Information processing device, printing device, printing system, and control method and program for information processing device

Abstract

To print a code image in print densities suitable to a combination of a color of a print medium and a color of a color material.SOLUTION: A PC 1 stores each combination information capable of identifying a combination of a color of a print medium and a color of a color material in association with an adaptive density range that is a range of print densities suitable for reading a code image, and comprises: a print combination information acquisition unit 110 that acquires print combination information capable of identifying a combination of a color of a print medium used for printing print data and a color of a color material; a density setting value acquisition unit 120 which acquires a density setting value that is a setting value of print densities for the print data; a density determination unit 160 that, if a code image is determined to be included in the print data, determines whether or not the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information which is the same as the print combination information; and a density change unit 170 that, if the density determination unit 160 determines that the density setting value is not included, changes the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there has been known an information processing device that displays a warning message and creates a QR code with a high error correction level if the combination of the color of the printing medium and the color of the color material is not suitable for reading a QR code (registered trademark). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-133279 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technique of Patent Document 1 does not allow a code image to be printed at a print density that is suitable for the combination of the color of the printing medium and the color of the coloring material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, and is equipped with: a memory unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, corresponding to each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium and the color of the color material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; a code image discrimination unit that determines whether the print data includes a code image; a density discrimination unit that, if the code image discrimination unit determines that the print data includes a code image, determines whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range, if the density discrimination unit determines that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information.

[0006] The printing device of the present invention is a printing device that generates print data and performs printing based on the generated print data, and is equipped with: a memory unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, corresponding to each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium and the color of the color material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; a code image discrimination unit that determines whether the print data includes a code image; a density discrimination unit that, if the code image discrimination unit determines that the print data includes a code image, determines whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range, if the density discrimination unit determines that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information.

[0007] The printing system of the present invention is a printing system comprising: an information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the printing device; and a printing device. The information processing device comprises: a memory unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in correspondence with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium and the color of the color material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; a code image discrimination unit that determines whether the print data includes a code image; a density discrimination unit that, if the code image discrimination unit determines that the print data includes a code image, determines whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range, if the density discrimination unit determines that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information.

[0008] The control method of an information processing device of the present invention is a control method of an information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, wherein the information processing device has a memory unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in correspondence with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium and the color of the color material, and executes the following steps: acquiring print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes a code image; if it is determined that the print data includes a code image, determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and if it is determined that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range.

[0009] The program of the present invention is an information processing device that generates print data and sends the generated print data to a printing device, and is equipped with a memory unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data.The program causes the information processing device to execute the following steps: acquiring print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes a code image; if it is determined that the print data includes a code image, determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and if it is determined that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a tape printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a tape on which a code image is printed. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a PC and a tape printing apparatus. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first table. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a PC. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an editing screen and an information presentation screen. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first table. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An information processing device, a printing device, a printing system, and a control method and program for an information processing device will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system SY. The printing system SY includes a PC (Personal Computer) 1 and a tape printing device 2, which are communicatively connected via a cable 5. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing device." The tape printing device 2 is an example of a "printing device." The PC 1 and the tape printing device 2 may be connected via wireless communication or via a network, instead of the cable 5.

[0012] PC1 generates print data for printing on tape T (see Figure 2), which is the print medium of the tape printer 2, and sends the generated print data to the tape printer 2. The tape printer 2 prints a print image based on the print data sent from PC1 onto the tape T. The tape printer 2 is a thermal transfer printing device that prints by thermally transferring ink from an ink ribbon R (see Figure 3) onto the tape T. The ink ribbon R is an example of a "coloring material." The tape T is made by laminating a long label material and a long release paper material, and an adhesive is applied to the surface of the label material opposite to the printed surface. When a user applies the printed tape T to an object, they peel the release paper material from the label material and apply the adhesive-coated side of the label material to the object.

[0013] The PC 1 displays an editing screen D (see FIG. 7) for editing the print image on the PC display 11 (see FIG. 4). On the editing screen D, editing of text, graphics, and a code image 50 (see FIG. 2) is performed to edit the print image. The code image 50 is, for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional code. Types of two-dimensional codes include QR Code (registered trademark), Data Matrix, and PDF417. Types of QR codes include Model 1, Model 2, and Micro QR. In this embodiment, QR Code Model 2 is used as an example of the code image 50.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, when a code image 50 is printed on tape T as a printed image, the combination of the color of tape T and the color of ink ribbon R may not be suitable for reading the code image 50. For example, this occurs when the difference in brightness between the color of tape T and the color of ink ribbon R is small, such as when the color of tape T is "white" and the color of ink ribbon R is "yellow." When the difference in brightness between the color of tape T and the color of ink ribbon R is small, misreading or a reading error may occur when the code image 50 printed on tape T is read by an image reading device (not shown). For this reason, when a user wants to print a code image 50 on tape T, the user needs to select a combination of the color of tape T and the color of ink ribbon R that is suitable for reading the code image 50.

[0015] Furthermore, when printing the code image 50 on the tape T, even if the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R is suitable for reading the code image 50, misreading or a reading error may occur in the image reading device if the print density is not appropriate. For example, if the print density setting can be changed in 11 steps from the minimum density of "-5" to the maximum density of "+5," and the color of the tape T is "white" and the color of the ink ribbon R is "black," a code image 50 suitable for reading will be printed regardless of the print density setting. On the other hand, if the color of the tape T is "white" and the color of the ink ribbon R is "red," a code image 50 suitable for reading will not be printed if the print density setting is too low or too high.

