Computer program for a terminal device, terminal device, and method executed by a terminal device

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of improving convenience of a user.SOLUTION: A terminal device stores first instruction information in a memory when a first template including a first object region exists and a prescribed instruction is given, and stores second instruction information in the memory when a second template including a second object region exists and the prescribed instruction is given. When a printing instruction is acquired in a state in which the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, the terminal device generates first printing data that is data indicating a first printing label image in which a first text is described in the first object region, and generates second printing data that is data indicating a second printing label image in which the first text is described in the second object region. The terminal device transmits the first printing data and the second printing data to a label printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification discloses a technique related to a terminal device that causes a label printer to execute printing. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a printing device and a mobile information terminal. The mobile information terminal transmits a layout template acquired from a server to the printing device. When the mobile information terminal receives a selection of an arbitrary layout template from template catalog data, it acquires the arbitrary layout template from the server and transmits information indicating that the arbitrary layout template has been selected to the printing device. When the mobile terminal receives input of text information into a text input field of the arbitrary layout template, it transmits the input text information to the printing device. When the printing device receives the information indicating that the arbitrary layout template has been selected and the text information from the mobile information terminal, it executes printing of an image in which the received text information is written in the text input field of the arbitrary layout template. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-272725 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a technology that can improve user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A computer program disclosed in this specification is a computer program for a terminal device, and includes the following components: a first storage control unit that, when a first template including a first object region exists and a predetermined instruction is given to the first object region, causes a computer of the terminal device to store, in a memory of the terminal device, first instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the first object region; a second storage control unit that, when a second template including a second object region, the second template being different from the first template, exists and the predetermined instruction is given to the second object region, causes a second instruction information to be stored in the memory, the second instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the second object region; and a second storage control unit that, when a print instruction is acquired in a state in which the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, causes a computer of the terminal device to print the first object region indicated by the first instruction information. a first generation unit that generates first print data for causing a label printer to generate one label, using the first template including the second object area, where the first print data is data representing a first print label image in which first text specified by a user is written in the first object area; a second generation unit that, when the print instruction is acquired with the first instruction information and the second instruction information stored in the memory, generates second print data for causing the label printer to generate one label, using the second template including the second object area indicated by the second instruction information, where the second print data is data representing a second print label image in which the first text is written in the second object area; and a print data transmission unit that transmits the first print data and the second print data to the label printer.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the terminal device acquires a print instruction while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in memory, the terminal device transmits to the label printer first print data representing a first print label image in which the first text is written in the first object area, and second print data representing a second print label image in which the first text is written in the second object area. This allows the user to have the label printer print first and second print label images containing the same first text. This improves user convenience.

[0007] The present invention also provides a novel and useful computer-readable storage medium for storing the computer program, a terminal device implemented by the computer program, and a method executed by the terminal device. The present invention also provides a novel and useful communication system including a terminal device and a label printer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] 10 shows a sequence diagram of Case A in which a label image including text specified by the user is printed. [Figure 3] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 2. [Figure 4] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 3. [Figure 5] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 4. [Figure 6] 10 shows a sequence diagram of Case B in which a label image including text specified by the user is printed. [Figure 7] A sequence diagram for Case C is shown, in which a label image containing text in a csv file is printed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Example) (Configuration of communication system 2: Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a mobile terminal 10 and a label printer 50. The mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 establish a wireless connection with an AP (abbreviation of Access Point) 4. The mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 can communicate with each other via the AP 4.

[0010] In this embodiment, a user uses a mobile terminal 10 and a label printer 50 to generate labels to be affixed to objects to be managed. The label printer 50 prints a label image on adhesive label tape to generate the labels. The mobile terminal 10 generates print data representing the label image and sends the generated print data to the label printer 50.

[0011] (Configuration of mobile terminal 10) The mobile terminal 10 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, etc. The mobile terminal 10 includes a display unit 12, a wireless LAN interface (hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as “I / F”) 14, and a control unit 20.

[0012] The display unit 12 is a display for displaying various information. The display unit 12 also functions as a so-called touch panel. Therefore, the user can input various instructions to the mobile terminal 10 by operating a plurality of keys displayed on the display unit 12. In other words, the display unit 12 also functions as an operation unit.

[0013] The wireless LAN I / F 14 is an I / F for performing Wi-Fi communication according to the Wi-Fi system, and establishes a wireless connection with the AP 4. The Wi-Fi system is a wireless communication system based on the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 802.11 standard and standards equivalent thereto (e.g., 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc.).

[0014] The control unit 20 includes a CPU 22 and a memory 24. The memory 24 is configured from volatile memory, non-volatile memory, etc. The CPU 22 executes various processes in accordance with an OS (short for Operating System) program 28, a print application 30, etc. stored in the memory 24. The OS program 28 is a program for controlling various basic operations of the mobile terminal 10. The print application 30 is an application provided by the vendor of the label printer 50 and is installed on the mobile terminal 10 from, for example, a server on the Internet. The print application 30 is an application for causing the label printer 50 to print labels using the mobile terminal 10. Hereinafter, the application may be referred to as an "app."

