data to shorten the unit label length to create the desired number of labels L.

[0092] Furthermore, the mobile terminal M calculates the unit label length each time an editing operation that changes the unit label length is received in association with editing of the print data. Therefore, while editing the print data, the user can check in real time how many labels L can be produced based on the print data being edited.

[0093] Furthermore, while the print data is being edited, the mobile terminal M notifies the user of the size of the label L based on the print data being edited. This allows the user to check the size of the label L based on the print data being edited before issuing a print instruction.

[0094] The portable terminal M also notifies the user of the size and printable number of labels L while the print data is being printed by the tape printer 1. This allows the user to check the size and printable number of labels L while printing is in progress.

[0095] Incidentally, regardless of the above embodiment, the following modified examples can be adopted. [Variation 1] When the mobile terminal M receives a repeat print instruction to repeatedly print at least a portion of the print data, the mobile terminal M may display the print execution screen D2 shown in Fig. 14 and Fig. 15. Repeat print refers to, for example, continuous printing in which the same print data is printed continuously, or serial number printing in which the numbers or characters included in the print data are changed each time it is printed.

[0096] In the first modification, the reception unit 520 receives a repeat printing instruction instructing repeat printing and the number of labels L to be repeatedly printed. After the reception unit 520 receives the repeat printing instruction, the number notification unit 550 notifies the user of the current number of printed sheets indicating which sheet of the repeat printing is being printed and the remaining number of printable sheets based on the value obtained by subtracting the current number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets while printing of the print data is being executed in the tape printer 1. In the first modification, the number notification unit 550 is an example of a "second number notification unit." In the first modification, the tape printer 1 transmits a print completion signal to the portable terminal M every time printing of one label L is completed.

[0097] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a display example of the print execution screen D2 according to Variation 1. Only the differences from the print execution screen D2 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. In the second information area E5, second print number information 614 is displayed instead of the first print number information 612. The second print number information 614 is information including the number of labels L to be repeatedly printed and the current print number indicating which sheet of the repeated printing is being printed. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the current print number is "1 sheet" when the number of labels L to be repeatedly printed is "10 sheets". The second print number information 614 may be information indicating only the current print number.

[0098] In the third information area E6, setting information 615 and remaining printable number information 616 are displayed instead of the second printable number information 613. The setting information 615 is information indicating a repeat printing setting. Fig. 14 shows a case where fixed length printing is performed to create a fixed length label L, and "front justification" is set as the character arrangement. The mobile terminal M can set the character arrangement to one of "front justification", "center justification", "even distribution", and "rear justification".

[0099] The remaining printable number information 616 is information indicating the remaining number of printable sheets. The number notification unit 550 according to the first modification adds "1" to the remaining printable number of sheets to display the result.

[0100] Fig. 15 shows a state in which the tape printer 1 has repeatedly printed the label L from the state shown in Fig. 14, and the tenth label L is being printed. As the tenth label is printed in the tape printer 1, the second print count information 614 changes the current print count to "10". Each time the portable terminal M receives a print end signal from the tape printer 1, it increments the current print count by one.

[0101] 14, i.e., the remaining number of printable sheets is displayed as "70 sheets", i.e., "61 sheets" obtained by subtracting the current number of printable sheets, "10 sheets", from the number of sheets to start printing that was calculated before printing started and then adding "1 sheet" to the result. Each time the portable terminal M receives a printing completion signal from the tape printer 1, it decreases the remaining number of printable sheets by 1.

[0102] In this way, after receiving a repeat printing instruction, the portable terminal M according to the first modification notifies the user of the current number of printed sheets and the remaining number of printable sheets while the print data is being printed by the tape printing device 1. Therefore, the user can check the current number of printed sheets and the remaining number of printable sheets while the tape printing device 1 is performing repeat printing.

[0103] As a further variation, the number notification unit 550 may display the remaining number of printable sheets as the value obtained by subtracting the current number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets, rather than the value obtained by subtracting the current number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets and adding "1" to that value.

