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

Abstract

To enhance operability of a user by reducing frequency of error display.SOLUTION: A portable terminal 1 includes: a display control unit 110 which causes a display unit to display an editing screen capable of editing a plurality of lines of character strings to be printed on a printable area of a print medium; a character size setting unit 120 for setting a character size of the plurality of lines of character strings input to the editing screen; and a print control unit 130 which causes the plurality of lines of character strings input to the editing screen to be printed with a character size set by the character size setting unit 120. The character size setting unit 120 is capable of setting the character size of the character strings by unit of a line, and when a line feed operation is performed at a line top or line end of an n-th line (n is an integer where n≥1) where the character size designated by the user is set, sets a character size of at least one of the n-th line and the n+1-th line after the line feed so that lengths in the line direction of the plurality of lines of character strings input to the editing screen are fitted to the length in the line direction of the printable area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a tape printing device that displays an editing screen for editing character strings to be printed on a print medium, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. When multiple lines of character string are entered on the editing screen, this tape printing device allows the character size of the character string to be specified line by line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-021248 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, when a line feed operation is performed on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) for which a character size is specified, a tape printer such as that described in Patent Document 1 sets the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines to the character size set for the nth line before the line feed operation. Furthermore, when the print medium is tape and multiple lines of text are printed such that the line direction (the direction in which the lines are arranged) is the same as the tape width, the line length of the printable area is limited. In such a case, when a line feed operation is performed on the nth line (for which a character size is specified) and the line length of the multiple lines of text being edited no longer fits within the line length of the printable area, the tape printer displays an error message and invalidates the line feed operation. When the error message is displayed, the user must perform a complex operation, such as reducing the character size for the nth line, performing a line feed, and then restoring the character size for the nth line to the original character size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The information processing device of the present invention comprises a display control unit that causes a display unit to display an editing screen that enables editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by a tape printing device; a character size setting unit that sets the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen; and a print control unit that causes the tape printing device to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen at the character size set by the character size setting unit.The character size setting unit can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n is greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, where the character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is automatically set to a size that fits within the line length of the printable area.

[0006] The tape printing device of the present invention comprises a printing unit that prints on a printing medium, a display control unit that causes a display unit to display an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in the printable area of ​​the printing medium by the printing unit, a character size setting unit that sets the character size of the multiple lines of text entered into the editing screen, and a printing control unit that causes the printing unit to print the multiple lines of text entered into the editing screen at the character size set by the character size setting unit, wherein the character size setting unit can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n is greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen for which a character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of text entered into the editing screen fits within the line direction length of the printable area.

[0007] The printing system of the present invention is a printing system in which an information processing device and a tape printing device are communicatively connected, and the information processing device is equipped with a display control unit that causes a display unit to display an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character string to be printed in the printable area of ​​the printing medium by the tape printing device, a character size setting unit that sets the character size of the multiple lines of character string entered into the editing screen, and a print control unit that causes the tape printing device to print the multiple lines of character string entered into the editing screen at the character size set by the character size setting unit, and the character size setting unit can set the character size of the character string on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break operation is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n is greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen for which a character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of character string entered into the editing screen fits within the line direction length of the printable area.

[0008] The control method of the information processing device of the present invention executes the following steps: the information processing device displays on a display unit an editing screen that enables editing of multiple lines of character string to be printed in a printable area of ​​a printing medium by a tape printing device; the step of setting the character size of the multiple lines of character string entered in the editing screen; and the step of causing the tape printing device to print the multiple lines of character string entered in the editing screen at the set character size; in the step of setting the character size of the multiple lines of character string, the character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis; and when a line break operation is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n is greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen for which a character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of character string entered in the editing screen fits within the line direction length of the printable area.

[0009] The program of the present invention causes an information processing device to execute the following steps: displaying on a display unit an editing screen that enables editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in a printable area of ​​a printing medium by a tape printing device; setting the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen; and causing the tape printing device to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen at the set character size. In the step of setting the character size of the multiple lines of text, the information processing device can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n is greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen for which a user-specified character size has been set, the information processing device sets the character size of at least one of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen fits within the line direction length of the printable area. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an external view of a mobile terminal and a tape printing device included in the printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal and the tape printing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of creating a label. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the mobile terminal. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a character size setting process when a line feed operation is performed. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a character size setting process when a line deletion operation is performed. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a character size setting process when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an edit screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a tape width correspondence table. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when the character size of the first line is enlarged from the state shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error display screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 12. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 15] 15 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 14. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 17] 17 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 16. FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 18. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 21] 21 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of FIG. 20. FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 23] 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display on the edit screen when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of FIG. 22. FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of FIG. 24. [Figure 26] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of FIG. 26. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 29]FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of FIG. 28. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 31] 31 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of FIG. 30. FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 33] 33 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of FIG. 32. FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the editing screen. [Figure 35] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of how the edit screen is displayed when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of FIG. 34. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The following describes an information processing device, a tape printing device, a printing system, a control method for an information processing device, and a program with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, although an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is shown in some of the drawings, this is merely for the convenience of explanation and does not limit the following embodiments in any way.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile terminal 1 and a tape printing device 2. The mobile terminal 1 is an example of an "information processing device." The tape printing device 2 is an example of a "printing device." The printing system SY includes the mobile terminal 1 and the tape printing device 2, which are connected via wireless communication 5. Note that the mobile terminal 1 and the tape printing device 2 may be connected via a wired connection such as a cable, instead of via wireless communication 5.

[0013] The mobile terminal 1 includes a touch panel 11. The touch panel 11 is an example of a "display unit." A label creation application 30 (see FIG. 2) for creating a label L (see FIG. 3) in cooperation with the tape printer 2 is installed in the mobile terminal 1. The label creation application 30 is an example of a "program." The mobile terminal 1 uses the label creation application 30 to generate print data for creating the label L and transmits the generated print data to the tape printer 2. Note that while FIG. 1 illustrates a smartphone as the mobile terminal 1, a tablet terminal or a notebook PC (Personal Computer) may also be used. Furthermore, print data may be generated by an information processing device other than the mobile terminal 1 and transmitted to the tape printer 2.

