Print processing program and print processing method

Abstract

To automatically determine whether the scale of the image is to be changed according to the type of a background image, and therefore the printing operation is efficiently performed.SOLUTION: A control circuit 102 of an operation terminal 10, receives a selection of a background image serving as a ground pattern of a print label L in S20, determines whether the received background image is a pattern image in which a given image pattern is repeated or a photo image other than the pattern image in S30, when it is determined that the background image is the pattern image, does not change the scale of the image pattern in a pattern image PT corresponding to the pattern image regardless of a width of a long printing tape 203 in S50, S70, and S95, when it is determined in S30 that the background image is a photo image, changes the scale of a photo image Ph corresponding to the photo image in accordance with the width of the long printing tape 203, and outputs printing data including the pattern image PT or the photo image Ph to a label creation apparatus 20 in S105.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print processing program and a print processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a technique for printing on a label tape using a tape printing device based on print data that combines background data in which image data of a background image is arranged with input data such as characters (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-286613 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above conventional technology, the size of the background image data printed on the print medium can be appropriately expanded or contracted, but in order to do so, the user must manually set the magnification setting. Therefore, the user must manually set whether or not to change the size for each background image data, and there is room for further improvement in order to realize efficient printing work.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the conventional techniques described above. That is, the object of the present invention is to provide a print processing program and a print processing method that can automatically switch between whether or not to change the size of background image data depending on the type of background image, thereby making it possible to improve the efficiency of printing work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a terminal device connected to a printing device that creates a printed matter by printing on a long print medium, the terminal device having a control unit and an operation unit, the terminal device executing a selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a background image that will become a background pattern of the printed matter via the operation unit to the control unit of the terminal device; an image determination step of determining whether the background image selected and accepted in the selection receiving step is a pattern image in which a predetermined iconic pattern is repeated or a non-pattern image other than the pattern image; an image adjustment step of not adjusting the size of the iconic pattern in first background image data corresponding to the pattern image regardless of the width of the long print medium when it is determined in the image determination step that the background image is the pattern image, and adjusting the size of the second background image data corresponding to the non-pattern image to match the width of the long print medium when it is determined in the image determination step that the background image is the non-pattern image; and a data output step of outputting print data including the first background image data or the second background image data to the printing device.

[0007] When the print processing program of the present invention is executed by the control unit of the terminal device, a selection receiving step, an image determining step, an image adjusting step, and a data output step are performed. When the user selects a background image via the operation unit, the selection result is accepted in a selection accepting step. The type of the selected background image, i.e., whether it is a pattern image in which an iconographic pattern is repeated or a non-pattern image, is judged in an image judging step. If it is determined to be a pattern image, the size of the iconographic pattern in the first background image data corresponding to the pattern image is not particularly adjusted in the image adjustment step, whereas if it is determined to be a non-pattern image, the size of the second background image data corresponding to the non-pattern image is adjusted in the image adjustment step to fit the width of the print medium. The first background image data whose size has not been adjusted or the second background image data whose size has been adjusted is output to a printing device in a data output step. The printing device executes printing according to the background image data output in the data output step. According to the present invention, since the presence or absence of resizing of the corresponding background image data is automatically switched depending on the type of the selected background image, the printing work can be made more efficient. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the efficiency of printing operations can be improved by automatically switching between whether or not to change the size of background image data depending on the type of background image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a front view and a right side view showing the appearance of an operation terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the operation terminal. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the label producing apparatus. [Diagram 3] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of a print label generated based on pattern image data. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of the appearance of a print label generated based on photographic image data. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image list screen displayed on the operation terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a tape width selection screen displayed on the operation terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the tape width selection screen displayed on the operation terminal. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure executed by a control circuit of the operation terminal based on a print processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of an image list screen and a pattern color setting screen displayed on an operation terminal in a modified example in which a pattern image is configured with transparent and non-transparent areas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Operation terminal> An operation terminal 10 that executes a print processing program according to this embodiment is shown in FIGS. The operation terminal 10 is connected to the label creating apparatus 20. "Connection" includes both a wireless connection via an interface such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), and a wired connection via a USB cable or the like. The operation terminal 10 generates print data for forming a desired image on a print-receiving tape (described later) and outputs it to the label creating apparatus 20. The label creating apparatus 20 forms an image corresponding to the print data acquired from the operation terminal 10 on the print-receiving tape to form a print label (described later). The operation terminal 10 is an example of a terminal device, and the label creating apparatus 20 is an example of a printing device.

