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

Abstract

To easily switch settings when at least part of a plurality of objects are displayed in an overlapped manner, the settings as to whether to display the object on the front side in a transmitted state or display it in a non-transmitted state.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus causes a PC-side display 11 to display an editing screen D1 on which an object editing operation is performed by a user, and a selection screen D2 that, on condition that a second object area E2 including a second object OJ2 is superposed on a first object area E1 including a first object OJ1 on the editing screen D1, causes the user to select between performing display with transmission in which, of the first object OJ1 and the second object OJ2, the object OJ on the front side is displayed in a transmitted state, and performing display without transmission in which the object on the front side is displayed in a non-transmitted state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1, an information processing device is known that includes a display unit and a control unit that causes the display unit to display an editing screen on which a user can perform an editing operation on an object. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-051657 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of information processing device, when a first object and a second object are displayed on the editing screen so that at least a portion of the first object and the second object overlap, the foreground object of the first object and the second object may be displayed transparently, or may be displayed non-transparently. Hereinafter, a display in which the foreground object is transparent will be referred to as a "transparent display," and a display in which the foreground object is not transparent will be referred to as a "non-transparent display."

[0005] For example, if a transparent display is being used on an editing screen and the user wants to switch the display settings to a non-transparent display, the user must open a properties screen or the like, display options for switching the display settings, and select an option. This type of operation is often performed when a second object area containing a second object is overlapped on a first object area containing a first object. In other words, in this case, the user must perform three steps of operations: overlapping the object areas, opening a properties screen, and selecting an option, which is time-consuming. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present invention comprises a display unit and a control unit that causes the display unit to display an editing screen on which a user can perform editing operations on objects. The control unit causes the display unit to display a selection screen that allows the user to select whether to display the first object and the second object in a transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed transparently, or a non-transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed non-transparently, on the condition that a first object area including a first object is overlaid on a second object area including a second object on the editing screen.

[0007] The control method for an information processing device of the present invention is a control method for an information processing device that includes a display unit and a control unit that causes the display unit to display an editing screen on which a user performs editing operations on objects, in which the control unit executes a step of causing the display unit to display a selection screen that allows the user to select whether to display the first object and the second object in a transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed transparently, or a non-transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed non-transparently, on the condition that a first object area including a first object is overlapped with a second object area including a second object on the editing screen.

[0008] The program of the present invention causes a control unit of an information processing device, which includes a display unit and a control unit that displays an editing screen on the display unit on which a user performs editing operations on objects, to execute a step of displaying a selection screen on the display unit that allows a user to select whether to display the first object and the second object in a transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed transparently, or a non-transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed non-transparently, on the condition that a first object area including a first object is overlapped with a second object area including a second object on the editing screen. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a tape printing system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of the tape printing device and the tape cartridge. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a PC and a tape printing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overlapping region of a first object region and a second object region. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of an overlapping region between a first object region and a second object region. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of an overlapping region between a first object region and a second object region. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on an editing screen in which a first object is displayed in a layout area. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an editing screen in which a first object region including a first object and a second object region including a second object are displayed in a layout region without overlapping each other. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an editing screen in which a first object region including a first object and a second object region including a second object are displayed in a layout region in an overlapping state. [Figure 10]A figure showing an example of a display of an editing screen and a selection screen displayed in a layout area with a first object area including a first object and a second object area including a second object overlapping each other. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of an editing screen in which a first object region including a first object and a second object region including a second object are displayed in a layout region in an overlapping state. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a selection screen display process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An information processing device, a control method for the information processing device, and a program therefor will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a tape printing system SY. The tape printing system SY includes a PC (Personal Computer) 1 and a tape printing device 2, which are communicatively connected via a cable 5. The PC 1 is an example of an "information processing device." Note that the PC 1 and the tape printing device 2 may be connected via wireless communication or via a network instead of the cable 5.

[0011] The PC 1 generates print data for printing on the tape T (see FIG. 2), which is the print medium of the tape printer 2, and sends the generated print data to the tape printer 2. The tape printer 2 prints a print image based on the print data sent from the PC 1 onto the tape T.

[0012] The PC 1 displays an editing screen D1 for editing the print image on the PC display 11 (see FIG. 7, etc.). On the editing screen D1, objects OJ are edited as part of the editing of the print image. An object OJ refers to a display element such as a character or a figure. Figures include polygons, circles, tables, ruled lines, and illustrations.

[0013] In this embodiment, the following mainly describes a method for editing objects OJ, particularly a method for switching between a setting of whether to display the foreground object OJ transparently or non-transparently when multiple objects OJ are at least partially overlapped. Hereinafter, the setting of whether to display the foreground object OJ transparently or non-transparently will be referred to as a "display setting."

