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

Abstract

To rapidly prepare a multilayer tape.SOLUTION: When creating a multilayer tape representing a print image by superimposing a plurality of tapes on which a partial print image is printed, a PC 1 is communicatively connected with a plurality of tape printers capable of printing a partial print image on a tape. The PC 1 includes a display control unit 120 for displaying a plurality of printer candidates corresponding to the plurality of tape printers on a display unit, a reception unit 130 for receiving selection of two or more printer candidates from among the plurality of printer candidates, and a print control unit 150 for distributing a plurality of partial print images to two or more printers corresponding to the selected two or more printer candidates out of the plurality of tape printers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a tape printing device that creates a multi-layer tape that displays a printed image composed of multiple display elements by overlapping multiple tapes on which single-color display elements are printed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the invention of Patent Document 1, multiple display elements are printed on the tape by replacing multiple types of tape cartridges that contain ink ribbons of different colors, or by using a cartridge that contains an ink ribbon that is configured so that each color is paid out in the same pattern in sequence. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-191097 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the invention of Patent Document 1, a single tape printing device is used to print a plurality of display elements onto a tape, so that it takes time to create a multi-layer tape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device to which a plurality of tape printing devices capable of printing partial print images on tape are communicatively connected in a case where a multi-layer tape representing a print image is created by overlapping a plurality of tapes on which partial print images are printed, and is equipped with a display control unit that displays a plurality of printing device candidate elements corresponding to the plurality of tape printing devices on a display unit, a reception unit that accepts the selection of two or more printing device candidate elements from the plurality of printing device candidate elements, and a printing control unit that distributes and prints the multiple partial print images on two or more compatible printing devices among the plurality of tape printing devices that correspond to the two or more selected printing device candidate elements.

[0006] The tape printing system of the present invention is a tape printing system in which a plurality of tape printing devices capable of printing partial print images on tape are communicatively connected to an information processing device, in which a multi-layer tape representing a print image is created by overlapping multiple tapes on which partial print images are printed.The information processing device is equipped with a display control unit that displays a plurality of printing device candidates corresponding to the plurality of tape printing devices on a display unit, a reception unit that accepts the selection of two or more printing device candidates from the plurality of printing device candidates, and a printing control unit that distributes and prints the multiple partial print images on two or more compatible printing devices corresponding to the two or more selected printing device candidates from the plurality of tape printing devices.

[0007] The control method of an information processing device of the present invention is a control method of an information processing device to which a plurality of tape printing devices capable of printing partial print images on tape are communicatively connected in a case where a multi-layer tape representing a print image is created by overlapping a plurality of tapes on which partial print images are printed, and the information processing device executes the steps of: displaying a plurality of printing device candidates corresponding to the plurality of tape printing devices on a display unit; accepting a selection of two or more printing device candidates from the plurality of printing device candidates; and distributing and printing the plurality of partial print images on two or more compatible printing devices among the plurality of tape printing devices that correspond to the two or more selected printing device candidates.

[0008] The program of the present invention, in a case where a multi-layer tape representing a print image is created by overlapping multiple tapes on which partial print images are printed, causes an information processing device to which multiple tape printing devices capable of printing partial print images on tape are communicatively connected, to execute the steps of displaying multiple printing device candidate locations corresponding to the multiple tape printing devices on a display unit, accepting a selection of two or more printing device candidate locations from among the multiple printing device candidate locations, and distributing and printing the multiple partial print images on two or more compatible printing devices among the multiple tape printing devices that correspond to the two or more selected printing device candidate locations. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a tape printing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of printing of a first tape, a second tape, and a third tape that make up a multicolor tape. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of creating a multicolor tape using the tape of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a PC and a tape printing apparatus. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a PC. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of print data for creating a first tape. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a multi-color tape editing screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of printing of a first tape and a second tape that make up a multicolor tape. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of creating a multicolor tape using the tape in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message display. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print instruction process by a PC. [Figure 13]13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of printing on a first tape, a second tape, and a third tape in accordance with Modification 1. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of creating a multicolor tape using the tape of FIG. 13. [Figure 15] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of printing on a first tape, a second tape, and a third tape in accordance with Modification 2. [Figure 16] 13A to 13C are diagrams showing examples of printing on a first tape, a second tape, and a third tape in accordance with a third modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a stereoscopic image tape editing screen according to Modification 4. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of printing on the first tape to the fifth tape constituting the stereoscopic image tape according to Modification 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an information processing device, a tape printing system, a method for controlling the 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 some of the drawings, this is merely for the convenience of explanation and does not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0011] 1 is a system configuration diagram of a tape printing system SY. The tape printing system SY includes a PC (Personal Computer) 1 and a plurality of tape printing devices 2, which are communicatively connected via a network NW. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing device." The network NW is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0012] A tape printing application 30 (see FIG. 5) for creating a multi-layer tape Ts (see FIG. 2, etc.) in cooperation with the tape printer 2 is installed in the PC 1. The tape printing application 30 is an example of a "program." The tape printer 2 prints on the tape T based on the print data sent from the PC 1.

[0013] Here, the multilayer tape Ts will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the multilayer tape Ts is produced by overlapping a plurality of tapes T. In the example of FIG. 2, the multilayer tape Ts is produced by overlapping a first tape T1, a second tape T2, and a third tape T3 in order from the bottom. The tape T is a long tape provided with a print layer that becomes the print surface and a release paper layer that is peeled off before pasting. Of the plurality of tapes T constituting the multilayer tape Ts, the tape T of the lowest layer may be a tape T having translucency or a tape T having no translucency. Moreover, of the plurality of tapes T, the tape T other than the tape T of the lowest layer is a tape T having translucency. The tape T having translucency is a tape T through which an image printed on the tape T of the lower layer can be seen through, for example, a tape T having a colorless and transparent tape color. Moreover, the tape T having no translucency is a tape T through which an image printed on the tape T of the lower layer cannot be seen through, for example, a tape T having a color such as white or yellow.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 are each printed with a partial print image Ga. In this embodiment, characters are printed as the partial print images Ga. The multi-layer tape Ts is formed by overlapping a plurality of tapes T. The plurality of tapes T on which the partial print images Ga are printed are overlapped to form a print image Gs (see FIG. 3). For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the first tape T1 on which the first partial print image Ga1 showing the black character "A" is printed, the second tape T2 on which the second partial print image Ga2 showing the red character "B" is printed, and the third tape T3 on which the third partial print image Ga3 showing the white character "C" is printed are overlapped. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, a multi-layer tape Ts showing a print image Gs including the black character "A", the red character "B", and the white character "C" is created.