[0012] 1(a) and 1(b), the operation terminal 10 includes a touch panel 112, operation buttons 110 that allow a user to perform appropriate operations, and a camera 111 that can capture an image of an object. The operation terminal 10 is illustrated as a smartphone, but may be another information terminal that can be connected to the label creation apparatus 20, such as a tablet computer. Touch panel 112 displays various information and allows the user to perform various operations. An operation function portion of touch panel 112 and operation buttons 110 are collectively referred to as "operation unit 110, etc." below as appropriate. Operation unit 110, etc. is an example of an operation unit. Camera 111 includes lens 111A, and is activated when a user operates operation button 110 or the like to capture an image of an object.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1C, the operation terminal 10 includes an operation button 110, a camera 111, and a touch panel 112, as well as a control circuit 102, a memory 106, and a communication control unit .

[0014] The control circuit 102 includes a ROM 102A, a RAM 102B, and a CPU 102C. The control circuit 102 executes various programs stored in the ROM 102A by using the calculation function of the CPU 102C while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM 102B. The various programs include a print processing program of this embodiment for executing the flow of Fig. 8 described later. The control circuit 102 is an example of a control unit.

[0015] The communication control unit controls information communication performed with the label producing apparatus 20. The control circuit is capable of sending and receiving various types of information and data to and from the label producing apparatus 20 via the communication control unit . The memory 106 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and has a pattern image storage section 106A and a photographic image storage section 106B. The pattern image storage section 106A stores a plurality of types of pattern images prepared in advance, which regularly repeat predetermined designs, images, symbols, etc. (hereinafter, simply referred to as "image patterns") as appropriate. The photographic image storage section 106B stores, for example, photographic images captured by the camera 111. In addition to the photographic images captured by the camera 111, the photographic image storage section 106B also stores photographic images appropriately acquired from outside the operation terminal 10 via wireless communication or the like. The photographic images are an example of non-pattern images.

[0016] <Label creation device> As shown in FIG. 2, the label producing apparatus 20 includes a cartridge holder 216, a conveying device 209, a print head 205, a cutter 207, a display unit 212, an operation unit 210, a communication control unit 208, a control circuit 202, and a memory 206.

[0017] The cartridge holder 216 is configured to be able to detachably mount a cartridge 201 capable of supplying a print-receiving tape 203. The print-receiving tape 203 is an example of a long print medium. The transport device 209 transports the print-receiving tape 203 that is unwound from the tape roll 204 of the cartridge 201. The print head 205 forms a desired image on the print-receiving tape 203 that is transported by the transport device 209. The cutter 207 is driven by the user operating the cut lever 213. The cutter 207 cuts the print-receiving tape 203 after printing has been completed by the print head 205, to produce a printed label. The printed label is an example of a printed matter. A user can execute various operations through the operation unit 210. The display unit 212 displays various information and messages.

[0018] The control circuit 202 includes a ROM 202A, a RAM 202B, and a CPU 202C. The control circuit 202 executes various programs stored in the ROM 202A by using the calculation function of the CPU 202C while utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM 202B. The control circuit 202 controls the entire label production apparatus 20 including the conveying device 209 and the print head 205. The communication control unit 208 controls information communication performed with the operation terminal 10. The control circuit 202 is capable of transmitting and receiving various information and data to and from the operation terminal 10 via the communication control unit 208. The memory 206 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM, and is capable of storing various types of information.

[0019] <Creating printed labels> In this embodiment having the above configuration, the print data transmitted from the operation terminal 10 to the label creating device 20 includes background image data for forming a background image that will become the background pattern of the printed label. The label creating device 20 executes printing based on the transmitted background image data on the print-receiving tape 203 to create a printed label. The background image data to be included in the print data can be appropriately selected according to the user's desire. In this embodiment, the type of background image data can be appropriately selected and used from the above-mentioned pattern image in which the aforementioned icon pattern is repeated, and the above-mentioned photographic image.