[0014] The tape printing device 2 includes a keyboard 21, a display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24.

[0015] The keyboard 21 accepts various operations such as editing the print image G (see FIG. 3) to be printed on the label L. In this embodiment, one or more lines of text are printed on the label L as the print image G. The display 22 displays various information such as an operation screen for editing the print image G. A tape cartridge C is removably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. The tape cartridge C contains a tape T and an ink ribbon R in its case. The tape T is an example of a "print medium."

[0016] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a thermal head 25. The thermal head 25 is driven to generate heat in accordance with the editing results of the print image G 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 the print image G is printed on the tape T.

[0017] 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. This separates the printed portion of the tape T. The separated printed portion of the tape T is used as a label L.

[0018] The tape printing device 2 is capable of printing based on the results of editing the print image G using the keyboard 21, as well as printing based on print data transmitted from the portable terminal 1. In this embodiment, the latter case, in which the tape printing device 2 prints based on print data transmitted from the portable terminal 1, will be described.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 1 and the tape printing device 2. The mobile terminal 1 includes a touch panel 11, a mobile terminal communication unit 12, and a mobile terminal control unit 13.

[0020] The touch panel 11 accepts various operations by the user and displays various information. For example, the touch panel 11 displays an edit screen D1 (see FIG. 8, etc.) for editing the print image G.

[0021] The mobile terminal communication unit 12 communicates with the tape printing device 2 via wireless communication 5. For example, the mobile terminal communication unit 12 transmits print data to the tape printing device 2 and receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 2 that indicates the type of tape cartridge C installed in the tape printing device 2.

[0022] The mobile terminal control unit 13 includes a mobile terminal CPU (Central Processing Unit) 13a, a mobile terminal ROM (Read Only Memory) 13b, and a mobile terminal RAM (Random Access Memory) 13c.

[0023] The mobile terminal CPU 13a performs various controls by loading various control programs stored in the mobile terminal ROM 13b into the mobile terminal RAM 13c and executing them. Note that the mobile terminal control unit 13 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as a processor instead of the mobile terminal CPU 13a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and hardware circuits such as ASICs operate in cooperation with each other.

[0024] The mobile terminal ROM 13b is a rewritable ROM and stores various control programs and various control data. For example, the mobile terminal ROM 13b stores a label creation application 30. As described above, the label creation application 30 is an application program for creating the label L.

[0025] The tape printing device 2 includes a printing device side communication section 41, a cartridge information acquisition section 42, a printing section 43, and a printing device side control section 44.

[0026] The printing device communication unit 41 communicates with the portable terminal 1 via wireless communication 5.

[0027] The cartridge information acquisition unit 42 includes an optical reading unit (not shown) that optically reads a code image printed on the case of the tape cartridge C or attached as a label, and acquires cartridge information by decoding the image read by the optical reading unit. The cartridge information includes information indicating the tape width, color, material, and color of the ink ribbon R of the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C.

[0028] 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.

[0029] The printing device control unit 44 includes a printing device CPU 44a, a printing device ROM 44b, and a printing device RAM 44c.

[0030] The printer CPU 44a performs various controls by loading various control programs 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 hardware circuits such as ASICs work together.

[0031] The printing device ROM 44b stores various control programs such as firmware. The printing device CPU 44a uses the control programs stored in the printing device ROM 44b to print on the tape T based on the print data sent from the portable terminal 1. Furthermore, when the printing device CPU 44a receives a cartridge information request signal from the portable terminal 1 or when the tape cartridge C is replaced, it acquires cartridge information from the tape cartridge C via the cartridge information acquisition unit 42 and sends the acquired cartridge information to the portable terminal 1.

[0032] Next, the label L created by the tape printing device 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a created label L on which a print image G showing multiple lines of character strings is printed. In FIG. 3, the X direction indicates the length direction of the tape T, the Y direction indicates the width direction of the tape T, and the Z direction indicates the thickness direction of the tape T. In this embodiment, the multiple lines of character strings are printed so that multiple lines are lined up in the width direction of the tape T, i.e., the Y direction. The Y direction is an example of a "line direction." Note that the editing screen D1, which will be described later, will also be described with the length direction of the tape T as the X direction and the width direction of the tape T as the Y direction.

[0033] The tape T includes a printed layer Ta and a release paper layer Tb provided on the -Z side of the printed layer Ta. The surface of the printed layer Ta on the +Z side is the printed surface, and the surface of the printed layer Ta on the -Z side is the adhesive surface coated with an adhesive. A label L having a print image G printed on the tape T is produced by peeling the release paper layer Tb from the printed layer Ta, and then affixing the printed layer Ta to an object (not shown).

[0034] The print image G is printed in the printable area PE of the tape T. In FIG. 3, the printable area PE is a rectangular area indicated by a dashed line. In the X direction, the length L3 of the printable area PE is the length L1 of the tape T minus the leading margin length L5a, which is the margin of the tape T in the negative X direction, and the trailing margin length L5b, which is the margin of the tape T in the positive X direction. The leading margin length L5a and the trailing margin length L5b are both fixed lengths. Furthermore, if the print mode is set to fixed-length printing, which creates a label L of a specified length, the length L3 of the printable area PE in the X direction is determined according to the specified fixed length. Furthermore, if the print mode is set to free-length printing, which changes the length of the label L according to the character string entered on the editing screen D1, the length L3 of the printable area PE in the X direction is determined according to the number of characters and character size of the entered character string.

[0035] Furthermore, in the Y direction, the length L4 of the printable area PE is the width L2 of the tape T minus the length L6a of the top margin, which is the margin in the +Y direction of the tape T, and the length L6b of the bottom margin, which is the margin in the -Y direction of the tape T. The length L6a of the top margin and the length L6b of the bottom margin are both constant lengths. Furthermore, the length L4 of the printable area PE in the Y direction is determined according to the tape width of the tape T.