[0104] Furthermore, when repeated printing is performed and the lengths of the labels L are different, the size notification unit 560 may omit displaying the second label size information 611. In this case, it is preferable that the number notification unit 550 calculates the remaining number of printable sheets taking into account the length of each label L, and displays remaining printable sheet number information 616 indicating the calculated remaining number of printable sheets.

[0105] [Variation 2] The portable terminal M may display the first printable number information 602 in a location other than the first information area E1, which is the area on the left side of the touch panel 410. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, the portable terminal M may display the first printable number information 602 in a fourth information area E7, which is the area on the upper right side of the touch panel 410. The portable terminal M may also display icon information 608 in the fourth information area E7.

[0106] The icon information 608 includes battery icon information indicating the remaining battery level of the mobile terminal M, and tape icon information indicating the remaining tape length. The battery icon information includes a battery icon resembling a battery, and a battery remaining level indicator. The battery remaining level indicator is displayed such that the darker area within a rectangular area decreases as the remaining battery level decreases. Furthermore, the tape icon information includes a tape icon resembling a tape T, and a tape remaining level indicator. The tape remaining level indicator is displayed such that the darker area within a rectangular area decreases as the remaining tape length decreases.

[0107] In this way, the portable terminal M according to the second modification displays the icon information 608 adjacent to the first printable sheet count information 602. Therefore, when checking the printable sheet count, the user can check the remaining battery power and the remaining tape length at a glance.

[0108] [Variation 3] The mobile terminal M may be equipped with a warning function. FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the mobile terminal M according to the third modification. The mobile terminal M according to the third modification includes a warning unit 570 in addition to the functional configuration shown in FIG. 8. The warning unit 570 is a function that is mainly realized by the mobile terminal side CPU 431 executing the dedicated application 435. The warning unit 570 is a function that is mainly realized by the mobile terminal side control unit 430 and the touch panel 410.

[0109] The warning unit 570 warns the user when a print instruction is given for the print data when the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length. When the print button 600 on the editing screen D1 is selected when the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, the warning unit 570 displays a warning screen D3 shown in FIG. 18. The warning screen D3 displays a warning message 621 notifying the user that the tape T is low and encouraging the user to purchase more tape T. The warning screen D3 becomes hidden after a certain period of time has elapsed or based on a user operation. Furthermore, the mobile terminal M executes printing after displaying the warning screen D3. The threshold length may be changeable by a user operation.

[0110] Furthermore, when the printable number calculated by printable number calculation unit 540 becomes "0", warning unit 570 warns the user. That is, when the unit label length calculated based on the print data being edited exceeds the remaining tape length, warning unit 570 displays warning screen D3 shown in Fig. 18. In this case as well, warning screen D3 is hidden after a certain period of time has passed or based on a user operation.

[0111] In this way, the portable terminal M according to the third modification warns the user when a print instruction is given for print data when the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, or when the number of printable sheets calculated by the printable sheet count calculation unit 540 becomes "0." This allows the user to confirm that the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, or that the number of printable sheets of the label L based on the print data being edited is "0."

[0112] As a further modification, the warning unit 570 may display different warning messages when a print instruction is given for the print data when the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, and when the number of printable sheets calculated by the printable sheet calculation unit 540 becomes "0".

[0113] Furthermore, warning unit 570 may warn the user by outputting a voice message from a voice output unit (not shown) included in mobile terminal M, instead of displaying warning screen D3 on touch panel 410. In this case, warning unit 570 is realized by mobile terminal side control unit 430 and the voice output unit.

[0114] Furthermore, the warning unit 570 may warn the user when printing of a number of sheets exceeding the number of sheets that can be printed is instructed. With this configuration, the user can confirm that printing of a number of sheets that exceeds the number of sheets that can be printed has been instructed. In this case, it is preferable that the portable terminal M cancels the printing after issuing the warning. Alternatively, the portable terminal M may display a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to continue printing, and if the user selects to continue printing, the portable terminal M may perform printing, or if the user selects not to continue printing, the portable terminal M may cancel the printing.

[0115] [Variation 4] The number notifying unit 550 and size notifying unit 560 of the portable terminal M may notify the user of the printable number, label size, current number of printed sheets, and remaining number of printed sheets by outputting a voice message from a voice output unit provided in the portable terminal M, instead of displaying them on the touch panel 410. In this case, the number notifying unit 550 and size notifying unit 560 are realized by the portable terminal side control unit 430 and the voice output unit.

