Printing process program and printing process method

Abstract

To efficiently arrange multiple pieces of image data desired by a user in accordance with a printing medium.SOLUTION: A control circuit 102 of an operation terminal 10 to be connected to a label creation apparatus 20 which performs printing on a printed tape 203 receives a selection of a plurality of photographs P through an operation unit 110, or the like (S10), receives a selection of a direction in which multiple pieces of image data D are to be arranged when printing corresponding to the image data D relating to each of the selected photographs P is performed on the printed tape 203, through the operation unit 110, or the like (S25), changes the scale of each image data D in accordance with a width of the printed tape 203, according to the selected arrangement direction (S35, S50), and outputs printing data including the multiple pieces of image data D with the scales changed, to the label creation apparatus 20 (S75).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing processing program and a printing processing method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for arranging a plurality of images side by side on a long printing label has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above conventional technology, the positions where the image data are arranged corresponding to the printing medium are preset over a plurality of vertical and horizontal rows, and only one common image data is continuously arranged for each set position. Therefore, when arranging a plurality of image data desired by the user corresponding to the printing medium, it is difficult to efficiently adjust the size of each of the plurality of image data and the arrangement direction of the plurality of image data, and there is room for further improvement.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-described conventional technology. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing processing program and a printing processing method that enable a user to efficiently arrange a plurality of image data desired by the user corresponding to a printing medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a terminal device connected to a printing apparatus for printing on a long printing medium, comprising a control unit and an operation unit, wherein the control unit of the terminal device is instructed to perform the following steps via the operation unit: an object selection acceptance step for accepting the selection of a plurality of print target objects; a direction selection acceptance step for accepting the selection of the arrangement direction of a plurality of image data corresponding to each of the plurality of print target objects selected in the object selection acceptance step, via the operation unit, when printing on the long printing medium; a data adjustment step for individually scaling the size of the plurality of image data to match the width of the printing medium according to the arrangement direction selected in the direction selection acceptance step; and a data output step for outputting print data including the plurality of image data scaled in the data adjustment step to the printing apparatus.

[0007] When the printing processing program of the present invention is executed in the control unit of the terminal device, the following steps are performed: object selection acceptance step, direction selection acceptance step, data adjustment step, and data output step. When a user selects multiple printable objects via the control panel, the selection results are received in the object selection acceptance step. When the user selects the arrangement direction of the multiple image data corresponding to each of the selected printable objects via the control panel, the selection results are received in the direction selection acceptance step. In the data adjustment step, the size of the multiple image data is individually scaled to match the width of the printing medium, depending on the arrangement direction selected by the user in the direction selection acceptance step. The scaled multiple image data is output to the printing device in the data output step. The printing device performs printing on the image data output in the data output step. In the present invention, the size of the multiple image data is automatically scaled according to the selection result of multiple printable objects and the selection result of the arrangement direction of the multiple image data relating to those selected printable objects. According to the present invention, the user can efficiently arrange the multiple image data desired by the user in accordance with the printing medium, thereby reducing the user's effort. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, multiple image data desired by the user can be efficiently arranged in accordance with the printing medium. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This document shows a front view, a right side view, and a functional block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an operating terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of a label creation device. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the photo list screen and selection display screen displayed on the operating terminal. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the differences in aspect ratio of each photograph. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a layout screen displayed on an operating terminal. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the scaling adjustment technique used when arranging image data vertically. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the scaling adjustment technique used when arranging image data horizontally. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a printed label generated based on image data after scaling adjustment. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the control procedure executed by the control circuit of the operating terminal based on the printing processing program of one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]These are explanatory diagrams illustrating the change in the arrangement direction of image data using a conventional method and the change in the arrangement direction of image data using this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Operating terminal> The operating terminal 10 that executes the printing processing program according to this embodiment is shown in Figures 1(a) to (c). The operating terminal 10 is connected to the label creation device 20. "Connection" includes both wireless connections via interfaces such as Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®, and wired connections via USB cables, etc. The operating terminal 10 generates print data to form a desired image on the printable tape (described later) and outputs it to the label creation device 20. The label creation device 20 forms an image on the printable tape corresponding to the print data acquired from the operating terminal 10, thereby forming a printed label (described later). The operating terminal 10 is an example of a terminal device, and the label creation device 20 is an example of a printing device.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the operating terminal 10 includes a touch panel 112, operation buttons 110 that allow the user to perform operations as appropriate, and a camera 111 that can photograph objects. In the illustration, the operating terminal 10 is an example of a smartphone, but it may also be other information terminals that can be connected to the label creation device 20, such as a tablet computer. The touch panel 112 displays various information and allows the user to perform various operations. The operation function portion of the touch panel 112 and the operation buttons 110 are collectively referred to as the "operation unit 110, etc." below. The operation unit 110, etc. is an example of an operation unit. The camera 111 is equipped with a lens 111A and is activated by the user operating an operation button 110 or the like to photograph an object.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1(c), the operation terminal 10 includes an operation button 110, a camera 111, and a touch panel 112, and also includes a control circuit 102, a memory 106, and a communication control unit 108.