[0036] Next, the functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 includes a display control unit 110, a character size setting unit 120, and a print control unit 130. All of these functions are realized by the mobile terminal side CPU 13a executing the label creation application 30.

[0037] The display control unit 110 causes the touch panel 11 to display an editing screen D1 on which multiple lines of character strings can be edited to be printed in the printable area PE of the tape T by the tape printing device 2. The display control unit 110 displays, on the editing screen D1, a tape image 64 that resembles the tape T, a character string image CI that indicates one or more lines of character strings to be edited, and a cursor K that indicates the editing position (see FIG. 8, etc.).

[0038] The character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the character string input on the editing screen D1. When multiple lines of character string are input on the editing screen D1, the character size setting unit 120 can set the character size of the character string on a line-by-line basis. For example, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size to the specified character size for lines for which the user has specified the character size. Furthermore, the character size setting unit 120 automatically sets the size for lines for which the user has not specified the character size.

[0039] Automatic size setting is a setting method for setting the character size of a line for which the user has not specified a character size so that the length in the Y direction, which is the line arrangement direction of a multi-line character string entered on the editing screen D1, fits within the Y direction length of the printable area PE. More specifically, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of a line for which the user has not specified a character size to the maximum size that fits within the remaining length, which is the length in the Y direction of the printable area PE minus the total length in the Y direction of the lines for which the user has specified a character size. Furthermore, when there are multiple lines for which the user has not specified a character size, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the multiple lines for which the user has not specified a character size to the same character size.

[0040] When the print mode is set to fixed length printing and the user instructs the character size setting unit 120 to execute the fixed length shortening function, the character size setting unit 120 determines the character size of the automatically sized lines according to the fixed length, which is the specified length of the tape T. The fixed length shortening function is a function that automatically sets the character size of each paragraph so that the X-direction length of one or more paragraphs entered on the editing screen D1 fits within the specified fixed length if the X-direction length of the one or more paragraphs does not fit within the specified fixed length. A paragraph refers to a group of lines or a single line. When multiple paragraphs are entered on the editing screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 arranges the multiple paragraphs side by side in the X-direction of the tape T. When the character size setting unit 120 instructs the execution of the fixed length shortening function, the character size setting unit 120 reduces the character size by one step for each paragraph specified as the target of the fixed length shortening function, starting with the paragraph on the +X side of the tape T. However, even in paragraphs that are the target of the fixed length shortening function, the character size of lines for which the user has specified a character size is not changed, and only the character size of automatically sized lines is changed. Furthermore, if the line in a paragraph that has the longest length in the X direction is a line for which the character size is specified by the user, the paragraph is not subject to the fixed length reduction function.

[0041] In addition, when a line break operation is performed on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen D1 where the character size specified by the user is set, the character size setting unit 120 automatically sets the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break.

[0042] More specifically, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning of the nth line in which characters are input, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth line to the automatic size setting, and sets the character size of the (n+1)th line after the line feed to the character size set for the nth line before the line feed. Note that the "beginning of the line" refers to a state in which there is no character in front of the cursor K on the line on which the cursor K is displayed.

[0043] Furthermore, when a line break is performed at the end of the nth line, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth line to the character size set for the nth line before the line break, and sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line break to the automatic size setting. Note that "end of line" refers to a state in which there is no character behind the cursor K on the line on which the cursor K is displayed.

[0044] Furthermore, when a line break is performed within the nth line, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break to the character size set for the nth line before the line break. Note that "within the nth line" refers to a position that is neither the beginning nor the end of the nth line.

[0045] In addition, when a line break is performed on the nth line where the character size has not been specified by the user, i.e., the nth line where the character size is set automatically, the character size setting unit 120 sets the character sizes of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break to the automatic size setting.

[0046] The print control unit 130 causes the tape printing device 2 to print a multi-line character string input on the editing screen D1 in the character size set by the character size setting unit 120. More specifically, the print control unit 130 generates print data for printing a multi-line character string input on the editing screen D1 in the character size set by the character size setting unit 120, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printing device 2.

[0047] 5 to 7, a description will be given of the character size setting process performed by the character size setting unit 120 of the mobile terminal 1. The character size setting process is triggered by a user's operation while the editing screen D1 is displayed on the touch panel 11 of the mobile terminal 1.

[0048] 5 is a flowchart showing the character size setting process when a line feed operation is performed. In step S01, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a line feed operation has been performed by the user. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has been performed, it proceeds to step S02. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has not been performed, it performs processing according to the operation performed by the user.

[0049] In step S02, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether a line feed operation has been performed at the end of the line. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has been performed at the end of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S06. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has not been performed at the end of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S03.

[0050] In step S03, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether a line feed operation has been performed at the beginning of a line. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has been performed at the beginning of a line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S05. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has not been performed at the beginning of a line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S04.

[0051] In step S04, if the line on which the line feed operation was performed is the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line and the (n+1)th line to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed. Note that "setting to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed" means that if the user has specified a character size for the nth line, the character size will be set to the specified character size. Also, if the user has not specified a character size for the nth line, the character size will be set automatically.

[0052] In step S05, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a character has been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S07. On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has not been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S06.

[0053] In step S06, if the line on which the line break operation was performed is the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break, and sets the character size of the n+1th line to the automatic size setting.

[0054] In step S07, if the line on which the line break operation was performed is the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line to the automatic size setting, and sets the character size of the n+1th line to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0055] 6 is a flowchart showing the character size setting process when a line deletion operation is performed. A line deletion operation refers to a deletion operation when the cursor K is at the beginning of a line. When a line deletion operation is performed on, for example, the n+1th line, the mobile terminal 1 moves the character string on the n+1th line to the end of the nth line.

[0056] In step S11, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a line deletion operation has been performed by the user. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line feed operation has been performed, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S12. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a line deletion operation has not been performed, the mobile terminal 1 performs processing according to the operation performed by the user.

[0057] In step S12, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a character has been input in the line preceding the line where the cursor K is located. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has been input in the line preceding the line where the cursor K is located, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S15. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has not been input in the line preceding the line where the cursor K is located, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S13.