[0016] For this reason, when the print data includes a code image 50 and the print density setting is not within the adaptive density range determined according to the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R, the PC 1 according to this embodiment changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is within the adaptive density range. In this embodiment, the control for printing the code image 50 at a print density that is appropriate for the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R will be mainly described.

[0017] 3 is an external view of the tape printing device 2 and the tape cartridge C. The tape printing device 2 includes an operation key group 21, a printing device display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24.

[0018] The operation key group 21 accepts various user operations such as editing the print image. The printer display 22 displays various information such as an editing screen for editing the print image. Although it is possible to edit the print image on the tape printer 2 side in this way, in this embodiment, the print image is edited on the PC 1. The tape printer 2 also receives the print image editing results from the PC 1 as print data and performs printing based on the received print data.

[0019] A tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23. The tape cartridge C accommodates a tape T and an ink ribbon R in its case.

[0020] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a thermal head 25. The thermal head 25 is driven to generate heat in accordance with print data transmitted from the PC 1 when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. This causes the ink on the ink ribbon R to be transferred to the tape T, and a print image based on the print data is printed on the tape T.

[0021] The printed tape T is discharged from the tape discharge port 24. A cutter 26 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape discharge port 24. The cutter 26 cuts the tape T in the width direction, thereby cutting off the printed portion of the tape T.

[0022] 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 1 and the tape printing device 2. The PC 1 includes a PC display 11, an operation unit 12, a PC communication unit 13, a PC control unit 14, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 15. The PC display 11 is an example of an "information presentation unit."

[0023] The PC display 11 displays various information such as an editing screen D (see FIG. 7). The operation unit 12 includes a mouse and a keyboard, and accepts various operations by the user, such as inputting information into the editing screen D.

[0024] The PC-side communication unit 13 communicates with the tape printing device 2 via the cable 5. For example, the PC-side communication unit 13 transmits print data to the tape printing device 2 and receives the cartridge ID of the tape cartridge C attached to the tape printing device 2 from the tape printing device 2. The cartridge ID is identification information that differs for each product number of the tape cartridge C.

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

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

[0027] The PC-side ROM 14b stores control programs and control data that do not need to be rewritten. The PC-side RAM 14c is used as a work area for the PC-side CPU 14a to perform various controls. The PC-side RAM 14c also has a density storage area 31. The density storage area 31 stores a density setting value, which is a setting value for print density. The density storage area 31 stores a default density setting value or a density setting value changed using a density change button 61 (see FIG. 7), which will be described later.

[0028] When a print instruction is given by the user, the PC-side CPU 14a transmits print data including print image data indicating the print image edited on the editing screen D and a density designation value indicating the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31 to the tape printing device 2. When the tape printing device 2 receives the print data, it prints the print image based on the print image data at the print density designated by the density designation value.

[0029] The HDD 15 stores a tape printing application 32. The tape printing application 32 is an application program for performing the printing process (see FIG. 8) described later, as well as generating print data and communicating with the tape printer 2. The PC-side CPU 14a performs control for printing the code image 50 at a print density suitable for the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R in the printing process described later.

[0030] The HDD 15 has a first table storage unit 33 and a second table storage unit 34. The first table storage unit 33 is an example of a "storage unit." The first table storage unit 33 stores a first table 38 (see FIG. 5). The first table 38 is a table referenced by the PC-side CPU 14a in the printing process described below. The first table 38 contains information on tape cartridges C that are suitable for reading the code image 50, i.e., tape cartridges C that contain a color combination of tape T and ink ribbon R that is suitable for reading the code image 50.

[0031] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the first table 38. The first table 38 associates "tape width," "cartridge ID," "cartridge product number," "tape color," "ribbon color," "adaptable density range," and "recommended rank."

[0032] "Tape width" is the tape width of the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C. "Cartridge ID" is identification information for the tape cartridge C. "Cartridge model number" is the model number of the tape cartridge C. "Tape color" is the color of the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C. "Ribbon color" is the color of the ink ribbon R housed in the tape cartridge C.

[0033] The "adaptive density range" is the range of print densities suitable for reading the code image 50. The "adaptive density range" is determined according to the "combination information." In the example of FIG. 5, the minimum and maximum values ​​of the "adaptive density range" are shown. For example, the "adaptive density range" for a tape cartridge C with a cartridge ID of "201" is the maximum range from "-5" to "+5." In other words, when a tape cartridge C with a cartridge ID of "201" is used, the print densities suitable for reading the code image 50 are all settable print densities. Also, the "adaptive density range" for a tape cartridge C with a cartridge ID of "203" is the range from "-3" to "+3." When a tape cartridge C with a cartridge ID of "203" is used, the print densities suitable for reading the code image 50 are either "-3," "-2," "-1," "0," "+1," "+2," or "+3."

[0034] The "recommended order" is an order suitable for reading the code image 50. The "recommended order" is determined for each tape width.

[0035] On the other hand, the second table storage unit 34 stores a second table (not shown). The second table contains information on all tape cartridges C that can be installed in the tape printing device 2, regardless of whether they are suitable for reading the code image 50. The second table associates at least a "cartridge ID," a "tape color," a "ribbon color," and a "tape width."

[0036] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 4, the tape printing device 2 comprises a printing device side communication section 41, a cartridge ID reading section 42, a printing section 43, and a printing device side control section 44.

[0037] The printer communication unit 41 communicates with the PC 1 via the cable 5 .

[0038] The cartridge ID reading unit 42 optically reads a code image attached as a label to the tape cartridge C attached to the cartridge mounting unit 23, or reads the cartridge ID from a circuit board having a memory element provided on the tape cartridge C (both not shown).