[0116] [Variation 5] The tape printer 1 may have the functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 or 17. In this case, the tape printer 1 may have a printer touch panel (not shown), for example, inside the mounting unit cover 5. The tape printer 1 may also be equipped with a keyboard and a display screen instead of the printer touch panel.

[0117] In the fifth modified example, the functions shown in Fig. 8 or 17 are mainly realized by the printing device CPU 341 executing a control program stored in the printing device ROM 342. Among the functions shown in Fig. 8 or 17, the reception unit 520, the number of sheets notifying unit 550, the size notifying unit 560, and the warning unit 570 are realized by the printing device control unit 340 and the printing device touch panel.

[0118] [Variation 6] The tape printing device 1 may attach an RF (Radio Frequency) tag to the tape cartridge 101 or the ribbon cartridge 201 instead of providing the circuit board C to the tape cartridge 101 or the ribbon cartridge 201. In this case, the tape printing device 1 may provide an RF communication unit (not shown) in the cartridge mounting unit 7, and read cartridge information from the RF tag via the RF communication unit and write the amount of tape used to the RF tag.

[0119] [Variation 7] A tablet terminal or a PC (Personal Computer) may be used as the information processing device instead of the mobile terminal M. Other appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0120] [Note] The following additional information will be provided regarding an information processing device, a tape printing device, a tape printing system, and a method and program for controlling an information processing device. The portable terminal M is a portable terminal M that is communicatively connected to the tape printing device 1 that prints on the tape T, and is equipped with an acquisition unit 510 that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T, a reception unit 520 that accepts editing operations of the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit 530 that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label L created by printing the print data being edited on the tape T, a printable number calculation unit 540 that calculates the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels L of the unit label length can be created with the tape T of the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, a number notification unit 550 that notifies the user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited, and a portable terminal side communication unit 420 that transmits print data to the tape printing device 1 based on an instruction to print the print data.

[0121] The tape printing device 1 includes a printing unit 330 that prints on the tape T, an acquisition unit 510 that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T, a reception unit 520 that accepts editing operations of the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit 530 that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label L created by printing the print data being edited on the tape T, a printable number calculation unit 540 that calculates the number of printable labels indicating how many labels L of the unit label length can be created with the tape T with the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, and a number notification unit 550 that notifies the user of the number of printable labels while the print data is being edited, and the printing unit 330 prints the print data on the tape T based on the print instruction for the print data.

[0122] The tape printing system SY is a tape printing system in which a tape printing device 1 that prints on tape T and a portable terminal M are communicatively connected, and the portable terminal M is equipped with an acquisition unit 510 that acquires the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T, a reception unit 520 that accepts editing operations of the print data and instructions to print the print data, a unit label length calculation unit 530 that calculates the unit label length, which is the length per label L created by printing the print data being edited on the tape T, a printable number calculation unit 540 that calculates the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels L of the unit label length can be created with the tape T with the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length, a number notification unit 550 that notifies the user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited, and a portable terminal side communication unit 420 that transmits print data to the tape printing device 1 based on an instruction to print the print data.

[0123] The control method of the portable terminal M is a control method of the portable terminal M that is communicatively connected to a tape printing device 1 that prints on tape T, and the portable terminal M executes the following steps: a step of acquiring the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T; a step of accepting an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a step of calculating a unit label length, which is the length per label L created by printing the print data being edited on the tape T; a step of calculating the number of printable sheets, which indicates how many labels L of the unit label length can be created with the tape T with the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a step of notifying a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; and a step of sending the print data to the tape printing device 1 based on the instruction to print the print data.

[0124] The dedicated application 435 causes a portable terminal M, which is communicatively connected to the tape printing device 1 that prints on the tape T, to execute the following steps: acquiring the remaining tape length, which is the unprinted length of the tape T; accepting editing operations for the print data and instructions to print the print data; calculating a unit label length, which is the length of one label L created by printing the print data being edited on the tape T; calculating the number of printable sheets, which indicates how many labels L of the unit label length can be created with the tape T with the remaining tape length, based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; notifying the user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; and transmitting the print data to the tape printing device 1 based on the instructions to print the print data.

