Program, information processing system, and information processing method

Abstract

To easily design a layout that is optimized according to a length of a character string to be printed on the layout in designing a layout for printing on a printing medium such as a label.SOLUTION: A certain aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to achieve, display means that causes a display to display a printing layout to be the basis of drawing data printed by a printer, object arrangement means that arranges a plurality of objects on the printing layout displayed by the display, and object setting means that sets an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects to a variable length object in which a height of the object is variable in a vertical direction of the printing layout.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art It has been known in the past to create drawing data by eliminating margins on a printing medium such as a label in order to efficiently use the printing medium. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a printer that includes an acquisition means for acquiring objects corresponding to each of a plurality of items, an arrangement means for stacking and arranging a plurality of object areas, each including an object corresponding to each of the plurality of items, in one direction, and a creation means for creating drawing data based on the plurality of object areas arranged by the arrangement means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-6510 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Layout files for labels affixed to foods and other items for sale at retail stores and other locations are created by information processing devices such as computers and provided to printers located at the retail store or other locations. These layout files are designed appropriately for each product. Even for labels with the same design, the amount of text within objects for specific items (e.g., ingredients) varies from product to product. Therefore, it is desirable to create layout files that do not leave blank spaces on labels for products with few characters. Furthermore, it is desirable for layout file creators to be able to easily set objects (variable-length objects) whose vertical length on the printing medium varies depending on the amount of text when designing the label layout.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily design a layout that is optimized according to the length of the character string to be printed on the layout when designing a layout to be printed on a printing medium such as a label. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a display means for displaying on a display device a print layout that is the basis of the drawing data to be printed by the printer; an object arranging means for arranging a plurality of objects on the print layout displayed on the display device; an object setting means for setting an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects to a variable-length object whose height in the vertical direction of the print layout is variable; an object position determination means for determining a relative position of the selected object in the vertical direction with respect to the reference object so that the vertical distance between a reference position of the selected object selected by a user from among the plurality of objects and a reference position of a reference object determined from among the plurality of objects other than the selected object becomes a value set by the user, and for moving the selected object in the vertical direction; This is a program that enables a computer to realize the above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when designing a layout for printing on a print medium such as a label, it is possible to easily design a layout that is optimized according to the length of the character string to be printed on the layout. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a project file creation screen of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print layout. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a procedure for displaying a call table. [Figure 5]10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating an operation procedure for setting a variable-length compatible paper for a print layout to be worked on. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an operation procedure when a selected character string object is set to a variable-length object. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing an operation procedure for setting the relative position of a selected ruled line object with respect to an underlying object. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing display examples of ruled line objects with different relative positions to a base object; [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an operation procedure for collectively setting the relative positions of selected character string objects with respect to underlying objects. [Figure 10] Figure 10A shows examples of label printing with and without reduced margins in the print layout of the first example, Figure 10B shows examples of label printing with and without reduced margins in the print layout of the second example, and Figure 10C shows examples of label printing according to different string lengths within a specific object in the print layout of the second example. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of an object table. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of each device of the information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a variable length setting process. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing a relative setting process for a vertical position. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an object placement process. [Figure 16] 16A and 16B are diagrams for explaining the relative setting of the vertical position and the relative setting of the height for a frame object. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a setting example in which a frame object includes a character string object. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a setting example in which a frame object includes a character string object. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a print layout according to a third example. [Figure 20] 20A and 20B are diagrams showing examples of printing labels according to different lengths of character strings within a specific object in a print layout according to the third example. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the printer according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the following description, an "object" is, for example, defined as a predetermined area within the effective print range of the print medium, and includes at least one of a character string, a code, and an image as a print target within the predetermined area. When a user determines the print content on the print medium, it is preferable that the object be movable within the effective print range. When an object moves within the effective print range, the character string, code, or image that may be included in the object also moves. The print target included in the object is not limited to a character string, code, or image, and may also include a figure, symbol, mark, etc.

[0010] A label issuing system 1, which is an embodiment of an information processing system of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the label issuing system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0011] 1, in a label issuing system 1 of this embodiment, a computer device 2 (an example of an information processing device) and one or more printers 3-A, 3-B, 3-C, 3-D, 3-E, ... are connected to a server 5 via a network NW such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). In the following description, when referring to matters common to one or more printers, they will be referred to as "printer 3." The printer 3 issues labels (an example of a printing medium) to be affixed to products. The printer 3 is installed, for example, in a store, warehouse, factory, or the like that handles the products to which the labels are affixed. The printer 3 is, but is not limited to, a thermal printer. The computer device 2 is provided for designing the basic layout design of the labels to be printed by the printer 3. The computer device 2 is, but is not limited to, a personal computer device, a tablet terminal, or the like.

[0012] A label creation application program (hereinafter referred to as the "label creation application") that creates a project file containing data on the label layout design, data on each item included on the label, information on various settings, etc. is installed on the computer device 2. The project file created by executing the label creation application is distributed from the computer device 2 to the printer 3 via the server 5 as a format file to be read by the printer. In other words, the format file is uploaded from the computer device 2 to the server 5 in response to a predetermined operation by the user, and is then downloaded from the server 5 to the printer 3 at a predetermined timing.

[0013] A label issuance application program (hereinafter referred to as the "label issuance application" as appropriate) that prints labels based on a format file is installed on the printer 3. By executing the label issuance application, it is possible to select printing data that specifies the layout design of the label, the data of each item included on the label, etc., or edit the selected printing data as needed, and print a label based on the printing data. The format file and the issuing data will be described later.

[0014] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a description will be given of the screens that are displayed when the user executes the label creation application to create a label design. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a project file creation screen of the computer device 2. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print layout.