[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 while using the temporary storage function of the RAM 102B by the arithmetic function of the CPU 102C. The various programs include the printing processing program of the present embodiment for executing the flow of FIG. 9 described later. The control circuit 102 is an example of a control unit.

[0015] The communication control unit 108 controls information communication performed with the label creating device 20. The control circuit 102 can transmit and receive various information and data with the label creating device 20 via the communication control unit 108. The memory 106 is a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM for example. Various information including the photographed image captured by the camera 111 is stored in the memory 106. In addition to the photographed image captured by the camera 111, the memory 106 also stores photographed images appropriately acquired from outside the operation terminal 10 via wireless communication or the like.

[0016] <Label creating device> As shown in FIG. 2, the label creating device 20 includes a cartridge holder 216, a conveying device 209, a printing 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] [[ID=第十九]] The cartridge holder 216 is configured to be detachable from a cartridge 201 that can supply the printing tape 203. The printing tape 203 is an example of a long printing medium. The conveying device 209 conveys the printing tape 203 fed from the tape roll 204 of the cartridge 201. The printing head 205 forms a desired image on the printing tape 203 conveyed by the conveying device 209. The cutter 207 is driven by the user operating the cut lever 213. The cutter 207 cuts the printed tape 203 after printing has finished by the print head 205, and generates a printed label. The control unit 210 allows the user to perform various operations. 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, utilizing the temporary storage function of the RAM 202B, using the calculation function of the CPU 202C. The control circuit 202 controls the entire label creation device 20, including the transport device 209 and the print head 205. The communication control unit 208 controls the information communication that takes place between it and the operating terminal 10. The control circuit 202 can send and receive various information and data with the operating terminal 10 via the communication control unit 208. Memory 206 is a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM, and can store various types of information.

[0019] <Creating printable labels> In this embodiment with the above configuration, the print data transmitted from the operating terminal 10 to the label creation device 20 includes multiple image data corresponding to photographic images captured by the camera 111. The label creation device 20 performs printing on the printable tape 203 based on the transmitted multiple image data to create a printed label. A feature of this embodiment is the method by which the multiple image data is generated based on photographic images taken by the camera 111. The details thereof will be explained below with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0020] <Photo list screen> When the user operates the operation unit 110 of the operation terminal 10, a photo list screen 112A is displayed on the touch panel 112 based on the printing processing program of this embodiment described above (see Figure 3(a)). The photo list screen 112A displays a list of multiple photos P that have been taken by the camera 111 and stored in the memory 106 at this point. Although the aspect ratio of each photo P varies, the photo list screen 112A displays a list of images in which each photo P has been cropped into a roughly square shape. A photo P is an example of a photographic image and is also an example of an object to be printed.

[0021] <Selection display screen> The user selects multiple photos P to be printed from the multiple photos P included in the photo list screen 112A by operating the operation unit 110 or the like. Figure 3(b) shows the selection display screen 112B that is displayed on the touch panel 112 after the user's selection. As shown in the figure, the selected photos P are displayed with numbers such as "1", "2", "3", etc. indicating the order in which they were selected. In this example, the first selected photo is of leaves P1, the second is of strawberries P2, and the third is of sunflowers P3.

[0022] At the bottom of the selection display screen 112B, there is a "Next" button 112a for proceeding to the arrangement screen 112C described later. Near the "Next" button 112a, the thumbnail images p1, p2, and p3 of the selected photos P1, P2, and P3 are arranged from left to right in the order they were selected.

[0023] <Aspect Ratio> The differences in the aspect ratio of each of the aforementioned photographs P are explained in Figure 4. The image data D01, D02, and D03 corresponding to the above photographs P1, P2, and P3 are shown in Figures 4(a) to (c), respectively.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4(a), the image data D01 corresponding to the photograph of a tree leaf P1 is a slightly vertically elongated data with vertical dimensions A01 and horizontal dimensions B01, expressed, for example, in pixels. Image data D01 has an aspect ratio α1 (=B01 / A01). As shown in Figure 4(b), the image data D02 corresponding to the photograph of a strawberry P2 is a slightly horizontally elongated data with vertical dimensions A02 and horizontal dimensions B02. Image data D02 has an aspect ratio α2 (=B02 / A02). As shown in Figure 4(c), the image data D03 corresponding to the photograph of a sunflower P3 is a roughly square data with vertical dimensions A03 and horizontal dimensions B03. Image data D03 has an aspect ratio α3 (=B03 / A03).