[0020] <Example of a printed label using a pattern image> An example of a print label generated using the above pattern image is shown in Fig. 3(a) to (c). In Fig. 3(a) to (c), the print labels L1, L2, and L3 of this example are printed with background images BG1, BG2, and BG3 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "background image BG1, etc." as appropriate) as the background pattern, and a character string T of "ABCD" is printed thereon. The print labels L1, L2, and L3 are different in size from each other, with the print label L3 being the largest, the print label L1 being the smallest, and the print label L2 being an intermediate size. Details of the sizes of the print labels L1 to L3 will be described later.

[0021] In each of the background images BG1, BG2, and BG3, a small star-shaped image pattern is arranged between multiple cloud-shaped image patterns. In this embodiment, the image patterns of the background images BG1, BG2, and BG3, including the sizes of the clouds and stars and the spacing between them, are the same in the print labels L1, L2, and L3, which are different in size from each other.

[0022] <Example of printed label using photo image> An example of a printed label generated using the above-mentioned photographic image is shown in Fig. 4(a)-(c). In Fig. 4(a)-(c), the printed labels L4, L5, and L6 of this example are printed with background images BG4, BG5, and BG6 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "background image BG4, etc." as appropriate) as the above-mentioned background pattern, and the character string T of "ABCD" similar to that described above is printed thereon. The printed labels L4, L5, and L6 are different in size from each other, with the printed label L6 being the largest, the printed label L4 being the smallest, and the printed label L5 being of intermediate size. Details of the sizes of the printed labels L4-L6 will be described later.

[0023] In the background images BG4, BG5, and BG6, the same photo image of "dog" is arranged multiple times. Another feature of this embodiment is that the photo images constituting the background images BG4, BG5, and BG6, in this example, the photo image of "dog", are different in size and number of repetitions in these print labels L4, L5, and L6, which are different in size from each other. Note that hereinafter, the print labels L1 to L3, L4 to L6, etc. will be collectively referred to simply as "print label L" as appropriate.

[0024] The main feature of this embodiment is the method of processing image data when creating a print label using a pattern image or a photographic image as described above, the details of which will be described below with reference to Figs.

[0025] <Image list screen> When a user operates the operation unit 110 of the operation terminal 10, etc., an appropriate image list screen 112A is displayed on the touch panel 112 based on the print processing program of the present embodiment described above (see Figs. 5(a) and 5(b)). The image list screen 112A is provided with a pattern image selection button 112a, a photo image selection button 112b, and a color selection button 112c. The pattern image selection button 112a is a button for selecting a pattern image as the background image, and the photo image selection button 112b is a button for selecting a photo image as the background image. The color selection button 112c will be described later.

[0026] 5(a) shows the image list screen 112A after the pattern image selection button 112a is selected. As shown in the figure, thumbnails Pt of all pattern images stored in the pattern image storage unit 106A are displayed in a list below the buttons 112a to c. The user can appropriately select one of the thumbnails Pt displayed in the list that he / she wishes to print as a background image on the print label L by operating the operation unit 110 or the like. The pattern image corresponding to the selected thumbnail Pt is displayed in an image display field 112f provided in the upper part of the image list screen 112A (not shown in FIG. 5(a)).

[0027] FIG. 5(b) shows the image list screen 112A after the photo image selection button 112b is selected. As shown in the figure, thumbnails Ph of all photo images stored in the photo image storage unit 106B are displayed in a list below the buttons 112a to c. Even if the aspect ratios of the photo images are different, the image list screen 112A displays thumbnails Ph of the photo images that have been trimmed into a substantially square shape. The user can appropriately select one of the thumbnails Ph displayed in the list to be printed as a background image on the print label L by operating the operation unit 110 or the like. The photo image corresponding to the selected thumbnail Ph is displayed in an image display field 112f provided in the upper part of the image list screen 112A (not shown in FIG. 5(b)).

[0028] <Tape width selection screen> When the user selects one pattern image or photo image on the image list screen 112A of FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 5(b), a tape width selection screen 112B for selecting the width of the print-receiving tape 203 is displayed on the touch panel 112.