[0015] 2 shows an example of a screen G1 (project file creation screen) displayed on the computer device 2 when the label creation application is executed. On the project file creation screen, the label creation application provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for the user to use when designing a label layout. On the project file creation screen, the user can design the label to be printed by the printer 3 by setting objects to be placed in the effective print area of the label.

[0016] In the label creation application, data is managed using a project file. A project file is a file that indicates the management unit of data created by the label creation application, and when output by the label creation application, it becomes a format file for printer reading in order to be distributed to the printer 3 via the server 5.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the screen G1 includes a group of instruction buttons 101, a group of object buttons 102, a design window 103, a project setting section 104, and an object property setting section 105.

[0018] By operating the buttons in the instruction button group 101, it is possible to read the project file from the storage, save the project file in the storage, or output it as a format file and upload it to the server 5, etc.

[0019] The object button group 102 is a section for performing an operation to select and move an object on the design window 103 or an operation to set a new object. The object button group 102 allows the selection of objects such as a character string object, a price object, a barcode object, a date and time object, and a graphic object. Various settings for the object can be made in the object property setting section 105. The design window 103 corresponds to the area for creating and editing a label. A print layout corresponding to layout data selected by the user from one or more layout data is displayed in the design window 103 on screen G1, and a label is designed by placing and moving objects on the displayed print layout. In the project setting section 104, the data contained in the project file is displayed in a hierarchical structure.

[0020] In the project setting unit 104, the "call table" is data that is the basis when the label printing application of the printer 3 prints a label. A "layout" is design data that is combined with a call table to print a label on the printer 3. A project file includes one or more layout data (three layout data in the example of FIG. 2).

[0021] Fig. 3 shows an enlarged view of the print layout LT1 of the first example displayed in the design window 103 of Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3, on the print layout LT1 of the first example, an object OBJ1 corresponding to the "Barcode" item, an object OBJ2 corresponding to the "Product Name" item, an object OBJ4 corresponding to the "Expiration Date" item, an object OBJ6 corresponding to the "Price" item, an object OBJ8 corresponding to the "Tax Included" item, a ruled line object OBJ9, an object OBJ14 corresponding to the "Ingredient Name" item, and objects OBJ3, OBJ5, OBJ7, OBJ10 to OBJ13 containing predetermined character strings are arranged.

[0022] 3 shows an example of the display when object OBJ14 is selected in response to a user selection operation. When an object is selected in the design window 103, multiple size change handles Hd, hd are displayed on the outer frame of the selected object. Of the multiple size change handles, handle Hd indicates the position that serves as the base point of the object.

[0023] In the following description, the vertical and horizontal directions in the print layout are defined as shown in Fig. 3. The vertical direction includes the upward and downward directions in the print layout.

[0024] Next, the call table will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the procedure for displaying a call table on the computer device 2. The call table is a table for registering data to be printed on a label. Fig. 4 shows an exemplary call table TL1. As shown in FIG. 4, by operating "Call Table" in the project setting section 104 (for example, by double-clicking or right-clicking and selecting "Open"), the call table TL1 is displayed. The call table TL1 contains one or more records identified by a call number. Each record has values for fields such as "call name," "layout specification," "name," "item name," "raw material name," "price," and "barcode." Each field after "name" corresponds to the item name of the object.

[0025] Each record in the call table TL1 indicates the label layout and data (such as character strings) for each item name for printing one label. The data in each record will be referred to as "printing data" below. For example, a user can associate the label layout with the character strings corresponding to each item name by entering the character strings corresponding to each item name in the call table TL1. Note that the call table TL1 does not need to have multiple records; it can have only one record (i.e., one piece of printing data). In the call table TL1, print data is identified by a call No. In the label printing application of the printer 3, print data is called by the call No.

[0026] In the call table TL1, the value of the "Layout Designation" field indicates one or more print layouts created in the design window 103 (see FIG. 2). In this example, when three print layouts have been created, [1] Single Item Label 1, [2] Single Item Label 2, and

[11] Assorted Label, the value of the "Layout Designation" field indicates which of these three print layouts each piece of issuance data corresponds to.

[0027] For example, the print layout LT1 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 displays the printing data corresponding to the record of call No.: 1 (call name: "bread") in the call table TL1. In this example, it corresponds to the value of the "Layout specification" field of the record corresponding to call No.: 1 ([1] Single item label 1). The string in object OBJ2 corresponding to the product name corresponds to the value of the "Product name" field of the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1. The string in object OBJ6 corresponding to the price corresponds to the value of the "Price" field of the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1. The string in object OBJ14 corresponding to the ingredients corresponds to the value of the "Ingredient name" field (Product 1) of the record of call No.: 1 in call table TL1.

[0028] In this way, the user of the computer device 2 can design labels with different layouts, or labels with the same layout but with different printing contents for each item, by registering data in the call table TL1.

[0029] Even for labels with the same design, the amount of text within an object for a specific item (such as ingredients) varies depending on the product. Therefore, the label printing application of one embodiment is configured to be able to design labels for products with little text so that no white space is left on the label. Below, functions realized by the label creation application when designing a label so that no white space is left on the label will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.

[0030] In the label issuing application, to avoid blank spaces on labels for products with a small amount of text, the layout setting must be set to variable length. To set the layout, select "Variable length (backing paperless label)" or "Variable length (journal paper)" in window W1, which is displayed by operating the layout setting button in object property setting section 105, as shown in Figure 5. The layout setting button is displayed in the object property setting section 105 when no object is selected on the print layout displayed in the design window 103.

[0031] [Variable length object settings] Next, an object containing a character string (hereinafter referred to as a "character string object") is selected from among the objects arranged in the print layout LT1 in the design window 103. Figure 6 shows an example in which a character string object for the name of an ingredient has been selected. In the design window 103, character string objects are displayed with lines around their outer edges so that they can be recognized by the user who is the label editor, but these lines are not printed on the label. As long as the outer edges of the object can be recognized, it is also possible to display the inside of the object's range (field) in a different color or pattern from the outside without displaying the lines.