[0015] In this way, only a single-color partial print image Ga is printed on each of the first tape T1, second tape T2, and third tape T3, but a multi-layered tape Ts representing a multi-colored print image Gs can be created by overlapping multiple tapes T with different colored partial print images Ga printed on them. Hereinafter, the multi-layered tape Ts representing the multi-colored print image Gs will be referred to as the "multi-colored tape Ts1."

[0016] In Fig. 1, the PC 1 is illustrated as an information processing device that creates the multicolor tape Ts1 in cooperation with the tape printing device 2, but a smartphone or a tablet terminal may also be used. In Fig. 1, five tape printing devices 2 are illustrated as the tape printing devices 2 that can communicate with the PC 1, but the number of tape printing devices 2 is arbitrary. In Fig. 1, a "compatible printing device 2c" described later is also illustrated.

[0017] 4 is an external view of the tape printer 2 and the tape cartridge C. The tape printer 2 includes a keyboard 21, a printer-side display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24. The tape cartridge C is an example of a "cartridge."

[0018] The keyboard 21 accepts various operations such as editing the print image. However, in this embodiment, the keyboard 21 is not used for editing the print image Gs for creating the multi-layer tape Ts, and editing of the print image Gs for creating the multi-layer tape Ts is performed by the PC 1. The printing device display 22 displays various information such as an editing screen for editing the print image. A tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. The tape cartridge C contains a tape T and an ink ribbon R in its case.

[0019] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a thermal head 25. The thermal head 25 is driven to generate heat in accordance with the editing result of the print image when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. As a result, the ink of the ink ribbon R is transferred to the tape T, and the print image is printed on the tape T.

[0020] The printed tape T is discharged from the tape discharge opening 24. A cutter 26 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape discharge opening 24. The cutter 26 cuts the tape T in the width direction. As a result, the printed portion of the tape T is cut off.

[0021] The tape printer 2 can print based on the print image edited using the keyboard 21, as well as print based on print data sent from the PC 1. In this embodiment, the latter case will be described, in which the tape printer 2 prints based on print data sent from the PC 1.

[0022] 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 1 and the tape printing device 2. The PC 1 includes a PC display 11, an operation unit 12, a PC communication unit 13, a PC control unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The PC display 11 is an example of a "display unit."

[0023] The PC display 11 displays various information. For example, the PC display 11 displays various information such as a multicolor tape editing screen D1 (see FIG. 8) for editing a print image Gs for creating a multicolor tape Ts1. The operation unit 12 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for various operations by the user.

[0024] The PC-side communication unit 13 communicates with the tape printing device 2 via the network NW. For example, the PC-side communication unit 13 transmits print data to the tape printing device 2 and receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 2 indicating the type of tape cartridge C installed in the tape printing device 2.

[0025] The PC control unit 14 includes a PC central processing unit (CPU) 14a, a PC read only memory (ROM) 14b, and a PC random access memory (RAM) 14c.

[0026] The PC-side CPU 14a performs various controls by expanding various control programs and various applications stored in the PC-side ROM 14b and the storage unit 15 (described later) into the PC-side RAM 14c and executing them. Note that the PC-side control unit 14 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as a processor instead of the PC-side CPU 14a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0027] The PC ROM 14b stores various control programs and various control data, and the PC RAM 14c is used as a work area for the PC CPU 14a to perform various controls.

[0028] The storage unit 15 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores a tape printing application 30. The tape printing application 30 is an application program for realizing various functions (see FIG. 6) related to the production of the multicolor tape Ts1.

[0029] When the tape printing application 30 is started and a multicolor tape creation mode for creating the multicolor tape Ts1 is selected, the PC side CPU 14a transmits a cartridge request signal requesting cartridge information to multiple communicable tape printers 2. When the tape printer 2 receives the cartridge request signal from the PC 1, it transmits cartridge information indicating the type of tape cartridge C installed in the printer to the PC 1.

[0030] The tape printing device 2 includes a printing device side communication section 41, a cartridge information reading section 42, a printing section 43, and a printing device side control section 44.

[0031] The printing device communication unit 41 communicates with the PC 1 via the network NW.

[0032] The cartridge information reading unit 42 optically reads a code image affixed as a label to the tape cartridge C mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 23, or reads cartridge information indicating the type of tape cartridge C from a circuit board having a memory element (both not shown) provided in the tape cartridge C. The cartridge information includes information indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R contained in the tape cartridge C, and the tape color and tape width of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C.

[0033] The printing unit 43 is a mechanism for printing on the tape T, and includes a thermal head 25, a feed motor 43a, and a cutter motor 43b. The thermal head 25 has multiple heating elements, and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The feed motor 43a is a drive source that feeds the tape T and the ink ribbon R. The cutter motor 43b is a drive source that drives the cutter 26.

[0034] The printing device control unit 44 includes a printing device CPU 44a, a printing device ROM 44b, and a printing device RAM 44c.

[0035] The printer CPU 44a performs various controls by loading various control programs stored in the printer ROM 44b into the printer RAM 44c and executing them. Note that the printer control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the printer CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0036] The printer ROM 44b stores various control programs such as firmware. The printer CPU 44a uses the control programs stored in the printer ROM 44b to print on the tape T unwound from the tape cartridge C based on the print data sent from the PC1. In addition, when the printer CPU 44a receives a cartridge information request signal from the PC1 or when the tape cartridge C is replaced, it acquires cartridge information via the cartridge information reading unit 42 and transmits the acquired cartridge information to the PC1.

[0037] 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the PC 1. The PC 1 has, as its functional configuration, an acquisition unit 110, a display control unit 120, a reception unit 130, a warning control unit 140, and a print control unit 150. All of these functions are realized by the PC side CPU 14a executing the tape printing application 30.

[0038] The acquiring unit 110 acquires cartridge information indicating the type of tape cartridge C installed in each of the multiple tape printers 2 communicatively connected to the PC 1. As described above, the cartridge information is information indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R contained in the tape cartridge C and the tape color and tape width of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C. The acquiring unit 110 acquires cartridge information from each of the multiple tape printers 2 by transmitting a cartridge information request signal to the multiple tape printers 2.

[0039] The display control unit 120 causes a first option SL1 (see FIG. 8) including multiple printing device candidates 50 to be displayed on the PC display 11 based on the cartridge information acquired by the acquisition unit 110 from multiple tape printing devices 2. More specifically, the display control unit 120 displays multiple printing device candidates 50 indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R, the tape color of the tape T, and the tape width of the tape T for each tape printing device 2. The user selects the printing color of the print image Gs by referring to the ribbon color indicated by the printing device candidates 50.

