Label editing program, label editing method, and smartphone

The label editing program for smartphones simplifies the process of associating linked fields with objects to two steps, improving user operability and efficiency in label editing.

JP7722156B2Active Publication Date: 2025-08-13BROTHER KOGYO KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021194661
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-11-30
Publication Date
2025-08-13
Estimated Expiration
2041-11-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing label editing systems require multiple steps to associate linked fields with objects, leading to reduced user operability.

Method used

A label editing program for smartphones that simplifies the process by reducing it to two steps: adding an object and editing/associating linked fields, using a first and second screen display process to facilitate efficient field linking.

Benefits of technology

Improves user operability by minimizing the number of steps and screen transitions required for associating linked fields with objects, enhancing convenience and efficiency in label editing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a label editing program and method for reducing the number of steps required to associate concatenated fields with objects.SOLUTION: The label editing program causes a control unit of a smart phone to perform first display processing, addition processing, second display processing, and associate processing. The first display processing displays a first screen with a label preview display area and a database display area. The addition processing adds an object to a preview image of the label. The second display processing displays a second screen with a concatenated field editing area after accepting a particular first operation. The associate processing, after accepting editing of the concatenated field by the concatenated field editing area, terminates editing of the concatenated field and associates the concatenated field with the object upon accepting a particular second operation and continues to display the first screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a label editing program, a label editing method, and a smartphone. [Background technology]

[0002] To place and print data read from a database on a label, a preview image of the label is displayed on the display screen and the label is edited. When editing such a label, objects are placed and it is also determined which object corresponds to which column (field) of data in the database.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a print data editing device that associates a linked field with an object. A linked field is a field obtained by linking any field in a database with another field or text data. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-268388 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] To edit linked fields and associate them with objects using the print data editing device of Patent Document 1, three steps must be taken: adding an object, editing the linked fields, and associating the linked fields with objects. There is a need to improve user operability by reducing the number of steps and the number of user operations.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce the number of steps required to associate a link field with an object, thereby improving user operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a label editing program that causes a control unit of a smartphone, the control unit including a control unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a storage unit storing a database, to execute a first display process, an addition process, a second display process, and an association process. In the first display process, a first screen is displayed on the display unit. The first screen includes a preview display area where a preview image of a label is displayed and a database display area where data stored in the database is displayed. In the addition process, an object is added to the preview image of the label. In the second display process, when a specific first operation is received from the input unit, a second screen is displayed on the display unit. The second screen includes a linked field editing area for editing a linked field. A linked field is a field obtained by linking any field in the database with another field or text data. In the association process, after receiving editing of the linked field via the linked field editing area, when a specific second operation is received from the input unit, editing of the linked field is completed and the linked field is associated with the object, and the first screen is then displayed on the display unit.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a label editing method used in a smartphone including a display unit, an input unit, and a storage unit storing a database. The label editing method includes a first display step, an addition step, a second display step, and an association step. In the first display step, the first screen described above is displayed on the display unit. In the addition step, an object is added to a preview image of the label. In the second display step, when a specific first operation is received by the input unit, the second screen described above is displayed on the display unit. In the association step, after receiving editing of the linked field via the linked field editing area, when a specific second operation is received by the input unit, editing of the linked field is completed and association between the linked field and the object is performed, and the first screen is then displayed on the display unit.

[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a smartphone including a control unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a storage unit storing a database. The control unit of the smartphone is configured to execute the first display process, the addition process, the second display process, and the association process.

[0010] With this configuration, when the user performs the second operation, editing of the linked field is completed and the linked field is associated with the object. Therefore, the procedure for associating the linked field with the object can be reduced to two steps: adding the object, and editing and associating the linked field. This improves user operability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a database. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the label editing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram (1) showing the first screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram (2) showing the first screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the text editing screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the second screen of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram (3) showing the first screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the label editing process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a first screen in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the first screen on which values of associated fields are displayed instead of displaying objects. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the second screen in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. First embodiment] [1-1.Configuration] The smartphone 1 shown in FIG. 1, together with a printing device 101, constitutes an image processing system.