[0032] In the object property setting section 105, various settings can be made for the selected character string object. For example, the item to be used in the layout design in the design window 103 is set by the item name in the object property setting section 105 ("raw material name" in this example). "Fixed" or "At time of printing" can be selected as the input method. When "Fixed" is selected as the input method, it indicates that the value set in the "Data" field is set to be printed, and when "At time of printing" is selected as the input method, it indicates that the initial value set in the "Data" field can be changed in the label printing application of the printer 3.

[0033] The object property setting unit 105 further displays pull-down menus for changing and selecting the font, character spacing, and size of the character string included in the character string object, as well as various buttons b1 to b4. Buttons b1 to b3 are buttons for enabling left justification, center justification, or right justification of the character string within the object, respectively. Button b4 is a button for setting (ON) the selected character string object as a variable length object or for canceling (OFF) the setting, and the ON or OFF state is displayed in a visually recognizable manner. A variable length object is an object whose length varies in the vertical direction of the label depending on the length of the character string contained in the object.

[0034] As shown in Figure 6, when the selected string object is set as a variable-length object by operating button b4, the size of the string object (the object whose item name is "raw material name") is minimized and it can be seen that it has been set as a string object. When a user designs a label in a label creation application, to set a character string object to a variable length object, the user only needs to turn on button b4 (an example of an operation target), which allows for easy visual setting. In one embodiment, if an option other than "Variable Length (Label without Backing)" and "Variable Length (Journal Paper)" is selected in window W1 (see FIG. 5), button b4 is prohibited from being turned on.

[0035] Figure 10A shows a label print example (left) when a character string object with the item name "ingredient name" is not set to a variable length object, and a label print example (right) when it is set, in the print layout LT1 of the first example. As shown in Figure 10A, by setting it to a variable length object, spaces are deleted when the length of the character string corresponding to the ingredient name is short.

[0036] The label creation application may also allow the minimum number of vertical lines of text included in a variable-length object to be set. That is, if a text string object set in a variable-length object contains text that must be displayed vertically (required text string) and text that varies in length depending on the product to which the label is affixed (variable-length text string), it is preferable to set the number of lines of the required text string as the minimum number of lines. For example, if the required text string is a vertical string of "ingredient names" and the variable-length text string is a horizontal string of text that indicates the specific ingredients (e.g., "wheat flour, granulated sugar, ..."), it is preferable to set the minimum number of vertical lines to four. This allows the required text string ("ingredient names") to always be displayed even if the ingredient content is small and the variable-length text string is short.

[0037] [Relative setting of vertical position of object] In the label printing application, the vertical position of an object selected from the objects arranged in the print layout (i.e., the vertical position of the label) can be set relative to another reference object (hereinafter referred to as the "reference object"). This setting is called the "relative vertical position setting process" of the object. As mentioned above, the length of a variable-length object varies depending on the length of the character string. Therefore, the vertical positions of one or more objects located vertically downstream of the variable-length object on the label are set relative to each other, and the positions of those one or more objects change to follow the variable-length object. This prevents white space from appearing on the label for products with few characters in the variable-length object when one or more objects are located below the variable-length object.

[0038] 7 shows an example in which a ruled line object OBJ18 placed in the second example print layout LT2 in the design window 103 is selected. In this case, various settings for the selected ruled line object can be made in the object property setting section 105. As shown in FIG. 7, when the advanced settings button b10 displayed in the object property setting section 105 is operated, window W2 is displayed. In window W2, the relative vertical position of the selected ruled line object can be set. The relative vertical position setting allows the setting of a reference object and the distance from the reference object. The reference object is determined from among the multiple objects arranged in the print layout LT2, excluding the selected object (in this example, object OBJ18).

[0039] The setting example shown in window W2 in Fig. 7 indicates that the vertical position of the base point of ruled line object OBJ18 is spaced 1.083 mm from the reference position of the reference object (the object whose item name is "raw material name"). The reference position of the reference object can be set arbitrarily, for example, to the bottom edge of the reference object. The distance from the reference position is a positive value when the vertical position of the base point of the target object is below the reference position of the reference object, and a negative value when it is above the reference position.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows examples of display of a print layout LT2 when the interval between reference objects is short and when it is long. 8, the object for which the relative vertical position is to be set is a ruled line object OBJ18, and the reference object is an object OBJ17. To emphasize the reference position (bottom end) of object OBJ17, the bottom side of object OBJ17 is shown, for example, in a thick line, but this is not limiting, and the bottom end may be displayed in a different color from the other ends. 8, in one embodiment, the distance from the reference position of object OBJ17 to ruled line object OBJ18 is indicated by an arrowed line AR1. The length of the arrowed line AR1 allows the user to intuitively grasp the length of the distance from the reference object.

[0041] The arrowed line is an example of an indicator that indicates the vertical relative position between the reference position of the reference object and the reference position of the selected object. The indicator that indicates the vertical relative position is not limited to the arrowed line, and may be a value that indicates the relative position directly displayed.

[0042] 7 and 8 show the case where the object to be set relative to the vertical position is a ruled line object, but this is not the only case. The relative vertical position can also be set for other types of objects, such as character string objects.

[0043] When setting the relative vertical positions of two or more objects below a variable-length object, you can select each of the two or more objects in turn and perform the operation shown in Figure 7, or you can perform the operation on the two or more objects all at once, which reduces the burden on the user when editing the label design. Figure 9 shows an example of how to set the relative vertical positions of two or more objects at once. As shown in Figure 9, if you select two or more objects to be placed in print layout LT2 and then operate the detailed settings button b11, window W3 will be displayed. In window W3, you can set the relative vertical positions of two or more selected objects.