[0014] Note that "making the foreground object OJ transparent" means displaying the foreground object OJ with the outline remaining and the inside of the object OJ not filled in. "Not filling the inside of the object OJ" means, in other words, filling the inside of the object OJ with a transparent color. Also, "displaying the foreground object OJ without transparency" means displaying the foreground object OJ with the outline remaining and the inside of the object OJ filled in with white.

[0015] More specifically, the PC 1 displays a selection screen D2 for switching display settings on the condition that a second object region E2 including a second object OJ2 is superimposed on a first object region E1 including a first object OJ1. The user can easily switch display settings by using this selection screen D2. Details will be described later.

[0016] 2 is an external view of the tape printing device 2 and the tape cartridge C. The tape printing device 2 includes an operation key group 21, a printing device display 22, a cartridge mounting section 23, and a tape ejection port 24.

[0017] The operation key group 21 accepts various user operations such as editing the print image. The printer display 22 displays various information such as an editing screen for editing the print image. Although the tape printer 2 can also edit the object OJ as part of editing the print image, in this embodiment, the object OJ is edited by the PC 1. The tape printer 2 also receives the results of editing the object OJ by the PC 1 as print data and performs printing based on the received print data.

[0018] A tape cartridge C is detachably mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 23. The tape cartridge C accommodates a tape T and an ink ribbon R in its case.

[0019] The cartridge mounting section 23 is provided with a thermal head 25. The thermal head 25 is driven to generate heat in accordance with print data transmitted from the PC 1 when the tape cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 23. This causes the ink on the ink ribbon R to be transferred to the tape T, and a print image based on the print data is printed on the tape T.

[0020] The printed tape T is discharged from the tape discharge port 24. A cutter 26 is provided between the cartridge mounting section 23 and the tape discharge port 24. The cutter 26 cuts the tape T in the width direction, thereby cutting off the printed portion of the tape T.

[0021] 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the PC 1 and the tape printing device 2. The PC 1 includes a PC display 11, an operation unit 12, a PC communication unit 13, a PC control unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The PC display 11 is an example of a "display unit."

[0022] The PC display 11 displays various information such as the editing screen D1. The operation unit 12 includes a mouse 12a and a keyboard 12b. The mouse 12a has a left button and a right button. Hereinafter, pressing the left button of the mouse 12a will be referred to as a "left click," and pressing the right button will be referred to as a "right click." The keyboard 12b is a general type that includes letter keys and number keys.

[0023] The PC-side communication unit 13 communicates with the tape printing device 2 via the cable 5. For example, the PC-side communication unit 13 transmits print data to the tape printing device 2 and receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 2 that indicates the type of tape cartridge C installed in the tape printing device 2.

[0024] The PC control unit 14 includes a PC central processing unit (CPU) 14a, a PC read-only memory (ROM) 14b, and a PC random access memory (RAM) 14c. The PC CPU 14a is an example of a "control unit."

[0025] The PC-side CPU 14a performs various controls by loading various programs stored in the PC-side ROM 14b or the storage unit 15 (described later) into the PC-side RAM 14c and executing them. Note that the PC-side control unit 14 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) as a processor instead of the PC-side CPU 14a. The processor may also be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together to operate.

[0026] The PC-side ROM 14b stores control programs and control data that do not need to be rewritten, and the PC-side RAM 14c is used as a work area for the PC-side CPU 14a to perform various controls.

[0027] The storage unit 15 is, for example, a hard disk drive, and stores a tape printing application 30. The tape printing application 30 is an example of a "program." The tape printing application 30 is an application program for displaying the editing screen D1 and the selection screen D2, generating print data, and communicating with the tape printing device 2.

[0028] The PC CPU 14a executes the tape printing application 30 to perform the following control. The PC CPU 14a displays an editing screen D1 on the PC display 11, where the user can edit the object OJ. The PC CPU 14a also displays a selection screen D2 on the PC display 11, on the condition that a second object area E2 including a second object OJ2 is overlapped on a first object area E1 including a first object OJ1 on the editing screen D1. The object area E is an area set for each object OJ, and is a rectangular area that includes the entire object OJ.

[0029] The selection screen D2 is a screen that allows the user to select whether to display the first object OJ1 and the second object OJ2 in a transparent display mode, in which the foreground object OJ is displayed transparently, or in a non-transparent display mode, in which the foreground object OJ is displayed non-transparently. The selection screen D2 also has a preview area E21 that displays the objects OJ displayed on the editing screen D1 in the same layout as the objects OJ displayed on the editing screen D1 (see FIG. 10).

[0030] Note that even when a second object region E2 including a second object OJ2 is overlapped on a first object region E1 including a first object OJ1, if the object OJ on the foreground cannot be displayed non-transparently, the PC CPU 14a does not display the selection screen D2. An example of an object OJ that cannot be displayed non-transparently is an object OJ that represents a "line." Hereinafter, an object OJ that cannot be displayed non-transparently is referred to as a "non-target object."