[0025] <Arrangement screen> Figure 5(a) shows the arrangement screen 112C that is displayed on the touch panel 112 when the user operates the "Next" button 112a on the aforementioned selection display screen 112B via the operation unit 110, etc.

[0026] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the arrangement screen 112C, multiple image data corresponding to the multiple photographs P selected in the selection display screen 112B are arranged in the order of selection described above. The multiple image data are arranged consecutively in the vertical or horizontal direction so that it serves as a preview of how it will ultimately be printed on the printable tape 203. When they are arranged, the size of each image data is individually resized to match the width of the printable tape 203, specifically the width of the preview image of the printable tape 203 in this example (hereinafter simply referred to as "tape image" as appropriate).

[0027] In the arrangement screen 112C shown in Figure 5(a), image data D1, D2, and D3, which are scaled versions of the aforementioned image data D01, D02, and D03, are arranged vertically and continuously on a tape image T1 that extends vertically. At the bottom of the arrangement screen 112C are a "Vertical" button 112b, a "Horizontal" button 112c, and a "Print" button 112d. In this example, when the "Next" button 112a on the selection display screen 112B is operated via the operation unit 110, etc., the system defaults to transitioning to the arrangement screen 112C where the image data is arranged vertically. As a result, the screen is displayed with the "Vertical" button 112b pressed, as shown in the figure.

[0028] When the "Horizontal" button 112c is pressed via the operation unit 110 or the like on the arrangement screen 112C, the system transitions to the arrangement screen 112D shown in Figure 5(b). On the arrangement screen 112D, as described above, image data D4, D5, and D6, which are obtained by scaling image data D01, D02, and D03 respectively, are arranged continuously in the horizontal direction on the tape image T2 that extends horizontally. Furthermore, when the "Next" button 112a on the aforementioned selection display screen 112B is pressed, the arrangement screen 112D may be displayed by default. Alternatively, the "Vertical" button 112b and "Horizontal" button 112c may be displayed on a separate screen or window after the "Next" button 112a is pressed, and the arrangement screens 112C and 112D may be displayed according to the selection result. The "Vertical" button 112b and "Horizontal" button 112c may also be displayed within the selection display screen 112B.

[0029] <Multiplier Adjustment Pa> Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the scaling adjustment techniques used to display image data D1-D3 and D4-D6 respectively on the arrangement screens 112C and 112D.

[0030] <In the case of vertical arrangement> Figures 6(a) to (d) show the scaling adjustment method used to generate image data D1, D2, and D3 for the arrangement screen 112C shown in Figure 5(a) from image data D01, D02, and D03 shown in Figure 4. Image data D01, D02, and D03 are scaled to fit within the width W of the tape image T1 shown in Figure 6(d) (hereinafter referred to as "tape image width W" as appropriate).

[0031] As shown in Figure 6(a), image data D01, which has a vertical dimension A01 and a horizontal dimension B01, is scaled up so that its horizontal dimension B1 is equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α1. In this example, image data D01 is reduced from horizontal dimension B01 to horizontal dimension B1 and from vertical dimension A01 to vertical dimension A1 to become image data D1. Image data D1 will have the same aspect ratio α1 (=B1 / A1) as image data D01.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6(b), image data D02, which has a vertical dimension A02 and a horizontal dimension B02, is scaled to have a horizontal dimension B2 equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α2. In this example, image data D02 is reduced from horizontal dimension B02 to horizontal dimension B2 and from vertical dimension A02 to vertical dimension A2 to become image data D2. Image data D2 will have the same aspect ratio α2 (=B2 / A2) as image data D02.

[0033] As shown in Figure 6(c), image data D03, which has a vertical dimension A03 and a horizontal dimension B03, is scaled to have a horizontal dimension B3 equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α3. In this example, image data D03 is enlarged from horizontal dimension B03 to horizontal dimension B3 and from vertical dimension A03 to vertical dimension A3 to become image data D3. Image data D3 will have the same aspect ratio α3 (=B3 / A3) as image data D03.

[0034] As a result of the above scaling, as shown in Figure 6(d), the image data D1, D2, and D3, which have been scaled as described above, are arranged in this order in the tape image T1, from the top to the bottom. The vertical direction of each of the three image data D1, D2, and D3 coincides with the length direction of the tape image T1, in other words, the length direction of the printed tape 203. The upper side of each of the three image data D1, D2, and D3 corresponds to the leading edge of the tape image T1 and the printed tape 203, and the lower side of each of the three image data D1, D2, and D3 corresponds to the trailing edge of the tape image T1 and the printed tape 203.