[0029] FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) show a tape width selection screen 112B that is displayed when a thumbnail Pt is selected on the image list screen 112A of FIG. 5(a). 6(a) to 6(c), the tape width selection screen 112B has a tape width selection field 112d at the bottom and a background image preview field 112e at the top. The tape width selection field 112d displays a number of selectable tape widths for the print-receiving tape 203. In this example, five tape widths can be selected: "9mm", "12mm", "19mm", "25mm", and "50mm".

[0030] 6(a) shows a state in which the tape width "9 mm" is checked in the tape width selection field 112d by operating the operation unit 110, etc. In this case, as shown in the figure, one pattern image PT1 corresponding to the above-mentioned selected thumbnail Pt is displayed in the background image preview field 112e as a preview of the background image of the print label L having a tape width of 9 mm. Similarly, Fig. 6(b) and Fig. 6(c) respectively show a state in which the tape widths "19mm" and "50mm" are checked in the tape width selection field 112d. In the background image preview field 112e, pattern images PT2 and PT3 corresponding to the selected thumbnail Pt are displayed as previews of the background images of the print labels L having the tape widths "19mm" and "50mm", respectively. The previewed pattern images PT1, PT2, and PT3 are examples of the first background image data. Hereinafter, the pattern images PT1, PT2, PT3, etc. will be collectively referred to simply as "pattern images PT" as appropriate.

[0031] As shown in Figures 6(a) to (c), in each of the pattern images PT1, PT2, and PT3, a small "star"-shaped image pattern is arranged between multiple "cloud"-shaped image patterns. In these pattern images PT1, PT2, and PT3, which differ in size in response to the difference in tape width settings described above, the image patterns, i.e., the sizes of the "clouds" and "stars" and the arrangement thereof, including the spacing between them, are the same and do not differ from one another. The size of each "cloud" or "star" image pattern is always constant and is not changed according to the tape width setting of the print-receiving tape 203.

[0032] FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) show a tape width selection screen 112B that is displayed when a thumbnail Ph is selected on the image list screen 112A of FIG. 5(b). 7(a) to (c), the tape width selection screen 112B includes a tape width selection field 112d and a background image preview field 112e, similar to Fig. 6. In the tape width selection field 112d, the tape widths "9mm", "12mm", "19mm", "25mm", and "50mm" can be selected.

[0033] 7(a) shows a state in which the tape width "9 mm" is checked in the tape width selection field 112d by operating the operation unit 110, etc. In the background image preview field 112e, a photographic image body PH1 in which one photographic image Ph1 corresponding to the thumbnail Ph is repeated five times in the tape length direction is displayed as a preview of the background image of the print label L having a tape width of 9 mm.

[0034] 6(b) and 6(c) respectively show a state in which the tape widths "19 mm" and "50 mm" are checked in the tape width selection field 112d. In the background image preview field 112e, the photographic images PH2 and PH3 are displayed as previews of the background images of the print labels L having the tape widths "19 mm" and "50 mm", respectively.

[0035] In the photographic image body PH2, the tape width is larger than the aforementioned 9 mm related to the photographic image Ph1, so that one photographic image Ph2 corresponding to the thumbnail Ph is enlarged and scaled larger than the photographic image Ph1. Also, the number of repetitions of the photographic image Ph2 in the tape length direction is reduced to three. In the photographic image body PH3, in response to the larger tape width, one photographic image Ph3 corresponding to the thumbnail Ph is further enlarged and the number of repetitions of the photographic image Ph3 in the tape length direction is further reduced to two.

[0036] As described above, in the image bodies PH1, PH2, and PH3 with different sizes corresponding to the differences in tape width settings, the vertical directions of the photographic images Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3 coincide with the tape width direction of the tape 203 to be printed. The sizes of the photographic images Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3, particularly the vertical dimension, are magnified or reduced according to the tape width setting of the tape 203 to be printed (see S70 and S95 described later). When the photographic images Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3 are repeatedly printed a plurality of times along the length direction of the tape 203 to be printed, the number of repetitions is variably set according to the tape width setting of the tape 203 to be printed (see S70 and S95 described later).