[0013] <Smartphone> The smartphone 1 includes a control unit 2, a display unit 3, an input unit 4, a storage unit 5, and a communication unit 6.

[0014] <Control unit> The control unit 2 has a CPU 2A and a memory 2B. The CPU 2A is a processor that performs various processes based on the programs and data stored in the memory 2B. The memory 2B is equipped with a semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, RAM, and flash memory) that is a non-transitory physical storage medium. The memory 2B stores an OS (operating system) program and the like. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 2 are not limited to those realized by executing programs, and some or all of them may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0015] <Display section> The display unit 3 is a display that displays the standby screen of the smartphone 1, the execution results of the application by the control unit 2, and the like.

[0016] <Input section> The input unit 4 is configured with a device that allows a user to input information to an application, etc. Examples of the input unit 4 include a touch panel integrated with the display unit 3, a physical keyboard, and a microphone.

[0017] <Storage section> The storage unit 5 includes an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or SSD, and stores various data. HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive, and SSD stands for Solid State Drive.

[0018] Specifically, the storage unit 5 stores a label editing program and a database DB used by the label editing program. The label editing program is an application program for editing print data for labels, which are strip-shaped print media.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the database DB is described as a matrix of cells S, each of which is made up of text data. The database DB includes a header H and a matrix body consisting of at least one row and multiple columns. The rows of the database DB are called records, and the columns are called fields.

[0020] The header H is the column name (field name) given to each column (field) in the database DB. Each cell S contains text consisting of one or more characters. The database DB is stored in the storage unit 5 as data in, for example, CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format. The storage unit 5 may also store a plurality of databases DB.

[0021] <Communications Department> 1 is configured to communicate with a communication unit 105 of the printing device 101. The communication unit 6 transmits print data for controlling the printing device 101 to the printing device 101 by wireless communication or wired communication. As the wireless communication, for example, short-range wireless communication, wireless LAN, etc. are used.

[0022] <Printing device> The printing device 101 prints on a printing medium such as a label based on a command from the smartphone 1. The printing device 101 includes a control unit 102, a display unit 103, an input unit 104, a communication unit 105, and a printing unit 106.

[0023] The control unit 102 includes a CPU 102A and a memory 102B. The CPU 102A performs various processes related to printing based on the programs and data stored in the memory 102B and the data received by the communication unit 105.

[0024] The display unit 103 displays the printing status, communication status, etc. The input unit 104 inputs print settings, etc. of the printing device 101 to the control unit 102. The communication unit 105 receives print data from the communication unit 6 of the smartphone 1 and transmits codes, such as print results, to the communication unit 6.

[0025] The printing unit 106 includes a print medium transport mechanism and a printing mechanism that prints characters, graphics, etc. on the print medium. The printing unit 106 prints on the print medium based on print data transmitted from the smartphone 1. The printing method of the printing unit 106 is not particularly limited, and examples include a thermal method, an inkjet method, and an ink ribbon method.

[0026] [1-2. Processing] Next, the label editing process executed by the control unit 2 of the smartphone 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. The label editing process is executed when a label editing program is started.

[0027] First, in S101, the control unit 2 executes a first display process. The first display process is a process for displaying the first screen S1 shown in FIG. The first screen S1 has a preview display area PA and a database display area DA. The preview display area PA is an area where a preview image of the label (i.e., a print image) PI is displayed. The database display area DA is an area where data stored in the database DB is displayed.

[0028] In this embodiment, the control unit 2 displays the first screen S1 on the display unit 3 in the following procedure. First, when the label editing program is started, the control unit 2 displays a preview display area PA on the display unit 3. The preview image PI displayed in the preview display area PA is an image that reflects the size, position, color, font, etc. of the characters to be printed on the label.

[0029] Next, the control unit 2 reads the user-specified database from the storage unit 5. Specifically, based on the user's database call operation, the control unit 2 displays a database selection screen (not shown) in a work area WA provided below the preview display area PA. The database selection screen displays at least one database name stored in the storage unit 5. The user selects one of these database names.