[0031] In this way, when the second object region E2, which is not a non-target object, overlaps the first object region E1 on the editing screen D1, the PC CPU 14a displays the selection screen D2 on the PC display 11. Hereinafter, this "second object region E2, which is not a non-target object, overlaps the first object region E1" is referred to as the "first overlapping condition." The first overlapping condition is an example of a "condition." The phrase "the second object region E2 overlaps the first object region E1" refers to the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 changing from a non-overlapping state to an overlapping state.

[0032] Note that "the second object region E2 overlaps the first object region E1" means that at least a portion of the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 overlap. In other words, "the second object region E2 overlaps the first object region E1" means that an overlapping region 90 (see FIG. 4, etc.) occurs between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the overlapping region 90 between the first object region E1 of the first object OJ1, which represents a circle, and the second object region E2 of the second object OJ2, which represents a rectangle. The first object region E1 including the first object OJ1, which represents a circle, is a rectangular region indicated by virtual lines. Furthermore, the second object region E2 including the second object OJ2, which represents a rectangle, coincides with the region of the second object OJ2.

[0033] 5 is a diagram showing an overlap region 90 between a first object region E1 of a first object OJ1 representing a straight line and a second object region E2 of a second object OJ2 representing a rectangle. As shown in FIG. 5, when the first object OJ1 represents a straight line, the first object region E1 is a rectangular region surrounding the line, i.e., a region indicated by a virtual line. The first object OJ1 shown in FIG. 5 is a non-target object. As described above, when a non-target object is a foreground object OJ and overlaps another object OJ, the first overlap condition is not satisfied. However, when a non-target object is a background object OJ and overlaps another object OJ, the first overlap condition is satisfied.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overlap area 90 between a first object area E1 of a first object OJ1 representing a character and a second object area E2 of a second object OJ2 representing a rectangle. As shown in FIG. 6, when the first object OJ1 represents a character, the first object area E1 is a rectangular area surrounding the character, i.e., an area indicated by a virtual line. The object OJ representing a character is not a non-target object because the area other than the image area can be filled in. Although not specifically shown, when a character string consisting of multiple characters is input, the rectangular area surrounding the character string becomes the object area E. When a paragraph consisting of multiple lines of character string is input, the rectangular area surrounding the paragraph becomes the object area E.

[0035] When the editing screen D1 is displayed with transparency, the PC-side CPU 14a displays the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2 without transparency, and when the editing screen D1 is displayed without transparency, the PC-side CPU 14a displays the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2 with transparency.

[0036] The PC CPU 14a accepts a user setting as to whether the editing screen D1 is to be displayed with or without transparency. The user setting is performed, for example, using a configuration menu or a property screen, which will be described later. The PC CPU 14a determines the initial values ​​of the display settings on the editing screen D1 based on the display settings set in the configuration menu. Hereinafter, the display settings set in the configuration menu will be referred to as "initial display settings."

[0037] When the initial display setting is set to transparent display using the environment setting menu, the PC CPU 14a displays the edit screen D1 with transparency until the display is switched to non-transparent display using the selection screen D2 or the property screen. Also, when the initial display setting is set to non-transparent display using the environment setting menu, the PC CPU 14a displays the edit screen D1 without transparency until the display is switched to transparent display using the selection screen D2 or the property screen.

[0038] The following describes the hardware configuration of the tape printing device 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the tape printing device 2 includes a printing device communication unit 41, a cartridge information reading unit 42, a printing unit 43, and a printing device control unit 44.

[0039] The printer communication unit 41 communicates with the PC 1 via the cable 5 .

[0040] The cartridge information reading unit 42 optically reads a code image attached as a label to the tape cartridge C loaded in the cartridge loading unit 23, or reads the cartridge information from a circuit board having a memory element (both not shown) provided in the tape cartridge C. The cartridge information includes information indicating the tape width of the tape T stored in the tape cartridge C.

[0041] 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.

[0042] The printing device control unit 44 includes a printing device CPU 44a, a printing device ROM 44b, and a printing device RAM 44c.

[0043] The printer CPU 44a performs various controls by loading control programs such as firmware stored in the printer ROM 44b into the printer RAM 44c and executing them. Note that the printer control unit 44 may use a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor instead of the printer CPU 44a. The processor may also be configured so that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC work together.

[0044] The printing device CPU 44a uses a control program stored in the printing device ROM 44b to print on the tape T unwound from the tape cartridge C based on the print data sent from the PC 1. Furthermore, when the printing device CPU 44a receives a cartridge information request signal from the PC 1 or when it receives print data, it acquires cartridge information via the cartridge information reading unit 42 and sends the acquired cartridge information to the PC 1.

[0045] 7 to 11, a specific example of the operation of the object OJ using the editing screen D1, particularly the operation of displaying the selection screen D2, will be described. The editing screen D1 is displayed on the PC display 11 when the tape printing application 30 is started. Alternatively, the editing screen D1 is displayed on the PC display 11 when a predetermined operation is performed on an initial screen (not shown) that is displayed after the tape printing application 30 is started.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the editing screen D1 includes a tab menu area E11, a function button area E12, a printing device linkage area E13, and a layout area E14.

