Program and Information Processing Device

The program addresses the issue of unclear record delimiters in database printing by grouping and associating text data into specific records, ensuring labels are printed as desired.

JP7877993B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-23BROTHER KOGYO KK

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
BROTHER KOGYO KK
Filing Date
2022-09-29
Publication Date
2026-06-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing database printing techniques struggle when text data lacks clear record delimiters, leading to labels that do not meet user expectations, as they fail to divide text data into desired sections.

Method used

A program that reads text data arranged in columns or rows, determines the number of text objects, extracts and groups data into specific records, and associates each text object with the data, enabling a label printer to print the data based on these records.

Benefits of technology

Ensures labels are output with text data divided into user-defined sections, enhancing the convenience and accuracy of database printing.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a program that can support database printing and improve the convenience of database printing.SOLUTION: A printing application 22 is configured to: read multiple pieces of panel data arranged in one column or in one row; acquire, when receiving an instruction for layout change, the number of objects to be included in label data of one label; extract panel data, for every acquired number of objects, on the basis of the read multiple pieces of panel data; generate records each consisting of the extracted number of panel data; and associate one of the objects to be included in the label data for each panel data included in the generated records. The printing application 22 causes a label printer 3 to perform printing based on the label data in which panel data of the records, for each of the generated records, are written in the objects associated therewith, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to a program for editing data to be printed on a label printer and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a technique of a program for editing data to be printed on a label printer, a function called "database printing" is known. In database printing, a database file is specified, and one text object is associated with each field defined in the database file. Then, when a print instruction is given, for each record registered in the database file, label data in which the text data of each field is written is generated for each text object associated with the field, and printing based on the generated label data is performed on the label printer. As a document disclosing such a technique related to database printing, for example, there is Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Depending on the label, the number of text data to be arranged may be determined in advance. When creating a label in which text data of a predetermined number is arranged side by side by database printing, a record in which text data is grouped for each number is required. However, depending on the database file, all text data may be described in a single column or row, and the record delimiter may not be clear. In such a case, there is a problem that the label desired by the user cannot be obtained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The program created for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems is a program executable by the computer of an information processing device, which is configured to cause the computer to perform a read process to read a plurality of text data arranged in a column or row, enable a first operation when the plurality of text data has been read, and further cause the computer to perform an acquisition process to obtain the number of text objects to be included in a specific label data based on the first operation, a generation process to extract the text data for each number obtained in the acquisition process based on the plurality of text data read in the read process and generate a specific record that combines the extracted number of text data, and an automatic association process to associate one of the text objects to be included in the specific label data with each of the text data included in the specific record, and further cause the computer to perform a specific printing process for each of the specific records generated in the generation process, which causes a label printer to print based on the specific label data written to the text object to which each text data of the specific record is associated.

[0006] According to the program disclosed herein, an information processing device generates a specific record from multiple text data arranged in a column or row based on a first operation, grouped according to the number of text objects of a specific label data, and further associates each text data in that specific record with a text object of a specific label data. Furthermore, the program causes a label printer to print based on the specific label data on which each text data in that specific record is written. As a result, even when multiple text data without record delimiters are read, labels are output with the text data divided into the number of sections desired by the user.

[0007] The information processing device that executes the above program, the control method for realizing the program's functions, and the computer-readable storage medium that stores the program are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology disclosed herein provides a program that supports database printing and enables technology that improves the convenience of database printing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the printing system. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram showing the label creation procedure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a panel database. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the label editing screen. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a database display screen. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the database display screen after a layout change. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the label editing screen. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print screen. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting the number of objects. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram showing examples of the label editing screen and the database display screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The following describes in detail an embodiment of the program with reference to the attached drawings. This specification discloses a program that runs on a portable terminal that can be connected to a label printer.

[0011] The portable terminal 1 included in this printing system 100 comprises a controller 10, which includes a CPU 11 and memory 12, as shown in Figure 1. The portable terminal 1 is an example of an information processing device. The CPU 11 is an example of a computer. The portable terminal 1 also comprises a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF") 13 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF") 14, which are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in Figure 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used to control the portable terminal 1, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware actually present in the portable terminal 1. Note that the example of an information processing device is not limited to a portable terminal, but may also be a personal computer.