[0037] Note that the photographic images Ph1, Ph2, and Ph3 in the previewed image bodies PH1, PH2, and PH3 are examples of the second background image data. Hereinafter, the photographic images Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, etc. will be collectively referred to simply as "photographic image Ph", and the image bodies PH1, PH2, PH3, etc. will be collectively referred to simply as "image body PH".

[0038] <Appearance of the generated printed label> Returning to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(c), the printed labels L1, L2, and L3 are examples of the cases when they are respectively printed corresponding to the settings and displays on the tape width selection screen 112B shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c). On the printed labels L1, L2, and L3, background images BG1, BG2, and BG3 corresponding to the pattern images PT1, PT2, and PT3 in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are respectively printed as ground patterns. The widths W1, W2, and W3 of the printed labels L1, L2, and L3 are based on the tape width settings on the tape width selection screen 112B in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), where W1 < W2 < W3, specifically, W1 = 9 [mm], W2 = 19 [mm], and W3 = 50 [mm]. The lengths M1, M2, and M3 of the printed labels L1, L2, and L3 are, for example, appropriate lengths corresponding to the printing length required for printing the character string "ABC" and the widths W1, W2, and W3, and M1 < M2 < M3.

[0039] Returning to FIGS. 4(a) to (c), print labels L4, L5, and L6 are examples of labels printed in accordance with the settings and displays on the tape width selection screen 112B shown in FIGS. 7(a) to (c). Background images BG4, BG5, BG6 corresponding to the photographic image bodies PH1, PH2, PH3 of Figs. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), respectively, are printed as background patterns on the print labels L4, L5, and L6. As described above, the widths W1, W2, and W3 of the print labels L4, L5, and L6 are W1=9 [mm], W2=19 [mm], and W3=50 [mm] based on the tape width setting on the tape width selection screen 112B of Figs. 7(a) to (c). The lengths M1, M2, and M3 of the print labels L4, L5, and L6 are appropriate lengths corresponding to the print length and widths W1, W2, and W3 of the character string "ABC", and M1 is the length of the print label. <M2<M3である。

[0040] <Control procedure> In order to realize the above-described method, the control procedure executed by the control circuit 102 of the operation terminal 10 based on the print processing program of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. By executing this flowchart, the print processing method of this embodiment is executed.

[0041] In S10, a screen for accepting selection of a background image when creating a print label L is displayed, and in S20, the selection by the user via operation of the operation unit 110 or the like is accepted. Specifically, for example, the image list screen 112A of FIG. 5(a) or FIG. 5(b) is displayed by default on the touch panel 112, and selection of either the pattern image selection button 112a or the photo image selection button 112b is accepted. Alternatively, an appropriate screen other than the image list screen 112A including the pattern image selection button 112a or the photo image selection button 112b may be displayed, and selection of the above button 112a or 112b may be accepted on that screen. S20 is an example of a selection accepting step.

[0042] In S30, it is determined whether the image selected in S20 is a pattern image. Specifically, it is determined whether the pattern image selection button 112a is selected. S30 is an example of a selection receiving step. Note that the determination is not based on whether the pattern image selection button 112a or the photo image selection button 112b is selected, but may be performed using another method. For example, thumbnails Pt, Ph of all the pattern images and photo images stored in the operation terminal 10 may be displayed, and one thumbnail selected by the user may be determined to be a pattern image or a photo image by appropriate image analysis.

[0043] If the pattern image selection button 112a is selected, a Yes decision is made in S30, and thumbnails Pt of all pattern images stored in the pattern image storage unit 106A are displayed in a list on the image list screen 112A in S35 (see FIG. 5(a)).

[0044] In S40, the selection of one pattern image from those displayed in the list in S35 is accepted through the user's operation of the operation unit 110, etc. In S45, in response to the selection of the pattern image in S40, a tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the touch panel 112, and the selection of the width of the print-receiving tape 203 in the tape width selection field 112d is accepted.

[0045] In S50, one pattern image PT corresponding to the selection in S40 is displayed on the tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 6) in a size corresponding to the tape width selection in S45 without changing the size of the icon pattern. Then, the process proceeds to S80 described later.