[0047] The tab menu area E11 displays multiple tabs, such as "File" and "Edit." When a user selects one of the tabs in the tab menu area E11, the PC1 displays a function menu related to that tab. For example, when the "Settings" tab is selected, the PC1 displays a configuration menu (not shown). In the configuration menu, an initial display setting is performed as one of the configuration settings. That is, the user uses the configuration menu to set the initial display setting to either a transparent display or a non-transparent display. Here, it is assumed that the initial display setting is set to a transparent display.

[0048] In the function button area E12, a selection button 51, a character button 52, and a graphic button 53 are displayed.

[0049] The selection button 51 is a button for selecting an object OJ. When the user places the mouse pointer MP on the object OJ and left-clicks the mouse 12a while the selection button 51 is selected, the PC 1 selects the object OJ. As shown in the layout area E14 in Fig. 7, a handle 70 is added to the selected object OJ.

[0050] The character button 52 is a button for inputting characters. When the user selects the character button 52, moves the mouse pointer MP to the layout area E14, and left-clicks the mouse 12a, the PC 1 inputs characters at the position of the mouse pointer MP.

[0051] The shape button 53 is a button for inserting a shape. When the user selects the shape button 53, the PC 1 displays a shape menu (not shown) such as "polygon" or "circle." When the user selects a shape from the shape menu, moves the mouse pointer MP to the layout area E14, and drags the mouse 12a, the PC 1 draws the selected shape from the drag start position at a size according to the drag distance.

[0052] In the printing device link area E13, a cartridge information acquisition button 61, a tape width area 62, a tape length area 63, and a print button 64 are displayed.

[0053] The cartridge information acquisition button 61 is a button for acquiring cartridge information from the tape printing device 2. When the user selects the cartridge information acquisition button 61, the PC1 sends a cartridge information request signal to the tape printing device 2. After sending the cartridge information request signal, the PC1 receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 2 and displays the tape width in the tape width area 62 based on the information indicating the tape width included in the cartridge information. The PC1 also displays a tape image TI of the tape width displayed in the tape width area 62 in the layout area E14.

[0054] The tape width area 62 is an area where the tape width is displayed. As described above, when the PC1 receives cartridge information from the tape printing device 2, it displays the tape width in the tape width area 62 based on the cartridge information. Furthermore, when the user selects a tape width from the pull-down menu in the tape width area 62, the PC1 displays the selected tape width. In this case, too, the PC1 displays a tape image TI of the tape width selected by the user in the tape width area 62 in the layout area E14. Note that when a tape width is selected by the user, there is a possibility that the tape width of the tape T housed in the tape cartridge C does not match the selected tape width. In this case, the PC1 displays a warning screen (not shown) when the user selects the print button 64 and issues a print instruction.

[0055] The tape length area 63 is an area that displays the tape length. The PC1 displays the length of the tape T to be created based on the editing results of the object OJ in the layout area E14 in the tape length area 63. The PC1 changes the length of the tape image TI in accordance with the editing results of the object OJ in the layout area E14, and updates the tape length displayed in the tape length area 63 in conjunction with this.

[0056] The print button 64 is a button for executing printing. When the user selects the print button 64, the PC 1 generates print data based on the editing results of the object OJ in the layout area E14, and transmits the generated print data to the tape printing device 2.

[0057] The layout area E14 displays the tape image TI, an object OJ created by the user, and a mouse pointer MP. In the example of Fig. 7, a first object OJ1 representing a circle is displayed as the object OJ. Note that although the first object area E1 is shown by virtual lines in Fig. 7, it is not actually displayed in the layout area E14. The same applies to the first object area E1 shown in Figs. 8 to 10.

[0058] 7 is in a selected state, and therefore has handles 70 added to it. A plurality of handles 70 are displayed along the outline of the first object area E1.

[0059] 8 shows a state in which a second object OJ2 has been newly drawn in the layout area E14 by the user, following the state shown in FIG. 7. The second object OJ2 is an object OJ representing a rectangle. As described above, in the case of the second object OJ2 representing a rectangle, the second object area E2 coincides with the area of ​​the second object OJ2. Furthermore, since FIG. 8 shows the state immediately after the second object OJ2 has been drawn, the second object OJ2 is in a selected state, and a handle 70 has been added.

[0060] 9 shows a state in which the user has moved the second object OJ2 from the state shown in FIG. 8 until the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 overlap. Because the second object OJ2 is an object OJ created after the first object OJ1, it is placed in front of the first object OJ1. As described above, the initial display setting is set to "transparent display," so the PC1 performs a transparent display in the layout area E14. That is, the PC1 displays the second object OJ2, which is in front of the first object OJ1 and the second object OJ2, transparently.