[0015] The memory 24 also stores a sheet table ST and a CSV file CF1. The sheet table ST stores sheet names and width information in association with each other. The sheet name is the name of the sheet on which the template containing the label image to be printed is displayed. The width information indicates the width of the label tape on which the label image is to be printed. A CSV file is a text file in which multiple texts are separated by commas. Figure 1 shows the multiple texts written in the CSV file CF1 in table format. The first row (i.e., the top row) of the CSV file CF1 contains field names. In the CSV file CF1, text corresponding to the field name "User Name" and text corresponding to the field name "Age" are arranged in columns (vertically). The CSV file CF1 contains four pieces of text: "U1," "U2," "30," and "40."

[0016] The memory 24 may further store a label file LF1 containing a template for generating print data representing a label image. A plurality of object tables OT and CSV information CI may be written to the label file LF1. The object table OT associates object names with character string information. The object names are information for identifying object sections (described later). The character string information is information for specifying text to be written in the object section corresponding to the object name associated with the character string information. The CSV information CI is information indicating the CSV file associated with the label file LF1.

[0017] (Label printer 50 configuration) The label printer 50 includes a display unit 52, a print execution unit 54, a tape loading unit 56, a wireless LAN I / F 58, and a control unit 60.

[0018] The display unit 52 is a display for displaying various information. A label cassette (not shown) containing label tape 56a is attached to the tape attachment unit 56. In this embodiment, label cassettes containing label tape with widths of 18 mm and 24 mm can be attached to the tape attachment unit 56. The print execution unit 54 is a so-called thermal transfer printing mechanism that generates labels by transferring a label image onto the label tape 56a. In a modified example, the print execution unit 54 may be an inkjet or laser printing mechanism. The wireless LAN I / F 58 is the same as the wireless LAN I / F 14 described above.

[0019] The control unit 60 includes a CPU 62 and a memory 64. The CPU 62 executes various processes in accordance with a program 70 stored in the memory 64. The memory 64 is configured by a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, etc.

[0020] (Specific cases: Figures 2 to 7) Specific cases A to C realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 7. In the following, for ease of understanding, the operations performed by the CPU 22 of the mobile terminal 10 and the CPU 62 of the label printer 50 will be described mainly in terms of the mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50, respectively, rather than mainly in terms of the CPUs 22 and 62. Furthermore, various communications between the mobile terminal 10 and the label printer 50 are performed via the wireless LAN I / Fs 14, 58, and AP 4. For this reason, in the following, when describing various communications, references to "via the wireless LAN I / Fs 14, 58, and AP 4" will be omitted.

[0021] (Case A; Figures 2 to 5) 2 to 5, a case A will be described in which two labels LB11 and LB12 (see FIG. 5) containing text entered by the user are printed. In the initial state of case A, the sheet table ST stores the sheet name "sheet1" and width information "18 mm" in association with each other. Also, a label file LF1 is stored in the memory 24. The csv information CI of the label file LF1 is empty, and the label file LF1 does not store an object table OT. Also, a label tape 56a having a width of "18 mm" is loaded into the tape loading section 56 of the label printer 50.

[0022] When the mobile terminal 10 receives an application launch operation to launch the print application 30, it executes the following processes in accordance with the print application 30. First, when the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to open the label file LF1, it displays a first top screen 200 on the display unit 12. The first top screen 200 includes a close button B1, a save button B2, a print button B3, a data button B4, a menu button B5, an add button B6, a first sheet ST1, a sheet tab TB, and a tape width selection field TS. The close button B1 is a button for terminating the print application 30. The save button B2 is a button for saving the label file LF1. The print button B3 is a button for executing the label printing process. The data button B4 is a button for displaying a screen for associating object areas with field names. The menu button B5 is a button for displaying multiple menus. The add button B6 is a button for adding a sheet. The first sheet ST1 includes a first template TP1. The first template TP1 is an area representing the label image to be printed by the label printer 50. The tape width selection field TS is a field for selecting the width (18 mm, 24 mm) of the label tape on which the label image is to be printed. In the object table OT1, the sheet name "sheet1" of the first sheet ST1 is associated with the width information "18 mm," and therefore the first template TP1 included in the first sheet ST1 is associated with the width information "18 mm."

[0023] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts selection of the menu button B5 at T10, it displays a menu screen MS on the first top screen 200. The menu screen MS includes a connect button MB1, a disconnect button MB2, and a create button MB3. The connect button MB1 is a button for opening a CSV file and associating the CSV file with the label file LF1. The disconnect button MB2 is a button for canceling the association between the CSV file and the label file LF1. The create button MB3 is a button for generating an object area. The object area is an area where text, symbols, photos, etc. to be printed are placed.

[0024] At T12, the mobile terminal 10 accepts selection of the create button MB3. When an area for placing a new object section OB1 is specified and the mobile terminal 10 accepts input of the object name "Text1" for the new object section OB1, the mobile terminal 10 displays the object section OB1 within the first template TP1 on the first top screen 200. In this embodiment, the object name "Text1" is displayed in the object section OB1, but text different from the object name may also be displayed in the object section OB1. The mobile terminal 10 generates an object table OT1 corresponding to the first sheet ST1 and stores the object name "Text1" in the object table OT1. At this point, the character string information associated with the object name "Text1" in the object table OT1 is empty.