[0039] The printing unit 43 is a mechanism for printing on the tape T, and includes a thermal head 25, a feed motor 43a, and a cutter motor 43b. The thermal head 25 has multiple heating elements and performs printing by thermally transferring ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T. The feed motor 43a is a drive source that feeds the tape T and the ink ribbon R. The cutter motor 43b is a drive source that drives the cutter 26.

[0040] The printing device control unit 44 includes a printing device CPU 44a, a printing device ROM 44b, and a printing device RAM 44c.

[0041] The printer CPU 44a performs various controls by loading control programs such as firmware stored in the printer ROM 44b into the printer RAM 44c and executing them. Note that the printer control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the printer CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured so that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together.

[0042] The printing device CPU 44a uses a control program stored in the printing device ROM 44b to print an image on the tape T unwound from the tape cartridge C based on the print data sent from the PC 1. At this time, the printing device CPU 44a changes the print density of the image by determining the voltage to be applied to the thermal head 25 according to the density specification value included in the print data.

[0043] Furthermore, when the printing apparatus CPU 44a receives a cartridge information request signal from the PC1, it acquires the cartridge ID via the cartridge ID reading unit 42 and transmits the acquired cartridge ID to the PC1.

[0044] When the PC 1 receives the cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2, it refers to the second table stored in the second table memory unit 34 and displays the respective information in the cartridge information area E3 (see Figure 7) of the editing screen D based on the tape color, ribbon color, and tape width associated with the received cartridge ID.

[0045] Hereinafter, the cartridge ID that the PC 1 receives from the tape printing device 2 will be referred to as the "print cartridge ID." The "print cartridge ID" is an example of the "print combination information" and "width information" described below. In contrast, the cartridge ID stored in the first table 38 will be simply referred to as the "cartridge ID." The "cartridge ID" is an example of the "combination information."

[0046] 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the PC 1. The PC 1 has, as its functional configuration, a print combination information acquisition unit 110, a density setting value acquisition unit 120, a width information acquisition unit 130, a code image discrimination unit 140, a memory discrimination unit 150, a density discrimination unit 160, a density change unit 170, and an information presentation unit 180. All of these functions are realized by the PC CPU 14a executing the tape printing application 32. The information presentation unit 180 is also a function realized by the PC display 11.

[0047] The print combination information acquisition unit 110 acquires print combination information that can identify the combination of the color of the tape T used to print the print data and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data. The print combination information acquisition unit 110 acquires the print cartridge ID as the print combination information. This is because, as shown in the first table 38 (see FIG. 5), the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R can be identified by the cartridge ID that corresponds to the print cartridge ID. When a print instruction is given by the user, the print combination information acquisition unit 110 acquires the print cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2 by sending a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2.

[0048] The density setting value acquisition unit 120 acquires the density setting value, which is the setting value of the print density of the print data, from the density storage area 31.

[0049] The width information acquiring unit 130 acquires width information that can identify the tape width of the tape T used to print the print data. The width information acquiring unit 130 acquires the print cartridge ID as the width information. This is because, as shown in the first table 38 (see FIG. 5), the tape width can be identified by the cartridge ID that corresponds to the print cartridge ID. Similar to the print combination information acquiring unit 110, when a print instruction is given by the user, the width information acquiring unit 130 acquires the print cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2 by sending a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2.

[0050] The code image determination unit 140 determines whether or not the print data includes a code image 50. When a print instruction is given by the user, the code image determination unit 140 determines that the print data includes the code image 50 if an image GI of the code image 50 is placed on a tape image TI in the layout area E4 of the editing screen D (see FIG. 7).

[0051] When the code image discrimination unit 140 determines that the print data includes a code image 50, the memory discrimination unit 150 determines whether or not combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the print combination information acquired by the print combination information acquisition unit 110 is stored in the first table memory unit 33. In other words, the memory discrimination unit 150 determines whether or not a cartridge ID capable of identifying the same combination as the print cartridge ID acquired by the print combination information acquisition unit 110 is included in the first table 38. Note that "a cartridge ID capable of identifying the same combination as the print cartridge ID" will hereinafter be referred to as "a cartridge ID that is the same as the print cartridge ID."

[0052] When the memory determination unit 150 determines that combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the acquired printing combination information is stored in the first table storage unit 33, the density determination unit 160 determines whether the acquired density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the acquired printing combination information. That is, the density determination unit 160 references the first table 38 and determines whether the acquired density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in association with the same cartridge ID as the acquired print cartridge ID. For example, if the first table 38 shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the first table storage unit 33 and the acquired print cartridge ID is "203," the density determination unit 160 determines whether the acquired density setting value is within the range from "-3" to "+3."

[0053] When the density determination unit 160 determines that the acquired density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the acquired printing combination information, the density change unit 170 changes the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range. The density change unit 170 changes the print density of the print data by rewriting the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31. When the acquired density setting value is smaller than the minimum value of the adaptive density range, the density change unit 170 changes the print density to the minimum value of the adaptive density range. When the acquired density setting value is larger than the maximum value of the adaptive density range, the density change unit 170 changes the print density to the maximum value of the adaptive density range. For example, when the adaptive density range is between "-3" and "+3" and the acquired density setting value is "-5," the density setting value is changed to "-3."