[0061] The object OJ is moved by a drag-and-drop operation. The PC 1 determines that the first overlap condition is satisfied when the second object OJ2 is moved by the drag operation and the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 overlap, and then determines that the second overlap condition, which will be described later, is satisfied when a drop operation is performed, and displays the selection screen D2 (see FIG. 10). A drop operation of the mouse 12a is an operation in which the left click is released. The first object OJ1 and the second object OJ2 shown in FIG. 9 satisfy the first overlap condition by a drag operation, but no drop operation has been performed.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows a state in which the user has performed a drop operation from the state shown in FIG. 9, i.e., a state in which the left click of the mouse 12a has been released. At this time, the second object OJ2 is in a selected state, and therefore a handle 70 has been added. In the example of FIG. 10, the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 overlap when the left click of the mouse 12a is released. Hereinafter, this "first object area E1 and the second object area E2 overlap when the left click of the mouse 12a is released" will be referred to as the "second overlap condition."

[0063] That is, the PC1 according to this embodiment displays the selection screen D2 when it determines that the second overlapping condition is met after determining that the first overlapping condition is met. Therefore, even if the PC1 determines that the first overlapping condition is met, if the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 do not overlap when the second object OJ2 is further moved and the left click of the mouse 12a is released, the second overlapping condition is not met and the selection screen D2 is not displayed.

[0064] In this embodiment, the second object OJ2 arranged on the front side is moved to overlap the first object OJ1 arranged on the back side, but the reverse is also possible. That is, even when the object OJ arranged on the back side is moved to overlap the object OJ arranged on the front side, the PC 1 displays the selection screen D2 by satisfying the first overlapping condition and the second overlapping condition.

[0065] The selection screen D2 includes a preview area E21, a selection button area E22, and a close icon 81. In the preview area E21, images corresponding to the objects OJ and tape images TI displayed in the layout area E14 of the editing screen D1 are displayed in the same arrangement as the objects OJ and tape images TI displayed in the layout area E14. In the example of FIG. 10, the PC1 is displaying in the preview area E21 a preview tape image PTI corresponding to the tape image TI in the layout area E14. The PC1 is also displaying in the preview area E21 a first preview object POJ1 corresponding to the first object OJ1 in the layout area E14 and a second preview object POJ2 corresponding to the second object OJ2 in the layout area E14 in the same arrangement as the objects OJ on the tape image TI.

[0066] 10, since layout area E14 is displayed with transparency, PC1 displays preview area E21 without transparency. That is, PC1 displays the second preview object POJ2 corresponding to the second object OJ2 in layout area E14 without transparency.

[0067] The selection button area E22 displays an OK button 82 and a cancel button 83. The OK button 82 is a button for reflecting the display in the preview area E21 in the layout area E14. The cancel button 83 is a button for not reflecting the display in the preview area E21 in the layout area E14.

[0068] In the example of Fig. 10, when the OK button 82 is selected, the PC1 displays the layout area E14 without transparency and hides the selection screen D2 (see Fig. 11). On the other hand, when the cancel button 83 is selected, the PC1 hides the selection screen D2 without changing the display of the layout area E14. Similarly, when the close icon 81 on the selection screen D2 is operated, the PC1 hides the selection screen D2 without changing the display of the layout area E14.

[0069] Fig. 11 shows a state in which the user has selected the OK button 82 from the state in Fig. 10. As shown in Fig. 11, the PC 1 displays the layout area E14 without transparency, reflecting the display in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2 shown in Fig. 10. In addition, the second object OJ2 remains in a selected state from the state in Fig. 10, and therefore a handle 70 has been added.

[0070] 11, when the first object OJ1 or the second object OJ2 is moved and the first and second overlap conditions are satisfied, the PC1 again displays the selection screen D2 on the PC display 11. At this time, since the layout area E14 is displayed without transparency, the PC1 displays the selection screen D2 with transparency in the preview area E21.

[0071] Furthermore, when the user selects the second object OJ2 from the state shown in FIG. 11 and right-clicks the mouse 12a, the PC 1 displays a context menu (not shown). The context menu includes a "Properties" item. When the "Properties" item is selected from the context menu, the PC 1 displays a properties screen (not shown).

[0072] The property screen displays, for example, options for setting the stacking order of the objects OJ, i.e., whether the selected object OJ should be placed in front or behind. When the user selects the option for "backward placement" on the property screen in the state shown in FIG. 11, the PC 1 places the second object OJ2 behind the first object OJ1.

[0073] The property screen also displays options for switching display settings, i.e., options for setting whether the selected object OJ is displayed transparently or not. When the user selects the option for transparent display on the property screen in the state shown in FIG. 11, the PC 1 displays the second object OJ2 in a transparent state. In this way, in this embodiment, it is also possible to switch display settings using the property screen. Note that the display settings using this property screen are an example of "user settings."