[0025] At T14, the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the menu button B5 and then the selection of the create button MB3. When the mobile terminal 10 specifies an area for arranging the new object part OB2 and accepts input of the object name "Text2" for the new object part OB2, it displays the object part OB2 within the first template TP1 on the first top screen 200. The mobile terminal 10 stores the object name "Text2" in the object table OT1. At this point, the character string information associated with the object names "Text1" and "Text2" in the object table OT1 is empty.

[0026] At T16, the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the menu button B5 and then the selection of the create button MB3. Then, when the mobile terminal 10 specifies an area for placing the new object portion OB3 and accepts the selection of the symbol "smiley face" for the new object portion OB3, it displays the object portion OB3 within the first template TP1 on the first top screen 200, as shown in FIG.

[0027] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the object part OB1 in the first template TP1 in T20, it displays a property setting screen 202 on the display unit 12. The property setting screen 202 is a screen for setting the properties of the object part OB1. The property setting screen 202 includes a font setting field FS, a font size setting field SS, a string information selection field CS, an OK button B7, and a cancel button B8. The font setting field FS is a field for selecting the font of the text displayed in the object part OB1. The font setting field FS is a field for selecting the size of the text displayed in the object part OB1. The string information selection field CS is a field for associating string information to be associated with the object part OB1. The string information selection field CS includes a "first string," a "second string," and a "third string," as well as check boxes corresponding to each of the "first string," "second string," and "third string." In T24, the mobile terminal 10 accepts a check in the checkbox corresponding to the "first character string," and in T26, accepts selection of the OK button B7, and displays the first top screen 200 on the display unit 12. The mobile terminal 10 also determines that a first association instruction for associating the character string information "first character string" with the object unit OB1 has been acquired, and stores the character string information "first character string" in association with the object name "Text1" of the object unit OB1 in the object table OT1. Next, in T30, the mobile terminal 10 accepts selection of the object unit OB2 in the first template TP1. In this case, a property setting screen (not shown) corresponding to the object unit OB2 is displayed on the display unit 12. In T30, the mobile terminal 10 further accepts a check in the checkbox corresponding to the "second character string," and accepts selection of the OK button. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 10 displays the first top screen 200 on the display unit 12. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a second association instruction has been acquired to associate the string information "second string" with the object section OB2, and stores the string information "second string" in the object table OT1 in association with the object name "Text2" of the object section OB2.

[0028] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the Add button B6 at T40, it displays a second top screen 204 including a second sheet ST2 on the display unit 12. The second sheet ST2 includes a second template TP2. The second top screen 204 is similar to the first top screen 200 shown in the upper left of FIG. 2, except that it includes the second sheet ST2 and the sheet tab TB includes two tabs. The mobile terminal 10 also associates the sheet name "sheet2" of the second sheet ST2 with the width information "18 mm" and stores them in the sheet table ST. In the following, in the sheet tab TB, the tab corresponding to the selected sheet is shown in white, and the tab corresponding to the unselected sheet is shown in gray. In the following, the selection of the Menu button B5 and the Generate button MB3 (see FIG. 2) when generating a new object section will be omitted from the description.

[0029] In T42, the mobile terminal 10 specifies an area in which to place a new object part OB4 and accepts input of the object name "Text4" for the new object part OB4, and displays the object part OB4 in the second template TP2 on the second top screen 204. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 generates an object table OT2 corresponding to the second sheet ST2 and stores the object name "Text4" in the object table OT1. In T42, the mobile terminal 10 further specifies an area in which to place a new object part OB5 and accepts input of the object name "Text5" for the new object part OB5, and displays the object part OB5 in the second template TP2 on the second top screen 204. The mobile terminal 10 stores the object name "Text5" in the object table OT2. In T42, the mobile terminal 10 further specifies an area in which to place a new object part OB6 and accepts selection of the symbol "peace sign" for the new object part OB6, and displays the object part OB6 in the second template TP2 on the second top screen 204.

[0030] In T44, the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the object portion OB4 in the second template TP2, accepts a check in the checkbox corresponding to the "first character string" in the property setting screen (not shown) corresponding to the object portion OB4, and accepts the selection of the OK button. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a third association instruction for associating the character string information "first character string" with the object portion OB4 has been acquired, and stores the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT2 in association with the object name "Text4." Furthermore, in T46, the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the object portion OB5 in the second template TP2, accepts a check in the checkbox corresponding to the "second character string" in the property setting screen (not shown) corresponding to the object portion OB5, and accepts the selection of the OK button. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that a fourth association instruction for associating the character string information "second character string" with the object portion OB5 has been acquired, and stores the character string information "second character string" in the object table OT2 in association with the object name "Text5."