[0035] <When arranged side by side> Figures 7(a) to 7(d) show the scaling adjustment method used to generate image data D4, D5, and D6 for the arrangement screen 112D shown in Figure 5(b) from image data D01, D02, and D03 shown in Figure 4. Image data D01, D02, and D03 are scaled to fit within the width W of the tape image T2 shown in Figure 7(d) (hereinafter referred to as "tape image width W" as appropriate).

[0036] As shown in Figure 7(a), image data D01, which has vertical dimensions A01 and horizontal dimensions B01, is scaled to have a vertical dimension A4 equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α1. In this example, image data D01 is reduced from horizontal dimension B01 to horizontal dimension B4 and from vertical dimension A01 to vertical dimension A4, resulting in image data D4. Image data D4 will have the same aspect ratio α1 (=B4 / A4) as image data D01.

[0037] As shown in Figure 7(b), image data D02, which has vertical dimensions A02 and horizontal dimensions B02, is scaled to have a vertical dimension A5 equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α2. In this example, image data D02 is not enlarged or reduced, in other words, it is scaled at the same scale to become image data D5, which has vertical dimensions A5 and horizontal dimensions B5. Vertical dimension A5 is equal to vertical dimension A02, and horizontal dimension B5 is equal to horizontal dimension B02. Image data D5 will have the same aspect ratio α1 (=B5 / A5) as image data D02.

[0038] As shown in Figure 7(c), image data D01, which has vertical dimension A01 and horizontal dimension B01, is scaled to have a vertical dimension A6 equal to the tape image width W, while maintaining the aforementioned aspect ratio α1. In this example, image data D03 is enlarged from horizontal dimension B03 to horizontal dimension B6 and from vertical dimension A03 to vertical dimension A6 to become image data D6. Image data D6 will have the same aspect ratio α3 (=B6 / A6) as image data D03.

[0039] As a result of the above scaling, as shown in Figure 7(d), the image data D4, D5, and D6, which have been scaled as described above, are arranged in this order in the tape image T2, continuously from the left edge to the right. The vertical direction of each of the three image data D4, D5, and D6 coincides with the width direction of the tape image T2, in other words, the width direction of the printed tape 203. The left side of each of the three image data D4, D5, and D6 corresponds to the leading edge of the tape image T2 and the printed tape 203, and the right side of each of the three image data D4, D5, and D6 corresponds to the trailing edge of the tape image T2 and the printed tape 203.

[0040] <Comparison of vertical and horizontal layouts> In the vertical arrangement explained using Figures 6(a) to (d), as shown in Figure 6(a), the reduction ratio from horizontal dimension B01 to horizontal dimension B1 is approximately 0.9 times in this example, i.e., B1 / B01 ≈ 0.9. As shown in Figure 6(b), the reduction ratio from horizontal dimension B02 to horizontal dimension B2 is approximately 0.7 times in this example, i.e., B2 / B02 ≈ 0.7. As shown in Figure 6(c), the enlargement ratio from horizontal dimension B03 to horizontal dimension B3 is approximately 1.2 times in this example, i.e., B3 / B03 ≈ 1.2. The scaling factor, i.e., the enlargement or reduction ratio, when scaling image data D1, D2, and D3 varies depending on the size of the original image data D01, D02, and D03. The horizontal dimensions of each of the three image data D1, D2, and D3 are equal to the tape image width W, i.e., W = B1 = B2 = B3. The vertical dimension X1 of the three image data D1, D2, and D3 combined is X1 = A1 + A2 + A3. The vertical dimension M1 of the printed label LL1 generated from the three image data D1, D2, and D3 is the length corresponding to X1 (see Figure 8(a) below).

[0041] In the horizontal arrangement explained using Figures 7(a) to 7(d), as shown in Figure 7(a), the reduction ratio from vertical dimension A01 to vertical dimension A4 is approximately 0.7 times in this example, i.e., A4 / A01 ≈ 0.7. As shown in Figure 7(b), the reduction (enlargement) ratio from vertical dimension A02 to vertical dimension A5 is 1 time in this example, i.e., A5 / A02 = 1. As shown in Figure 7(c), the enlargement ratio from vertical dimension A03 to vertical dimension A6 is approximately 1.4 times in this example, i.e., A6 / A03 ≈ 1.4. The scaling factor, i.e., the enlargement or reduction ratio, when scaling image data to D4, D5, and D6 varies depending on the size of the original image data D01, D02, and D03. The vertical dimensions of each of the three image data D4, D5, and D6 are equal to the tape image width W, i.e., W = A4 = A5 = A6. The horizontal dimension X2 of the three image data D4, D5, and D6 combined is X2 = B4 + B5 + B6. The horizontal dimension M2 of the printed label LL2 generated from the three image data D4, D5, and D6 is the length corresponding to X2 (see Figure 8(b) below).