[0054] When the memory determination unit 150 determines that the first table storage unit 33 does not store any combination information that can identify the same combination as the acquired printing combination information, the information presentation unit 180 presents information to the user. More specifically, the information presentation unit 180 presents information by displaying on the PC display 11 recommended combination information that indicates combinations of the colors of the tape T and the ink ribbon R that can be identified by the combination information stored in the first table storage unit 33. The combination information stored in the first table storage unit 33 is the "cartridge ID" included in the first table 38.

[0055] Furthermore, the information presenting unit 180 displays, as recommended combination information, the product number of a recommended tape cartridge, which is a tape cartridge C containing a tape T and an ink ribbon R of a color combination that can be identified by the combination information stored in the first table storage unit 33. More specifically, the information presenting unit 180 displays, as recommended combination information, the product number of a recommended tape cartridge that corresponds to combination information stored in the first table storage unit 33 and to which a tape width that can be identified by the acquired width information is associated. Furthermore, when there are multiple pieces of combination information to which a tape width that can be identified by the acquired width information is associated, the information presenting unit 180 displays the product numbers of the recommended tape cartridges in accordance with the recommendation order defined in the first table 38. The product numbers of the recommended tape cartridges are displayed in a recommended cartridge list 82 (see FIG. 7) on the information presenting screen 80, which will be described later.

[0056] The editing screen D and the information presentation screen 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that, in the example of Fig. 7, the information presentation screen 80 is displayed on the editing screen D, but the information presentation screen 80 may be displayed as a screen separate from the editing screen D.

[0057] The editing screen D is a screen that is displayed on the PC display 11 when the tape printing application 32 is started. The editing screen D includes a tab menu area E1, a function button area E2, a cartridge information area E3, and a layout area E4.

[0058] The tab menu area E1 displays multiple tabs, such as "File" and "Edit." When the user selects one of the tabs in the tab menu area E1, the PC 1 displays a function menu related to that tab (not shown).

[0059] In the function button area E2, a density change button 61 and a print button 62 are displayed.

[0060] The density change button 61 is a button for changing the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31. When the user selects the density change button 61, the PC 1 displays a density change screen (not shown) for changing the print density. The density change screen accepts changes to the print density within the range from a minimum print density value of "-5" to a maximum print density value of "+5". When the user changes the print density, the PC 1 updates the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31.

[0061] The print button 62 is a button for issuing a printing instruction. When the print button 62 is selected by the user, the PC 1 generates print data including print image data indicating the print image edited in the layout area E4 and a density designation value indicating the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2.

[0062] The cartridge information area E3 displays a cartridge information acquisition button 71, a tape color area 72, a ribbon color area 73, and a tape width area 74. The tape color area 72, ribbon color area 73, and tape width area 74 are areas that display the tape color, ribbon color, and tape width, respectively.

[0063] The cartridge information acquisition button 71 is a button for acquiring a print cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2. When the user selects the cartridge information acquisition button 71, the PC 1 sends a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2. After sending the cartridge information request signal, the PC 1 acquires the print cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2, and then references the second table stored in the second table storage unit 34 to acquire the tape color, ribbon color, and tape width associated with the same cartridge ID as the print cartridge ID. The PC 1 then displays the acquired tape color, ribbon color, and tape width in the tape color area 72, ribbon color area 73, and tape width area 74, respectively.

[0064] 7 shows a case where the tape color associated with the same cartridge ID as the acquired print cartridge ID in the second table is "red," the ribbon color is "black," and the tape width is "24 mm." Thus, the combination of the tape color "red" and the ribbon color "black" is not included in the first table 38 (see FIG. 5). In other words, if the same cartridge ID as the acquired print cartridge ID is not included in the first table 38, the PC 1 displays an information presentation screen 80, which will be described later, when a print instruction is given for print data including the code image 50.

[0065] In the layout area E4, an image GI simulating a print image is displayed superimposed on a tape image TI simulating a tape T. In the example of FIG. 7, an image GI simulating a code image 50 is displayed superimposed on the tape image TI. In this state, when the user selects the print button 62, the PC 1 determines that the print data contains the code image 50 in the printing process described below (see step S03 in FIG. 8). The user can create a code image 50 and insert the image GI of the created code image 50 into the layout area E4 by selecting the "Insert" tab in the tab menu area E1 and selecting "QR Code" from the function menu.

[0066] As described above, the layout area E4 displays the information presentation screen 80. The information presentation screen 80 displays a notification message 81, a recommended cartridge list 82, a continue printing button 85, and a cancel button 86. The recommended cartridge list 82 is an example of "recommended combination information."

[0067] The notification message 81 is a message that notifies the user that it may not be possible to print a code image 50 that is suitable for reading. The recommended cartridge list 82 is a table that shows the "recommended order," "cartridge model number," "tape color," and "ribbon color" associated with one or more recommended tape cartridges. The example in FIG. 7 shows a case where the tape width associated with the same cartridge ID as the print cartridge ID acquired from the tape printing device 2 is "24 mm," so the PC 1 displays information about the three recommended tape cartridges associated with the tape width of "24 mm" in the first table 38 (see FIG. 5) in the recommended cartridge list 82. In addition, the recommended cartridge list 82 displays information about the recommended tape cartridges in descending order of recommended order, with the cartridge with the highest recommended order "1" at the top of the table and the cartridges with the lowest recommended order at the bottom.

[0068] In the example of Figure 7, PC1 displays the recommended cartridge list 82 in association with "recommended order," "cartridge part number," "tape color," and "ribbon color," but it is also possible to simply display the "cartridge part number" in order according to the "recommended order."