[0040] The reception unit 130 receives, via the operation unit 12, a selection of two or more candidate printing device 50 from among the multiple candidate printing device 50 included in the first option SL1. More specifically, the reception unit 130 receives the selection of the candidate printing device 50 for each image element 60 (see FIG. 3, etc.) constituting the print image Gs, and after receiving the selection of the candidate printing device 50 for all image elements 60 constituting the print image Gs, receives an instruction to print the print image Gs. In this embodiment, the image element 60 is one or more characters, and the print image Gs is a plurality of characters.

[0041] The warning control unit 140 issues a warning when the reception unit 130 receives a selection of the first printing device candidate 50 for the first image element 60, and the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50 does not have translucency, and the reception unit 130 receives a selection of the second printing device candidate 50 for the second image element 60, and the tape color indicated by the second printing device candidate 50 does not have translucency. The first image element 60 and the second image element 60 are different image elements 60, and the first printing device candidate 50 and the second printing device candidate 50 are different printing device candidates 50. In other words, the warning control unit 140 issues a warning when multiple printing device candidates 50 indicating tape colors that do not have translucency are selected. This allows the PC1 to suppress multiple tapes T of tape colors that do not have translucency from being overlapped.

[0042] The warning control unit 140 receives the selection of the first printing device candidate 50 for the first image element 60 by the reception unit 130, and if the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50 does not have translucency, and receives the selection of the second printing device candidate 50 for the second image element 60, and if the ribbon color indicated by the second printing device candidate 50 corresponds to the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50, the warning control unit 140 issues a warning. That is, the warning control unit 140 issues a warning when a printing device candidate 50 indicating a tape color that does not have translucency and a printing device candidate 50 indicating a ribbon color that corresponds to the tape color are selected. As a result, the PC1 suppresses the overlapping of a tape T with a tape color that does not have translucency and a tape T on which a partial print image Ga is printed in a color that corresponds to the tape color of the tape T. The "color that corresponds to the tape color" is a color that is the same as the tape color or a color close to the tape color.

[0043] The warning control unit 140 issues a warning by displaying a warning message 61 (see FIG. 11) on the multicolor tape editing screen D1. Note that the printing device candidate 50 that is the target of a warning issued by the warning control unit 140 cannot be selected.

[0044] The print control unit 150 distributes and prints a plurality of partial print images Ga representing the print image Gs to two or more compatible print devices 2c (see FIG. 1) corresponding to two or more print device candidates 50 selected from the first option SL1 among the plurality of tape printers 2 communicably connected to the PC 1. More specifically, when the print image Gs is composed of a plurality of image elements 60, the print control unit 150 generates a plurality of partial print images Ga such that the image elements 60 for which a common print device candidate 50 has been selected among the plurality of image elements 60 constituting the print image Gs are included in a common partial print image Ga, and distributes and prints the generated plurality of partial print images Ga to two or more compatible print devices 2c corresponding to the selected print device candidates 50, respectively.

[0045] The print control unit 150 also controls two or more compatible printing devices 2c that print a plurality of partial print images Ga in a distributed manner to create tapes T of the same length. In other words, the print control unit 150 generates two or more pieces of print data for causing two or more compatible printing devices 2c to create tapes T of the same length, and transmits the two or more pieces of print data thus generated to the compatible printing devices 2c, respectively.

[0046] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of print data for creating the first tape T1. In FIG. 7, when the transport direction of the tape T is the -X direction, the print data includes a first partial print image Ga1 showing the letter "A", front margin data showing the front margin length L1, and rear margin data showing the rear margin length L2. If the length in the X direction when the first partial print image Ga1 is printed on the tape T is the image length Lg, the total length of the front margin length L1, the image length Lg, and the rear margin length L2 in the three print data for creating the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 is the same. That is, the print control unit 150 transmits print data to the corresponding printing device 2c such that the lengths of the tapes T constituting the multicolor tape Ts1 are the same. This allows the user to align the ends of the tapes T when overlapping the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3, and to easily create the multicolor tape Ts1.

[0047] 7, the cutting line CL is not actually printed on the first tape T1, but indicates the position where the tape will be half-cut. The length in the X direction from the end of the first tape T1 in the -X direction to the cutting line CL is the front margin length Lf, which corresponds to the length between the cutting position of the cutter 26 in the transport path of the tape T and the printing position of the thermal head 25. Upon completing printing of the front margin length Lf, the tape printing device 2 performs a half-cut, cutting only the printed layer of the tape T while leaving the release paper layer.

[0048] Next, the multicolor tape edit screen D1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 8, the multicolor tape edit screen D1 displays a first option SL1, a first edit area 52, a first print button 53, and a first cancel button 54.

[0049] The first option SL1 includes a plurality of printing device candidates 50 indicating the printing device name, ribbon color, tape color, and tape width for each tape printer 2, and is used to select the printing color of the image element 60. In this way, the printing device candidates 50 indicate the ribbon color corresponding to the printing color as well as the tape color and tape width, so that the user can select the color of the image element 60 by taking these into consideration. For example, the user can consider not to select a plurality of printing device candidates 50 indicating tape colors that do not have translucency, or not to select a plurality of printing device candidates 50 indicating different tape widths. Note that the printing device name here may be displayed by having the acquisition unit 110 acquire the model name of each tape printer 2, or the display control unit 120 may assign numbers in order to the multiple connected tape printers 2 and display them. In addition, both the model name and the assigned number may be displayed.

[0050] Characters that will become image elements 60 that make up the print image Gs are input in the first editing area 52. The selection result of the first option SL1 is reflected in the characters displayed in the first editing area 52. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the image element 60 of the character "A" shown in the editing target frame 52a is the editing target, and the printing device candidate 50 of the printing device name "PR1" shown in the first selection frame 51 is selected from the first option SL1. Therefore, in the first editing area 52, the PC1 displays the image element 60 of the character "A" in "black", which is the ribbon color included in the printing device candidate 50 of the printing device name "PR1". The user can check the printing color of each image element 60 from the display in the first editing area 52.

[0051] In the example of FIG. 8, the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR2" is selected for the image element 60 of the letter "B", and the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR3" is selected for the image element 60 of the letter "C". As a result, the first tape T1 on which the first partial print image Ga1 (see FIG. 2) showing the black letter "A" is printed is created by the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR1". In addition, the second tape T2 on which the second partial print image Ga2 (see FIG. 2) showing the red letter "B" is printed is created by the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR2". In addition, the third tape T3 on which the third partial print image Ga3 (see FIG. 2) showing the white letter "C" is printed is created by the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR3".