[0044] 10B shows an example of a label print (or preview screen example) (left) when relative vertical positioning is not set in print layout LT2, and an example of a label print (or preview screen example) (right) when relative vertical positioning is set. In the example on the right, a character string object with the item name "raw material name" is set as the reference object, and relative vertical positioning is set for a group of objects placed below the character string object. Therefore, if the reference object is set as a variable-length object and the character string included in the reference object is relatively short, the white space between the reference object and the above-mentioned group of objects is deleted.

[0045] FIG. 10C shows a label print example (or preview screen example) (left) in which the character string object with the item name "ingredient name" contains a relatively short string of characters, and a label print example (or preview screen example) (right) in which the character string object contains a relatively long string of characters, when the relative vertical position is set in the print layout LT2 in the same way as the right side of FIG. 10B. The positions of the objects placed below the character string object are set according to the length of the character string contained in the character string object with the item name "ingredient name" (reference object), and the white space between the reference object and the above object group is deleted. In other words, by setting the relative vertical position, it is possible to print a label of an optimal size according to the length of the character string contained in the character string object.

[0046] FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of an object table that indicates various properties related to each object arranged in a print layout. The object table is associated with a print layout, and each record in the object table corresponds to one of a plurality of objects arranged in the associated print layout. As shown in FIG. 11, each record contains values for the fields "type," "item name," "base point," "variable length setting," "relative vertical position setting," and "basic data" of the corresponding object. The value of the "type" field indicates the type of the corresponding object, such as a character string, a ruled line, a table, a graphic, or a barcode. The value of the "item name" field indicates the item name of the target object (e.g., "raw material name"), and is displayed in the object property setting section 105 when an object placed in the print layout is selected (see, for example, Figure 6). The value in the "Base Point" field indicates the coordinate (X, Y) value (mm) of the base point of the corresponding object. The X and Y coordinate values are the values when the horizontal direction is the X axis and the vertical direction is the Y axis, with the specified position of the label print layout as the origin. The value of the "variable length setting" field indicates whether the corresponding object is set as a variable length object ("yes") or not ("no"). The value of the "Relative vertical position setting" field indicates whether the relative vertical position of the corresponding object is set ("Yes") or not ("No"). If the relative vertical position is set, the field contains values indicating the reference object and the distance (mm) from the reference object. The value of the "Basic Data" field indicates the basic data of the corresponding object, and includes, for example, values such as font, size, number of lines, character spacing, and settings for left-justifying, center-justifying, or right-justifying the string.

[0047] Next, the configurations of the computer device 2, printer 3, and server 5 included in the label issuing system 1 will be described in order with reference to FIG.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 12, the computer device 2 includes a control unit 21, a storage 22, an operation input unit 23, a display unit 24, and a communication unit 25.

[0049] The control unit 21 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire computer device 2. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes a label creation application program (label creation app) and displays the execution results on the display unit 24. The storage 22 is a non-volatile memory, such as a solid state drive (SSD) such as a flash memory. The storage 22 stores a project file created by executing a label creation application. The project file includes one or more layout data, a call table TL1 (FIG. 4), and an object table (FIG. 11).

[0050] The operation input unit 23 includes, for example, input devices such as a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. When the display unit 24 includes a display panel for touch panel input, the display unit 24 constitutes a part of the operation input unit 23. The display unit 24 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel, and displays the results of the execution of the label creation application. The communication unit 25 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 5.

[0051] The microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes the label creation application, thereby realizing at least one of the following means. (i) a display means for displaying on the display unit 24 a print layout that is the basis of the drawing data printed by the printer 3; (ii) an object arrangement means for arranging a plurality of objects on the print layout displayed on the display unit 24; (iii) an object setting means for setting an object selected by a user from among a plurality of objects to a variable-length object whose height in the vertical direction of the print layout is variable; (iv) an object position determining means for determining, for a selected object selected by a user from among the plurality of objects, a relative vertical position with respect to a reference object determined from among the plurality of objects other than the selected object;

[0052] When the plurality of objects include a character string object containing a character string and a line object containing lines such as a ruled line object, a frame line object, or a table object, the object position determination means may change the vertical height of the line object in accordance with a change in the height of the character string object set in the variable length object. In the example of FIG. 8, the selected object is a ruled line object OBJ18 (an example of a line object), and the reference object is a character string object OBJ17 whose item name is "raw material name."

[0053] In one embodiment, the object position determination means moves the selected object vertically so that the vertical distance between the reference position of the reference object and the reference position of the selected object becomes a value set by the user, as illustrated in window W2 of Figure 7.

[0054] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the object position determining means determines the relative vertical position of two or more selected objects collectively selected by the user from a plurality of objects with respect to a reference object.

[0055] Referring again to FIG. 12, the printer 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage 32, an operation input unit 33, a display unit 34, a conveyance unit 35, a printing unit 36, and a communication unit 37.

[0056] The control unit 31 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire printer 3. The storage 32 is a non-volatile memory, for example, an SSD such as a flash memory. For example, a microprocessor included in the control unit 31 executes firmware and a label issuing application program. The control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit a format file, and receives the format file transmitted in response to the request via the communication unit 37. The timing at which the control unit 31 requests the server 5 to transmit a format file is not limited, but may be, for example, when the printer 3 is started up, at a predetermined time each day, or when a predetermined download operation is performed by the user of the printer 3. When a format file is downloaded from the server 5, the downloaded format file is stored in the storage 32.

[0057] The display unit 34 has a display panel and a display drive circuit (not shown), and displays the execution result of the label printing application on the display panel. The operation input unit 33 includes a touch panel input provided on the display panel and its input circuit.