[0069] When the Continue Printing button 85 is selected on the information presentation screen 80, the PC 1 continues printing. In the example of FIG. 7, in this case, the code image 50 is printed using the tape T whose tape color is "red" and the ink ribbon R whose ribbon color is "black." Also, when the Cancel button 86 is selected on the information presentation screen 80, the PC 1 cancels printing. In this case, the user takes measures such as replacing the tape cartridge C installed in the tape printing device 2.

[0070] Next, the printing process by the PC 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. The printing process starts when the print button 62 is selected on the edit screen D.

[0071] In step S01, the PC-side CPU 14a acquires the print cartridge ID from the tape printing device 2 by transmitting a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2. Step S01 corresponds to a step of acquiring print combination information and a step of acquiring width information.

[0072] In step S02, the PC CPU 14a acquires the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31.

[0073] In step S03, the PC CPU 14a determines whether the print data includes the code image 50. If the PC CPU 14a determines that the print data includes the code image 50, the process proceeds to step S04. If the PC CPU 14a determines that the print data does not include the code image 50, the process proceeds to step S07.

[0074] In step S04, the PC-side CPU 14a determines whether a cartridge ID identical to the print cartridge ID acquired in step S01 is stored in the first table storage unit 33. If the PC-side CPU 14a determines that a cartridge ID identical to the print cartridge ID is stored in the first table storage unit 33, the process proceeds to step S05. If the PC-side CPU 14a determines that a cartridge ID identical to the print cartridge ID is not stored in the first table storage unit 33, the process proceeds to step S09.

[0075] In step S05, the PC CPU 14a determines whether the density setting value acquired in step S02 is within the adaptive density range associated with the same cartridge ID as the print cartridge ID acquired in step S01. If the PC CPU 14a determines that the acquired density setting value is within the adaptive density range, the process proceeds to step S07. If the PC CPU 14a determines that the acquired density setting value is not within the adaptive density range, the process proceeds to step S06.

[0076] In step S06, the PC CPU 14a changes the print density. Specifically, if the acquired density setting value is smaller than the minimum value of the adaptive density range, the PC CPU 14a changes the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31 to the minimum value of the adaptive density range. Also, if the acquired density setting value is larger than the maximum value of the adaptive density range, the PC CPU 14a changes the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31 to the maximum value of the adaptive density range.

[0077] In step S07, the PC-side CPU 14a generates print data. The PC-side CPU 14a generates, as the print data, print image data indicating a print image such as the code image 50 and a density designation value indicating the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31.

[0078] In step S08, the PC CPU 14a transmits the print data generated in step S07 to the tape printing device 2. After step S08, the PC CPU 14a ends the print process.

[0079] In step S09, the PC CPU 14a displays the information presentation screen 80.

[0080] In step S10, the PC CPU 14a determines whether to continue printing. If the Continue Printing button 85 is selected on the information presentation screen 80, the PC CPU 14a determines to continue printing and proceeds to step S07. If the Cancel button 86 is selected on the information presentation screen 80, the PC CPU 14a determines not to continue printing and ends the print process.

[0081] As described above, when a user issues a print instruction for print data including a code image 50, the PC 1 according to this embodiment references the first table 38 and determines whether the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31 is within the adaptive density range stored in association with the same cartridge ID as the print cartridge ID acquired from the tape printing device 2. If the PC 1 determines that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in association with the same cartridge ID as the acquired print cartridge ID, it changes the print density of the print data to a print density within the adaptive density range. This allows the PC 1 to print the code image 50 at a print density appropriate for the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data.

[0082] Furthermore, when the user issues an instruction to print print data including the code image 50, the PC 1 determines whether the same cartridge ID as the acquired print cartridge ID is stored in the first table storage unit 33, and if it determines that it is not stored, displays the information presentation screen 80. This allows the user to understand that the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R needs to be changed.

[0083] The PC 1 also displays a notification message 81 and a list of recommended cartridges 82 on the information display screen 80. This allows the user to understand the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R that is suitable for reading the code image 50.

[0084] Furthermore, the PC 1 displays the "cartridge product number" in the recommended cartridge list 82. This allows the user to know the product number of the tape cartridge C that is suitable for reading the code image 50, and to purchase the tape cartridge C.

[0085] The PC 1 also displays the product numbers of recommended tape cartridges that contain tape T with a tape width that can be identified by the acquired print cartridge ID, as a recommended cartridge list 82. This allows the user to know the product number of the tape cartridge C that is suitable for reading the code image 50 and that contains tape T with a tape width that can be used to print the print data.

[0086] Furthermore, the PC 1 displays the product numbers of the recommended tape cartridges in the recommended cartridge list 82 according to the recommended order, which is the order in which the combination of tape color and ribbon color is most suitable for reading the code image 50. This allows the user to understand the recommended order of the recommended tape cartridges displayed in the recommended cartridge list 82.

[0087] The following modifications may be adopted without being limited to the above embodiment. [Variation 1] The combination information may be information that can identify a combination of the type of tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R. For example, the type of tape T may indicate the color and material of the tape T. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a first table 38 according to Modification 1. As shown in FIG. 9, in the first table 38 according to Modification 1, the "combination information" is a combination of a "tape color" that indicates the color of the tape T, a "tape material" that indicates the material of the tape T, and a "ribbon color" that indicates the color of the ink ribbon R. In the example of FIG. 9, the "tape material" indicates whether it is strongly adhesive or not.

[0088] As described above, the tape T is a laminate of a label member and a release paper member, but if "strong adhesive" is associated as the "tape material," the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C has a strong adhesive applied to the label member. On the other hand, if "strong adhesive" is not associated as the "tape material," the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C has a weak adhesive applied to the label member.