[0052] When the user selects the first print button 53, the PC1 determines that a print instruction has been issued and transmits print data to two or more compatible printers 2c. For example, as described above, when the printer candidate 50 is selected for each of the image elements 60 of the letter "A," the letter "B," and the letter "C," the PC1 transmits print data to the compatible printers 2c with the printer names "PR1," "PR2," and "PR3." Furthermore, when the user selects the first cancel button 54, the PC1 makes the multicolor tape editing screen D1 invisible and displays a creation mode selection screen (not shown).

[0053] In the example of FIG. 8, a case where different printing device candidates 50 are selected for the image elements 60 of the letters "A", "B", and "C" is shown, but a common printing device candidate 50 may be selected for multiple image elements 60. For example, when the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR1" is selected for the image elements 60 of the letters "A" and "C", and the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR2" is selected for the image element 60 of the letter "B", two tapes T shown in FIG. 9 are created. This is because the PC1 generates multiple partial print images Ga such that the image elements 60 for which the common printing device candidate 50 is selected among the multiple image elements 60 constituting the print image Gs are included in a common partial print image Ga. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 9, a first tape T1 is created on which a first partial print image Ga1 showing a black letter "A" and a black letter "C" is printed by the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR1". Further, a second tape T2 is produced on which a second partial print image Ga2 showing the red letter "B" is printed by a tape printing device 2 with a printing device name "PR2". The first tape T1 and the second tape T2 shown in Fig. 9 are superimposed to produce the multicolor tape Ts1 shown in Fig. 10.

[0054] Next, the warning message 61 will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The warning message 61 is a message indicating that the printing device candidate 50 cannot be selected. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the PC1 displays the warning message 61 when the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR1" indicating the tape color "yellow" is selected for the first image element 60, and then the printing device name "PR4" indicating the tape color "white" is selected for the second image element 60. Also, in the example of FIG. 8, the PC1 displays the warning message 61 when the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR4" indicating the tape color "white" is selected for the first image element 60, and then the printing device name "PR3" indicating the ribbon color "white" is selected for the second image element 60.

[0055] Next, the flow of print instruction processing by the PC 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 12. Before the print instruction processing shown in Fig. 12 is started, the PC 1 has already started the tape printing application 30 and is in a state where a creation mode selection screen (not shown) is displayed.

[0056] In step S01, the PC1 determines whether or not the multicolor tape creation mode has been selected on the creation mode selection screen. If the PC1 determines that the multicolor tape creation mode has been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S02. If the PC1 determines that the multicolor tape creation mode has not been selected, the PC1 performs processing according to the selected creation mode.

[0057] In step S02, the PC 1 acquires cartridge information from the multiple tape printers 2 communicatively connected to the PC 1. The PC 1 acquires cartridge information from each of the tape printers 2 by transmitting a cartridge information request signal to the multiple tape printers 2.

[0058] In step S03, the PC1 displays the multi-color tape editing screen D1 on the PC display 11.

[0059] In step S04, the PC1 determines whether or not the printing device candidate 50 has been selected from the first option SL1 on the multicolor tape edit screen D1. If the PC1 determines that the printing device candidate 50 has been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S05. If the PC1 determines that the printing device candidate 50 has not been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S08.

[0060] In step S05, the PC1 determines whether or not multiple printing device candidates 50 showing non-translucent tape colors have been selected from the first option SL1 of the multicolor tape editing screen D1. If the PC1 determines that multiple printing device candidates 50 showing non-translucent tape colors have been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S07. If the PC1 determines that multiple printing device candidates 50 showing non-translucent tape colors have not been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S06.

[0061] In step S06, the PC1 determines whether or not a printing device candidate 50 indicating a ribbon color corresponding to the tape color indicated by the already selected printing device candidate 50 has been selected from the first option SL1 of the multicolor tape editing screen D1. If the PC1 determines that a printing device candidate 50 indicating a ribbon color corresponding to the tape color indicated by the already selected printing device candidate 50 has been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S07. If the PC1 determines that a printing device candidate 50 indicating a ribbon color corresponding to the tape color indicated by the already selected printing device candidate 50 has not been selected, the PC1 proceeds to step S08. Note that the determination order of steps S05 and S06 may be reversed.

[0062] In step S07, the PC 1 displays the warning message 61 on the multicolor tape edit screen D1. After a certain period of time has elapsed since the start of displaying the warning message 61, the PC 1 makes the warning message 61 non-display.

[0063] In step S08, the PC 1 determines whether or not the printing device candidates 50 have been selected for all image elements 60 input in the first editing area 52. If the PC 1 determines that the printing device candidates 50 have been selected for all image elements 60, the PC 1 proceeds to step S09. If the PC 1 determines that the printing device candidates 50 have not been selected for all image elements 60, the PC 1 returns to step S04.

[0064] In step S09, the PC 1 determines whether or not a print instruction has been issued. If the PC 1 determines that a print instruction has been issued, the PC 1 proceeds to step S10. If the PC 1 determines that a print instruction has not been issued, the PC 1 returns to step S04.

[0065] In step S10, based on the editing results of the multi-colored tape editing screen D1, the PC1 distributes and prints the multiple partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c corresponding to the two or more selected candidate printing device 50. The PC1 generates print data for printing the multiple partial print images Ga on each of the compatible printing devices 2c, and transmits the generated print data to each of the compatible printing devices 2c.

[0066] As described above, in the PC1 according to this embodiment, when creating a multi-color tape Ts1 representing a print image Gs by overlapping multiple tapes T on which partial print images Ga of different colors are printed, the multiple partial print images Ga are distributed by color to two or more compatible printing devices 2c for printing. In this way, by distributing the partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c for printing, the multi-color tape Ts1 representing the multi-color print image Gs can be created more quickly than when multiple partial print images Ga of different colors are printed by a single tape printing device 2.

[0067] In addition, the PC1 displays the tape color and tape width of the tape T in correspondence with the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R for each tape printing device 2 as the first option SL1, so that the user can select the ribbon color corresponding to the printing color while taking into account the tape color and tape width of the tape T.

[0068] Furthermore, instead of generating a partial print image Ga for each image element 60, PC1 generates a partial print image Ga such that image elements 60 for which a common printing device candidate 50 has been selected are included in a common partial print image Ga. Therefore, partial print images Ga showing multiple image elements 60 for which the same printing device candidate 50 has been selected can be printed on a single piece of tape T, enabling efficient creation of multi-color tape Ts1.

[0069] Furthermore, when multiple printing device candidate 50 showing a tape color that does not have translucency are selected, or when a printing device candidate 50 showing a ribbon color corresponding to the tape color shown by an already selected printing device candidate 50 is selected, PC1 displays a warning message 61, thereby preventing the visibility of some partial print images Ga from being impaired when creating the multi-color tape Ts1.