[0031] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the print button B3 in T50, it determines that a print instruction has been acquired and displays the first print setting screen 206 (FIG. 5) on the display unit 12. The first print setting screen 206 includes a print quantity selection field NS, a first text specification field TD1, an OK button B7, and a Cancel button B8. The first text specification field TD1 is a field for specifying text to be written in the object portion. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the string information "First String" and "Second String" are included in the object tables OT1 and OT2, and displays the input fields corresponding to the string information "First String" and "Second String" in white. However, it determines that the string information "Third String" is not included in either object table OT, and displays the input field corresponding to the string information "Third String" in gray. This allows the user to know that there is no object portion associated with the string information "Third String." At T60, the mobile terminal 10 accepts the input of "U1" in the input field corresponding to the character string information "first character string" and the input of "30" in the input field corresponding to the character string information "second character string," and at T62, when it accepts the selection of the OK button B7, it transmits a request signal to the label printer 50 requesting the transmission of current width information indicating the width of the label tape 56a currently attached to the label printer 50.

[0032] When the label printer 50 receives the request signal from the portable terminal 10, it acquires the current width information "18 mm" indicating the width of the label tape 56 a currently attached to the label printer 50, and transmits the acquired current width information "18 mm" to the portable terminal 10.

[0033] When the mobile terminal 10 receives the current width information "18 mm" from the label printer 50, it identifies, in the sheet table ST, the width information "18 mm" associated with the sheet name "sheet1" of the first sheet ST1 that includes the first template TP1. The mobile terminal 10 then determines that the width "18 mm" indicated by the identified width information matches the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates first print data for causing the label printer 50 to generate one label using the first template TP1 that includes object portions OB1, OB2, and OB3. The mobile terminal 10 identifies, in the object table OT1, that the character string information "first character string" and "second character string" are associated with the object names "Text1" and "Text2," respectively (see FIG. 4). The mobile terminal 10 then determines that the text "U1" and "30" specified by the user in T60 and T62 correspond to the character string information "first character string" and "second character string," respectively. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 specifies that the text "U1" corresponding to the character string information "first character string" is to be written in the object portion OB1 corresponding to the object name "Text1," and the text "30" corresponding to the character string information "second character string" is to be written in the object portion OB2 corresponding to the object name "Text2." The mobile terminal 10 then generates first print data representing a first print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB1, the text "30" is written in the object portion OB2, and the symbol "smiley face" is arranged in the object portion OB3. The mobile terminal 10 also specifies, in the sheet table ST, width information "18 mm" associated with the sheet name "sheet2" of the second sheet ST2 including the second template TP2. The mobile terminal 10 then determines that the width "18 mm" indicated by the identified width information matches the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates second print data for causing the label printer 50 to generate one label using the second template TP2 including object portions OB4, OB5, and OB6.The mobile terminal 10 executes the same process as when using the first template TP1, specifying that the text "U1" corresponding to the character string information "first character string" should be written in the object portion OB4 corresponding to the object name "Text4," and that the text "30" corresponding to the character string information "second character string" should be written in the object portion OB5 corresponding to the object name "Text5." The mobile terminal 10 then generates second print data representing a second print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB4, the text "30" is written in the object portion OB5, and the symbol "peace sign" is placed in the object portion OB6. Next, the mobile terminal 10 transmits the first print data and the second print data to the label printer 50.

[0034] When the label printer 50 receives the first print data and the second print data from the mobile terminal 10, it uses the first print data to print a label LB11 corresponding to the first print label image, and uses the second print data to print a label LB12 corresponding to the second print label image. In label LB11, the text "U1" is written in object section OB1, the text "30" is written in object section OB2, and the symbol "smiley face" is placed in object section OB3. In label LB12, the text "U1" is written in object section OB4, the text "30" is written in object section OB5, and the symbol "peace sign" is placed in object section OB6. In other words, labels LB11 and LB12 contain the same text "U1" and "30."

[0035] (Effect of Case A) As shown in Case A, the first template TP1 (see FIG. 3) includes an object portion OB1 (see FIG. 3) and an object portion OB2 (see FIG. 3), and the second template TP2 (see FIG. 4) includes an object portion OB4 (see FIG. 4) and an object portion OB5. When the object table OT1 associates the object names "Text1" and "Text2" with the character string information "first character string" and "second character string," respectively, and the object table OT2 associates the object names "Text4" and "Text5" with the character string information "first character string" and "second character string," the mobile terminal 10 generates first print data and second print data when it accepts selection of the print button B3. In the first print label image represented by the first print data, the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB1, and the text "30" is written in the object portion OB2. In the second print label image represented by the second print data, the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB4, and the text "30" is written in the object portion OB5. With this configuration, the user can have the label printer 50 print labels LB11 and LB12 that include both of the text "U1" and "30." This improves user convenience.

[0036] As shown in Case A, the user can input text to be written in the object portion on the first print setting screen 206. This configuration allows the user to reliably print a label containing the text they desire, thereby improving user convenience.

[0037] (Case B; Figure 6) Referring to FIG. 6, case B, in which labels LB21 and LB22 of different widths are printed, will be described. The initial state of case B is the state after T46 (see FIG. 4) of case A. That is, in the sheet table ST, width information "18 mm" and "18 mm" are stored in association with the sheet names "sheet1" and "sheet2," respectively. In the object table OT1, string information "first string" and "second string" are stored in association with the object names "Text1" and "Text2," respectively. In the object table OT2, string information "first string" and "second string" are stored in association with the object names "Text4" and "Text5," respectively. The second top screen 204 in the upper left of FIG. 6 is the same as the second top screen 204 in the lower right of FIG. 4.