[0058] The control unit 31 executes firmware to convert the issuing data into bitmap data (drawing data) for printing, and sequentially sends line data, which is data for each line of the drawing data, to the printing unit 36. The conveying unit 35 and the printing unit 36 perform printing based on the line data that is sequentially sent out. The transport unit 35 includes a platen roller, a motor drive circuit, a stepping motor, etc. (not shown), and transports the continuous paper within the printer 3. For example, based on a transport request from the firmware, the motor drive circuit drives the stepping motor that controls the rotation of the platen roller, thereby transporting the continuous paper. The printing unit 36 includes a thermal head and a head drive circuit (not shown). The head drive circuit selectively applies current to each heating element of the thermal head 46 based on line data, thereby printing on the continuous paper label. The communication unit 37 is a communication interface for communicating with the server 5.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 12, the server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire server 5. The control unit 51 controls the communication unit 53 so as to transmit a format file in response to a request from the printer 3, for example. The storage 52 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores the format file transmitted (uploaded) from the computer device 2. The communication unit 53 is a communication interface that communicates with the computer device 2 and the printer 3.

[0060] Next, the variable length setting process, the relative vertical position setting process, and the object placement process, which are processes performed by the control unit 21 in the computer device 2 executing the label creation application, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0061] [Variable length setting process] (Figure 13) The variable length setting process is a process for setting a character string object to a variable length object. 13, the control unit 21 determines whether variable length paper has been selected (step S2). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the selection of variable length paper corresponds to the selection of either "variable length (backingless label)" or "variable length (journal paper)," and means that the length of the label or paper is set to vary depending on the print content. The selection of variable length paper is a prerequisite for setting a character string object to a variable length object.

[0062] If variable-length paper is selected, the control unit 21 determines whether a character string object has been selected by the user (step S4). A character string object is selected by performing a selection operation on at least one of the character string objects arranged in the design window 103 (see FIG. 6) via the operation input unit 23. As shown in FIG. 6, the selected character string object has multiple resize handles displayed on its outer frame. At this time, the control unit 21 displays on the screen an operation object (e.g., button b4 in FIG. 6; the variable length button) for changing the selected character string object to a variable-length object, and performs processing to set the selected character string object to a variable-length object in response to an operation on the operation object (step S6: YES). Specifically, the control unit 21 changes the variable length setting for the object to be processed to "Yes" in the object table (see FIG. 11) and records this (step S8).

[0063] [Vertical position relative setting process] (Figure 14) The relative vertical position setting process is a process for setting the vertical position of an object selected from the objects arranged in the print layout (i.e., the vertical position of the label) relative to a reference object. The fact that variable length paper has been selected is a prerequisite for setting the relative vertical position of an object. Therefore, in the flowchart of Fig. 14, if variable length paper has been selected (step S10: YES), the control unit 21 executes the processes from step S12 onwards. When any of the objects arranged in the print layout is selected by the user (step S12: YES) and an operation is performed on the relative vertical position setting (step S14), the control unit 21 executes processing according to the setting content. Note that when two or more objects are selected at once, processing is performed on the two or more objects.

[0064] Specifically, when the control unit 21 receives input of the reference object and the distance from the reference object through an operation for the relative vertical position setting (step S16), as shown in window W2 in Fig. 7, for example, the control unit 21 updates the object table (step S18). That is, the relative vertical position setting of the object to be processed is set to "Yes" in the object table, and the reference object and the distance are recorded based on the input in step S16. Furthermore, the control unit 21 updates the value of the base point of the object to be processed based on the reference object and the interval. For example, in the object table illustrated in Fig. 11, if the reference object: OBJ13 and the interval: 1.05 mm are recorded for the object OBJ14, the Y value of the base point of the object OBJ14 is set to a value (12.25 mm) obtained by adding 1.05 mm to the Y value (11.20 mm) of the object OBJ13, which is the reference object.

[0065] If the relative vertical position setting is cancelled by an operation on the relative vertical position setting in step S14, control unit 21 updates the object table so that the relative vertical position setting of the object to be processed becomes "none" (step S18).

[0066] [Object placement processing] (Figure 15) The object placement process places one or more objects in the print layout based on the contents of the call table. In the object placement process, the objects are placed based on the user's operations on the objects, the setting status of variable length objects, and the relative setting status of the vertical position of the objects. The object placement process is executed, for example, when an instruction to display a preview screen is received in a label creation application. 15, the control unit 21 reads the call table from, for example, the storage 22 (step S30). Next, the control unit 21 arranges the object to be processed in the print layout as follows. In either case, the object to be processed is arranged based on the base point value in the object table.

[0067] If the object to be processed is a character string object (step S32: YES) and a variable-length object (step S34: YES), the control unit 21 places the variable-length object in the print layout (step S36). At this time, the control unit 21 references the call table read out in step S30 and acquires the value of the character string corresponding to the item of the object to be processed. The control unit 21 places a variable-length object with a vertical length according to the length of the acquired character string in the print layout. An example of a variable-length object is object OBJ17 in FIG. 8.

[0068] If the object to be processed is a character string object (step S32: YES) and not a variable-length object (step S34: NO), control unit 21 places a fixed-length object in the print layout (step S38). At this time, control unit 21 references the call table read out in step S30 and acquires the value of the character string corresponding to the item of the object to be processed. Control unit 21 places the fixed-length object containing the acquired character string in the print layout. Examples of fixed-length objects are objects OBJ3, OBJ11 to OBJ13, etc. in FIG. 3. The object table is referenced for the size of the fixed-length object.

[0069] If the object to be processed is not a character string object (step S32: NO), the control unit 21 places the object to be processed in the print layout (step S36). At this time, the control unit 21 refers to the call table read in step S30 and places the object to be processed in the print layout. Examples of objects other than character string objects include ruled line objects, table objects, graphic objects, etc.

[0070] If there are multiple objects to be placed in the print layout, the control unit 21 repeats the series of processes in steps S32 to S44 for each object as a processing target object. When the process for all objects to be placed is completed, the control unit 21 ends the object placement process.