[0125] While the print data is being edited, the portable terminal M notifies the user of the number of printable sheets, indicating how many labels L of the unit label length based on the print data being edited can be produced with the remaining tape length of tape T indicated by the acquired remaining tape length information. This allows the user to check how many labels L based on the print data being edited can be produced before issuing a print instruction.

[0126] In the above-mentioned portable terminal M, the tape T is unwound from the tape core 103 of the tape cartridge 101 mounted in the cartridge mounting section 7 of the tape printing device 1, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device 1, and the portable terminal side communication unit 420 receives tape length information from the tape printing device 1 indicating the initial tape length, which is the length of the tape T in the tape cartridge 101 in an unused state, or the tape T in an unused tape roll, and the printed tape length, which is the printed length of the tape T, and it is preferable that the acquisition unit 510 acquires the remaining tape length based on the initial tape length and printed tape length indicated in the received tape length information.

[0127] According to this configuration, the mobile terminal M can receive tape length information from the tape printing device 1 and thereby obtain remaining tape length information.

[0128] In the above-mentioned portable terminal M, the reception unit 520 is capable of receiving a repeat printing instruction as a printing instruction for print data, which instructs repeat printing to repeatedly print at least a portion of the print data and the number of labels L to be repeatedly printed, and it is preferable that the portable terminal M further includes a number notification unit 550 which, after receiving the repeat printing instruction by the reception unit 520, notifies the user of the current print number indicating which sheet of the repeated printing is being printed and the remaining number of printable sheets based on the value obtained by subtracting the current number of printable sheets from the number of printable sheets while printing of the print data is being executed in the tape printing device 1.

[0129] According to this configuration, while the tape printer 1 is repeatedly printing, the user can check the current number of printed sheets and the remaining number of printable sheets.

[0130] It is preferable that the above-mentioned portable terminal M further comprises a size notifying unit 560 that notifies the user of the size of the label L to be created based on the print data while the tape printing device 1 is printing the print data.

[0131] According to this configuration, the user can check the size of the label L while the tape printer 1 is printing the print data.

[0132] In the above mobile terminal M, it is preferable that the unit label length calculation unit 530 calculates the unit label length every time the reception unit 520 receives an editing operation that changes the unit label length.

[0133] According to this configuration, while editing the print data, the user can check in real time how many labels L can be produced based on the print data being edited.

[0134] In the above-mentioned portable terminal M, it is preferable to further include a warning unit 570 that warns the user at least when a print instruction is given for print data when the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, and when the number of printable sheets calculated by the printable sheet count calculation unit 540 becomes "0".

[0135] According to this configuration, the user can confirm that the remaining tape length is equal to or less than the threshold length, and that the number of printable labels L based on the print data being edited is "0." [Explanation of symbols]

[0136] 1...tape printing device, 330...printing unit, 510...acquisition unit, 520...reception unit, 530...unit label length calculation unit, 540...printable number calculation unit, 550...number notification unit, 560...size notification unit, 570...warning unit, G...printed image, L...label, M...mobile terminal, SY...tape printing system, T...tape.

Claims

1. An information processing device that is communicably connected to a tape printing device that prints on a tape, an acquisition unit that acquires a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; a reception unit that receives an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a unit label length calculation section that calculates a unit label length, which is the length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a printable number calculation unit that calculates a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a first number notification unit that notifies a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the tape printing device based on a print instruction of the print data, The tape is unwound from a tape core of a tape cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting section of the tape printing device, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device, a receiving unit for receiving from the tape printing device tape length information indicating an initial tape length, which is the length of the tape in the tape cartridge in an unused state or the length of the tape in the tape roll in an unused state, and a printed tape length, which is the length of the tape that has already been printed; The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining unit obtains the remaining tape length based on the initial tape length and the printed tape length indicated by the received tape length information.