[0089] In variant 1, the applicable density range is determined according to the combination of the type of tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R. When a tape T with a strong adhesive "tape material" is used, the applicable density range is narrower than when other tapes T are used. In addition, a tape cartridge C containing a tape T with a strong adhesive "tape material" has a lower "recommended ranking" than other tape cartridges C.

[0090] The "tape material" may indicate not only whether or not a strong adhesive is applied to the label member, but also whether or not the label member is laminated, and the material of the label member.

[0091] [Variation 2] The PC 1 may store multiple first tables 38 in which different "adaptive density ranges" are defined for each type of code image 50. That is, the PC 1 may refer to different first tables 38 depending on the type of code image 50 included in the print data. The type of code image 50 may be classified by code dimension, such as whether it is a one-dimensional code, such as a "barcode," or a "two-dimensional code." The type of code image 50 may also be classified by the type of two-dimensional code, such as a "QR code" or a "Data Matrix." The type of code image 50 may also be classified by the type of QR code, such as "Model 1" or "Model 2."

[0092] [Variation 3] The PC 1 may store a third table (not shown) that combines the first table 38 and the second table, rather than storing the first table 38 and the second table. The third table associates the same items as the first table 38 with each tape cartridge C, but differs from the first table 38 in that it includes information about all tape cartridges C that can be installed in the tape printing device 2. Furthermore, the third table does not include information about the "adaptive density range" and the "recommended ranking" for tape cartridges C that are not compatible with printing of the code image 50. Therefore, in this modified example, when the code image discrimination unit 140 determines that the print data includes the code image 50, the memory determination unit 150 simply determines whether the third table stores an adapted density range associated with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information acquired by the print combination information acquisition unit 110.

[0093] [Variation 4] The PC 1 may repeatedly perform the determination by the code image determination unit 140 while the editing screen D is displayed, rather than when a print instruction is given by the user. In this case, when the code image determination unit 140 determines that the print data includes the code image 50, that is, when it determines that the image GI indicating the code image 50 has been inserted into the tape image TI, the PC 1 may cause the functions shown in Fig. 6 other than the code image determination unit 140 to function.

[0094] [Variation 5] The "cartridge model number" displayed in the recommended cartridge list 82 on the information presentation screen 80 may include a link to a site selling the tape cartridge C. With this configuration, the user can easily purchase a tape cartridge C that is suitable for reading the code image 50 by selecting a "cartridge model number" displayed in the recommended cartridge list 82 on the information presentation screen 80.

[0095] [Variation 6] Before the density change unit 170 changes the print density, the PC 1 may display a notification message on the edit screen D or on a screen other than the edit screen D to notify the user that the print density will be changed. Additionally, together with or after displaying a notification message informing the user that the print density will be changed, the PC 1 may display an option for the user to select whether or not to allow the print density to be changed. In this case, if the user selects "Allow changes" from the option, the PC 1 changes the print density, and if the user selects "Do not allow changes" from the option, the PC 1 displays the information presentation screen 80.

[0096] [Variation 7] The PC 1 may display information about recommended tape cartridges that house tapes T with tape widths other than the tape width acquired by the width information acquisition unit 130 in the recommended cartridge list 82 on the information presentation screen 80. In this case, the PC 1 may display information about recommended tape cartridges that house tapes T with the acquired tape width separately from information about recommended tape cartridges that house tapes T with tape widths other than the acquired tape width. For example, the PC 1 may change the text color, such as displaying the former in black text and the latter in red text.

[0097] [Variation 8] The density change unit 170 may change the print density to the median value of the applicable density range, regardless of the density setting value acquired by the density setting value acquisition unit 120, i.e., the density setting value stored in the density storage area 31 before the density change. For example, if the first table 38 shown in FIG. 5 is stored in the first table storage unit 33, the PC 1 may change the print density so that the print density is "0" regardless of which print cartridge ID is acquired. Furthermore, the density changing unit 170 may change the print density so that it becomes the recommended print density determined for each combination information. In this case, the first table 38 associates information such as the "cartridge ID" with the recommended print density, and the density changing unit 170 changes the print density by referring to the first table 38.

[0098] [Variation 9] The print density may be set on the tape printer 2 side instead of on the PC 1 side. In this case, the density setting value acquisition unit 120 of the PC 1 acquires the density setting value set in the tape printer 2 from the tape printer 2 by sending a density setting value request signal to the tape printer 2. The density change unit 170 of the PC 1 changes the print density of the print data by including a command to change the density setting value set in the tape printer 2 in the print data or by sending the command before sending the print data.

[0099] [Variation 10] The information presenting unit 180 may present information by a method other than displaying the information presenting screen 80. For example, the information presenting unit 180 may present information by turning on a lamp. The information presenting unit 180 may also present information by outputting sound.

[0100] [Variation 11] The functional configuration of the PC 1 shown in Fig. 6 may be realized by the tape printing device 2. In this case, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 6 is realized by the printing device CPU 44a executing firmware stored in the printing device ROM 44b. Also, among the functional configuration shown in Fig. 6, the information presentation unit 180 is also a function realized by the printing device display 22.

[0101] [Variation 12] The "printing device" may use a printing medium other than the tape T instead of the tape printing device 2. For example, the "printing device" may use copy paper or film as the printing medium. Furthermore, the printing method of the "printing device" is not limited to the thermal transfer method, but may be an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method. If the "printing device" is an inkjet method, the "color material" used is ink. If the "printing device" is an electrophotographic method, the "color material" used is toner.