[0071] As described above, in one embodiment of the label issuing system, when a user designs a label, they can easily set a character string object to a variable-length object visually using the GUI provided by the label creation application. In one embodiment, the label issuing system can determine the vertical position of a selected object selected by a user relative to a reference object when another object is used as the reference object. Therefore, when the reference object is set as a variable-length object, the vertical position of the selected object can be adjusted according to the length of the character string included in the variable-length object, preventing unnecessary blank spaces from being generated.

[0072] Next, another feature of the label creation application of one embodiment will be described. When designing a label, a string object may be surrounded by a border object. As mentioned above, the string object is set as a variable-length object because the length of the string contained in the string object varies depending on the product to which the label is applied. In this case, the label creation application can change the height of the border object surrounding the string object depending on the vertical height of the string object. That is, in one embodiment, when a character string object and a frame object surrounding the character string object are arranged in a print layout, the object position determination means changes the vertical height of the frame object in accordance with changes in the height of the character string object set as a variable-length object. This allows the frame object to properly surround the character string object without creating unnecessary white space, regardless of the length of the character string included in the character string object. As a result, it is easy to design a layout that is optimized according to the length of the character string to be printed on the layout.

[0073] The following describes the settings for surrounding a character string object with a frame object with reference to FIGS. Fig. 16A shows a character string object ST and a frame object F surrounding the character string object ST as part of the print layout on the design window 103. In Fig. 16A, the frame object F is in a selected state. In the label creation application, the method of setting the placement of the frame object F in relation to the positions of other objects includes the above-mentioned relative setting of the vertical position and relative setting of the height.

[0074] As shown in Fig. 16B, when the advanced settings button b12 displayed in the object property setting section 105 is operated, a window W4 is displayed. In the window W4, the relative vertical position of the selected frame object F can be set. When setting the relative vertical position, the reference object (reference object) and the distance from the reference object can be set. In the relative vertical position setting, the entire frame object F is moved (shifted) so that the distance between the reference position of the reference object and the reference position of the frame object F (for example, the bottom edge) becomes the set interval.

[0075] [Relative Height Settings] As shown in FIG. 16B, when button b13 ("Relative Height Setting") displayed in object property setting section 105 is operated, window W5 is displayed. In window W5, the relative height of the selected frame object F can be set. In the relative height setting, the reference object (reference object) and the distance from the reference object can be set.

[0076] The setting example shown in window W5 in Fig. 16B indicates that the distance between the vertical reference position (bottom end) of frame object F and the reference position of the reference object, character string object ST (object whose item name is "raw material name"), is 1.000 mm. The reference position of the reference object can be set arbitrarily, but may be the bottom end of the reference object, for example. The distance from the reference position is a positive value when the reference position (bottom end) of the object whose vertical position is to be relative is below the reference position of the reference object, and a negative value when it is above. That is, in one embodiment, the object position determination means changes the vertical height of the frame object so that the vertical distance between the reference position of the string object and the reference position of the frame object becomes a value set by the user. In one embodiment, it is preferable to display an arrowed line indicating the vertical distance between the reference position (bottom end) of the character string object, which is the reference object, and the reference position (bottom end) of the frame object, which is the line object, in the same way as the arrowed line AR1 shown in Fig. 8. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the distance from the reference object to the frame object.

[0077] Unlike the relative setting of the vertical position, the relative setting of the height moves only the reference position of the frame line object F so that the distance FL between the reference position of the reference object (in FIG. 16, the bottom end STL of the character string object ST) and the reference position of the frame line object F (for example, the bottom end) becomes the set interval. Therefore, even if the character string included in the character string object ST is long and the bottom end STL of the character string object ST moves downward, the bottom end of the frame line object F also moves downward accordingly while maintaining the interval FL. As a result, whether the character string included in the character string object ST is short or long, the frame line object F can surround the character string object ST without creating unnecessary white space.

[0078] Although the flowchart for executing the relative height setting process is not shown, it is similar to the flowchart for the relative vertical position setting process (FIG. 14), and step S14 in the flowchart of FIG. 14 can be set to "relative height setting." In this case, the object table (FIG. 11) is provided with a "relative height setting" field (including "reference object" and "interval" as subfields), and the object table is updated so that the value of the "relative height setting" field is determined in response to a user operation.

[0079] The object for which the relative height is set is not limited to a frame object, but may be other line objects such as a ruled line object or a table object. That is, in one embodiment, the object position determination means can also change the vertical height of the line object so that the vertical distance between the reference position of the reference object and the reference position of the line object becomes a value set by the user.

[0080] Surrounding a character string object with another object is not limited to surrounding the character string object completely, but also includes, for example, partially surrounding the character string object with vertical ruled line objects (e.g., sandwiching it on both sides). In other words, the matters described with reference to Figures 17 and 18 regarding the case where a character string object is surrounded with a frame line object can also be applied to the case where a character string object is partially surrounded with vertical ruled line objects.

[0081] Next, a first setting method for when two or more character string objects and a frame object surrounding the two or more character string objects are arranged in the print layout will be described with reference to FIG. 17 shows an example of a frame object F that surrounds three character string objects ST1 to ST3. In Fig. 17, the vertical bottom ends of the character string objects ST1 to ST3 are designated as P1 to P3, and the vertical bottom end of the frame object F is designated as PF. All three character string objects ST1 to ST3 have been set as variable-length objects, and the vertical height of each character string object varies depending on the length of the character string applied to each character string object.

[0082] Here, in order to change the height of the frame object F in accordance with the vertical height of each character string object, the following settings may be made. That is, in setting the relative vertical position of character string object ST2, the reference object is character string object ST1, and the vertical distance between character string object ST1 is the length indicated by arrowed line AR2. In setting the relative vertical position of character string object ST3, the reference object is character string object ST2, and the vertical distance between character string object ST2 is the length indicated by arrowed line AR3. In setting the relative height of frame object F, the reference object is character string object ST3, and the distance (PF to P3) in the relative height setting between character string object ST3 and frame object F is the length indicated by arrowed line H1.