[0046] If the photo image selection button 112b is selected instead of the pattern image selection button 112a in S30, the result is No, and thumbnails Ph of all the photo images stored in the photo image memory unit 106B are displayed in a list on the image list screen 112A in S55 (see FIG. 5(b)).

[0047] In S60, the selection of one photo image from those displayed in the list in S55 is accepted through the user's operation of the operation unit 110, etc. In S65, in response to the selection of the photo image in S60, a tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the touch panel 112, and the selection of the width of the print-receiving tape 203 in the tape width selection field 112d is accepted.

[0048] In S70, the photographic image Ph corresponding to the selection in S60 is enlarged or reduced to a size corresponding to the tape width selection in S65, and the photographic image body PH in which it is repeatedly arranged is displayed on the tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 7). After that, the process proceeds to S80.

[0049] In S80, based on the determination result in S30, image selection information indicating whether the user has selected a pattern image or a photograph image is registered and stored, for example, in the memory 106. In S85, it is determined whether or not an operation to change the tape width setting for the print-receiving tape 203 has been performed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a different tape width has been newly selected in a state in which any of "9 mm", "12 mm", "19 mm", "25 mm", or "50 mm" has been selected in the above-mentioned FIG. 5 or FIG. 6 and the corresponding preview is being executed.

[0050] If a different tape width has not been selected, a No decision is made in S85, and the process proceeds to S100, which will be described later. If a different tape width has been selected, a Yes decision is made in S85, and a reset process is performed in S95 in accordance with the image selection information registered in S80.

[0051] If the image selection information is "selection of a pattern image", one pattern image PT corresponding to the selection in S40 is resized to correspond to the new tape width selection in S85 and displayed on the tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 6). At that time, as described above, the size of the icon pattern is not changed. If the image selection information is "selection of a photographic image", a new photographic image body PH is displayed on the tape width selection screen 112B (see FIG. 7). In this photographic image body PH, the photographic image Ph corresponding to the selection in S60 is resized to a size corresponding to the new tape width selection in S85, and the number of repetitions is changed as necessary. S95 and the above-mentioned S70 and S50 are examples of image adjustment steps.

[0052] In S100, it is determined whether or not an operation to change the selection of the background image has been performed. If, in a state in which "Pattern Image" is selected in S20 and processing is performed in the order of S30→S35→··→S50→S80→··S100, the screen returns to the image list screen 112A in Fig. 5 by an appropriate operation and the photo image selection button 112b is selected, the determination is Yes. If, in a state in which "Photo Image" is selected in S20 and processing is performed in the order of S30→S55→··→S70→S80→··S100, the screen returns to the image list screen 112A in Fig. 5 by an appropriate operation and the pattern image selection button 112a is selected, the determination is also Yes.

[0053] If the determination is Yes as above, the process returns to S10. Otherwise, the determination is No, and in S105, print data including all image data that has been processed in S10 to S100 is output to the label creating device. S105 is an example of a data output step.

[0054] <Effects of the embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, when the user selects a background image via the operation unit 110 or the like, the selection result is accepted in S20. The type of the selected background image, i.e., whether it is a pattern image with a repeated iconographic pattern or a photographic image, is determined in S30.

[0055] When it is determined that a pattern image has been selected, the size of the icon pattern in the corresponding pattern image PT is not particularly adjusted in size in S50, S70, or S95. On the other hand, when it is determined that a photographic image has been selected, the size of the corresponding photographic image Ph is adjusted in size in S50, S70, or S95 to match the width of the print-receiving tape 203.