[0058] In step S13, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a character has been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that a character has not been input to the line where the line feed operation was performed at the beginning of the line, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S15.

[0059] In step S14, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line where the cursor K is located after the deletion to the character size that was set for the n+1th line before the deletion.

[0060] In step S15, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line where the cursor K is located after the deletion to the character size that was set for the nth line before the deletion.

[0061] 7 is a flowchart showing the character size setting process when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed. The range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines refers to a deletion operation when a range spanning multiple lines is selected.

[0062] In step S21, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines has been performed by the user. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines has been performed, the mobile terminal 1 proceeds to step S22. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines has not been performed, the mobile terminal 1 performs processing according to the operation performed by the user.

[0063] In step S22, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not there is a character in front of the cursor K after the selection range 81 (see FIG. 28, etc.) is deleted. "There is a character in front of the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted" means that there is a character in front of the cursor K on the line where the cursor K is located after the selection range 81 is deleted. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that there is a character in front of the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted, it proceeds to step S25. On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that there is no character in front of the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted, it proceeds to step S23.

[0064] In step S23, the mobile terminal 1 determines whether or not there are characters behind the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted. "There are characters behind the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted" means that there are characters behind the cursor K on the line where the cursor K is located after the selection range 81 is deleted. If the mobile terminal 1 determines that there are characters behind the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted, it proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that there are no characters behind the cursor K after the selection range 81 is deleted, it proceeds to step S25.

[0065] In step S24, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the line where the cursor K is located after the deletion to the character size that was set in the last line of the selection range 81 before the deletion.

[0066] In step S25, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the line where the cursor K is located after the deletion to the character size that was set in the first line of the selection range 81 before the deletion.

[0067] Next, the editing screen D1 displayed on the touch panel 11 of the mobile terminal 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 8, the editing screen D1 includes a first area 51 at the top of the screen, a second area 52 at the center of the screen, and a third area 53 at the bottom of the screen. Tape size information 61 and character size information 62 are displayed in the first area 51.

[0068] The tape size information 61 is information that indicates the length L1 and width L2 of the tape T when the character string being edited is printed on the tape T (see FIG. 3). The length L1 of the tape T shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 is an example of how the length L1 of the tape T is displayed when the print mode is set to free length printing. Therefore, the portable terminal 1 changes the length L1 of the tape T in the tape size information 61 according to the editing results displayed in the second area 52, which will be described later. The portable terminal 1 also displays the width L2 of the tape T in the tape size information 61 based on information indicating the tape width included in the cartridge information transmitted from the tape printer 2. The width L2 of the tape T is changed when the tape cartridge C attached to the tape printer 2 is replaced with one of a different tape width. The character size information 62 is information that indicates the position of the cursor K displayed in the second area 52, i.e., the character size at the editing position.

[0069] The second area 52 displays a tape image 64 resembling a tape T, a paragraph area 65 indicating the range of a paragraph, a character string image CI indicating one or more lines of character string to be edited, and a cursor K indicating the editing position. By providing multiple paragraphs in the X direction, the label creation application 30 makes it possible to mix different numbers of lines in a single label L or to change the design for each paragraph. The tape image 64 is displayed so that the tape width is the maximum size that fits within the vertical length of the second area 52, based on the information indicating the tape width included in the cartridge information.

[0070] Figure 8 shows a display example when the character string to be edited is one paragraph. In this case, the paragraph area 65 is the area equivalent to the printable area PE of the tape T (see Figure 3). In other words, when the character string to be edited is one paragraph, the paragraph area 65 corresponds to the entire area of ​​the label L, excluding the leading margin length L5a and trailing margin length L5b in the X direction, and the top margin length L6a and bottom margin length L6b in the Y direction. The user can only edit the character string within the paragraph area 65.

[0071] Also, Fig. 8 shows an example in which three lines of character strings have been entered and the character size of each line has been specified as "16pt." Also, in Fig. 8, only a portion of the character string image CI is displayed in the tape length direction, but the user can check the entire character string image CI by moving the cursor K in the tape length direction.

[0072] The third area 53 displays character size options 66. The options 66 include character size candidates that are selection candidates for character sizes that can be printed on the tape T of the tape width displayed in the first area 51, among the character sizes that can be set by the label creation application 30, and Auto candidates. If the Auto candidate is selected by the user, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size by automatic size setting. Note that the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size by automatic size setting in the default state. In the following description, "the character size is specified" means that the user selects a character size candidate other than the Auto candidate from the options 66.

[0073] Now, referring to FIG. 9, character size candidates will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a tape width correspondence table 50. The tape width correspondence table 50 is stored in the mobile terminal 1 as part of the label creation application 30. The tape width correspondence table 50 is a table showing printable character sizes for each tape width. In the example of FIG. 9, for example, for a tape T with a tape width of 36 mm, all character sizes shown in the tape width correspondence table 50 are printable. Also, for a tape T with a tape width of 24 mm, character sizes other than "64 pt" and "79 pt" among the character sizes shown in the tape width correspondence table 50 are printable. FIG. 8 shows an example of printing on a tape T with a tape width of 24 mm, and therefore character sizes other than "64 pt" and "79 pt" among the character sizes shown in the tape width correspondence table 50 are displayed as character size candidates for option 66.

[0074] As shown in the third area 53 of Fig. 8, the selection candidate selected by the user from among the options 66 is displayed surrounded by a selection frame 68. In the example of Fig. 8, the Auto candidate is surrounded by the selection frame 68, indicating that the first line where the cursor K is located is set to automatic size setting. Also, in the example of Fig. 8, in addition to the Auto candidate, seven character size candidates are displayed as options 66, but the user can move the selection frame 68 to display selection candidates for other character sizes that can be printed on tape T with a tape width of 24 mm.