[0042] In the following, the original image data D01, D02, D03, etc., before scaling will be collectively referred to simply as "image data D0," and the image data D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, etc., after scaling will be collectively referred to simply as "image data D." Furthermore, the vertical dimensions A01, A02, A03 and horizontal dimensions B01, B02, B03 in image data D01, D02, D03, etc., are collectively referred to simply as "vertical dimension A0" and "horizontal dimension B0". Also, the vertical dimensions A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 and horizontal dimensions B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6 in the scaled image data D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, etc., are collectively referred to simply as "vertical dimension A" and "horizontal dimension B".

[0043] <Example of a printed label that will be generated> Figure 8(a) shows the printable label LL1 generated using the method described above, as shown in Figure 6, and based on the scaled image data D1, D2, and D3 displayed on the arrangement screen 112C in Figure 5(a). When the user operates the "print button" 112d on the layout screen 112C via the operation unit 110, etc., print data including image data D1, D2, and D3 is sent to the label creation device 20, and the printed label LL1 shown in the figure is generated.

[0044] As shown in the figure, the printed label LL1 has a width dimension WW and a length dimension M1, which correspond to the width W and vertical dimension X1 of the tape image T1, respectively. The printed label LL1 has label sections L1, L2, and L3 that are continuous in the longitudinal direction and correspond to the image data D1, D2, and D3, respectively. The label sections L1, L2, and L3 have tape length dimensions Y1, Y2, and Y3, which correspond to the vertical dimensions A1, A2, and A3 of the image data D1, D2, and D3, respectively. Y1 + Y2 + Y3 = M1.

[0045] Figure 8(b) shows the printable label LL2 generated using the method described above, as shown in Figure 7, and based on the image data D4, D5, and D6 after image scaling adjustment, which are displayed on the arrangement screen 112D in Figure 5(b). When the user operates the "print button" 112d on the layout screen 112D via the operation unit 110, etc., print data including image data D4, D5, and D6 is sent to the label creation device 20, and the printed label LL2 shown in the figure is generated.

[0046] As shown in the figure, the printed label LL2 has a width dimension WW and a length dimension M2, which correspond to the width W and horizontal dimension X2 of the tape image T2, respectively. The printed label LL2 has label sections L4, L5, and L6 that are continuous in the longitudinal direction and correspond to the image data D4, D5, and D6, respectively. The label sections L4, L5, and L6 have tape length dimensions Y4, Y5, and Y6, which correspond to the horizontal dimensions B4, B5, and B6 of the image data D4, D5, and D6, respectively. Y4 + Y5 + Y6 = M2.

[0047] <Comparison of printed labels> Comparing the printed label LL1 in Figure 8(a) with the printed label LL2 in Figure 8(b), we see that while the width dimension WW is the same, the length dimensions M1 and M2 are different. This is because printed label LL1 corresponds to tape image T1 containing vertically arranged image data D1, D2, and D3, while printed label LL2 corresponds to tape image T2 containing horizontally arranged image data D4, D5, and D6. In other words, the print length when printed labels LL1 and LL2 are created using the tape to be printed 203 is variable depending on whether the images are arranged vertically or horizontally.

[0048] Furthermore, in this case, M1 is the sum of the tape length dimensions Y1, Y2, Y3 corresponding to the vertical dimensions A1, A2, A3 of the image data D1, D2, D3 respectively. A1, A2, A3 are obtained by scaling the vertical dimensions A01, A02, A03 of the image data D01, D02, D03 while maintaining the aspect ratios α1, α2, α3, such that the horizontal dimensions B01, B02, B03 are equal to the tape image width W of the tape image T1. Therefore, if image data different from image data D01 to D03 is used for scaling, the aspect ratio of those images will be different from the aspect ratios α1 to α3 mentioned above. Consequently, the scaling factor used to scale the image so that the horizontal dimension is equal to the tape image width W will be different from that described above. Therefore, the tape length dimension of the printed label when printing corresponding to the scaled image data will also be a different value from M1.