[0056] In S105, the print data including the pattern image PT for which size resizing adjustment has not been performed, or the photo image Ph for which size resizing adjustment has been performed, is output to the label creating apparatus 20. The label creating apparatus 20 executes printing according to the print data output in S105. According to this embodiment, since the presence or absence of resizing of the corresponding data is automatically switched depending on the type of the selected background image, the printing work can be made more efficient.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, particularly when the background image is a photographic image, in S50, S70, and S95, the magnification-adjusted photographic image Ph is repeated multiple times in the longitudinal direction of the print-receiving tape 203. The number of repetitions at that time is variably set according to the width of the print-receiving tape 203 (see Figs. 7 and 4). According to this embodiment, when the background image is a photographic image and is adjusted in magnification, the photographic image Ph after magnification is automatically repeated, and the number of repetitions is also automatically determined according to the width of the print-receiving tape 203. According to this embodiment, the background image selected by the user is repeatedly used to appropriately form the background pattern of the print labels L4, L5, and L6.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, particularly when the background image is a photographic image, in S50, S70, and S95, the vertical dimension of the photographic image Ph is changed in size to match the width dimension of the print-receiving tape 203 while matching the vertical direction of the photographic image Ph with the width dimension of the print-receiving tape 203 (see Figs. 7 and 4). According to this embodiment, the background image selected by the user is changed in size to match the width dimension of the print-receiving tape 203, so that the background pattern of the print label L can be appropriately formed.

[0059] <Modification> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the present invention. Such modifications will be described below in order.

[0060] (1) When a pattern image is composed of transparent and non-transparent areas FIG. 9(a) shows an example of the image list screen 112A displayed on the touch panel 112 of the operation terminal 10 in this modified example. As described above with reference to FIG. 5(a), thumbnails of pattern images are displayed in a list below the buttons 112a to c. In this modified example, a pattern image, a specific pattern image divided into a transparent area and a non-transparent area, and a normal pattern image without such a division, in other words, a normal pattern image in which all areas are non-transparent, are prepared in advance so as to be selectable. In the illustrated example, a plurality of thumbnails Pt' corresponding to each specific pattern image and a plurality of thumbnails Pt corresponding to normal pattern images similar to the above embodiment are displayed in a mixed list. Hereinafter, the thumbnails Pt' and Pt will be simply referred to as "specific thumbnail Pt'" and "normal thumbnail Pt" as appropriate.

[0061] 9(a) shows a state in which one specific thumbnail Pt' has been selected by the user via operation of the operation unit 110, etc. (see the check mark). The specific pattern image corresponding to the specific thumbnail Pt' has transparent and non-transparent areas, as described above. The transparent areas can be set to a color desired by the user through color selection (described later) triggered by operation of the color selection button 112c. When thumbnails are displayed as a list as described above, for a specific thumbnail Pt', a default color pattern image Pt0' and a changed color pattern image Pt1' are displayed at the upper left and lower right of the diagonal line SL. The default color pattern image Pt0' represents a state in which the transparent region has a default color setting, and the changed color pattern image Pt1' represents a state in which the color setting of the transparent region has been appropriately changed to something other than the default.

[0062] In FIG. 9(a), the image display field 112f displays a default color pattern image Pt0' corresponding to the selected specific thumbnail Pt'. The default color pattern image Pt0' includes a plurality of different large and small icon patterns a having a "flower" shape, and a plurality of different icon patterns b having a "leaf" shape. The inner region of the flower shape of icon pattern a is the non-transparent region. The inner region of icon pattern b, i.e., the portion other than the veins of the leaf shape, is the transparent region. In addition, the background region c of the default color pattern image Pt0' other than the icon patterns a and b is also the transparent region.

[0063] Although detailed description will be omitted, the default color pattern image Pt0', together with a changed color pattern image Pt1' to be described later, has a layered structure of a plurality of layers in terms of data. In the non-transparent area, a predetermined color setting is defined in the topmost layer of the multiple layers. As a result, no matter what color settings are made in the layers below the topmost layer, those settings are not reflected in appearance and the color setting of the topmost layer is visible. In the transparent region, the color setting is not defined in the top layer of the multiple layers, and as a result, the color setting in the layers below the top layer is reflected and seen as it is in the appearance. In this modified example, this property is utilized to change the color of the inner region of the iconographic pattern b and the background region c to a color desired by the user through the operation of the color selection button 112c.

[0064] In FIG. 9(a), after a change color pattern image Pt1 is selected from one specific thumbnail Pt' as indicated by the above-mentioned "check" mark, a pattern color setting screen 112C shown in FIG. 9(b) is displayed on the touch panel 112.