[0070] In addition, because PC1 creates multiple pieces of tape T that make up multi-colored tape Ts1, all of them being the same length, when overlapping multiple pieces of tape T, the user can align the longitudinal ends of the tape T to create a good-looking multi-colored tape Ts1.

[0071] Incidentally, regardless of the above embodiment, the following modified examples can be adopted. [Variation 1] The image element 60 may be one or more lines constituting a character, instead of one or more characters. That is, the reception unit 130 of the PC 1 may receive the selection of the printing device candidate 50 for each line. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a printing example of the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 according to the first modification. In the example of FIG. 11, a first partial print image Ga1 showing the first line of the three lines constituting the character "H" is printed on the first tape T1. In addition, a second partial print image Ga2 showing the second line of the character "H" is printed on the second tape T2, and a third partial print image Ga3 showing the third line of the character "H" is printed on the third tape T3. The first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 shown in FIG. 13 are superimposed to create the multicolor tape Ts1 shown in FIG. 14.

[0072] As a further modified example, a paragraph, a line, or a column of text may be the image element 60. For example, when a text including three paragraphs is to be printed as the image Gs, the receiving unit 130 may receive a selection of the printing device candidate 50 for each paragraph.

[0073] As a further modified example, partial regions obtained by dividing the print image Gs may be used as the image elements 60. For example, when the print image Gs is divided into a grid, the receiving unit 130 may receive a selection of a printing device candidate 50 for each of the cells divided into the grid.

[0074] [Variation 2] The print control unit 150 of the PC 1 may print the alignment mark 72 on the tape T. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of printing on the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 according to the second modification. In FIG. 15, the cut line 71 is a line that is actually printed. The first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 have the same tape length in the X direction, and the cut line 71 is printed at the same position in the X direction. Furthermore, the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 are printed with the alignment mark 72 at the same position in the X direction and the Y direction. Furthermore, the alignment mark 72 includes a number indicating the overlapping order. In the example of FIG. 15, increasing numbers are printed on the three tapes T from the first tape T1 at the bottom to the third tape T3 at the top. In addition, when determining the overlapping order, the print control unit 150 preferably determines the overlapping order so that the tape T of the non-translucent tape color is the bottom layer, i.e., so that the number "1" is printed on the tape T of the non-translucent tape color.

[0075] In this way, the print control unit 150 causes two or more compatible printing devices 2c to respectively print the partial print image Ga, the cut line 71, and the alignment marks 72. The user overlaps multiple tapes T printed by two or more compatible printing devices 2c in the order of the numbers indicated by the alignment marks 72 while aligning the tapes T using the alignment marks 72 as a guide. When the user has finished overlapping the tapes T, he or she cuts off the cut line 71 with scissors or the like to complete the multicolor tape Ts1. With this configuration, the user can easily create a multicolor tape Ts1 that looks good.

[0076] [Variation 3] When printing characters as the partial print image Ga, the print control unit 150 of the PC1 may print the alignment image Gc on the tape T that is the bottom layer. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a printing example of the first tape T1, the second tape T2, and the third tape T3 according to the third modification. As shown in FIG. 16, the second alignment image Gc2 and the third alignment image Gc3 are printed on the first tape T1 that is the bottom layer, in accordance with the positions in the X direction and the Y direction of the second partial print image Ga2 printed on the second tape T2 and the third partial print image Ga3 printed on the third tape T3, respectively. The characters of the second alignment image Gc2 are printed with thinner lines than the characters of the second partial print image Ga2. Similarly, the characters of the third alignment image Gc3 are printed with thinner lines than the characters of the third partial print image Ga3. The user overlaps multiple tapes T printed by two or more compatible printing devices 2c while aligning them using the alignment images Gc as a guide. When the multicolor tape Ts1 is completed, the characters in the second alignment image Gc2 and the third alignment image Gc3 are hidden by the characters in the second partial print image Ga2 and the third partial print image Ga3 and cannot be seen. This configuration allows the user to create a multicolor tape Ts1 that looks good.

[0077] [Variation 4] The print control unit 150 of the PC1 may distribute and print a plurality of partial print images Ga of the same color to two or more compatible printing devices 2c. For example, the print control unit 150 may distribute and print partial print images Ga for creating a stereoscopic image tape Ts2 (see FIG. 18) representing a stereoscopic image (not shown) to two or more compatible printing devices 2c. A stereoscopic image is an example of a "printed image," and the stereoscopic image tape Ts2 is an example of a "multilayer tape."

[0078] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of the stereoscopic image tape editing screen D2 according to the fourth modification. The stereoscopic image tape editing screen D2 displays a second option SL2, a number selection field 82, a second editing area 83, a second print button 84, and a second cancel button 85. The second print button 84 and the second cancel button 85 function similarly to the first print button 53 and the first cancel button 54 shown in FIG. 8. The second option SL2 includes a plurality of printing device candidates 50 indicating the printing device name, ribbon color, tape color, and tape width for each tape printing device 2, and is used by the user to select two or more compatible printing devices 2c for printing the partial print image Ga. In the number selection field 82, the number of tapes T constituting the stereoscopic image tape Ts2 is selected. In the second editing area 83, editing of one or more characters that will become a stereoscopic image is performed.

[0079] For example, in the example of FIG. 17, as shown in the second editing area 83, a character string "ABC" is input as one or more characters that will become a stereoscopic image. Also, in the example of FIG. 17, as shown in the number selection field 82, the number "5" is selected as the number of tapes T that constitute the stereoscopic image tape Ts2. Also, in the example of FIG. 17, as shown in the second option SL2, the tape printing devices 2 corresponding to the printing device candidates 50 shown in the second selection frame 81, that is, the tape printing devices 2 with the printing device names "PR1", "PR3" and "PR4", are selected as the tape printing devices 2 that will print the partial print image Ga, respectively. That is, in the example of FIG. 17, the PC1 distributes and prints five partial print images Ga showing the character string "ABC" to three corresponding printing devices 2c.

[0080] In the fourth modification, the receiving unit 130 receives an instruction to print a three-dimensional image using the printing color indicated by the printing device candidate 50 selected from the second option SL2. After receiving a selection of two or more printing device candidates 50 from the second option SL2, the receiving unit 130 receives an instruction to print a three-dimensional image.

[0081] In addition, in Modification Example 4, the warning control unit 140 issues a warning when it receives from the second option SL2 a selection of a printing device candidate 50 that indicates a non-translucent tape color. Also, the warning control unit 140 issues a warning when it receives from the second option SL2 a selection of a printing device candidate 50 that indicates a ribbon color different from the ribbon color indicated by the already selected printing device candidate 50.