[0075] When close mark 67 is selected in third area 53, mobile terminal 1 hides options 66 and displays a group of function buttons (not shown) in third area 53. The group of function buttons includes a button for selecting a character decoration and a button for adding a new paragraph. Furthermore, when character size information 62 is selected while the group of function buttons is displayed in third area 53, mobile terminal 1 hides the group of function buttons and displays options 66 in third area 53.

[0076] 8 shows an example in which three lines of text entered in the second area 52 are all automatically sized. As described above, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size for lines that are automatically sized so that the length in the Y direction of one or more lines that are automatically sized is the largest size that fits within the length in the Y direction of the printable area PE. Also, as described above, when there are multiple lines that are automatically sized, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size so that all lines have the same character size. In the example of FIG. 8, as shown in the character size information 62, all three lines of text are set to "16pt."

[0077] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the editing screen D1 when the character size of the first line is enlarged from the state shown in FIG. 8 to "32 pt." As shown in FIG. 8, the user can enlarge the character size of the first line to "32 pt" by selecting the character size candidate "32 pt" from the options 66 while the cursor K is on the first line. The mobile terminal 1 reduces the character size of the second and third lines in response to the enlargement of the character size of the first line from "16 pt" to "32 pt." In this case, too, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the second and third lines to the same character size. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 1 updates the length of the tape T in the tape size information 61 in response to the change in the character size of the first line.

[0078] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the error display screen D2. The error display screen D2 is displayed when editing is performed on the editing screen D1 such that the length in the X direction of a print image G showing one or more lines of character string exceeds the length in the X direction of the printable area PE, or when editing is performed such that the length in the Y direction of the print image G exceeds the length in the Y direction of the printable area PE. For example, the mobile terminal 1 displays the error display screen D2 when, from the state shown in FIG. 10, any of the first to third lines of character string is enlarged and the total length in the Y direction of the three lines exceeds the length in the Y direction of the printable area PE.

[0079] The error display screen D2 includes an error message 71 and an OK button 72. The error message 71 is a message that notifies the user that the print image G exceeds the printable area PE. When the OK button 72 is selected, the mobile terminal 1 hides the error display screen D2 and displays the edit screen D1 on the touch panel 11.

[0080] Next, the display of the editing screen D1 when a line feed operation is performed will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 19. In the following description, it is assumed that the print mode is set to fixed length printing, and the length of the tape T in the tape size information 61 indicates a fixed length of "30.0 cm."

[0081] The editing screen D1 in FIG. 12 shows a state in which the character size of the first line is specified as "26 pt" and the cursor K is located within the first line of character string. FIG. 13 shows the editing screen D1 when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the second line after the line feed to "26 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the line feed. Also, although not shown in FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the first line after the line feed to "26 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the line feed. Therefore, when the cursor K is moved to the first line from the state of FIG. 13, the mobile terminal 1 selects the character size candidate "26 pt" in the third area 53. The character size setting when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 12 to the state of FIG. 13 corresponds to the setting in step S04 of FIG. 5.

[0082] The editing screen D1 in FIG. 14 shows a state in which characters are input into the first line, the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt," and the cursor K is located at the beginning of the first line of character string. FIG. 15 shows the editing screen D1 when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 15, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the second line after the line feed to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the line feed. Also, although not shown in FIG. 15, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the first line after the line feed to automatic size setting. Therefore, when the cursor K is moved to the first line from the state of FIG. 15, the mobile terminal 1 selects the Auto candidate in the third area 53. The character size setting when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 14 to the state of FIG. 15 corresponds to the setting in step S07 of FIG. 5.

[0083] The editing screen D1 in FIG. 16 shows a state in which characters are entered on the first line, the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt," and the cursor K is at the end of the first line of character string. FIG. 17 shows the editing screen D1 when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 17, the mobile device 1 automatically sets the character size of the second line after the line feed. In this case, the character size of the second line after the line feed is set to "13 pt" by automatic size setting, as indicated by the character size information 62. Also, although not shown in FIG. 17, the mobile device 1 sets the character size of the first line after the line feed to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the line feed. Therefore, when the cursor K is moved to the first line from the state of FIG. 17, the mobile device 1 selects the character size candidate "38 pt" in the third area 53. The character size setting when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 16 to the state of FIG. 17 corresponds to the setting in step S06 of FIG. 5.

[0084] The editing screen D1 in FIG. 18 shows a state in which no characters are entered on the first line, the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt," and the cursor K is located at the beginning of the first line of character string. FIG. 19 shows the editing screen D1 when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, the mobile terminal 1 automatically sets the character size of the second line after the line feed. In this case, the character size of the second line after the line feed is set to "13 pt" by automatic size setting, as indicated by the character size information 62. Also, although not shown in FIG. 19, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the first line after the line feed to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the line feed. Therefore, when the cursor K is moved to the first line from the state of FIG. 19, the character size candidate "38 pt" is surrounded by a selection frame 68 in the third area 53. The character size setting when a line feed operation is performed from the state of FIG. 18 to the state of FIG. 19 corresponds to the setting in step S06 of FIG. 5.

[0085] Next, the display of the editing screen D1 when a line deletion operation is performed will be described with reference to Figures 20 to 27. In the editing screen D1 of Figure 20, characters have been entered in the first and second lines, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt" and the character size of the second line is specified as "13 pt." Furthermore, the editing screen D1 of Figure 20 shows a state in which the cursor K is located at the beginning of the character string on the second line.

[0086] Fig. 21 shows the edit screen D1 when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 20. As shown in Fig. 21, the mobile terminal 1 moves the character string of the second line before deletion to the end of the first line. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the first line after deletion to "38pt," which is the character size set for the first line before deletion. The character size setting when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 20 and the state of Fig. 21 is achieved corresponds to the setting in step S15 of Fig. 6.

[0087] 22 shows a state in which characters have been entered on the second line, the character size of the second line has been specified as "38pt", and the cursor K is at the beginning of the character string on the second line. Also, in the editing screen D1 of FIG. 22, it is assumed that no characters have been entered on the first line, and the character size of the first line has been specified as "13pt", for example.