[0074] Next, the selection screen display process by the PC1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 12. The selection screen display process is an example of a "method of controlling an information processing device." The selection screen display process is triggered by the start of movement of an object OJ. Here, it is assumed that a first object OJ1 and a second object OJ2 are arranged in the layout area E14, and the start of the selection screen display process is triggered by the movement of the second object OJ2.

[0075] In step S01, PC1 determines whether a first overlapping condition is satisfied. That is, PC1 determines whether a second object region E2 that is not a non-target object is overlapped with a first object region E1. If PC1 determines that the first overlapping condition is satisfied, it proceeds to step S03. On the other hand, if PC1 determines that the first overlapping condition is not satisfied, it proceeds to step S02.

[0076] In step S02, the PC 1 determines whether the left click of the mouse 12a has been released. If the PC 1 determines that the left click of the mouse 12a has been released, it ends the selection screen display process. If the PC 1 determines that the left click of the mouse 12a has not been released, it returns to step S01.

[0077] In step S03, the PC 1 determines whether the left click of the mouse 12a has been released. If the PC 1 determines that the left click of the mouse 12a has been released, the PC 1 proceeds to step S04. If the PC 1 determines that the left click of the mouse 12a has not been released, the PC 1 repeats step S03.

[0078] In step S04, the PC1 determines whether the second overlap condition is met. That is, the PC1 determines whether the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 overlap when the left click of the mouse 12a is released. If the PC1 determines that the second overlap condition is met, it proceeds to step S05. On the other hand, if the PC1 determines that the second overlap condition is not met, it ends the selection screen display process.

[0079] In step S05, the PC 1 determines whether or not the editing screen D1 is being displayed with transparency. If the PC 1 determines that the editing screen D1 is being displayed with transparency, the PC 1 proceeds to step S06. If the PC 1 determines that the editing screen D1 is being displayed without transparency, the PC 1 proceeds to step S07.

[0080] In step S06, the PC 1 displays the selection screen D2 and performs non-transparent display in the preview area E21. After step S06, the PC 1 ends the selection screen display process.

[0081] In step S07, the PC 1 displays the selection screen D2 and performs a transparent display in the preview area E21. After step S07, the PC 1 ends the selection screen display process.

[0082] As described above, the PC1 according to this embodiment displays the selection screen D2 on the condition that the second object region E2 including the second object OJ2 is overlapped on the first object region E1 including the first object OJ1 on the editing screen D1. This allows the user to use the selection screen D2 to select whether to display with transparency or without transparency. In other words, if the user wants to switch the display settings after overlapping the object regions E, they can simply make a selection on the selection screen D2, eliminating the need for operations such as opening a properties screen to display options for switching the display settings.

[0083] Furthermore, when a transparent display is performed on the editing screen D1, the PC 1 displays a non-transparent display in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2, and when a non-transparent display is performed on the editing screen D1, the PC 1 displays a transparent display in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2. This allows the user to check the transparent and non-transparent displays on the editing screen D1 and the selection screen D2.

[0084] In addition, the PC 1 accepts a user setting as to whether the editing screen D1 is to be displayed with transparency or without transparency, allowing the user to set whether the editing screen D1 is to be displayed with transparency or without transparency according to their preference.

[0085] The following modifications may be adopted without being limited to the above embodiment. [Variation 1] A condition regarding the amount of overlap between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 may be added to the first overlap condition. That is, the first overlap condition may be that "the second object region E2, which is not a non-target object, overlaps the first object region E1, and the amount of overlap between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 is equal to or greater than a first amount." Similarly, a condition regarding the amount of overlap between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 may be added to the second overlap condition. That is, the second overlap condition may be that "when the left click of the mouse 12a is released, the amount of overlap between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 is equal to or greater than a second amount." With this configuration, the PC 1 can prevent the user from being confused when the selection screen D2 is displayed in a state where the overlapping amount of the object areas E is small and there is not much difference between the transparent display and the non-transparent display. The first amount and the second amount may be the same or different. The first amount and the second amount may also be amounts set by the user. Furthermore, in this modified example, the "amount of overlap" may refer to the area of ​​an overlap region 90 (see FIG. 4) between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2. That is, the PC 1 may determine that the first overlap condition is met when the second object region E2, which is not a non-target object, overlaps the first object region E1, and the area of ​​the overlap region 90 between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 is equal to or greater than a first area. The first area is an example of a "first amount." Similarly, the PC 1 may determine that the second overlap condition is satisfied when the area of ​​the overlap region 90 between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 becomes equal to or greater than a second area when the left click of the mouse 12a is released. The second area is an example of a "second amount."

[0086] [Variation 2] As a further modification of the first modification, the "amount of overlap" may refer to the overlap ratio rather than the area of ​​the overlap region 90 between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2. In other words, the first overlap condition may be that "the second object region E2, which is not a non-target object, overlaps the first object region E1, and the area of ​​the overlap region 90 between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 is equal to or greater than a first ratio of the area of ​​the first object region E1 or the second object region E2." The first ratio is an example of a "first amount." Similarly, a second overlap condition may be that "when the left click of the mouse 12a is released, the area of ​​the overlap region 90 between the first object region E1 and the second object region E2 is equal to or greater than a second ratio of the area of ​​the first object region E1 or the second object region E2." The second ratio is an example of a "second amount."