[0012] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from memory 12 and based on user input. Memory 12 stores various programs and data. Memory 12 is also used as a workspace when various processes are executed. The buffer provided by the CPU 11 is also an example of memory 12. Note that the example of memory 12 is not limited to ROM, RAM, HDD, etc., built into the mobile terminal 1, but may also be a storage medium that the CPU 11 can read and write to, such as a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0013] User interface 13 includes hardware that displays a screen for informing the user of information, and hardware that accepts user operations. User interface 13 of mobile terminal 1 includes a touch panel with display and input acceptance functions. User interface 13 may also be a combination of a display capable of displaying information and hardware keys with input acceptance functions.

[0014] The communication interface 14 includes hardware for communicating with external devices such as the label printer 3. The communication standards for the communication interface 14 include Ethernet®, Wi-Fi®, and USB. The mobile terminal 1 may have multiple communication interfaces 14 that support multiple communication standards.

[0015] The memory 12 of the mobile terminal 1 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21, a printing application program (hereinafter referred to as "printing app") 22, and a patch panel database (hereinafter referred to as "panel DB") 23. The OS 21 is, for example, iOS (registered trademark), Android (registered trademark), Windows (registered trademark), macOS (registered trademark), or Linux (registered trademark).

[0016] The printing app 22 is a program that, for example, receives a user's instruction via the user IF 13 and, based on the received instruction, edits an image to be printed and transmits a print instruction to the label printer 3. The printing app 22 is an example of a program. The panel DB 23 is a database in which a plurality of panel data is stored. The panel DB 23 is a file created by the user and is not stored in the memory 12 when the mobile terminal 1 is shipped from the factory. The panel DB 23 is an example of a database file. Details of the printing app 22 and the panel DB 23 will be described later.

[0017] The label printer 3 of this embodiment has at least a printing function and a communication function. The printing method of the label printer 3 is, for example, a thermal transfer method, an inkjet method, or an electrophotographic method. When the label printer 3 receives a print instruction and label data to be printed from an external device such as the mobile terminal 1 via the communication function, it executes printing based on the label data to create a label.

[0018] The label printer 3 can accommodate, for example, a roll of label paper and has a function of printing an image on the label paper to create a label. The roll of label paper is a printing medium in which label paper is overlapped and wound on a continuous strip of release paper. The label paper may be a continuous long tape or a die-cut label that has been cut into a predetermined shape in advance. Further, the label printer 3 of this embodiment may have a function of cutting and discharging the printed portion after printing.

[0019] Next, the procedure for creating panel labels will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 2. Note that the procedures and processing steps of each program described below basically show the processing of the CPU 11 according to the instructions described in each program. That is, the processing such as "judgment", "decision", "acquisition", "reception", etc. in the following description represents the processing of the CPU 11. The processing by the CPU 11 includes hardware control using the API of the OS 21. In this specification, the description of the OS 21 is omitted and the operations of each program are described. Also, "acquisition" is used as a concept that does not require a request.

[0020] The printing application 22 of this embodiment can execute database printing based on a database file containing text data. In database printing, the printing application 22 receives a specification of the database to be printed, a specification of the text object to be placed in the label data, and an instruction to associate the specified database with the text object.

[0021] When the printing application 22 receives an execution instruction for database printing, it creates label data in which the text data included in the specified database is written into the arranged text object, and causes the label printer 3 to execute printing based on the created label data. The printing application 22 sequentially creates label data in which each text data included in the database is written into the text object for the amount of text data included in the database, and by passing it to the label printer 3, it is possible to create a plurality of labels on which each text data of the database is printed.

[0022] The printing application 22 in this configuration can further generate label data with multiple text objects using database printing. For example, the printing application 22 can register records with multiple fields defined, and when it receives a specification of a database file containing text data for each field, it can associate one text object with each field defined in that database file. In this case, for each record in the database file, the printing application 22 writes the text data corresponding to each field to the text object associated with that field, thereby generating label data for each record. The printing application 22 can create label data for each record in the database file in sequence and pass it to the label printer 3, thereby creating multiple labels with multiple text data printed on them.

[0023] This specification describes the procedure for creating panel labels using database printing. Panel labels are labels to be attached to a plate-like component called a patch panel or patch board. A patch panel is a panel on which multiple connectors are arranged in an orderly manner. Each connector on the patch panel is connected to other connectors through the back of the patch panel, and devices can be connected to each other, for example, by plugging the plugs of the cables connected to each device into the designated connectors. Panel labels are labels that are attached near the connectors to distinguish the multiple connectors on the patch panel.