[0102] [Variation 13] The tape printing device 2 may acquire cartridge information including information indicating the tape color, ribbon color, and tape width from the tape cartridge C loaded in the cartridge loading unit 23, rather than reading out the cartridge ID. The print combination information acquisition unit 110 of the PC 1 may acquire, as the print combination information, information indicating the tape color and ribbon color included in the cartridge information. The width information acquisition unit 130 may acquire, as the width information, information indicating the tape width included in the cartridge information. Furthermore, if the user can specify the tape color, ribbon color, and tape width on the editing screen D of the PC 1, the print combination information acquisition unit 110 may acquire the tape color and ribbon color specified by the user as the print combination information. Similarly, the width information acquisition unit 130 may acquire the tape width specified by the user as the width information.

[0103] [Variation 14] The "information processing device" may be an information processing terminal such as a smartphone instead of the PC 1. The tape printing application 32 may be provided to the customer as a program. A storage medium on which the tape printing application 32 is recorded may be provided to the customer. Other modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0104] [Note] The following additionally describes an information processing device, a printing device, a printing system, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. The PC1 generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2, and includes a first table storage unit 33 that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading the code image 50, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R; a print combination information acquisition unit 110 that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T used to print the print data and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit 120 that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; a density determination unit 160 that, when the code image determination unit 140 determines that the print data includes the code image 50, determines whether the density setting value is included in an adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit 170 that, when the density determination unit 160 determines that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range.

[0105] The tape printing device 2 generates print data and performs printing based on the generated print data, and includes a first table storage unit 33 that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image 50, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R; a print combination information acquisition unit 110 that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T used to print the print data and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit 120 that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; a density determination unit 160 that, when the code image determination unit 140 determines that the print data includes the code image 50, determines whether the density setting value is included in an adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit 170 that, when the density determination unit 160 determines that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range.

[0106] The printing system SY is a printing system SY including a PC1 that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a tape printer 2, and the tape printer 2. The PC1 includes a first table storage unit 33 that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image 50, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R, a print combination information acquisition unit 110 that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T used to print the print data and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data, and a density setting unit 111 that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data. The data acquisition system includes a value acquisition unit 120, a code image discrimination unit 140 that discriminates whether or not the print data includes a code image 50, a density discrimination unit 160 that, when the code image discrimination unit 140 discriminates that the print data includes the code image 50, discriminates whether or not the density setting value is included in an adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, and a density change unit 170 that, when the density discrimination unit 160 discriminates that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range.

[0107] The control method of PC1 is a control method of PC1 that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to tape printing device 2, and PC1 has a first table memory unit 33 that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading code image 50, in correspondence with each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of tape T and the color of ink ribbon R, and executes the following steps: acquiring print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of tape T used to print the print data and the color of ink ribbon R used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes code image 50; if it is determined that the print data includes code image 50, determining whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and if it is determined that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range.

[0108] The tape printing application 32 causes a PC 1 that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to the tape printing device 2, the PC 1 having a first table memory unit 33 that stores, in correspondence with each other, an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading the code image 50, for each combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R. The tape printing application 32 causes the PC 1 to execute the following steps: acquiring print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the tape T used to print the print data and the color of the ink ribbon R used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value for the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes a code image 50; if it is determined that the print data includes the code image 50, determining whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and, if it is determined that the density setting value is not within the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density included in the adaptive density range.

[0109] According to this configuration, the PC 1 can print the code image 50 at a print density suitable for the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R.

[0110] The above PC1 further includes a memory determination unit 150 that, when the code image determination unit 140 determines that the printing data includes a code image 50, determines whether combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the first table memory unit 33, and an information presentation unit 180 that presents information to the user when the memory determination unit 150 determines that combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the first table memory unit 33.When the memory determination unit 150 determines that combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the first table memory unit 33, it is preferable that the density determination unit 160 determines whether the density setting value is within the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information.

[0111] According to this configuration, the user can understand that the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R needs to be changed by the information provided.

[0112] In the above-mentioned PC1, it is preferable that the information presentation unit 180 presents information by displaying recommended combination information indicating combinations of the color of the printing medium and the color of the color material that can be identified by the combination information stored in the first table memory unit 33.

[0113] This configuration allows the user to know the combination of the color of the tape T and the color of the ink ribbon R that is suitable for reading the code image 50.

[0114] In the above PC1, it is preferable that the information presentation unit 180 displays, as recommended combination information, the product number of a recommended tape cartridge, which is a tape cartridge C that contains tape T, which is a printing medium, and ink ribbon R, which is a color material, and that contains tape T and ink ribbon R of a color combination that can be identified by the combination information stored in the first table memory unit 33.

[0115] According to this configuration, the user can know the product number of the tape cartridge C that is suitable for reading the code image 50.

[0116] In the above PC1, the first table memory unit 33 stores the tape width of the tape T, combination information, and applicable density range in correspondence with each other, and further includes a width information acquisition unit 130 that acquires width information that can identify the tape width of the tape T used to print the print data, and it is preferable that the information presentation unit 180 displays, as recommended combination information, the product number of the recommended tape cartridge that corresponds to combination information stored in the first table memory unit 33 and that is associated with a tape width whose width information can be identified.

[0117] According to this configuration, the user can know the product number of the tape cartridge C that accommodates the tape T having a tape width that is suitable for reading the code image 50 and that is used for printing the print data.

[0118] In the above PC1, the first table memory unit 33 stores a recommended ranking for each tape width, which is the ranking of the tape width that is suitable for reading the code image 50 of the combination information, and it is preferable that the information presentation unit 180 displays the product number of the recommended tape cartridge according to the recommended ranking.