[0030] The control unit 2 then reads the database with the database name selected by the user from the storage unit 5 and displays the read database in a matrix format in the work area WA, as shown in Figure 4. In this way, the control unit 2 displays the first screen S1 on the display unit 3.

[0031] On the first screen S1, the control unit 2 receives a selection of rows (records) in the database to be printed from the user via the input unit 4. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 displays a print target check box CB for each row of the database, as shown in Fig. 4. The print target check box CB switches whether or not each row of the database is included in the print target, depending on whether or not it is checked.

[0032] For example, in the example shown in Fig. 4, the state of the print target checkboxes CB in the first and second rows of the database is set to "print target" (e.g., checked). Therefore, the cells in the first row (i.e., "TAB0", "TAB1", etc.) and the cells in the second row (i.e., "acda", "a", etc.) of each column such as "F1", "F2", etc. are selected as the text to be embedded in the print data.

[0033] The first screen S1 also displays an Add button B1, a Save button B2, and a Print button B3. The Add button B1 is a button for adding a text object, etc. The Save button B2 is a button for saving the print data of a label that is being edited or has been edited in the storage unit 5. The Print button B3 is a button for outputting the print data of the label to the printing device 101 via the communication unit 6.

[0034] Next, in S102, the control unit 2 accepts an additional input operation from the user via the input unit 4. The additional input operation is an operation for adding a text object (hereinafter simply referred to as an "object"). An object is an area into which the user can input any text.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the user presses (i.e., taps) the Add button B1 on the first screen S1 shown in Fig. 4, various buttons including an Add Text button B4 for adding an object are displayed on the display unit 3, as shown in Fig. 5. The additional input operation in this embodiment refers to pressing the Add button B1 and the Add Text button B4.

[0036] Next, when the control unit 2 receives an addition input operation, the control unit 2 executes an addition process in S103. The addition process is a process of adding an object to the label preview image PI. Subsequently, the control unit 2 executes a text editing screen display process in S104. The text editing screen display process is a process for displaying the text editing screen TS shown in FIG.

[0037] The text editing screen TS includes a preview display area PA and a text editing area TA. The text editing area TA is an area for editing text to be input into an object. The text editing area TA includes an input area TIS for receiving user input.

[0038] The input area TIS includes an input box TIW, a keyboard TKB, and a complete button B5. The user uses the keyboard TKB to input any characters into the input box TIW and presses the complete button B5.

[0039] Here, when the addition process is performed in the above-mentioned S103, an object OB is added to the preview image PI in the preview display area PA. In the state shown in FIG. 6, no text has been entered into the added object OB. Therefore, no text is displayed in the preview image PI in FIG. 6. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the character "text" is entered into the input box TIW and the complete button B5 is pressed, the character "text" is entered into the object OB. As a result, the character "text" is displayed in the preview image PI.

[0040] The text edit screen TS includes a link field creation button B6, which is a button for creating a new link field. Here, a linked field is a field obtained by linking any field in the database DB with another field or text data. Linked fields will be described in detail later.

[0041] In this embodiment, when an additional input operation is accepted in S102, the database display area DA disappears from the work area WA of the first screen S1, and instead the text editing area TA and the linked field creation button B6 are displayed. The preview display area PA remains displayed. In this way, the screen transitions from the first screen S1 to the text editing screen TS.

[0042] Next, in S105, the control unit 2 accepts a specific first operation from the user via the input unit 4. The first operation is an operation for starting editing of the linked field. In this embodiment, the first operation is pressing the linked field creation button B6 on the text editing screen TS.

[0043] Here, the label editing program has at least two modes: a text editing mode and a linked field editing mode. The text editing mode is a mode for editing text input into an object OB. In the text editing mode, a text editing screen TS shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display unit 3. On the other hand, the linked field editing mode is a mode for editing linked fields. In the linked field editing mode, a second screen S2 shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, is displayed on the display unit 3. When the control unit 2 accepts the first operation, it switches the mode from the text editing mode to the linked field editing mode.