[0024] Panel labels are also used as labels for faceplates. A faceplate is a plate that surrounds the openings through which sockets and switches pass, and it has one or more openings. In faceplates with multiple openings, the openings are often arranged in an orderly fashion.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, a user who wants to create a panel label creates a panel DB23, which is a database that stores the data to be printed (S01), and stores the panel DB23 on the mobile terminal 1 (S02). The panel DB23 is a database in which panel data, which are strings to be printed on the panel label, are arranged separated by commas or newlines, as shown in Figure 3, for example. A user creating a panel label determines the strings that represent individual connectors and openings, and creates a panel DB23 that stores each string as panel data.

[0026] Panel DB23 is, for example, a CSV file. Users may create Panel DB23 using a table creation application program, or they may create it as a text file containing text representing panel data. The printing application 22 may be able to support database files in formats other than CSV files. Users may also create Panel DB23 on their mobile terminal 1, or they may create it on another device and store it on their mobile terminal 1.

[0027] The panel DB23 in the example shown in Figure 3 is a database in which panel data is arranged in a single row. Since the print application 22 in this embodiment can perform database printing, it can, for example, cause the label printer 3 to create multiple labels, each with individual panel data printed on it, based on this panel DB23. However, if individual labels are created with each individual panel data printed on them, each label needs to be pasted into the position of its respective socket, which is time-consuming and can lead to pasting errors. The print application 22 in this embodiment can accept instructions to process the panel DB23 to match the configuration of the panel to be pasted. Details of the processing will be described later.

[0028] After creating the panel DB23, the user inputs a command to launch the print application 22 on the mobile terminal 1 (S11). Upon launching, the print application 22 displays a label editing screen 30 that accepts instructions for creating labels on the user IF13, for example, as shown in Figure 4 (S12). The mobile terminal 1 then becomes capable of accepting user input on the displayed label editing screen 30.

[0029] The label editing screen 30 is a screen that includes a label area 31 and buttons for receiving various instructions, as shown in Figure 4, for example. The label area 31 is an area that displays the print image of the label to be printed. The exit button 32 is a button that receives an instruction to exit the print application 22. The save button 33 is a button that receives an instruction to save the label data of the label to be printed that is displayed in the label area 31. The print button 34 is a button that receives an instruction to execute printing.

[0030] The user generates the label data for the panel label to be printed on the label editing screen 30. To do this, the user arranges objects in the label area 31 on the label editing screen 30 to form the structure of the label they want to create (S15). The label area 31 is an example of a work area, and S15 is an example of the arrangement process.

[0031] The printing application 22 provides several types of objects that can be placed in the label area 31, including text, marks, and photographs. Users who want to create a panel label place panel label objects in the label area 31. Panel label objects are text objects on which text data is written. The user determines the number of panel data items to be printed on one label and places the determined number of objects in the label area 31.

[0032] The arrangement of connectors in patch panels and similar devices varies. Some panels have all connectors evenly spaced in a single row, others have multiple rows of connectors, and still others have multiple groups of connectors spaced apart. Users determine the number of panel data items to print on a single label, taking into account the connector arrangement on the panel to be applied, as well as ease of application and readability after application.

[0033] For example, when creating panel labels to be attached to a patch panel where four connectors are arranged in a group, attaching them becomes easier by creating panel labels where the data for each of the four panel components is printed on a separate label. In this case, the user places four panel label objects 311 to 314 into a single label area 31, as shown in Figure 4. If existing label data for panel labels exists, instead of placing new panel label objects into the label area 31, the existing label data can be read and used.

[0034] The printing application 22 automatically sets the size of each object in the label length direction to match the length of the text to be printed. The printing application 22 can also accept explicit specification of the object size. Furthermore, if multiple panel label objects are placed in the label area 31, the printing application 22 may automatically place vertical lines 310 between the objects, for example, as shown in Figure 4.

[0035] When an object for a panel label is placed in the label area 31, the print application 22 becomes capable of receiving instructions for database printing. As shown in Figure 4, the print application 22 displays buttons 35 and 36 that accept the selection of a database to be used for database printing. Button 35 accepts the instruction to select the database to be printed from a CSV file stored on the mobile terminal 1. Button 36 accepts the instruction to create a new database. The user may also create the panel DB 23 by operating button 36 instead of S01 and S02.