[0088] Fig. 23 shows the edit screen D1 when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 22. As shown in Fig. 23, the mobile terminal 1 moves the character string on the second line before deletion to the first line. The mobile terminal 1 also sets the character size of the first line after deletion to "38 pt," which is the character size set on the second line before deletion. The character size setting when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 22 to result in the state of Fig. 23 corresponds to the setting in step S14 of Fig. 6.

[0089] 24 shows a state in which no characters have been entered on the second line, the character size of the second line has been set to "13pt" by automatic size setting, and the cursor K is at the beginning of the character string on the second line. Also, it is assumed that characters have been entered on the first line of the editing screen D1 in FIG. 24, and the character size of the first line has been specified as "38pt."

[0090] Fig. 25 shows the edit screen D1 when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 24. As shown in Fig. 25, the mobile terminal 1 deletes the second line and moves the cursor K that was on the second line to the end of the first line. The mobile terminal 1 also sets the character size of the first line after the deletion to "38 pt," which is the character size that was set for the first line before the deletion. The character size setting when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 24 and the state of Fig. 25 is achieved corresponds to the setting in step S15 of Fig. 6.

[0091] 26 shows a state in which no characters are entered on the second line, the character size of the second line is specified as "13pt", and the cursor K is located at the beginning of the character string on the second line. Also, it is assumed that no characters are entered on the first line of the editing screen D1 in FIG. 26, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38pt".

[0092] Fig. 27 shows the edit screen D1 when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 26. As shown in Fig. 27, the mobile terminal 1 moves the cursor K to the first line and sets the character size of the first line after deletion to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before deletion. The character size setting when a line deletion operation is performed from the state of Fig. 26 to result in the state of Fig. 27 corresponds to the setting in step S15 of Fig. 6.

[0093] Next, with reference to FIGS. 28 to 35, the display of the editing screen D1 when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed will be described. In the editing screen D1 of FIG. 28, characters are entered in the first and second lines, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt" and the character size of the second line is specified as "13 pt." The editing screen D1 of FIG. 28 also shows a state in which a range is selected from the middle of the first line to the middle of the second line. In FIG. 28, the shaded area indicates the selection range 81. Furthermore, when a range of multiple lines with different character sizes is selected as in FIG. 28, the character size information 62 in the first area 51 and the selection frame 68 in the third area 53 are both hidden (see FIG. 8, etc.). The same applies to FIGS. 30, 32, and 34.

[0094] Figure 29 shows a case where a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 28. As shown in Figure 29, the mobile terminal 1 deletes the characters included in the selected range 81 and sets the character size of the first line after the deletion to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the deletion. The setting of the character size when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 28 and the state of Figure 29 is achieved corresponds to the setting in step S25 of Figure 7.

[0095] In the editing screen D1 of Fig. 30, characters are entered on the first and second lines, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt" and the character size of the second line is specified as "13 pt." Also, the editing screen D1 of Fig. 30 shows a state in which a range from the beginning of the first line to the middle of the second line is selected.

[0096] Figure 31 shows the edit screen D1 when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 30. As shown in Figure 31, the mobile terminal 1 deletes the characters included in the selected range 81 and sets the character size of the first line after the deletion to "13 pt," which is the character size set for the second line before the deletion. The setting of the character size when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 30 and the state of Figure 31 is achieved corresponds to the setting in step S24 of Figure 7.

[0097] In the editing screen D1 of Fig. 32, characters are entered on the first and second lines, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt" and the character size of the second line is specified as "13 pt." Also, the editing screen D1 of Fig. 32 shows a state in which a range from the middle of the first line to the end of the second line is selected.

[0098] Figure 33 shows the edit screen D1 when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 32. As shown in Figure 33, the mobile terminal 1 deletes the characters included in the selected range 81 and sets the character size of the first line after the deletion to "38 pt," which is the character size set for the first line before the deletion. The setting of the character size when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 32 and the state of Figure 33 is achieved corresponds to the setting in step S25 of Figure 7.

[0099] In the editing screen D1 of Fig. 34, characters are entered on the first and second lines, and the character size of the first line is specified as "38 pt" and the character size of the second line is specified as "13 pt." Also, the editing screen D1 of Fig. 34 shows a state in which the range from the beginning of the first line to the end of the second line is selected.

[0100] Figure 35 shows the edit screen D1 when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 34. As shown in Figure 35, the mobile terminal 1 deletes all of the character strings in the first and second lines included in the selected range 81, and sets the character size of the first line after the deletion to "38 pt," which was the character size set for the first line before the deletion. The character size setting when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed from the state of Figure 34 to the state of Figure 35 corresponds to the setting in step S25 of Figure 7.

[0101] As described above, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning or end of the nth line on the editing screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 according to this embodiment automatically sets the character size of at least one of the nth and n+1th lines. Therefore, compared to when the mobile terminal 1 sets the nth and n+1th lines to the character size set for the nth line before the line feed operation, the mobile terminal 1 can prevent the Y-direction length of a multi-line character string entered on the editing screen D1 from exceeding the Y-direction length of the printable area PE. This allows the mobile terminal 1 to reduce the frequency with which the error display screen D2 is displayed, improving user operability.

[0102] Furthermore, when a line feed operation is performed within the nth line, the mobile device 1 sets the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line feed to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed. Furthermore, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning of the nth line in which characters have been input, the mobile device 1 sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line feed to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed. Furthermore, when a line feed operation is performed at the end of the nth line, the mobile device 1 sets the character size of the nth line to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed. In this way, when a line feed operation is performed, the mobile device 1 does not necessarily set the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines to automatic size settings, but depending on the situation, may maintain the character size that was set for the nth or n+1th line before the line feed, thereby reducing the sense of discomfort felt by the user.

[0103] Furthermore, when a line deletion operation is performed, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line where the cursor K is located after the deletion, depending on the determination result of whether or not characters have been input in the line preceding the line where the cursor K is located, and whether or not the deletion operation was performed at the beginning of the line where characters have been input. In this way, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line where the cursor K is located after the deletion to either the character size set for the nth line or the character size set for the n+1th line, depending on the situation when the line deletion operation was performed, thereby reducing the sense of discomfort felt by the user.