[0044] Subsequently, the control unit 2 executes a second display process in S106. The second display process is a process for displaying the second screen S2 shown in Fig. 7 on the display unit 3. The second screen S2 is a screen for editing linked fields.

[0045] The second screen S2 includes a preview display area PA, a linked field editing area FS for editing linked fields, and a linked field completion button B7. The linked field editing area FS includes an input area FIS for receiving user input.

[0046] The input area FIS includes an input box FIW and a keyboard FKB. The user uses the keyboard FKB to input any combination of fields and text into the input box FIW. Then, by pressing the linked field completion button B7, a new linked field is created.

[0047] In the second screen S2 shown in FIG. 7, fields are displayed in a format in which the field name is enclosed in "[" and "]". Therefore, for example, when defining a linked field consisting of two fields with field names F1 and F2, the fields are entered in the input box FIW as "[F1][F2]".

[0048] Linked fields can be defined not only as combinations of fields, but also as combinations of fields and text. For example, to define a linked field with the text "::" inserted between two fields F1 and F2, enter "[F1]::[F2]" in the input box FIW as shown in Figure 7. Note that while Figure 7 illustrates a linked field containing two fields F1 and F2, the number of fields included in the linked field may be one, or three or more.

[0049] In this embodiment, when a first operation (pressing the linked field creation button B6) is accepted on the text editing screen TS shown in Fig. 6, the text editing area TA and the linked field creation button B6 disappear from the work area WA, and instead the linked field editing area FS and the linked field completion button B7 are displayed. The preview display area PA remains displayed. In this way, the screen transitions from the text editing screen TS to the second screen S2.

[0050] Next, in S107, the control unit 2 executes input candidate display processing. The input candidate display processing is processing for displaying fields that are input candidates. The processing for displaying fields here includes processing for displaying at least one of the field names (i.e., "F1", "F2", etc.) of the database DB and the cells included in the fields (i.e., "TAB0", "TAB1", etc.). Hereinafter, the field names and the values of the cells included in the fields will be collectively referred to as "field values".

[0051] In this embodiment, the control unit 2 executes the input candidate display process of displaying a list of field names (F1, F2, ...) in the database DB using a drop-down list DL shown in Fig. 7. The control unit 2 also displays samples of cells (TAB0, TAB1, ...) included in the fields in the drop-down list DL.

[0052] In this embodiment, the input candidate display process is executed after the second screen S2 is displayed in the second display process of S106, such as when the input box FIW is pressed by the user. However, the timing at which the input candidate display process is executed is not limited to this, and for example, the input candidate display process may be executed simultaneously with the second screen S2 being displayed.

[0053] Next, in S108, the control unit 2 accepts editing of the linked field from the user via the input unit 4. In S108, the control unit 2 accepts character input via the keyboard FKB. The control unit 2 also executes a process of accepting a field selection from the drop-down list DL (selection acceptance process).

[0054] Next, in S109, the control unit 2 accepts a specific second operation from the user via the input unit 4. The second operation is an operation for ending the editing of the linked field. In this embodiment, the second operation is pressing the linked field completion button B7 on the second screen S2.

[0055] Next, the control unit 2 executes the association process in S110. The association process is a process for completing the editing of the linked field and associating the linked field with the object OB. Furthermore, by executing the association process, the first screen S1 is displayed on the display unit 3 as shown in Fig. 8 (that is, the screen displayed on the display unit 3 returns from the second screen S2 to the first screen S1).

[0056] In the association process, the control unit 2 causes the display unit 3 to display an object into which the text data of the print start cell in the associated field (i.e., the cell included in the first row of the rows to be printed) has been inserted.

[0057] For example, in the example shown in Fig. 7, the linked field "[F1]::[F2]" is associated with the object OB. In this case, the control unit 2 displays on the display unit 3 a preview image PI in which the text ("TAB0" and "TAB1") of the cells in the "F1" column and the "F2" column included in the first row of the rows in which the print target check box CB is checked on the first screen S1 in Fig. 8 has been inserted. Specifically, the control unit 2 displays on the display unit 3 a preview image PI in which the text "TAB0::TAB1" has been inserted.