[0087] [Variation 3] The PC 1 may omit determining whether the second overlap condition is satisfied in the selection screen display process (see FIG. 5). In this case, if the PC 1 determines in step S01 that the first overlap condition is satisfied, it may skip steps S03 and S04 and proceed to step S05.

[0088] [Variation 4] The above embodiment can be applied not only to the case where two objects OJ are overlapped, but also to the case where three or more objects OJ are overlapped. In this case, the display with transparency refers to displaying the objects OJ other than the object OJ on the backmost side of the multiple objects OJ with transparency. The display without transparency refers to displaying the objects OJ other than the object OJ on the backmost side of the multiple objects OJ without transparency. Furthermore, when multiple object groups, each consisting of multiple overlapping objects OJ, are present on the editing screen D1, the display setting may be switched for each object group. For example, consider a case where an object group A is overlapped by a first object region E1 and a second object region E2, and an object group B is overlapped by a third object region E3 and a fourth object region E4. However, the third object region E3 and the fourth object region E4 do not overlap with either the first object region E1 or the second object region E2. In this case, for example, when both the object group A and the object group B are set to display with transparency and the object group A is switched to display without transparency, the PC 1 keeps the object group B displayed with transparency. Note that, when multiple object groups are present on editing screen D1, selection screen D2 may be configured to display only the object groups for which display settings are to be switched. That is, when PC1 displays selection screen D2 because object group A satisfies the first overlap condition and the second overlap condition, PC1 may display, in preview area E21 of selection screen D2, only two preview objects POJ corresponding to the two objects OJ included in object group A. In this case, PC1 may or may not display a preview tape image PTI in preview area E21 of selection screen D2.

[0089] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment, the PC 1 can change the overlapping order of the objects OJ using the property screen, but the object OJ that is the target of movement may be automatically placed in the foreground. For example, when the first object OJ1 is placed in the foreground and the second object OJ2 is placed in the background, and the second object OJ2 is moved so that the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 overlap, the PC 1 may display the second object OJ2 in the foreground.

[0090] [Variation 6] The above embodiment may be applied to the tape printing device 2. That is, the tape printing device 2 may execute the selection screen display process (see FIG. 12). In this case, the printing device CPU 44a is an example of the "control unit." The printing device display 22 is an example of the "display unit."

[0091] [Variation 7] In the above embodiment, the editing screen D1 used for editing a print image to be printed on tape T has been exemplified, but the object to be edited on the editing screen D1 is not limited to a print image to be printed on tape T, and may be a print image to be printed on a print medium other than tape T. Furthermore, the object to be edited on the editing screen D1 is not limited to a print image, and may be a display image.

[0092] [Variation 8] The "information processing device" may be an information processing terminal such as a smartphone instead of the PC 1. The tape printing application 30 may be provided to the customer as a program. A storage medium on which the tape printing application 30 is recorded may be provided to the customer. Other modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0093] [Note] The information processing device, the control method for the information processing device, and the program will be described below. The PC1 is equipped with a PC-side display 11 and a PC-side CPU 14a that displays an editing screen D1 on the PC-side display 11, where a user can perform editing operations on an object OJ. The PC-side CPU 14a, on the condition that a first object area E1 including a first object OJ1 is overlaid with a second object area E2 including a second object OJ2 in the editing screen D1, displays a selection screen D2 on the PC-side display 11 that allows the user to select between a transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed transparently, and a non-transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed non-transparently, of the first object OJ1 and the second object OJ2.

[0094] The control method for PC1 is a control method for PC1 equipped with a PC-side display 11 and a PC-side CPU 14a that displays on the PC-side display 11 an editing screen D1 on which a user performs editing operations on an object OJ, and the PC-side CPU 14a executes the step of displaying on the PC-side display 11 a selection screen D2 that allows the user to select between a transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed transparently, and a non-transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed non-transparently, on the condition that a first object area E1 including a first object OJ1 is overlapped with a second object area E2 including a second object OJ2 in the editing screen D1.

[0095] The tape printing application 30 causes the PC-side CPU 14a of the PC1, which is equipped with the PC-side display 11 and the PC-side CPU 14a that displays on the PC-side display 11 an editing screen D1 on which the user performs editing operations for the object OJ, to execute a step of displaying on the PC-side display 11 a selection screen D2 that allows the user to select between a transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed transparently, and a non-transparent display in which the foreground object OJ is displayed non-transparently, on the condition that a first object area E1 including the first object OJ1 is overlapped with a second object area E2 including the second object OJ2 in the editing screen D1.