[0038] When the mobile terminal 10 receives an operation to change "18 mm" to "24 mm" in the tape width selection field TS at T110, the mobile terminal 10 changes "18 mm" displayed in the tape width selection field TS to "24 mm." The mobile terminal 10 also changes the width information "18 mm" associated with the sheet name "sheet2" of the selected second sheet ST2 in the sheet table ST to "24 mm."

[0039] T112, T114, and T116 are the same as T50 in FIG. 4 and T60 and T62 in FIG. 5, respectively. As in Case A, the portable terminal 10 sends a request signal to the label printer 50 requesting the transmission of current width information and receives the current width information "18 mm" from the label printer 50. The portable terminal 10 then determines that the width "18 mm" indicated by the width information associated with the first template TP1 matches the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates first print data representing a first print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB1, the text "30" is written in the object portion OB2, and the symbol "smiley face" is arranged in the object portion OB3. The portable terminal 10 also determines that the width "24 mm" indicated by the width information associated with the second template TP2 does not match the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and does not generate second print data. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 sends only the first print data to the label printer 50.

[0040] When the label printer 50 receives the first print data from the mobile terminal 10, it uses the first print data to print a label LB21 corresponding to the first print label image. The label LB21 is the same as the label LB11 in FIG. 5.

[0041] Next, the mobile terminal 10 determines that there is a template for which print data was not generated (i.e., the second template TP2), and at T120, displays the print in progress screen 210 on the display unit 12. The print in progress screen 210 includes a print tape field PT, a continue button B9, and an end button B10. The print tape field PT includes width information "18 mm" and "24 mm" and check boxes corresponding to the width information "18 mm" and "24 mm," respectively. A check mark in a check box in the print tape field PT indicates that printing of a label with the width indicated by the width information corresponding to the check box has been completed. The user can know that printing of a label with the width indicated by the width information corresponding to an unchecked check box (in this case, "24 mm") has not been completed. In other words, the print in progress screen 210 also serves as a screen notifying the user that print data was not generated. The print in progress screen 210 further includes a message indicating that the label tape 56a attached to the label printer 50 needs to be replaced if label printing is to be performed.

[0042] At T122, the user replaces the label tape 56a installed in the label printer 50 with a label tape 56b having a tape width of "24 mm."

[0043] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts selection of the continue button B9 at T124, it sends a request signal to the label printer 50 requesting the transmission of current width information and receives the current width information "24 mm" from the label printer 50. The mobile terminal 10 then determines that the width "24 mm" indicated by the width information associated with the sheet name "sheet2" in the sheet table ST matches the width "24 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates second print data. The mobile terminal 10 generates second print data representing a second print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object portion OB4, the text "30" is written in the object portion OB5, and the symbol "peace sign" is arranged in the object portion OB6.

[0044] When the label printer 50 receives the second print data from the mobile terminal 10, it uses the second print data to print a label LB22 corresponding to the second print label image. The label LB22 is similar to the label LB12 in FIG. 5, except that the width of the label LB22 is 24 mm.

[0045] (Effect of Case B) As shown in Case B, the mobile terminal 10 generates print data when the width indicated by the width information associated with the template matches the width indicated by the current width information, and does not generate print data when the width indicated by the width information associated with the template matches the width indicated by the current width information. If print data is generated and sent to the label printer 50 even though the width indicated by the width information associated with the template matches the width indicated by the current width information, an error occurs in the label printer 50. With the above configuration, it is possible to prevent errors from occurring in the label printer 50, thereby improving user convenience.

[0046] As shown in Case B, if the second print data is not generated after the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the print button B3, the mobile terminal 10 displays the print in progress screen 210 on the display unit 12 to notify the user that the second print data was not printed. This configuration allows the user to know that there is a template that was not used for printing. This improves user convenience.

[0047] (Case C; Figure 7) Case C, in which labels LB31, LB32, LB41, and LB42 containing text in csv file CF1 are printed, will be described with reference to Figure 7. The initial state of Case C is the same as the initial state of Case B in Figure 6. The second top screen 204 in the upper left of Figure 7 is the same as the second top screen 204 in the upper left of Figure 6.

[0048] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the menu button B5, the connection button MB1 (see FIG. 2), and the csv file CF1 at T210, it displays the csv file CF1 in a table format on the second top screen 204. The mobile terminal 10 also determines that a connection instruction for associating the label file LF1 with the csv file CF1 has been acquired, and stores the file name "csv1" of the csv file CF1 in the csv information CI. This associates the label file LF1 with the csv file CF1.