[0058] In this embodiment, when a linked field is edited via the linked field editing area FS of Figure 7 and a field that does not exist in the database DB is entered, the control unit 2 executes a process to add the entered field to the database DB (database addition process).

[0059] Specifically, for example, suppose six fields, columns "F1" to "F6," are registered in the database DB. In this case, suppose the user inputs column "F7," which does not exist in the database DB, via the linked field editing area FS and presses the linked field completion button B7. In this case, the control unit 2 adds column "F7" to the end of the database DB (for example, the position corresponding to the position immediately to the right of column "F6" in the database display area DA in FIG. 9). Note that the control unit 2 may input, for example, blank text as the cell value of each row of the added column "F7."

[0060] When the control unit 2 accepts an operation of the print button B3 from the user after the association process has been performed, it outputs the edited label print data to the printing device 101. Specifically, the control unit 2 outputs a print pattern that reflects multiple preview images PI to the printing device 101 as the edited label print data. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, a print pattern is output that reflects multiple preview images PI in which [F1] and [F2] in the linked field [F1]::[F2] associated with the object OB are sequentially replaced with the text of the cells included in the "F1" column and the "F2" column. The printing device 101 then prints onto the print medium, which is a label, based on the received print data.

[0061] [1-3.Effects] According to the first embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1a) When the control unit 2 receives a second operation from the user (i.e., pressing the linked field completion button B7 on the second screen S2), the control unit 2 finishes editing the linked field and also associates the linked field with the object OB. Therefore, the procedure for associating the linked field with the object OB can be reduced to two steps: adding the object OB, and editing and associating the linked field. This improves user operability.

[0062] In particular, when editing linked fields using a database DB and associating them with objects, it is desirable from the standpoint of operability to be able to operate while displaying the label preview display area PA, the database display area DA, and the linked field editing area FS on a single screen. However, because the screen of the display unit 3 of the smartphone 1 is smaller than that of a personal computer or the like, it is difficult to display the above three areas on a single screen.

[0063] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to improve the operability for the user by displaying two of the three areas PA, DA, and FS on the display unit 3 in the first screen S1 shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8 and the second screen S2 shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, as described above, by reducing the number of steps required to associate a linked field with an object OB, it is possible to reduce the number of screen transitions and the number of operation steps required by the user.

[0064] (1b) The second screen S2 in Fig. 7 includes a preview display area PA. This allows the user to edit linked fields while checking the preview display of the labels. This improves user convenience.

[0065] (1c) The linked field editing area FS includes an input area FIS for receiving user input. Therefore, the user can edit the linked field via the input area FIS. This improves user operability.

[0066] (1d) By displaying fields that are input candidates and accepting the selection of the input candidate fields via the input unit 4, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when editing linked fields.

[0067] (1e) When a field that does not exist in the database DB is input, the control unit 2 executes a process of adding the input field to the database DB (database addition process). Therefore, the smartphone 1 can edit linked fields and add new fields to the database DB. This improves user convenience.

[0068] (1f) When an additional input operation is accepted on the first screen S1 of Figures 4 and 5, the control unit 2 displays the text editing screen TS of Figure 6 (S103, S104). Furthermore, when a first operation is accepted on the text editing screen TS, the control unit 2 displays the second screen S2 (S105, S106). Therefore, the number of user operations required to switch between modes of adding an object, editing the text of an object, editing linked fields, and associating linked fields with objects can be reduced.

[0069] In this embodiment, S101 corresponds to the first display process and the first display step, the additional input operation accepted in S102 corresponds to a specific third operation, S103 corresponds to the addition process and the addition step, and S104 corresponds to the third display process. Also, S106 corresponds to the second display process and the second display step, S107 corresponds to the input candidate display process, and S110 corresponds to the association process and the database addition process.

[0070] [2. Second Embodiment] [2-1. Differences from the first embodiment] The second embodiment has the same basic configuration as the first embodiment, so differences will be described below. Note that the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment indicate the same configuration, and reference will be made to the preceding description.