[0096] According to this configuration, when the second object region E2 including the second object OJ2 is superimposed on the first object region E1 including the first object OJ1, the user can select, using the selection screen D2, whether to display with transparency or without transparency. In other words, if the user wants to switch the display settings after superimposing the object regions E, they can simply make a selection on the selection screen D2, and can omit the operation of displaying options for switching the display settings, such as opening a properties screen.

[0097] In the above PC1, the selection screen D2 has a preview area E21 that displays the objects OJ displayed on the editing screen D1 in the same arrangement as the objects OJ displayed on the editing screen D1, and it is preferable that the PC-side CPU 14a, when displaying with transparency on the editing screen D1, displays without transparency in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2, and when displaying without transparency on the editing screen D1, displays with transparency in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2.

[0098] With this configuration, when a transparent display is being displayed on the editing screen D1, the user can confirm a non-transparent display in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2, and when a non-transparent display is being displayed on the editing screen D1, the user can confirm a transparent display in the preview area E21 of the selection screen D2.

[0099] In the above PC1, it is preferable that the PC-side CPU 14a accepts a user setting of whether to display the editing screen D1 with transparency or without transparency, and if a setting for displaying with transparency is accepted, the editing screen D1 is displayed with transparency, and if a setting for displaying without transparency is accepted, the editing screen D1 is displayed without transparency.

[0100] According to this configuration, the user can set whether to display the editing screen D1 with transparency or without transparency according to preference.

[0101] In the above-mentioned PC1, it is preferable that the PC-side CPU 14a displays the selection screen D2 on the PC-side display 11 on the condition that the second object area E2 is overlapped with the first object area E1 on the editing screen D1 and the amount of overlap between the first object area E1 and the second object area E2 is equal to or greater than a first amount.

[0102] With this configuration, the PC 1 can prevent the user from being confused when the selection screen D2 is displayed in a state where the overlapping amount of the object areas E is small and there is not much difference between the transparent display and the non-transparent display. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 1...PC, 11...PC display, 14a...PC CPU, 30...tape printing application, D1...edit screen, D2...selection screen, E1...first object area, E2...second object area, E21...preview area, OJ1...first object, OJ2...second object.

Claims

1. A display unit; a control unit that displays an editing screen on the display unit on which a user can perform an editing operation on the object; The control unit An information processing device characterized in that, on the editing screen, when a first overlap condition is met in which a second object area including a second object is overlapped on a first object area including a first object by a drag operation by the user, and a second overlap condition is met in which the first object area and the second object area are overlapped by a drop operation by the user, a selection screen is displayed on the display unit that allows the user to select whether to display the first object and the second object in a transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed transparently, or a non-transparent manner, in which the foreground object is displayed non-transparently.

2. the selection screen has a preview area that displays the objects displayed on the editing screen in the same layout as the objects displayed on the editing screen; The control unit When the transparent display is performed on the editing screen, the non-transparent display is performed in the preview area of ​​the selection screen; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the non-transparent display is performed on the editing screen, the transparent display is performed in the preview area of ​​the selection screen.

3. The control unit accepting a user setting as to whether to perform the display with transparency on the editing screen or the display without transparency on the editing screen; When the setting for performing the transparent display is accepted, the transparent display is performed on the editing screen; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the setting for performing the non-transparent display is accepted, the non-transparent display is performed on the editing screen.

4. The control unit An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the selection screen is displayed on the display unit on the condition that the second object area is overlapped with the first object area on the editing screen and the amount of overlap between the first object area and the second object area is equal to or greater than a first amount.

5. The information processing device is communicably connected to a tape printing device, a tape image including a tape width acquired from the tape printing device and a tape length based on an editing result of the object by a user is displayed on the editing screen; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a preview tape image corresponding to the tape image is displayed on the selection screen.

6. A control method for an information processing device including a display unit and a control unit that causes an editing screen on the display unit, on which a user performs an editing operation of an object, the method comprising: The control unit A control method for an information processing device, characterized by the step of: when, on the editing screen, a first overlap condition is met in which a second object area including a second object is overlapped on a first object area including a first object by a drag operation by the user, and a second overlap condition is met in which the first object area and the second object area are overlapped by a drop operation by the user, displaying on the display unit a selection screen that allows the user to select between a transparent display in which the foreground object is displayed transparently, and a non-transparent display in which the foreground object is displayed non-transparently, of the first object and the second object.

7. an information processing device including a display unit and a control unit that causes an editing screen on the display unit to be displayed on the display unit, the control unit including: When a first overlap condition is met on the editing screen, in which a second object area including a second object is overlapped on a first object area including a first object by a drag operation by the user, and a second overlap condition is met, in which the first object area and the second object area are overlapped by a drop operation by the user, the program executes a step of displaying a selection screen on the display unit that allows the user to select between a transparent display in which the foreground object is displayed transparently and a non-transparent display in which the foreground object is not displayed transparently, for the first object and the second object.

Images