[0049] Similarly, M2 is the sum of the tape length dimensions Y4, Y5, and Y6, which correspond to the horizontal dimensions B4, B5, and B6 of image data D4, D5, and D6, respectively. B4, B5, and B6 are obtained by scaling the horizontal dimensions B01, B02, and B03 of image data D01, D02, and D03 while maintaining the aspect ratios α1, α2, and α3, such that the vertical dimensions A01, A02, and A03 are equal to the tape image width W of tape image T2. Therefore, if image data different from image data D01 to D03 is used for scaling, the aspect ratio of those images will be different from the aspect ratios α1 to α3 mentioned above. Consequently, the scaling factor used when scaling so that the vertical dimension is equal to the tape image width W will be different from that described above. Therefore, the tape length dimension of the printed label when printing corresponding to the scaled image data will also be a different value from M2.

[0050] The results above show that the print length when a printed label is created is variable depending on the aspect ratio of the original image data before scaling. Hereafter, the printable labels LL1, LL2, etc. will be collectively referred to simply as "printable labels LL."

[0051] <Control Procedure> To implement the method described above, the control procedure executed by the control circuit 102 of the operation terminal 10 based on the printing processing program of this embodiment will be explained by the flowchart in Figure 9. The printing processing method of this embodiment is executed by following this flowchart.

[0052] In S5, based on the user's operation of the control unit 110, etc., multiple photos P stored in memory 106 are displayed in a list on the photo list screen 112A (see Figure 3(a)). In S10, the user's selection of multiple photos P by operating the control unit 110, etc. on the selection display screen 112B is accepted (see Figure 3(b)). S10 is an example of an object selection acceptance step.

[0053] In S15, the selection order of the multiple photos P received in S10 is stored, for example, in RAM 102B. In S20, the size of the print label LL to be printed is obtained, which is pre-set by the user's operation unit 110 or the like on an appropriate setting screen displayed on the touch panel 112. Specifically, this is the tape length dimension and tape width dimension of the print label LL.

[0054] In S25, the orientation of the image data in tape image T1 or T2 corresponding to the print label LL created by the printable tape 203 is acquired based on the user's operation of the operation unit 110, etc. Specifically, it is acquired whether the multiple image data in the arrangement screens 112C and 112D are arranged vertically or horizontally. As mentioned above, if the default arrangement is vertical by pressing the "Next" button 112a on the selection display screen 112B, or if the "Vertical" button 112b is operated on the arrangement screen 112D, the "Vertical" orientation is acquired. If the "Horizontal" button 112c is operated on the arrangement screen 112C, the "Horizontal" orientation is acquired. The "Vertical" orientation is an example of the first orientation, the "Horizontal" orientation is an example of the second orientation, and S25 is an example of the orientation selection acceptance step.

[0055] In S30, it is determined whether the orientation obtained in S25 is "horizontal". If it is "horizontal", it is determined to be Yes, and in S35, the vertical dimension A0 of the image data D0 corresponding to the photograph P selected in S10 is resized, i.e., scaled, to match the tape image width W of the tape image T2 (see Figures 7(a) to (d)). In S40, each of the scaled image data D is arranged in the order of selection described above, from the left edge to the right of the tape image T2. In S45, it is determined whether the processing of image data D0 related to all photographs P selected in S10 has been completed. Until it is completed, it is determined to be No and returns to S35, and once completed it is determined to be Yes and proceeds to S65 described below.

[0056] If the orientation is "vertical" in S30, a No judgment is made, and in S50, the horizontal dimension B0 of the image data D0 corresponding to the photograph P selected in S10 is resized, i.e., scaled, to match the tape image width W of the tape image T1 (see Figures 6(a) to (d)). S50 and S35 described above are examples of data adjustment steps. In S55, each scaled image data D is arranged in order of selection, starting from the upper tip of the tape image T1 and moving downwards. In S60, it is determined whether the processing of image data D0 related to all photographs P selected in S10 has been completed. Until completion, a No judgment is made and the process returns to S50, and once completion, a Yes judgment is made and the process proceeds to S65.

[0057] In S65, it is determined whether or not the orientation of the multiple image data mentioned above has been changed. Specifically, if the "horizontal" orientation is obtained as described above and the processing proceeds in the order S30→S35→S40→S45→S65, then a "Yes" judgment is made if the "vertical" button 112b on the arrangement screen 112D is operated. Similarly, if the "vertical" orientation is obtained as described above and the processing proceeds in the order S30→S50→S55→S60→S65, then a "Yes" judgment is also made if the "horizontal" button 112c on the arrangement screen 112C is operated. If S65 is judged as "Yes", the process returns to S25; otherwise, it proceeds to S70.

[0058] In S70, it is determined whether the user has made any changes to the size of the print label LL, which was set in S20, via the operation unit 110 or the like. If a size change has been made, the determination is Yes and the process returns to S20. If the determination is No, the print data, including all image data D that has been processed at this point, is output to the label creation device (S75). S75 is an example of a data output step.