[0104] Furthermore, when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the line where the cursor K is located after deletion, depending on the determination result of whether or not there is character in front of the cursor K after deletion of the selection range 81, and whether or not there is character behind the cursor K after deletion of the selection range 81. In this way, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth line where the cursor K is located after deletion to either the character size set for the first line of the selection range 81 or the character size set for the last line of the selection range 81, depending on the situation when a range selection and deletion operation of multiple lines is performed, thereby reducing the sense of discomfort felt by the user.

[0105] The following modifications may be adopted without being limited to the above embodiment. [Variation 1] In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 1 printed multiple lines of text so that the line direction was the width direction of the tape T, i.e., the Y direction, but the line direction may also be the length direction of the tape T, i.e., the X direction. For example, if the length of the printable area PE in the X direction is limited, such as when the print mode is set to fixed length printing, the mobile terminal 1 can set the character size of the automatically sized lines to the largest size that fits within the remaining length, which is the length of the printable area PE in the X direction minus the total length in the X direction of the lines for which the character size has been specified by the user.

[0106] [Variation 2] The mobile terminal 1 may be configured to execute the character size setting process shown in FIG. 5 when the following condition is not met. For example, the condition may be "When a line feed operation is performed on the nth line, for which a character size is specified, and the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines after the line feed are set to the character size specified for the nth line, the line length of the multiple lines of text entered on the editing screen D1 falls within the line length of the printable area PE." The mobile terminal 1 determines whether this condition is met instead of step S01 in FIG. 5. That is, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that this condition is not met, it executes step S02 and subsequent steps. Furthermore, if the mobile terminal 1 determines that this condition is met, it sets the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines after the line feed to the character size set for the nth line. This configuration allows the mobile terminal 1 to reduce the frequency with which the error display screen D2 is displayed when a line feed operation is performed, while minimizing the user's discomfort.

[0107] [Variation 3] When a line feed operation is performed at the beginning or end of the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 may set the character sizes of both the nth line and the n+1th line after the line feed to automatic size. Furthermore, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning of the nth line, regardless of whether characters have been input on the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 may set the character size of the nth line after the line feed to automatic size and set the character size of the n+1th line after the line feed to the character size that was set on the nth line before the line feed.

[0108] [Variation 4] The tape printing device 2 may be provided with a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of convex or concave portions formed on the tape cartridge C, instead of the cartridge information acquisition unit 42, and acquire cartridge information from the detection result of the detection unit. Alternatively, the tape printing device 2 may acquire cartridge information from a circuit board that has a memory element and is provided in the case of the tape cartridge C.

[0109] [Variation 5] The functional configuration of the mobile terminal 1 shown in Fig. 4 may be realized by the tape printer 2. In this case, the three functional configurations shown in Fig. 4 are realized by the printer CPU 44a executing various control programs stored in the printer ROM 44b. The tape printer 2 also performs printing based on the results of editing the print image G using the keyboard 21. The display control unit 110 of the tape printer 2 causes the display 22 to display an editing screen D1 and an error display screen D2. The print control unit 130 of the tape printer 2 also causes the printing unit 43 to print multiple lines of character strings entered on the editing screen D1 in the character size set by the character size setting unit 120.

[0110] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the tape printer 2 prints using a thermal transfer method, but printing may also be performed using other printing methods, such as an inkjet method. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the tape printer 2 cuts a long piece of tape T to create labels L, but labels L may also be created by printing on a long piece of tape with multiple strip-shaped label elements arranged on it. In this case, the printable area PE is determined according to the size and paragraph structure of the label elements. Furthermore, the above embodiment may also be applied to a printer that prints on print media other than tape T or label elements, such as copy paper. Other appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0111] [Note] The following additionally describes an information processing device, a tape printing device, a printing system, a control method for an information processing device, and a program. The mobile terminal 1 is equipped with a display control unit 110 that causes an editing screen D1 to be displayed on the touch panel 11, which allows editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in the printable area PE of the tape T by the tape printing device 2; a character size setting unit 120 that sets the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1; and a print control unit 130 that causes the tape printing device 2 to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 at the character size set by the character size setting unit 120. The character size setting unit 120 can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break operation is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) in the editing screen D1, for which a character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is automatically set to an automatic size setting that sets the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1, to fit within the length in the line direction of the printable area PE.

[0112] The tape printing device 2 comprises a printing unit 43 that prints on the tape T, a display control unit 110 that causes an editing screen D1 on the display 22 that can edit multiple lines of text to be printed in the printable area PE of the tape T by the printing unit 43, a character size setting unit 120 that sets the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1, and a printing control unit 130 that causes the printing unit 43 to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 at the character size set by the character size setting unit 120. The character size setting unit 120 can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) in the editing screen D1 for which a character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 fits within the line direction length of the printable area PE.

[0113] The printing system SY is a printing system in which a portable terminal 1 and a tape printing device 2 are communicably connected, and the portable terminal 1 has a display control unit 110 that displays on the touch panel 11 an editing screen D1 that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings to be printed in a printable area PE of the tape T by the tape printing device 2, a character size setting unit 120 that sets the character size of the multiple lines of character strings input on the editing screen D1, and a control unit 120 that prints the multiple lines of character strings input on the editing screen D1 on the tape at the character size set by the character size setting unit 120. The printing control unit 130 causes the printing device 2 to print, and the character size setting unit 120 can set the character size of the string on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) on the editing screen D1, where the character size specified by the user has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines of the multiple lines of the string entered on the editing screen D1 are aligned, falls within the length in the line direction of the printable area PE.

[0114] The control method of the portable terminal 1 includes the steps of: displaying on the touch panel 11 an editing screen D1 that enables editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in the printable area PE of the tape T by the tape printing device 2; setting the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1; and causing the tape printing device 2 to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 at the set character size. In the step of setting the character size of the multiple lines of text, the character size of the text can be set on a line-by-line basis, and when a line break is performed at the beginning or end of the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) in the editing screen D1 for which the user has set the character size, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 fits within the line direction length of the printable area PE.