[0049] When the mobile terminal 10 accepts the selection of the print button B3 at T212, it determines that a print instruction has been acquired and displays the second print setting screen 212 on the display unit 12. The second print setting screen 212 is similar to the first print setting screen 206 of FIG. 5 except that a second text specification field TD2 is displayed instead of the first text specification field TD1. The second text specification field TD2 differs from the first text specification field TD1 of FIG. 5 in that it includes a pull-down button. The user can select the field names "User Name" and "Age" in the CSV file CF1 by operating the second text specification field TD2. The user can directly enter the field names "User Name" and "Age" in the CSV file CF1 into the input field of the second text specification field TD2, or can directly enter text different from the field names "User Name" and "Age" into the input field of the second text specification field TD2. When the mobile terminal 10 accepts in T220 an operation to select the field name "user name" as the field name to be associated with the character string information "first character string" and the field name "age" as the field name to be associated with the character string information "second character string," the mobile terminal 10 displays "user name" in the field corresponding to the character string information "first character string" and displays "age" in the field corresponding to the character string information "second character string." When the mobile terminal 10 accepts selection of the OK button B7 in T222, the mobile terminal 10 transmits a request signal to the label printer 50 requesting transmission of current width information, and receives the current width information "18 mm" from the label printer 50.

[0050] The mobile terminal 10 determines that the width "18 mm" indicated by the width information corresponding to the first template TP1 matches the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates two pieces of first print data using the CSV file CF1 and the first template TP1. The mobile terminal 10 determines that the string information "First String" and "Second String" are associated with the object names "Text1" and "Text2" in the object table OT1 (see FIG. 4). Next, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the field names "User Name" and "Age" specified by the user in T220 and T222 correspond to the string information "First String" and "Second String," respectively. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 determines that the user specified two pieces of text, "U1" and "U2," corresponding to the field name "User Name" in the CSV file CF1, and two pieces of text, "30" and "40," corresponding to the field name "Age" in the CSV file CF1. The mobile terminal 10 then generates two pieces of first print data representing two first print label images, each of which has text corresponding to the field name "username" (i.e., "U1" and "U2") in the object portion OB1, text corresponding to the field name "age" (i.e., "30" and "40") in the object portion OB2, and a "smiley face" symbol in the object portion OB3. The mobile terminal 10 also determines that the width "18 mm" indicated by the width information corresponding to the second template TP2 matches the width "18 mm" indicated by the current width information, and generates two pieces of second print data using the csv file CF1 and the second template TP2. The mobile terminal 10 determines that the character string information "first character string" and "second character string" are associated with the object names "Text1" and "Text2" in the object table OT2, respectively (see FIG. 4).The mobile terminal 10 then generates two pieces of second print data representing two second print label images, each of which has text corresponding to the field name "Field Name" (i.e., "U1" and "U2") in the object portion OB4, text corresponding to the field name "Age" (i.e., "30" and "40") in the object portion OB5, and a "peace sign" symbol in the object portion OB6. The mobile terminal 10 then transmits the two pieces of first print data and the two pieces of second print data to the label printer 50.

[0051] When the label printer 50 receives two pieces of first print data and two pieces of second print data from the mobile terminal 10, it uses the two pieces of first print data to print labels LB31 and LB41 corresponding to the two first print label images, and uses the two pieces of second print data to print labels LB32 and LB42 corresponding to the two second print label images. Labels LB31 and LB32 are similar to labels LB11 and LB12 in FIG. 5 . Label LB41 has the text "U2" written in object section OB1, the text "40" written in object section OB2, and the symbol "smiley face" placed in object section OB3. Label LB42 has the text "U2" written in object section OB4, the text "40" written in object section OB5, and the symbol "peace sign" placed in object section OB6. That is, labels LB31 and LB32 contain the same text "U1" and "30," and labels LB41 and LB42 contain the same text "U2" and "40." The user can select a portion of the CSV file CF1 as the range to print. For example, the user can select only the second line in the CSV file CF1 as the range to print. In this case, only labels LB31 and LB32 containing the text "U1" and "30" written on the second line of the CSV file CF1 will be printed.

[0052] (Effect of Case C) As shown in Case C, when the object table OT1 associates the object name "Text1" with the character string information "first character string," and the object table OT2 associates the object name "Text4" with the character string information "first character string," the mobile terminal 10 generates two pieces of first print data and two pieces of second print data when it accepts selection of the print button B3. In each of the two first print label images represented by the two pieces of first print data, different texts out of the two texts "U1" and "U2" specified by the user are written in the object portion OB1, and in each of the two second print label images represented by the two pieces of second print data, different texts out of the two texts "U1" and "U2" specified by the user are written in the object portion OB4. With this configuration, the user can cause the label printer 50 to print four labels LB31, LB32, LB41, and LB42, each containing the two pieces of text "U1" and "U2." Therefore, it is possible to improve convenience for the user.

[0053] As shown in Case C, the two texts "U1" and "U2" are included in the CSV file CF1. With this configuration, the user does not need to manually enter the two pieces of text when printing labels. This improves user convenience.

[0054] (Effects of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the object name "Text1" is associated with the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT1 and the object name "Text4" is associated with the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT2, the mobile terminal 10, upon accepting selection of the print button B3, transmits to the label printer 50 the first print data representing a first print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object part OB1 and the second print data representing a second print label image in which the text "U1" is written in the object part OB4. This allows the user to have the label printer 50 print first and second print label images containing the same text "U1." This improves user convenience.