[0059] <Effects of the Embodiment> As described above, in this embodiment, when a user selects multiple photographs P via the operation unit 110, etc., the selection result is received (S10). When the user selects the arrangement direction of the multiple image data D0 corresponding to each of the selected multiple photographs P via the operation unit 110, etc., the selection result is received (S25). Depending on which arrangement direction is selected by the user in S25, the size of the multiple image data D0 is individually scaled to match the tape image width W (S35, S50). The multiple image data D after scaling are output to the label creation device 20 in S75. The label creation device 20 performs printing on the image data D output in S75. In this embodiment, the size of the multiple image data D is automatically scaled according to the selection result of multiple photographs P and the selection result of the arrangement direction of the multiple image data D0 related to the selected multiple photographs P. According to this embodiment, the multiple image data D desired by the user can be efficiently arranged in the tape images T1 and T2, thereby reducing the user's effort.

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the data output to the label creation device 20 in S75 is print data that continuously prints the multiple image data D corresponding to the multiple image data D after scaling adjustment in the longitudinal direction of the printable tape 203. The length of the printable tape 203 required to print the multiple image data D in the print data is set variably according to the aspect ratio α1 to α3 of each of the multiple photographs P and the arrangement direction of the multiple image data D corresponding to each of those multiple photographs P. According to this embodiment, the length of the printable tape 203 is automatically and appropriately adjusted according to the aspect ratio α1 to α3 of each photograph P and the corresponding arrangement direction of each image data D, so that the label creation device 20 can print on all image data D smoothly and reliably.

[0061] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if a vertical arrangement is selected as the arrangement direction for multiple image data D, the printing corresponding to each image data D is performed vertically, such that the vertical direction of each image data D is the length direction of the tape image T1 (see Figures 5(a) and 8(a)). On the other hand, if a horizontal arrangement is selected for the arrangement of multiple image data D, the vertical direction of each image data D will be aligned with the width direction of the tape image T2; in other words, the printing corresponding to each image data D will be done horizontally (see Figures 5(b) and 8(b)). According to this embodiment, the arrangement of label sections L1, L2, L3 or L4, L5, L6 corresponding to each image data D on the printable tape 203 can be appropriately selected according to the user's application and preference, thereby improving convenience.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if a vertical arrangement is selected as the direction of arrangement of the multiple image data D, printing is performed so that the upper side of the label portions L1 to L3 corresponding to each image data D becomes the leading edge in the long direction of the printable tape 203 (see Figure 8(a)). On the other hand, if a horizontal arrangement is selected as the direction of arrangement of the multiple image data D, printing is performed so that the left side of the label portions L4 to L6 corresponding to each image data D becomes the leading edge in the long direction of the printable tape 203 (see Figure 8(b)). According to this embodiment, depending on which arrangement direction is selected, printing is performed sequentially on the printable tape 203 from the upper to the lower region of the label sections L1 to L3 corresponding to each image data D, or sequentially from the left to the right region of the label sections L4 to L6 corresponding to each image data D. According to this embodiment, the printing of the label sections L1 to L6 corresponding to each image data D can be performed sequentially in an order that is visually easy for the user to understand.

[0063] In particular, this embodiment offers high convenience even when the arrangement direction of the image data D is changed midway through the process. In conventional methods, for example, if you want to arrange image data D1 to D3 arranged vertically as shown in Figure 10(a) horizontally, you need to manually resize image data D1, D2, and D3 through trial and error to align the dimensions in the tape width direction, creating image data D1', D2', and D3', and then rearrange them horizontally (see dashed line). In this embodiment, if the image data D1 to D3 are arranged vertically in steps S30→S50→S55 in Figure 9 and then changed to a horizontal arrangement, S65 will be judged as Yes, and the horizontal arrangement of image data D4 to D6 will be automatically realized in steps S25→S30→S35→S40 (Figure 10(b)).

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, even if multiple photographs P with different aspect ratios α1 to α3 are selected in S10, the size of each image data D is individually resized to match the width W of the tape images T1 and T2 according to their aspect ratios α1 to α3 (see S35 and S50). According to this embodiment, a user can easily and smoothly print onto a printable tape 203 using a label creation device 20, based on print data that includes multiple image data D corresponding to multiple photographs P with various aspect ratios α1 to α3.

[0065] In this embodiment, a photograph P is used as the object to be printed, and the size of the image data D of the photograph P, or the image data D after a predetermined process has been applied to the photograph P, is resized in S35 and S50 and output to the label creation device 20. According to this embodiment, the user can efficiently arrange image data D of a desired number of photographs P, or image data D corresponding to photographs P, in tape images T1, T2, and print them using the label creation device 20.