[0119] According to this configuration, the user can understand the recommended ranking of the displayed tape cartridge C product numbers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1...PC, 2...tape printing device, 11...PC display, 23...cartridge mounting section, 32...tape printing application, 33...first table memory section, 50...code image, 82...recommended cartridge list, 110...print combination information acquisition section, 120...density setting value acquisition section, 130...width information acquisition section, 140...code image discrimination section, 150...memory discrimination section, 160...density discrimination section, 170...density change section, 180...information presentation section, C...tape cartridge, R...ink ribbon, SY...printing system, T...tape.

Claims

1. An information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a coloring material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; a code image determination unit that determines whether the code image is included in the print data; a density determination unit that, when it is determined by the code image determination unit that the print data includes the code image, determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range when the density determination unit determines that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a memory determination unit that, when the code image determination unit determines that the print data includes the code image, determines whether or not the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information is stored in the memory unit; and an information presenting unit that presents information to a user when the storage determining unit determines that the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the storage unit, The density determination unit is an information processing device characterized in that, when the memory determination unit determines that combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the memory unit, the density determination unit determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information presentation unit presents the information by displaying recommended combination information indicating combinations of the color of the printing medium and the color of the color material that can be identified by the combination information stored in the memory unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the information presentation unit displays, as the recommended combination information, the product number of a recommended tape cartridge, which is a tape cartridge that contains a tape, which is the printing medium, and an ink ribbon, which is the color material, and which contains a color combination of the tape and the ink ribbon that can be identified by the combination information stored in the memory unit.

4. the storage unit stores the tape width of the tape, the combination information, and the adaptive density range in association with each other; a width information acquisition unit that acquires width information that can identify the tape width of the tape used to print the print data; The information processing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the information presentation unit displays, as the recommended combination information, the product number of the recommended tape cartridge that corresponds to the combination information stored in the memory unit and to which the tape width that can be identified by the width information is associated.

5. the storage unit stores, for each of the tape widths, a recommended ranking that is a ranking of the tape widths that are suitable for reading the code image of the combination information; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the information presenting section displays the product numbers of the recommended tape cartridges in accordance with the recommendation ranking.

6. A printing device that generates print data and performs printing based on the generated print data, a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a coloring material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; a code image determination unit that determines whether the code image is included in the print data; a density determination unit that, when it is determined by the code image determination unit that the print data includes the code image, determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range when the density determination unit determines that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a memory determination unit that, when the code image determination unit determines that the print data includes the code image, determines whether or not the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information is stored in the memory unit; and an information presenting unit that presents information to a user when the storage determining unit determines that the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the storage unit, A printing device characterized in that, when the memory determination unit determines that combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the memory unit, the density determination unit determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information.

7. A printing system including an information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, and the printing device, The information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a coloring material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; a code image determination unit that determines whether the code image is included in the print data; a density determination unit that, when it is determined by the code image determination unit that the print data includes the code image, determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; a density change unit that changes the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range when the density determination unit determines that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a memory determination unit that, when the code image determination unit determines that the print data includes the code image, determines whether or not the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information is stored in the memory unit; and an information presenting unit that presents information to a user when the storage determining unit determines that the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the storage unit, A printing system characterized in that, when the memory determination unit determines that combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the memory unit, the density determination unit determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information.

8. 1. A control method for an information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, comprising: The information processing device includes: a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a coloring material; acquiring print combination information capable of specifying a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes the code image; a step of determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information when it is determined that the print data includes the code image; When it is determined that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range; a step of determining whether or not the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the print combination information is stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the print data includes the code image; If it is determined that the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the storage unit, a step of presenting information to a user is executed; A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when it is determined that combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the memory unit, in a step of determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range, it is determined whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the printing combination information.

9. An information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, the information processing device including a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a color material; acquiring print combination information capable of specifying a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; acquiring a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; determining whether the print data includes the code image; a step of determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information when it is determined that the print data includes the code image; When it is determined that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changing the print density of the print data to a print density that is included in the adaptive density range; a step of determining whether or not the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the print combination information is stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the print data includes the code image; and when it is determined that the combination information that can identify the same combination as the printing combination information is not stored in the storage unit, presenting information to the user; When it is determined that the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the printing combination information is stored in the memory unit, in a step of determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range, a program for determining whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range stored in correspondence with the combination information capable of identifying the same combination as the printing combination information.

10. An information processing device that generates print data and transmits the generated print data to a printing device, a storage unit that stores an adaptive density range, which is a range of print density suitable for reading a code image, in association with each combination information that can identify a combination of a color of a printing medium and a color of a coloring material; a print combination information acquisition unit that acquires print combination information that can identify a combination of the color of the print medium used to print the print data and the color of the color material used to print the print data; a density setting value acquisition unit that acquires a density setting value that is a setting value of the print density of the print data; a code image determination unit that determines whether the code image is included in the print data; a density determination unit that, when it is determined by the code image determination unit that the print data includes the code image, determines whether the density setting value is included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information; and a density change unit that, when it is determined by the density determination unit that the density setting value is not included in the adaptive density range that is stored in association with the combination information that can identify the same combination as the print combination information, changes the density setting value so that it is included in the adaptive density range; When the code image determination unit determines that the print data does not include the code image, the density setting value is not changed by the density change unit, and the print data is generated based on the density setting value acquired by the density setting value acquisition unit; an information processing apparatus characterized in that, when the code image discrimination unit determines that the print data includes the code image, the print data is generated based on the density setting value changed by the density change unit.

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