[0115] The label creation application 30 causes the mobile terminal 1 to execute the following steps: displaying on the touch panel 11 an editing screen D1 that enables editing of multiple lines of text to be printed in the printable area PE of the print medium by the tape printing device 2; setting the character size of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1; and causing the tape printing device 2 to print the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 at the set character size. In the step of setting the character size of the multiple lines of text, the mobile terminal 1 can set the character size of the text on a line-by-line basis, and when a line feed operation is performed on the text at the beginning or end of an nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) in the editing screen D1 for which a user-specified character size has been set, the character size of at least one of the nth line and the n+1th line after the line feed is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of text entered in the editing screen D1 fits within the line direction length of the printable area PE.

[0116] According to this configuration, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning or end of line n on the editing screen D1, the mobile terminal 1 or tape printer 2 automatically sets the character size of at least one of line n and line n+1. Therefore, compared to when the mobile terminal 1 or tape printer 2 sets line n and line n+1 to the character size set for line n before the line feed operation, the mobile terminal 1 or tape printer 2 can prevent the line length of multiple lines of text entered on the editing screen D1 from exceeding the line length of the printable area PE. This allows the mobile terminal 1 or tape printer 2 to display errors less frequently and improve user operability.

[0117] In the above mobile terminal 1, when a line break operation is performed in the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0118] In the above-mentioned tape printing device 2, when a line break operation is performed in the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0119] In the above printing system SY, when a line break operation is performed within the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0120] In the above-mentioned control method for the mobile terminal 1, in the step of setting the character size of a multi-line string of characters, when a line break operation is performed within the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character sizes of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break be set to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0121] In the above-mentioned label creation application 30, in the step of setting the character size of a multi-line string of characters, when a line break operation is performed within the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break be set to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0122] According to this configuration, when a line break operation is performed within the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the nth and n+1th lines after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break, thereby reducing the user's discomfort.

[0123] In the above mobile terminal 1, when a line break operation is performed at the beginning of the nth line in which characters are entered on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size setting unit 120 automatically sets the character size of the nth line after the line break, and sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break.

[0124] According to this configuration, when a line feed operation is performed at the beginning of the nth line in which characters are entered, the mobile terminal 1 sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line feed to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line feed, thereby reducing the sense of discomfort felt by the user.

[0125] In the above mobile terminal 1, when a line break operation is performed at the end of the nth line on the editing screen D1, it is preferable that the character size setting unit 120 sets the character size of the nth line after the line break to the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break, and sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line break to an automatic size setting.

[0126] According to this configuration, when a line break operation is performed at the end of the nth line, the mobile terminal 1 maintains the character size of the nth line at the character size that was set for the nth line before the line break, thereby reducing the sense of discomfort felt by the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 1...mobile terminal, 2...tape printing device, 11...touch panel, 30...label creation application, 43...printing unit, 81...selection range, 110...display control unit, 120...character size setting unit, 130...printing control unit, D1...editing screen, PE...printable area, SY...printing system, T...tape.

Claims

1. a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, When characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, with the character size set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the information processing device performs automatic size setting to set the character size of the nth line after the line break so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines of the character string of multiple lines entered on the editing screen are aligned, fits within the line direction length of the printable area, and sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line break to the character size set on the nth line before the line break.

2. a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, An information processing device characterized by performing automatic size setting on the editing screen, in which when no characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) where the character size is set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size set on the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

3. a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, An information processing device characterized in that, when a line break operation is performed at the end of the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) on the editing screen, in which the character size specified by the user is set, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size set on the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

4. a printing unit that prints on a print medium; a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in the printable area of ​​the print medium by the printing unit; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, When characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) on the editing screen, with the character size set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the tape printing device performs automatic size setting to set the character size of the nth line after the line break so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines of the character string of multiple lines entered on the editing screen are aligned, fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area, and sets the character size of the n+1th line after the line break to the character size set on the nth line before the line break.

5. a printing unit that prints on a print medium; a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in the printable area of ​​the print medium by the printing unit; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, When no characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, where the character size is set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size set on the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

6. a printing unit that prints on a print medium; a display control unit that displays on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings that are printed in the printable area of ​​the print medium by the printing unit; a character size setting unit that sets a character size of the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; a print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in the character size set by the character size setting unit, The character size setting unit The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, When a line break is performed at the end of the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, where the character size has been set by the user, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size that was set on the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

7. The information processing device displaying on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings to be printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; setting a character size for the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; and causing the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in a set character size; In the step of setting the character size of the character string of multiple lines, The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, with the character size set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to an automatic size setting such that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines of the character string of multiple lines entered on the editing screen are arranged, fits within the line direction length of the printable area, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set to the character size set on the nth line before the line break.

8. The information processing device displaying on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings to be printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; setting a character size for the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; and causing the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in a set character size; In the step of setting the character size of the character string of multiple lines, The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when no characters are entered on the nth line (n is an integer greater than or equal to 1) on the editing screen, where the character size is set by the user, and a line break is performed at the beginning of the nth line, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size set on the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

9. The information processing device displaying on a display unit an editing screen that allows editing of multiple lines of character strings to be printed in a printable area of ​​a print medium by the tape printing device; setting a character size for the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen; and causing the tape printing device to print the character string of multiple lines input on the editing screen in a set character size; In the step of setting the character size of the character string of multiple lines, The character size of the character string can be set on a line-by-line basis, A control method for an information processing device, characterized in that when a line break operation is performed at the end of the nth line (n is an integer such that n≧1) on the editing screen, in which the character size specified by the user is set, the character size of the nth line after the line break is set to the character size set for the nth line before the line break, and the character size of the n+1th line after the line break is set so that the length in the line direction, which is the direction in which the lines are arranged, of the multiple lines of the character string entered on the editing screen fits within the length in the line direction of the printable area.

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