[0055] (Correspondence) The mobile terminal 10 is an example of a "terminal device." The object part OB1 is an example of a "first object area." The first related instruction and the third related instruction are examples of a "predetermined instruction." Information indicating the association between the object name "Text1" and the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT1 is an example of "first instruction information." The object part OB4 is an example of a "second object area." Information indicating the association between the object name "Text4" and the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT2 is an example of "second instruction information." The text "U1" is an example of a "first text." In the object table OT1, the width information associated with the sheet name "sheet1" and the width information associated with the sheet name "sheet2" are examples of "first width information" and "second width information," respectively. The print execution screen 210 in FIG. 6 is an example of a "notification screen." The object part OB2 and the object part OB5 are examples of a "third object area" and a "fourth object area," respectively. The second related instruction and the fourth related instruction are examples of a "second predetermined instruction." Information indicating the association between the object name "Text2" and the character string information "second character string" in the object table OT1 is an example of a "third instruction information." Information indicating the association between the object name "Text5" and the character string information "second character string" in the object table OT2 is an example of a "fourth instruction information." The text "30" is an example of a "second text." The texts "U1" and "U2" are examples of "M first texts." The csv file CF1 is an example of a "database file." The first print setting screen 206 in Figure 5 is an example of an "input screen."

[0056] In one aspect, the processing performed after T24 and T26 in FIG. 3 is an example of processing performed by a "first storage control unit." The processing performed after T44 in FIG. 4 is an example of processing performed by a "second storage control unit." The processing performed after T50 in FIG. 4 is an example of processing performed by a "first generation unit," a "second generation unit," and a "data transmission unit." In another aspect, the processing performed after T112 in FIG. 6 is an example of processing performed by a "first generation unit" and a "data transmission unit." The processing performed after T124 in FIG. 6 is an example of processing performed by a "second generation unit" and a "data transmission unit." In another aspect, the processing performed after T212 in FIG. 7 is an example of processing performed by a "first generation unit," a "second generation unit," and a "data transmission unit."

[0057] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0058] (First Modification) The mobile terminal 10 does not need to send a request signal to the label printer 50 to request the transmission of current width information. In this modification, when the object name "Text1" is associated with the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT1 and the object name "Text4" is associated with the character string information "first character string" in the object table OT2, the mobile terminal 10 generates the first print data and the second print data regardless of the width information associated with each template TP1, TP2. In this modification, the "request signal transmitter," "receiver," and "first display controller" can be omitted.

[0059] (Second Modification) In case B of Fig. 6, if the second print data is not generated, the mobile terminal 10 may not display the print in progress screen 210 on the display unit 12. In another modification, the mobile terminal 10 may notify by voice that the second print data is not generated, instead of displaying the print in progress screen 210 on the display unit 12. In these modifications, the "first display control unit" can be omitted.

[0060] (Third Modification) The first template TP1 and the second template TP2 may be included in the same sheet. In another modification, the first template TP1 and the second template TP2 may be stored in different label files. For example, the first template TP1 may be stored in a first label file, and the second template TP2 may be stored in a second label file. The first label file and the second label file may be registered in the same folder.

[0061] (Fourth Modification) The first template TP1 and the second template TP2 may be associated with only one text. In this modification, the "third storage control unit" and the "fourth storage control unit" may be omitted.

[0062] (Fifth Modification) An object portion may be associated with only one piece of text.

[0063] (Sixth Modification) The "database file" is not limited to a CSV file, but may be any file that can display multiple texts in a table format. For example, it may be an Excel file.

[0064] (Seventh Modification) The first print setting screen 206 in Fig. 5 does not need to include the first text specification field TD1. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may display a screen for specifying text corresponding to the character string information "first character string" after T26 in Fig. 3, or the first top screen 200 and the second top screen 204 may include a button for displaying a screen for specifying text corresponding to the character string information "first character string." In this modification, the "second display control unit" can be omitted.

[0065] (Eighth Modification) In the above embodiments, the processes in FIGS. 2 to 7 are implemented by software (i.e., the print application 30), but at least one of these processes may be implemented by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0066] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieve multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives is itself technically useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 2: communication system, 10: mobile terminal, 12: display unit, 14: wireless LAN I / F, 20: control unit, 22: CPU, 24: memory, 28: OS program, 30: print application, 50: label printer, 52: display unit, 54: print execution unit, 56: tape loading unit, 56a: label tape, 56b: label tape, 58: wireless LAN I / F, 60: control unit, 62: CPU, 64: memory, 70: program, 200: first top screen, 202: property setting screen, 204: second top screen, 206: first print setting screen, 210: print execution screen, 212: second print setting screen

Claims

1. A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device is composed of the following parts: a first storage control unit that, when a first template including a first object region exists and a predetermined instruction is given to the first object region, stores first instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the first object region in a memory of the terminal device; a second storage control unit that, when a second template including a second object region, the second template being different from the first template, exists and the predetermined instruction is given to the second object region, stores in the memory second instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the second object region; a first generation unit that, when a print instruction is acquired while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, generates first print data for causing a label printer to generate one label using the first template including the first object area indicated by the first instruction information, the first generation unit being data representing a first print label image in which first text specified by a user is written in the first object area; a second generation unit that, when the print instruction is acquired while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, generates second print data for causing the label printer to generate one label using the second template including the second object area indicated by the second instruction information, the second generation unit being data representing a second print label image in which the first text is written in the second object area; a print data sending unit that sends the first print data and the second print data to the label printer; A computer program that functions as a