[0065] As shown in the figure, a color palette 112g for setting the color of the transparent region is provided at the bottom of this pattern color setting screen 112C. In the example shown in the figure, one color section CL is selected from a large number of color sections displayed on the color palette 112g by an appropriate operation via the operation unit 110, etc. In response to this, a changed color pattern image Pt1' after the color of the inner region and background region c of the iconographic pattern b has been changed to the color of the color section CL is displayed in the image display field 112f.

[0066] In addition, in FIG. 9(a), when a normal thumbnail Pt is selected, the pattern color setting screen 112C is not displayed on the touch panel 112, or it is displayed but the color cannot be selected using the color selection button 112c (not shown).

[0067] According to this modification, by using a specific pattern image as the pattern image, the color of a part of the pattern image, i.e., the transparent area, can be changed to a color desired by the user, thereby further improving convenience.

[0068] (2)Other In the above description, when a photographic image is selected as the background image, print data generated by performing magnification processing or the like on the photographic image is transmitted to the label creation device 20, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, the photographic image may be subjected to appropriate processing such as contrast change, color change, masking, binarization, etc., and then the same processing as above may be performed using the processed image to generate print data.

[0069] In the above, the arrows shown in FIG. 1(c), FIG. 2, etc., show examples of signal flows and do not limit the direction of signal flows.

[0070] Furthermore, the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 does not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the above flow, and procedures may be added or deleted or the order of procedures may be changed without departing from the spirit and technical concept of the invention.

[0071] In addition to the above, the methods according to the above embodiments and their modifications may be used in appropriate combination.

[0072] Although not specifically illustrated, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Operation terminal (an example of a terminal device) 20 Label creation device (example of printing device) 102 Control circuit (an example of a control unit) 110 Operation button (an example of an operation unit) 112 Touch panel (an example of an operation unit) 203 Printable tape (an example of a printing medium) L Printed label (example of printed matter) Ph1~3 Photo image (example of second background image data) PT1-3 Pattern images (examples of the first background image data)

Claims

1. A terminal device connected to a printing device that prints on a long print medium to create a printed matter, the terminal device having a control unit and an operation unit, a selection receiving step of receiving, via the operation unit, a selection of a background image that will become a background pattern of the printed matter; an image determination step of determining whether the background image selected and accepted in the selection acceptance step is a pattern image in which a predetermined icon pattern is repeated or a non-pattern image other than the pattern image; an image adjustment step of not adjusting the size of the iconic pattern in the first background image data corresponding to the pattern image regardless of the width of the long print medium when the background image is determined to be the pattern image in the image determination step, and adjusting the size of the second background image data corresponding to the non-pattern image to match the width of the long print medium when the background image is determined to be the non-pattern image in the image determination step; a data output step of outputting print data including the first background image data that has not been adjusted in size in the image adjustment step or the second background image data that has been adjusted in size in the image adjustment step to the printing device; A printing processing program for executing the above.

2. When the background image is determined to be the non-pattern image in the image determination step, the image adjustment step 2. The printing process program according to claim 1, wherein the second background image data that has been adjusted in size is repeated a number of times along the longitudinal direction of the printing medium, the number of repetitions being variably set in accordance with the width of the long printing medium.

3. When the background image is determined to be the non-pattern image in the image determination step, the image adjustment step 3. The printing process program according to claim 2, wherein a vertical direction of the second background image data coincides with a width direction of the printing medium, and a vertical dimension of the second background image data is resized to match a width dimension of the printing medium.

4. A printing processing method executed by a terminal device connected to a printing device that prints on a long print medium to create a printed matter, comprising: a selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a background image that will become a background pattern of the printed matter; an image determination step of determining whether the background image selected and accepted in the selection acceptance step is a pattern image in which a predetermined icon pattern is repeated or a non-pattern image other than the pattern image; an image adjustment step of not adjusting the size of the iconic pattern in the first background image data corresponding to the pattern image regardless of the width of the long print medium when the background image is determined to be the pattern image in the image determination step, and adjusting the size of the second background image data corresponding to the non-pattern image to match the width of the long print medium when the background image is determined to be the non-pattern image in the image determination step; a data output step of outputting print data including the first background image data that has not been adjusted in size in the image adjustment step or the second background image data that has been adjusted in size in the image adjustment step to the printing device; A printing processing method comprising the steps of:

Images