[0071] The image processing system of the second embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the image processing system of the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, the content of the label editing process executed by the control unit 2 of the smartphone 1 is partially different.

[0072] [2-2. Processing] Next, a label editing process that the control unit 2 of the smartphone 1 executes in place of the label editing process (FIG. 3) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0073] First, in S201, the control unit 2 executes a first display process. The first display process is a process for displaying a first screen S3 shown in FIG. The first screen S3, like the first screen S1 of the first embodiment, includes a preview display area PA and a database display area DA. On the other hand, the first screen S3 of the second embodiment further includes an edit linked field button B8 for starting editing of linked fields. The processing performed when the edit linked field button B8 is pressed will be described later.

[0074] Note that an object OB associated with a linked field is displayed in the preview display area PA in Fig. 10. This object OB may be displayed in the preview display area PA by, for example, the user retrieving label data that was saved in the past. For convenience of the following explanation, the object OB is displayed in the preview display area PA in Fig. 10.

[0075] However, the following steps S202 to S204 are basically processes that are executed when an object has not yet been added, etc. S202 in Fig. 9 is the same process as S102 in Fig. 3 described above. The control unit 2 accepts pressing of the Add button B1 and the Add Text button B4 as additional input operations. Note that, as in the first embodiment, pressing the Add button B1 displays a screen (a screen corresponding to Fig. 5, not shown) including various buttons such as the Add Text button B4.

[0076] 9 are the same processes as S103 to S104 in FIG. 3, respectively. When the control unit 2 executes the text editing screen display process in S204, it displays a text editing screen TS (not shown) on the display unit 3. The text editing screen TS displayed here is basically the same as the text editing screen TS (FIG. 6) of the first embodiment, but differs in that it does not include the linked field creation button B6. That is, in the second embodiment, a linked field edit button B8 is provided in place of the linked field creation button B6.

[0077] The text editing screen TS of the second embodiment includes a linked field editing button B8, similar to the first screen S3 of FIG. Next, in S205, the control unit 2 accepts a specific first operation from the user via the input unit 4. In this embodiment, the first operation is pressing a linked field edit button B8 displayed on the first screen S3, a text edit screen TS (not shown), or the like.

[0078] Next, the control unit 2 executes a display change process in S206. The display change process is a process of displaying the linked fields in place of the objects OB associated with the linked fields in the preview display area PA. In other words, the display change process is a process of displaying which fields are associated with the objects OB.

[0079] For example, in the preview display area PA of Fig. 10, an object OB associated with the linked field "[F1]::[F2]" is displayed as "TAB0::TAB1." In the display change process, instead of this display, the linked field "[F1]::[F2]" is displayed in the preview display area PA, as shown in Fig. 11. In other words, when the display change process is executed, the screen shown in Fig. 10 transitions to the screen shown in Fig. 11.

[0080] If the display change process is executed when no linked fields are associated with the object displayed in the preview display area PA, no linked fields will be displayed in the preview display area PA in Fig. 11. In other words, a blank space will be displayed in the preview display area PA.

[0081] Next, in S207, the control unit 2 accepts an operation of the edit start button B9 from the user on the first screen S3 of FIG. Next, the control unit 2 executes second display processing in S208. The second display processing is processing for displaying a second screen S4 shown in Fig. 12 on the display unit 3. The second screen S4 includes a preview display area PA and a linked field editing area FS, similar to the first embodiment.

[0082] The input box FIW in the linked field editing area FS displays the fields associated with the object OB. For example, the input box FIW in Fig. 12 displays the linked fields "[F1]::[F2]" associated with the object OB.

[0083] S209 to S210 are the same processes as S107 to S108 in FIG. 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S211, the control unit 2 accepts a specific second operation from the user via the input unit 4. The second operation is to press the edit complete button B10 on the second screen S2 of FIG.

[0084] Next, the control unit 2 executes the association process in S212. The association process here is basically the same as the association process (S110) in the first embodiment. However, the association process here includes a new creation process and a new association process.