[0082] Furthermore, when a specific printing device candidate 50 that indicates a tape color that does not have translucency is included among the multiple selected printing device candidates 50, the printing control unit 150 causes the corresponding printing device 2c corresponding to the specific printing device candidate 50 to print the first partial print image Ga1, which is the partial print image Ga for the first tape T1 that is the bottom layer, and causes the corresponding printing device 2c corresponding to the printing device candidate 50 other than the specific printing device candidate 50 to print partial print images Ga other than the first partial print image Ga1. For example, in the case of the example of FIG. 17, the printing control unit 150 causes the corresponding printing device 2c with the printing device name "PR1" to print the first partial print image Ga1, and causes the corresponding printing device 2c with the printing device name "PR3" and the corresponding printing device name "PR4" to print the second partial print image Ga2, the third partial print image Ga3, the fourth partial print image Ga4, and the fifth partial print image Ga5 to be distributed and printed by two corresponding printing devices 2c with the printing device names "PR3" and "PR4".

[0083] The print control unit 150 also prints the multiple partial print images Ga so that the lines of the characters shown in the partial print images Ga become gradually thinner from the first partial print image Ga1 printed on the first tape T1, which is the bottom layer, to the fifth partial print image Ga5 printed on the fifth tape T5, which is the top layer. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing five tapes T constituting the stereoscopic image tape Ts2 created based on the editing result of the stereoscopic image tape editing screen D2 shown in FIG. 17. As a result, when the tapes T are overlapped to create the stereoscopic image tape Ts2, the stereoscopic image represented by the stereoscopic image tape Ts2 can be made to look stereoscopic. Note that, even in the fourth modification, the print control unit 150 controls two or more compatible printing devices 2c that print the multiple partial print images Ga in a distributed manner to create tapes T of the same length.

[0084] [Variation 5] The print control unit 150 of the PC1 may generate a partial print image Ga for each image element 60, instead of generating a plurality of partial print images Ga such that image elements 60 for which a common printing device candidate 50 has been selected are included in a common partial print image Ga. For example, as shown in the example of Fig. 9, when the printing device candidate 50 with the printing device name "PR1" is selected for both image elements 60 of the letter "A" and the letter "C", two pieces of tape T may be created by the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR1", one on which a partial print image Ga including the letter "A" is printed, and the other on which a partial print image Ga including the letter "C" is printed.

[0085] [Variation 6] The warning control unit 140 of the PC 1 may issue a warning by a method other than displaying the warning message 61 on the PC display 11. For example, the PC 1 may be provided with an audio output unit, and the warning control unit 140 may issue a warning by outputting an alarm sound from the audio output unit. In addition, when the tape printing device 2 is controlled using a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, a vibration generator may be provided on the smartphone, tablet terminal, or the like, and the warning control unit 140 may issue a warning by generating vibrations with the vibration generator.

[0086] [Variation 7] Instead of issuing a warning by the warning control unit 140, the PC 1 may display the printing device candidates 50 that are not available for selection by the display control unit 120 so that the user can identify them. For example, when the display control unit 120 receives a selection of the first printing device candidate 50 that shows a non-translucent tape color for the first image element 60, the display control unit 120 may display the printing device candidates 50 other than the first printing device candidate 50 that shows the non-translucent tape color in a grayed-out manner. Furthermore, when the display control unit 120 receives a selection of the first printing device candidate 50 that shows a non-translucent first tape color for the first image element 60, the display control unit 120 may display the printing device candidates 50 that show a ribbon color that corresponds to the tape color in a grayed-out manner.

[0087] [Variation 8] The display control unit 120 of the PC1 may omit display of at least one of the tape color and tape width of the tape T for the printing device candidate 50 that is a selection candidate for the first option SL1.

[0088] As a further modified example, the display control unit 120 may select the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R as a selection candidate instead of the printing device candidate 50. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the display control unit 120 may display three ribbon color selection candidates, "black", "red", and "white". In this case, when "black" is selected as a ribbon color selection candidate, the PC1 determines whether to cause the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR1" to print the partial print image Ga or the tape printing device 2 with the printing device name "PR5" to print the partial print image Ga according to a predetermined rule. As an example of the predetermined rule, a tape printing device 2 that uses a tape T with the same tape width as the tape width indicated by the printing device candidate 50 that has already been selected may be given priority.

[0089] [Variation 9] The reception unit 130 of the PC1 may accept the selection of the printing device candidate 50 for each partial print image Ga, rather than accepting the selection of the printing device candidate 50 for each image element 60. For example, as in the example of FIG. 9, when producing two tapes T, the reception unit 130 accepts a designation to print a first partial print image Ga1 including the letter "A" and the letter "C" on the first tape T1, and accepts a designation to print a second partial print image Ga2 including the letter "B" on the second tape T2. The reception unit 130 then accepts the selection of the printing device candidate 50 for each partial print image Ga.

[0090] [Variation 10] The display control unit 120 of the PC1 may display the first options SL1 by tape width. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, the display control unit 120 may display a first option SL1 for a tape width of "18 mm" that includes four printing device candidates 50 indicating a tape width of "18 mm" and a first option SL1 for a tape width of "24 mm" that includes one printing device candidate 50 indicating a tape width of "24 mm". In this case, the display control unit 120 may hide the first option SL1 for a tape width of "24 mm" that is the first option SL1 with only one printing device candidate 50.

[0091] [Variation 11] The PC1 may transmit a cartridge information request signal to the tape printer 2 to acquire cartridge information when the tape printing application 30 is started other than when the user selects the multicolor tape creation mode on the creation mode selection screen (not shown). Alternatively, the PC1 may transmit a cartridge information request signal to the tape printer 2 periodically while the tape printing application 30 is running to acquire cartridge information. Alternatively, the tape printer 2 may voluntarily and periodically transmit cartridge information to the PC1.

[0092] [Variation 12] The tape printing device 2 may include a detection unit, instead of the cartridge information reading unit 42, that detects the presence or absence of a convex portion or a concave portion formed on the tape cartridge C, and obtain the cartridge information from the detection result of the detection unit.

[0093] [Variation 13] The functional configuration of the PC1 shown in FIG. 6 may be realized by the tape printer 2. For example, in a configuration in which a plurality of tape printers 2 are connected to be able to communicate with each other, one of the tape printers 2 may be set as a parent machine, and the parent machine may realize the functional configuration of the PC1 shown in FIG. 6. In this case, all of the functions shown in FIG. 6 are realized by the printer side CPU 44a executing a control program such as firmware stored in the printer side ROM 44b. The tape printer 2 performs printing based on the result of editing the print image Gs using the keyboard 21. The acquisition unit 110 of the tape printer 2 acquires cartridge information via the cartridge information reading unit 42. The display control unit 120 of the tape printer 2 displays the multicolor tape editing screen D1 and the three-dimensional image tape editing screen D2 on the printer side display 22. The warning control unit 140 of the tape printer 2 displays a warning message 61 on the printer side display 22. The print control unit 150 of the tape printer 2 controls the print unit 43 of the tape printer 2 and the other tape printer 2 as a child machine. That is, the print control unit 150 distributes and prints a plurality of partial print images Ga to a plurality of compatible printing devices 2c, including the printing control unit 150 itself.