[0083] By setting it in this way, the distance between adjacent objects in the vertical direction among the character string objects ST1 to ST3 is maintained at the set value even if the character strings included in the character string objects ST1 and ST2 become longer, as shown in Fig. 17. Furthermore, even if the character string included in the character string object ST3 becomes longer, the distance between the bottom end PF of the frame object F and the bottom end P3 of the character string object ST3 is maintained at the set distance. As a result, whether the character strings included in the character string objects ST1 to ST3 are short or long, the frame line object F can surround the character string objects ST1 to ST3 without creating unnecessary white space.

[0084] Next, a second setting method for when two or more character string objects and a frame object surrounding the two or more character string objects are arranged in the print layout will be described with reference to FIG. The print layout illustrated in FIG. 18 differs from that in FIG. 17 in that a character string object ST4 is placed below a frame object F.

[0085] Here, in order to change the height of the frame line object F according to the vertical height of each character string object while maintaining the vertical positional relationship between the frame line object F and the character string object ST4, it is recommended to set it as follows. That is, in setting the relative vertical position of character string object ST2, the reference object is character string object ST1, and the vertical distance between character string object ST1 is the length indicated by arrowed line AR2. In setting the relative vertical position of character string object ST3, the reference object is character string object ST2, and the vertical distance between character string object ST2 is the length indicated by arrowed line AR3. In setting the relative vertical position of character string object ST4, the reference object is character string object ST3, and the vertical distance between character string object ST3 is the length indicated by arrowed line AR4. In the relative height setting of frame object F, the reference object is character string object ST4, and the interval (PF to P4) of the relative height setting with respect to character string object ST4 is the length indicated by the arrowed line H2. In this case, the interval of the relative height setting is a negative value.

[0086] By setting it in this way, the distance between adjacent objects in the vertical direction among the character string objects ST1 to ST4 is maintained at the set value even if the character strings included in the character string objects ST1, ST2, and ST3 become longer, as shown in Fig. 18. Furthermore, even if the character strings included in the character string objects ST1, ST2, and ST3 become longer and the character string object ST4 moves significantly downward, the distance between the bottom end PF of the frame object F and the bottom end P4 of the character string object ST4 is maintained at the set distance. As a result, whether the character strings included in the character string objects ST1 to ST3 are short or long, the frame line object F can surround the character string objects ST1 to ST3 without creating unnecessary white space. Furthermore, the frame line object F can maintain a distance from the character string object ST4 located further below.

[0087] Next, a third example print layout LT3 will be described with reference to FIG. The print layout LT3 of the third example is a label design for a product assortment that includes multiple products. Multiple objects OBJ31 to OBJ52 are arranged in the print layout LT3. As shown in the separate sections in Figure 19, character string objects OBJ32 and OBJ33 are arranged within a 1x2 table object T1, character string objects OBJ34 to OBJ36 are arranged within a frame object F1, and character string objects OBJ37 to OBJ44 are arranged within a 4x2 table object T2. The character string objects OBJ34 to OBJ36 placed within the frame object F1 are set as variable-length objects.

[0088] Here, to change the height of the frame object F1 according to the vertical height of the character string objects OBJ34 to OBJ36 while maintaining the vertical positional relationship between the frame object F1 and the group of objects below it, a setting method similar to that shown in Figure 18 can be used. 18, there is only one object (character string object ST4) below frame object F, but in print layout LT3 in FIG. 19, there are multiple objects below frame object F1. Therefore, the relative vertical positioning is performed for all objects below frame object F1 at once, with object OBJ37 as the reference object. This prevents unnecessary white space from being created, and maintains the positional relationship of each object, even if the character strings included in character string objects OBJ34 to OBJ36 become long.

[0089] 20A shows an example of a label print (or a preview screen) in which character string data has been entered into each character string object in the print layout LT3 of the third example. For example, it can be seen that the vertical height of the frame object F1 is set to surround the character string objects OBJ34 to OBJ36 according to the length of the character string included in each of the character string objects OBJ34 (product 1: ingredient name), OBJ35 (product 2: ingredient name), and OBJ36 (product 3: ingredient name) in the print layout LT3 of FIG. A label design in which two or more string objects and a frame object surrounding the two or more string objects are arranged in a print layout is useful for labels to be attached to assorted products containing multiple items, as illustrated in Figure 20A.

[0090] Fig. 20B shows an example of a printed label (or an example of a preview screen) when the character string data of the character string objects OBJ35 (product 2: ingredient name) and OBJ36 (product 3: ingredient name) are not written in the call table TL1 (Fig. 4) in the print layout LT3 of Fig. 19. In this case, the character string objects OBJ35 and OBJ36 with no character string data are essentially deleted, and no wasted white space is generated.

[0091] As described above, in one embodiment, the object position determination means changes the vertical height of the frame object in accordance with changes in the height of each of the two or more character string objects set in the variable-length object. This makes it possible to design a label so that the frame object properly surrounds the two or more character string objects without unnecessary white space, regardless of whether the character strings included in each character string object are short or long. Setting the relative heights can be achieved with a simple operation, as shown in FIG. 16 , making it easy to design a layout that is optimized according to the length of the character strings to be printed on the layout.

[0092] In one embodiment, a microprocessor included in the control unit 21 executes a label creation application, thereby realizing an association means for associating a character string individually with each of two or more character string objects within a frame object F1, as shown in Fig. 19. For example, as shown in the record for call No. 100 in the call table TL1 in Fig. 4, two or more pieces of data with item names "Product 1: Ingredient Name," "Product 2: Ingredient Name," and "Product 3: Ingredient Name" can be individually registered. This allows for flexible label design.