[0066] In the above explanation, we have used photograph P as an example of a printable object, but this is not limited to photographs. Other suitable images such as marks, icons, and symbols may also be used as printable objects and the above processing may be performed on them as well. Furthermore, in the above, the print data generated by scaling and arranging the image data of the photographic image was sent to the label creation device 20, but this is not limited to this. That is, print data may be generated by performing the same processing as above on the processed image data obtained by applying appropriate processing such as contrast change, hue change, masking, and binarization to the photographic image.

[0067] In the above, the arrows shown in Figures 1(c), 2, etc., represent only one example of signal flow and do not limit the direction of signal flow.

[0068] Furthermore, the flowchart shown in Figure 9 does not limit the present invention to the procedures shown in the flowchart above, and additional or deleted procedures or changes in order are permitted without departing from the spirit and technical idea of ​​the invention.

[0069] In addition to what has already been described above, the methods described in the above embodiments and their respective modifications may be used in appropriate combinations.

[0070] Furthermore, although not to be exemplified individually, the present invention may be implemented with various modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 10. Operating terminal (an example of a terminal device) 20. Label creation device (an example of a printing device) 102 Control circuit (an example of a control unit) 110 Operation buttons (example of control panel) 112 Touch panel (an example of an operating panel) 203 Printed tape (an example of a printing medium) P Photograph (a photographic image, an example of an object to be printed) α1~3 Aspect Ratio

Claims

1. A terminal device connected to a printing device that prints on a long print medium, the terminal device having a control unit and an operation unit, an object selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a plurality of objects to be printed via the operation unit; a direction selection receiving step of receiving, via the operation unit, a selection of an arrangement direction of the plurality of image data when printing corresponding to the plurality of image data for each of the plurality of print target objects, the selection of which is received in the object selection receiving step, on the long print medium; a data adjustment step of individually adjusting the size of each of the plurality of image data items to fit the width of the printing medium, in accordance with the arrangement direction selected in the direction selection receiving step; a data output step of outputting print data including the plurality of image data items that have been adjusted in size in the data adjustment step to the printing device; A printing processing program for executing the above.

2. In the data output step, The print data is output for continuously printing the plurality of pieces of image data that have been adjusted in size in the longitudinal direction of the print medium, 2. A printing processing program as described in claim 1, wherein the length of the printing medium for printing corresponding to the plurality of image data included in the printing data is set variably depending on the aspect ratio of each of the plurality of print target objects selected in the object selection receiving step and the arrangement direction selected in the direction selection receiving step.

3. In the print data outputted in the data output step, When the selection of a first orientation is accepted in the orientation selection accepting step, the up-down direction of each of the plurality of image data coincides with the longitudinal direction of the print medium, 3. The printing processing program according to claim 1, wherein when a selection of a second orientation is accepted in the orientation selection accepting step, the up-down direction of each of the plurality of image data coincides with the width direction of the printing medium.

4. In the print data outputted in the data output step, When the selection of the first orientation is accepted in the orientation selection accepting step, an upper side of each of the plurality of image data corresponds to a leading end side of the length direction of the print medium, and a lower side of each of the plurality of image data corresponds to a trailing end side of the length direction of the print medium, 4. A printing processing program as described in claim 3, wherein when a selection of a second orientation is accepted in the direction selection accepting step, the left side of each of the plurality of image data corresponds to the leading end side of the longitudinal direction of the printing medium, and the right side of each of the plurality of image data corresponds to the trailing end side of the longitudinal direction of the printing medium.

5. In the object selection receiving step, The plurality of print target objects having different aspect ratios can be selected, In the data adjustment step, 5. The printing processing program according to claim 1, wherein sizes of the plurality of image data pieces having different aspect ratios are individually adjusted to fit the width of the printing medium.

6. the object to be printed is a photographic image, 6. The printing processing program according to claim 1, wherein the image data is image data of the photographic image corresponding to the image data, or processed image data obtained by performing a predetermined process on the photographic image.

7. A printing processing method executed by a terminal device connected to a printing device that prints on a long print medium, comprising: an object selection receiving step of receiving a selection of a plurality of objects to be printed; a direction selection receiving step of receiving a selection of an arrangement direction of the plurality of image data when printing corresponding to the plurality of image data for each of the plurality of print target objects, the selection of which is received in the object selection receiving step, on the long print medium; a data adjustment step of individually adjusting the size of each of the plurality of image data items to fit the width of the printing medium, in accordance with the arrangement direction selected in the direction selection receiving step; a data output step of outputting print data including the plurality of image data items that have been adjusted in size in the data adjustment step to the printing device; A printing processing method comprising:

Images