[0094] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the tape printing device 2 prints by unwinding the tape T housed in the case of the tape cartridge C, but it may also print by unwinding the tape T that is not housed in the case of the tape cartridge C. In this case, a ribbon cartridge that does not house the tape T but houses an ink ribbon R is attached to the tape printing device 2. The ribbon cartridge is an example of a "cartridge." Other appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0095] [Note] The following additionally describes an information processing apparatus, a tape printing system, and a control method and program for the information processing apparatus. In the case where a multi-layer tape Ts representing a print image Gs is created by overlapping multiple tapes T on which partial print images Ga are printed, the PC1 is a PC to which multiple tape printing devices 2 capable of printing partial print images Ga on the tape T are communicatively connected, and is equipped with a display control unit 120 that displays multiple printing device candidate 50 corresponding to the multiple tape printing devices 2 on a display unit, a reception unit 130 that accepts the selection of two or more printing device candidate 50 from the multiple printing device candidate 50, and a printing control unit 150 that distributes and prints the multiple partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c corresponding to the two or more selected printing device candidate 50 from among the multiple tape printing devices 2.

[0096] The tape printing system SY is a tape printing system in which a PC1 is communicatively connected to a plurality of tape printing devices 2 capable of printing partial print images Ga on the tape T, in which a multi-layer tape Ts representing a print image Gs is created by overlapping a plurality of tapes T on which partial print images Ga are printed. The PC1 is equipped with a display control unit 120 that displays a plurality of candidate printing device 50 corresponding to the plurality of tape printing devices 2 on a display unit, a reception unit 130 that accepts a selection of two or more candidate printing device 50 from the plurality of candidate printing device 50, and a printing control unit 150 that distributes and prints the plurality of partial print images Ga to two or more corresponding printing devices 2c corresponding to the two or more selected candidate printing device 50 from the plurality of tape printing devices 2.

[0097] The control method of PC1 is a control method of PC1 to which multiple tape printing devices 2 capable of printing partial print images Ga on tape T are communicably connected in a case where a multi-layer tape Ts representing a print image Gs is created by overlapping multiple tapes T on which partial print images Ga are printed, and PC1 executes the steps of: displaying multiple candidate printing devices 50 corresponding to the multiple tape printing devices 2 on a display unit; accepting a selection of two or more candidate printing device 50 from the multiple candidate printing device 50; and distributing and printing the multiple partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c among the multiple tape printing devices 2 corresponding to the two or more selected candidate printing device 50.

[0098] When creating a multi-layer tape Ts representing a print image Gs by overlapping multiple tapes T on which partial print images Ga are printed, the tape printing application 30 executes the following steps on a PC 1 to which multiple tape printing devices 2 capable of printing partial print images Ga on the tape T are communicatively connected: displaying on a display unit multiple printing device candidate 50 corresponding to the multiple tape printing devices 2; accepting a selection of two or more printing device candidate 50 from among the multiple printing device candidate 50; and distributing and printing the multiple partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c among the multiple tape printing devices 2 that correspond to the two or more selected printing device candidate 50.

[0099] According to this configuration, the PC1 distributes and prints multiple partial print images Ga to two or more corresponding printing devices 2c corresponding to two or more selected candidate printing device 50 among the multiple tape printing devices 2, so that the multi-layer tape Ts can be created more quickly than when multiple partial print images Ga are printed by a single tape printing device 2.

[0100] It is preferable that the above-mentioned PC 1 further includes an acquisition unit 110 that acquires cartridge information indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R contained in the cartridges installed in each of the multiple tape printing devices 2, and the display control unit 120 displays on the display unit multiple printing device candidates 50 indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R based on the cartridge information acquired from the multiple tape printing devices 2.

[0101] According to this configuration, the user can select multiple printing device candidates 50 by referring to the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R.

[0102] In the above-mentioned PC1, it is preferable that the acquisition unit 110 acquires cartridge information indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R and at least one of the tape color and tape width of the tape T used in the tape printing device 2, and the display control unit 120 displays on the display unit a plurality of printing device candidates 50 indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon R and at least one of the tape color and tape width of the tape T.

[0103] According to this configuration, the user can select multiple printing device candidates 50 while taking into consideration at least one of the tape color and tape width of the tape T.

[0104] In the above-mentioned PC1, the reception unit 130 receives a selection of a candidate printing device 50 for each image element 60 that constitutes the print image Gs, and when the print image Gs is composed of multiple image elements 60, the print control unit 150 generates multiple partial print images Ga so that image elements 60 for which a common candidate printing device 50 has been selected among the multiple image elements 60 are included in a common partial print image Ga, and preferably distributes and prints the multiple partial print images Ga to two or more compatible printing devices 2c that each correspond to the selected candidate printing device 50.

[0105] According to this configuration, the PC1 generates multiple partial print images Ga such that, among the multiple image elements 60, image elements 60 for which a common printing device candidate 50 has been selected are included in a common partial print image Ga, thereby making it possible to create a multilayer tape Ts more efficiently than when the partial print image Ga is generated separately for each image element 60.

[0106] In the above-mentioned PC1, it is preferable that the receiving unit 130 receives a selection of a first printing device candidate 50 for a first image element 60, and if the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50 does not have translucency, and if the receiving unit 130 receives a selection of a second printing device candidate 50 different from the first printing device candidate 50 for a second image element 60 different from the first image element 60, and if the tape color indicated by the second printing device candidate 50 does not have translucency, then the receiving unit 130 further includes a warning control unit 140 that issues a warning.

[0107] According to this configuration, the PC 1 can prevent multiple tapes T of a non-transparent tape color from being overlapped.

[0108] In the above-mentioned PC1, it is preferable that the receiving unit 130 receives a selection of a first printing device candidate 50 for a first image element 60, and receives a selection of a second printing device candidate 50 different from the first printing device candidate 50 for a second image element 60 different from the first image element 60 when the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50 is not translucent, and further includes a warning control unit 140 that issues a warning when the ribbon color indicated by the second printing device candidate 50 corresponds to the tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate 50.