[0093] The above-described relative setting of the vertical position and the relative setting of the height of an object is a method of reducing the margins of the vertical position of an object based on its relative positional relationship with other objects (called the "relative margin reduction method"). In contrast, there is a known method of reducing the margins in the print data in the paper transport direction when converting the print data into drawing data (called the "absolute margin reduction method"), and the above-described embodiment can also be applied to the absolute margin reduction method as appropriate.

[0094] As described above, a user of the label creation application of the computer device 2 edits a label design by placing multiple objects on a print layout and configuring various settings for the multiple objects. As a result, the label creation application creates a project file that includes one or more layout data, a call table TL1 (FIG. 4), and an object table (FIG. 11). The project file can be uploaded to the server 5 as a format file by operating the output button in the instruction button group 101 shown in FIG.

[0095] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the operating procedure when printing a label using the printer 3. Referring to FIG. 21, the procedure for printing a label in the printer 3 is as follows. First, the label printing application on the printer 3 is started and an operation is performed to download the format file from the server 5. Next, as shown on the printer screen g1 in Figure 21, from among the downloaded format files, the user selects "food data" as the format file corresponding to the label they wish to print.

[0096] The printer screen g2 that is then displayed includes an input box bx1 for entering a call number in the selected format file. The call number entered here corresponds to the call number in the call table TL1 (see FIG. 4) in the format file. For example, if call number: 001 is entered in the input box bx1, the issuing data of the record corresponding to call number: 1 in the call table TL1 in FIG. 4 is called, and the printer screen g3 is displayed. On the printer screen g3, the values of each item of the printing data corresponding to call No.: 1 are displayed as initial values in the printing data display section 206. A label is printed by operating the print button pb3 on the printer screen g3.

[0097] Although an embodiment of the program, information processing system, and information processing method of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Furthermore, the above embodiment can be improved or modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the variable length setting, relative vertical position setting, and relative height setting realized by the label creation application can be used whether the label printing direction is from the beginning or the end.

[0098] In the above-described label issuance system 1, an example has been shown in which the format file is distributed from the computer device 2 to the printer 3 via the server 5, but this is not a limitation. It is also possible for the format file to be distributed directly from the computer device 2 to each printer 3 without going through the server 5. In this case, the printer 3 is ready to receive the format file with the format file saved in the storage 22 of the computer device 2. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1...Label issuing system 2...Computer equipment 21...Control unit 22…Storage 23...Operation input section 24...Display section 25…Communications Department 3. Printer 31...Control unit 32…Storage 33...Operation input section 34…Display section 35...Transportation section 36...Printing section 37…Communications Department 5...Server 51...Control unit 52…Storage 53…Communications Department 101...Instruction buttons 102...Object setting buttons 103...Design Window 104...Project Setting Department 105...Object property setting section 206...Printing data display section LT1~LT3...Print layout b1~b4, b10~b11, pb1... buttons bx1...input box g1~g3...Printer screen F, F1...Border object HD,hd...size change handle OBJ1~OBJ52...Objects ST, ST1 to ST4...String objects T1~T2...Table objects TL1...Call Table W1~W5...Window

Claims

1. a display means for displaying on a display device a print layout that is the basis of the drawing data to be printed by the printer; an object arranging means for arranging a plurality of objects on the print layout displayed on the display device; an object setting means for setting an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects to a variable-length object whose height in the vertical direction of the print layout is variable; an object position determination means for determining a relative position of the selected object in the vertical direction with respect to the reference object so that the vertical distance between a reference position of the selected object selected by a user from among the plurality of objects and a reference position of a reference object determined from among the plurality of objects other than the selected object becomes a value set by the user, and for moving the selected object in the vertical direction; A program to make the above happen on a computer.

2. the display means includes, in the print layout, an indicator indicating a relative position in the vertical direction between the reference position of the reference object and the reference position of the selected object; 2. The program according to claim 1.

3. the object position determining means determines the relative vertical positions of two or more selected objects collectively selected by a user from the plurality of objects with respect to the reference object; 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the object setting means, when an object selected by a user from among the plurality of objects is a character string object including a character string, displays an operation object on the display device for instructing to set the character string object to a variable length object, and sets the character string object to a variable length object in response to an operation by the user on the operation object.

4. The program according to claim 1.

5. the object setting means includes setting the minimum number of vertical lines of a character string included in the variable-length object; 5. The program according to claim 4.

6. An information processing system including an information processing device and a printer capable of communicating with the information processing device, The information processing device includes: A display unit; a processor that provides a user interface for editing a print layout that is the basis of the drawing data to be printed by the printer; The processor: displaying the print layout on the display unit, and arranging a plurality of objects on the print layout displayed on the display unit; setting an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects as a variable-length object whose height in the vertical direction of the print layout is variable; determining a relative position of the selected object in the vertical direction with respect to the reference object so that the vertical distance between a reference position of the selected object selected by the user from among the plurality of objects and a reference position of a reference object determined from among the plurality of objects other than the selected object is a value set by the user, and moving the selected object in the vertical direction; The printer a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to the print layout and the plurality of objects from the information processing device; a data generation unit that generates the drawing data based on the print layout and the plurality of objects acquired by the data acquisition unit, Information processing system.

7. An information processing method executed in an information processing device having a display unit, a step of displaying on the display unit a print layout that is the basis of the drawing data to be printed by the printer; arranging a plurality of objects on the print layout displayed on the display unit; setting an object selected by a user from the plurality of objects as a variable-length object whose length is variable in the vertical direction of the print layout; determining a relative position of the selected object in the vertical direction with respect to the reference object, and moving the selected object in the vertical direction, so that the vertical distance between a reference position of the selected object selected by the user from among the plurality of objects and a reference position of a reference object determined from among the plurality of objects other than the selected object is a value set by the user, Information processing methods.

Images