2. An information processing device that is communicably connected to a tape printing device that prints on a tape, an acquisition unit that acquires a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; a reception unit that receives an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a unit label length calculation section that calculates a unit label length, which is the length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a printable number calculation unit that calculates a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a first number notification unit that notifies a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the tape printing device based on a print instruction of the print data, the reception unit is capable of receiving, as a print instruction for the print data, a repeat printing instruction for instructing a repeat printing of repeatedly printing at least a part of the print data and a number of labels to be repeatedly printed, This information processing device is characterized in that after the reception unit receives the repeated printing instruction, a second number notification unit notifies a user of the current number of printed sheets indicating which sheet of the repeated printing is being printed while printing of the print data is being executed in the tape printing device, and the remaining number of printable sheets based on the value obtained by subtracting the current number of printed sheets from the number of printable sheets.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a size notifying unit that notifies a user of a size of the label to be created based on the print data while the tape printing device is printing the print data.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit label length calculation unit calculates the unit label length every time the acceptance unit accepts an editing operation that changes the unit label length.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a warning unit that warns a user at least in one of the following cases: when a print instruction is given for the print data when the remaining tape length is equal to or shorter than a threshold length; and when the number of printable sheets calculated by the printable sheet calculation unit becomes "0."

6. A printing unit that prints on the tape; an acquisition unit that acquires a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; a reception unit that receives an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a unit label length calculation section that calculates a unit label length, which is the length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a printable number calculation unit that calculates a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a first number notification unit that notifies a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; the printing unit is a tape printing device that prints the print data on the tape based on a print instruction of the print data, The tape is unwound from a tape core of a tape cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting section of the tape printing device, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device, The tape printing device is characterized in that the acquisition unit acquires the remaining tape length based on an initial tape length, which is the length of the tape in the tape cartridge in an unused state or the length of the tape in the tape roll in an unused state, and a printed tape length, which is the printed length of the tape.

7. A tape printing system in which a tape printing device that prints on a tape and an information processing device are communicatively connected, The information processing device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; a reception unit that receives an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; a unit label length calculation section that calculates a unit label length, which is the length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; a printable number calculation unit that calculates a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; a first number notification unit that notifies a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; a transmission unit that transmits the print data to the tape printing device based on a print instruction of the print data, The tape is unwound from a tape core of a tape cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting section of the tape printing device, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device, a receiving unit for receiving from the tape printing device tape length information indicating an initial tape length, which is the length of the tape in the tape cartridge in an unused state or the length of the tape in the tape roll in an unused state, and a printed tape length, which is the length of the tape that has already been printed; The tape printing system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires the remaining tape length based on the initial tape length and the printed tape length indicated by the received tape length information.

8. A method for controlling an information processing device communicably connected to a tape printing device that prints on a tape, comprising: The information processing device, obtaining a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; receiving an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; A step of calculating a unit label length, which is a length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; calculating a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; notifying a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; transmitting the print data to the tape printing device based on a print instruction of the print data; The tape is unwound from a tape core of a tape cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting section of the tape printing device, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device, receiving tape length information from the tape printing device indicative of an initial tape length, which is the length of the tape in the tape cartridge or in the tape roll in an unused state, and a printed tape length, which is the printed length of the tape; A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that in the step of acquiring the remaining tape length, the remaining tape length is acquired based on the initial tape length and the printed tape length indicated by the received tape length information.

9. An information processing device that is communicably connected to a tape printing device that prints on a tape, obtaining a remaining tape length, which is an unprinted length of the tape; receiving an editing operation of the print data and an instruction to print the print data; A step of calculating a unit label length, which is a length per label to be created by printing the print data being edited on the tape; calculating a printable number indicating how many labels of the unit label length can be produced with the tape of the remaining tape length based on the remaining tape length and the unit label length; notifying a user of the number of printable sheets while the print data is being edited; transmitting the print data to the tape printing device based on a print instruction of the print data; The tape is unwound from a tape core of a tape cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting section of the tape printing device, or from a tape roll provided outside the tape printing device, receiving tape length information from the tape printing device indicative of an initial tape length, which is the length of the tape in the tape cartridge or in the tape roll in an unused state, and a printed tape length, which is the printed length of the tape; The program, in the step of acquiring the remaining tape length, comprises acquiring the remaining tape length based on the initial tape length and the printed tape length indicated by the received tape length information.

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