[0109] According to this configuration, the PC 1 can prevent the tape T of a non-transparent tape color from being overlapped with the tape T on which the partial print image Ga is printed in a color corresponding to the tape color of the tape T.

[0110] In the above PC 1, it is preferable that the print control unit 150 controls two or more compatible printing devices 2c that print a plurality of partial print images Ga in a distributed manner to create tapes T of the same length.

[0111] According to this configuration, when overlapping a plurality of tapes T, the user can align the ends of the tapes T in the longitudinal direction, and therefore can create a multi-layered tape Ts with a good appearance. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1...PC, 2...tape printing device, 2c...compatible printing device, 11...PC display, 50...printing device candidate 50...image element, 61...warning message, 110...acquisition unit, 120...display control unit, 130...reception unit, 140...warning control unit, 150...printing control unit, C...tape cartridge, Ga...partial printed image, Gs...printed image, R...ink ribbon, SL1...first option, SY...tape printing system, T...tape, Ts...multilayer tape, Ts1...multicolor tape, Ts2...3D image tape.

Claims

1. By overlapping multiple tapes with partial printed images, a multi-layer tape that represents the printed image can be created. In the case of creating a tape, a plurality of tape recorders capable of printing the partial print image on the tape are provided. An information processing apparatus to which a printing apparatus is communicatively connected, a display section for displaying a first option including a plurality of printing device candidates corresponding to a plurality of the tape printing devices; a display control unit for displaying the A reception unit for receiving a selection of two or more of the printing device candidates from among the plurality of printing device candidates. With the attached part, The plurality of partial print images are printed on two or more selected tape printing devices from among the plurality of tape printing devices. a print control unit that distributes printing to two or more compatible printing devices corresponding to the candidate printing devices; 、 The tape printers each receive the ink cartridges. the ribbon color of the ink ribbon used in the tape printing device and the tape color of the tape used in the tape printing device and an acquisition unit for acquiring cartridge information indicating the tape size and tape width, The display control unit is Based on the cartridge information acquired from the plurality of tape printing devices, A plurality of said marks indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon and the tape color and tape width of the tape. The first options for each tape width, including a printing device candidate, are displayed on the display unit. An information processing device.

2. The display control unit selects one of the printing device candidates from the first options for each tape width.

2. The information according to claim 1, wherein the first option, which is only the first option, is not displayed on the display unit. Processing unit.

3. The reception unit receives a selection of the printing device candidate for each image element constituting the print image. Attachment, When the print image is composed of a plurality of the image elements, the print control unit Among the image elements, the image elements for which the common printing device candidates have been selected are A plurality of partial print images are generated so as to be included in the partial print image, and the generated plurality of partial print images are The partial print image is then printed on two or more of the corresponding printers corresponding to the selected candidate printers.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed by distributing the printing data to printing devices.

4. The reception unit receives a selection of a first printing device candidate for a first image element. The tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate does not have translucency, and the first image element For a second image element different from the first printing device candidate, A selection of a printing device candidate is accepted, and the tape color indicated by the second printing device candidate has translucency.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, further comprising a warning control unit that issues a warning when the information processing device does not have the information. Processing unit.

5. The reception unit receives a selection of a first printing device candidate for a first image element. The tape color indicated by the first printing device candidate does not have translucency, and the first image element For a second image element different from the first printing device candidate, A selection of a printing device candidate is accepted, and the ribbon color indicated by the second printing device candidate is selected according to the first printing device candidate. The printer further includes a warning control unit that issues a warning when the color corresponds to the tape color indicated by the printing device candidate.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,

6. The print control unit is configured to print the plurality of partial print images in a distributed manner on two or more of the corresponding and controlling the printing device to produce said tapes of the same length.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. By overlapping multiple tapes with partial printed images, a multi-layer tape that represents the printed image can be created. In the case of creating a tape, a plurality of tape recorders capable of printing the partial print image on the tape are provided. A tape printing system in which a tape printer and an information processing device are communicatively connected, The information processing device includes: a display section for displaying a first option including a plurality of printing device candidates corresponding to a plurality of the tape printing devices; a display control unit for displaying the A reception unit for receiving a selection of two or more of the printing device candidates from among the plurality of printing device candidates. With the attached part, The plurality of partial print images are printed on two or more selected tape printing devices from among the plurality of tape printing devices. a print control unit that distributes printing to two or more compatible printing devices corresponding to the candidate printing devices; 、 The tape printers each receive the ink cartridges. the ribbon color of the ink ribbon used in the tape printing device and the tape color of the tape used in the tape printing device and an acquisition unit for acquiring cartridge information indicating the tape size and tape width, The display control unit is Based on the cartridge information acquired from the plurality of tape printing devices, A plurality of said marks indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon and the tape color and tape width of the tape. The first options for each tape width, including a printing device candidate, are displayed on the display unit. A tape printing system that features

8. By overlapping multiple tapes with partial printed images, a multi-layer tape that represents the printed image can be created. In the case of creating a tape, a plurality of tape recorders capable of printing the partial print image on the tape are provided. A method for controlling an information processing device to which a printing device is communicatively connected, comprising: The information processing device, The tape printers each receive the ink cartridges. the ribbon color of the ink ribbon used in the tape printing device and the tape color of the tape used in the tape printing device obtaining cartridge information indicating a cartridge size and a tape width; Based on the cartridge information acquired from the plurality of tape printing devices, A plurality of said marks indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon and the tape color and tape width of the tape. displaying the first options for each tape width, including a printing device candidate, on a display unit; A step of accepting a selection of two or more printing device candidates from among the plurality of printing device candidates. P and The plurality of partial print images are printed on two or more selected tape printing devices from among the plurality of tape printing devices. A step of distributing printing to two or more compatible printing devices corresponding to the candidate printing devices; 2. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising:

9. By overlapping multiple tapes with partial printed images, a multi-layer tape that represents the printed image can be created. In the case of creating a tape, a plurality of tape recorders capable of printing the partial print image on the tape are provided. An information processing device to which the printing device is communicably connected, The tape printers each receive the ink cartridges. the ribbon color of the ink ribbon used in the tape printing device and the tape color of the tape used in the tape printing device obtaining cartridge information indicating a cartridge size and a tape width; Based on the cartridge information acquired from the plurality of tape printing devices, A plurality of said marks indicating the ribbon color of the ink ribbon and the tape color and tape width of the tape. displaying the first options for each tape width, including a printing device candidate, on a display unit; A step of accepting a selection of two or more printing device candidates from among the plurality of printing device candidates. P and The plurality of partial print images are printed on two or more selected tape printing devices from among the plurality of tape printing devices. A step of distributing printing to two or more compatible printing devices corresponding to the candidate printing devices; A program characterized by executing the above.

Images