[0085] The new creation process is a process in which, when a second operation (pressing the edit completion button B10) is received via the input unit 4, if there is a change to the linked field associated with the object OB, the changed linked field is created as a new linked field.

[0086] The new association process is a process for associating the changed linked field with the object. 12, when the linked field is changed from the linked field "[F1]::[F2]" that was originally associated with the object OB, a new linked field after the change is created by the new association process and stored in the memory 2B. Then, the new linked field stored in the memory 2B is associated with the object OB by the new association process.

[0087] Furthermore, in the association process, as in the first embodiment, the first screen S3 (FIG. 10) is displayed on the display unit 3 (that is, the screen displayed on the display unit 3 returns from the second screen S4 to the first screen S3). Then, an object into which the text data of the print start cell in the changed linked field has been inserted is displayed in the preview display area PA of the first screen S3.

[0088] [2-3. Effects] According to the second embodiment described above in detail, in addition to the effects (1a) to (1f) of the first embodiment described above, the following effect is also achieved.

[0089] (2a) By the display change process, the values of the linked fields are displayed in place of the display of the objects OB to which the linked fields are associated in the preview display area PA. Therefore, the user can easily understand the linked fields currently associated with the objects OB.

[0090] Furthermore, by executing the new creation process and the new association process in the association process, the changed linked field is created as a new linked field, and the new linked field is associated with the object OB. Therefore, if the linked field before the change is associated with multiple objects including the object OB, it is possible to prevent the change from affecting objects other than the object OB.

[0091] In this embodiment, S201 corresponds to the first display process and the first display step, the additional input operation accepted in S202 corresponds to a specific third operation, S203 corresponds to the addition process and the addition step, and S204 corresponds to the third display process. Also, S206 corresponds to the display change process, S208 corresponds to the second display process and the second display step, S209 corresponds to the input candidate display process, and S212 corresponds to the association process, the new creation process, the new association process, and the database addition process.

[0092] 3. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0093] (3a) In the input candidate display process (S107, S209) of each of the above embodiments, a field that is an input candidate may be displayed in a form similar to predictive conversion using the keyboard FKB in Fig. 7. In this case, for example, the color and display position of the display field that displays the character string of the predictively converted field may be appropriately set so that the field can be easily distinguished from the normal display field DF that displays the predictively converted character string shown in Fig. 7.

[0094] (3b) In the second embodiment, when a linked field associated with a specific object OB is changed, the changed linked field is associated only with the specific object OB. Therefore, even if the linked field is associated with multiple objects, only the object OB being edited is affected by the change.

[0095] However, for example, when a linked field associated with a specific object OB is changed, the changed linked field may also be associated with other objects associated with the linked field. In other words, when a linked field is changed, all objects associated with the linked field may be edited. Also, for example, the user may be able to select whether to associate the changed linked field only with the specific object OB being edited, or to associate the changed linked field with all objects associated with the linked field.

[0096] (3c) In the above embodiment, if a database is not stored in the storage unit 5 of the smartphone 1, the control unit 2 may generate a blank database in the label editing program and store it in the storage unit 5. Specifically, for example, if a database is not stored in the storage unit 5, a field name such as "F1" is entered in the input box FIW of the second screen S2 in FIG. 7. In this case, the control unit 2 may newly generate a database having an "F1" column and having blank text or other default text entered in the cells of the "F1" column, and store it in the storage unit 5.

[0097] (3d) In each of the above embodiments, the input area FIS of the linked field editing area FS includes a keyboard FKB, but the input area FIS is not limited to this. For example, the input area FIS may include a handwriting input area that accepts handwritten input by the user instead of or in addition to the keyboard FKB.

[0098] (3e) In the above embodiments, the first and second operations are, for example, pressing the Create Linked Field button B6 or the Complete Linked Field button B7, but the first and second operations are not limited to this. For example, the first and second operations may be, for example, entering a special character such as "@" into the input boxes TIW and FIW.