2. the memory stores first width information indicating a width of the label tape to be printed in association with the first template, and stores second width information indicating a width of the label tape to be printed in association with the second template; The computer program further causes the computer to: a request signal sending unit that sends, when the print instruction is acquired while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, a request signal to the label printer requesting transmission of current width information indicating the width of the label tape currently loaded in the label printer; a receiving unit that receives the current width information from the label printer when the request signal is transmitted to the label printer; The first generation unit generating the first print data when the width indicated by the first width information associated with the first template matches the width indicated by the current width information; If the width indicated by the first width information does not match the width indicated by the current width information, the first print data is not generated; The second generation unit generating the second print data when the width indicated by the second width information associated with the second template matches the width indicated by the current width information; The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the second print data is not generated if the width indicated by the second width information and the width indicated by the current width information do not match.

3. The computer program further causes the computer to:

3. The computer program of claim 2, further comprising: a first display control unit that, when at least one of the first print data and the second print data is not generated after the print instruction is obtained, causes a notification screen to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device notifying the user that at least one of the first print data and the second print data has not been generated.

4. the first template is included in a first sheet of a label file; 4. The computer program of claim 1, wherein the second template is included in a second sheet of the label file that is different from the first sheet.

5. the first template includes the first object region and a third object region different from the first object region; the second template includes the second object region and a fourth object region different from the second object region; The computer program further causes the computer to: a third storage control unit that, when the first template exists and a second predetermined instruction is given to the third object region, stores in the memory third instruction information indicating that the second predetermined instruction has been given to the third object region; a fourth storage control unit that, when the second template exists and the second predetermined instruction is given to the fourth object region, stores in the memory fourth instruction information indicating that the second predetermined instruction has been given to the fourth object region; when the print instruction is acquired in a state in which the first instruction information, the second instruction information, the third instruction information, and the fourth instruction information are stored in the memory, the first text is written in the first object area and the second text specified by the user is written in the third object area in the first print label image, 5. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein, when the print instruction is acquired in a state in which the first instruction information, the second instruction information, the third instruction information, and the fourth instruction information are stored in the memory, the first text is written in the second object area and the second text is written in the fourth object area in the second print label image.

6. when the print instruction is acquired with the first instruction information and the second instruction information stored in the memory, the first generation unit uses the first template to generate M pieces of the first print data for causing the label printer to produce M labels (M is an integer of 2 or greater); In each of the M first print label images represented by the M first print data, a different first text from the M first texts designated by the user is written in the first object region, the second generation unit, when the print instruction is acquired with the first instruction information and the second instruction information stored in the memory, uses the second template to generate the M pieces of second print data for causing the label printer to produce M labels; 6. The computer program according to claim 1, wherein in each of the M second print label images represented by the M second print data, a different first text from the M first texts specified by the user is written in the second object area.

7. 7. The computer program of claim 6, wherein the M first texts are contained in a single database file.

8. The computer program further causes the computer to:

8. A computer program according to claim 1, wherein when the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory and the print instruction is acquired, the computer program functions as a second display control unit that displays an input screen for inputting the first text on a display unit of the terminal device.

9. A terminal device, Memory and a first storage control unit that, when a first template including a first object region exists and a predetermined instruction is given to the first object region, stores in the memory first instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the first object region; a second storage control unit that, when a second template including a second object region, the second template being different from the first template, exists and the predetermined instruction is given to the second object region, stores in the memory second instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the second object region; a first generation unit that, when a print instruction is acquired while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, generates first print data for causing a label printer to generate one label using the first template including the first object area indicated by the first instruction information, the first generation unit being data representing a first print label image in which first text specified by a user is written in the first object area; a second generation unit that, when the print instruction is acquired while the first instruction information and the second instruction information are stored in the memory, generates second print data for causing the label printer to generate one label using the second template including the second object area indicated by the second instruction information, the second generation unit being data representing a second print label image in which the first text is written in the second object area; a print data sending unit that sends the first print data and the second print data to the label printer; A terminal device comprising:

10. A method performed by a terminal device, comprising: a first storage control step of, when a first template including a first object region exists and a predetermined instruction is given to the first object region, storing first instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the first object region in a memory of the terminal device; a second storage control step of storing, in the memory, second instruction information indicating that the predetermined instruction has been given to the second object region, when a second template including a second object region, the second template being different from the first template, exists and the predetermined instruction has been given to the second object region; a first generation step of generating first print data for causing a label printer to generate one label when a print instruction is acquired with the first instruction information and the second instruction information stored in the memory, using the first template including the first object area indicated by the first instruction information, the first generation step being data representing a first print label image in which first text specified by a user is written in the first object area; a second generation step of generating second print data for causing the label printer to generate one label when the print instruction is acquired with the first instruction information and the second instruction information stored in the memory, using the second template including the second object area indicated by the second instruction information, the second generation step being data representing a second print label image in which the first text is written in the second object area; a print data sending step of sending the first print data and the second print data to the label printer; A method comprising:

Images