[0099] (3f) In each of the above embodiments, the second screens S2 and S4 do not have to include the preview display area PA. (3g) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0100] (3h) In addition to the smartphone 1 described above, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a system having the smartphone 1 as a component, a program for causing a computer to function as the smartphone 1, a non-transient physical storage medium such as a semiconductor memory that stores this program, and a label editing method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...smartphone, 2...controller, 3...display unit, 4...input unit, 5...storage unit, 6...communication unit, 101...printing device, 102...controller, 102A...CPU, 102B...memory, 103...display unit, 104...input unit, 105...communication unit, 106...printing unit.

Claims

1. A smartphone includes a control unit, a display unit, an input unit, and a storage unit in which a database is stored. a first display process for displaying a first screen on the display unit, the first screen including a preview display area for displaying a preview image of a label and a database display area for displaying data stored in the database; adding an object to the preview image of the label; a second display process for displaying, on the display unit, a second screen having a linked field editing area for editing a linked field when a specific first operation is received by the input unit, the linked field being a field obtained by linking any one of fields in the database with another field or text data; an association process of, when a specific second operation is accepted by the input unit after accepting editing of the linked field via the linked field editing area, ending editing of the linked field and associating the linked field with the object, and further displaying the first screen on the display unit; A label editing program that executes

2. 2. The label editing program according to claim 1, The label editing program, wherein the second screen further comprises the preview display area.

3. 3. The label editing program according to claim 1, The linked field editing area includes an input area for accepting user input.

4. 4. A label editing program according to claim 1, when the first operation is received via the input unit, further causing the control unit to execute a display change process of displaying a value of the linked field in the preview display area instead of displaying the object associated with the linked field; The association process includes: a new creation process for creating the changed linked field as a new linked field when the second operation is accepted via the input unit after the display change process is executed and thereafter editing of the linked field is accepted via the linked field edit area, if there is a change in the linked field; a new association process for associating the changed linked field with the object; Label editing program, including

5. 5. A label editing program according to claim 1, an input candidate display process for displaying the fields as input candidates when the linked fields are edited via the linked field editing area; a selection receiving process of receiving a selection of the field as an input candidate via the input unit; a label editing program for causing the control unit to further execute the above steps;

6. 6. A label editing program according to claim 1, When the linked fields are edited via the linked field editing area, if a field that does not exist in the database is entered, the label editing program further causes the control unit to execute a database addition process that adds the entered field to the database.

7. 7. A label editing program according to claim 1, when a specific third operation is received by the input unit on the first screen, causing the control unit to further execute a third display process to display a third screen including the preview display area and a text editing area for editing text to be input to the object; a label editing program for displaying the second screen when the first operation is accepted by the input unit on the third screen;

8. A label editing method used in a smartphone having a display unit, an input unit, and a storage unit in which a database is stored, comprising: a first display step of displaying a first screen on the display unit, the first screen including a preview display area for displaying a preview image of a label and a database display area for displaying data stored in the database; an additional step of adding an object in the preview image of the label; a second display step of displaying, on the display unit when a specific first operation is received by the input unit, a second screen having a linked field editing area for editing a linked field, the linked field being a field obtained by linking any one of fields in the database with another field or text data; an associating step of, when a specific second operation is accepted by the input unit after accepting editing of the linked field via the linked field editing area, ending editing of the linked field and associating the linked field with the object, and further displaying the first screen on the display unit; A label editing method comprising:

9. A control unit; A display unit; an input unit; a storage unit in which a database is stored, The control unit a first display process for displaying a first screen on the display unit, the first screen including a preview display area for displaying a preview image of a label and a database display area for displaying data stored in the database; adding an object to the preview image of the label; a second display process for displaying, on the display unit, a second screen having a linked field editing area for editing a linked field when a specific first operation is received by the input unit, the linked field being a field obtained by linking any one of fields in the database with another field or text data; an association process of, when a specific second operation is accepted by the input unit after accepting editing of the linked field via the linked field editing area, ending editing of the linked field and associating the linked field with the object, and further displaying the first screen on the display unit; A smartphone configured to run

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