[0036] The user selects button 35 and chooses the previously created panel DB23 from the displayed list of CSV files (S16). The print application 22 reads the specified database, panel DB23 (S17). S17 is an example of the read process.

[0037] The print application 22 displays a database display screen containing the panel data from the read panel DB 23 to the user IF 13 (S18), for example, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows an example of reading the panel DB 23 containing the panel data shown in Figure 3. The database display screen includes a data display field 41, a layout change button 42, a field specification field 43, an auto-assignment button 44, a cancel button 46, and a complete button 47.

[0038] The data display area 41 displays each panel data (see Figure 3) contained in the read panel DB 23, to the extent that it can be displayed. In this example, panel DB 23 contains a single column of panel data separated by commas, and all panel data is displayed in field "F1". Note that the panel data in panel DB 23 may also be a single line of panel data separated by line breaks; in that case, the panel data will be placed in multiple fields, each provided in record "0". The print application 22 can perform the same processing even if the read database contains a single line of panel data.

[0039] The layout change button 42 is a button that accepts instructions to change the layout of the currently displayed database. When the layout change button 42 is clicked, the print application 22 changes the number of fields in the database and rearranges the panel data. The field specification field 43 is a field that accepts the specification of the fields to be changed in the layout by the layout change button 42. The auto-assign button 44 is a button that accepts instructions to automatically assign each field of the database, after the layout has been changed, to each object placed in the label data. Note that the layout change button 42 and the auto-assign button 44 are toggle switches that can be turned on and off by swiping left or right, and in Figure 5, both are shown in the off state.

[0040] The Cancel button 46 accepts the instruction to cancel the operation received on the database display screen and return to the label editing screen 30. The Complete button 47 accepts the instruction to decide that the database currently displayed in the data display field 41 will be the database to be printed for label data and to complete the database generation. When the Complete button 47 is pressed, the print application 22 stores the database generated by the operation received on the database display screen and displays the label editing screen 30.

[0041] The user can instruct the system to change the layout of the panel data by swiping the layout change button 42 to the right in the state shown in Figure 5 (S21). In this embodiment of the print application 22, when the layout change button 42 is turned on, the auto-assign button 44 is automatically turned on. The operation on the layout change button 42 in this case is an example of the first operation. The first operation may also be a combination of turning on the layout change button 42 and turning on the auto-assign button 44.

[0042] When the layout change button 42 is turned ON, the print application 22 obtains the number of objects placed in the label area 31 on the label editing screen 30 shown in Figure 4 (S22). S22 is an example of the acquisition process. In the example in Figure 4, the number is 4.

[0043] Furthermore, the printing application 22 extracts the panel data from the panel DB 23 read in S17, one at a time, in the order obtained in S22, and generates a record summarizing the extracted panel data (S23). S23 is an example of the generation process. Each record generated in S22 is an example of a specific record.

[0044] The printing application 22 then prepares a database containing the number of fields corresponding to the number of items acquired, and automatically rearranges each record generated in S23 into each record in that database in order, and displays them as a list in the data display area 41 (S24). S24 is an example of the list display process.

[0045] For example, if the number is 4, the print application 22 prepares a database with 4 fields F1 to F4, as shown in Figure 6, and rearranges all the panel data sequentially from the panel data read in S17, with the first 4 panel data going into the fields of the first record "0", and the next 4 going into the fields of the next record "1". The user first places objects for panel labels in the label area 31, and the print application 22 rearranges the panel data according to the number of panel label objects placed, making it highly likely that the label desired by the user will be created.

[0046] When panel DB23, which contains 12 panel data entries, is rearranged into a database with 4 fields, the print application 22 displays the rearranged database in 3 rows and 4 columns in the data display area 41, as shown in Figure 6. Note that if the number of objects is 3 and panel DB23, which contains 12 panel data entries, is rearranged into a database with 3 fields, the database displayed in the data display area 41 will be a rearranged database with 4 rows and 3 columns. By displaying the rearranged database, the user can verify whether an appropriate database has been generated.

[0047] In this configuration, as described above, when the layout change button 42 shown in Figure 6 is turned on, the print application 22 automatically turns on the auto-assign button 44. In other words, when the print application 22 receives the instruction in S21, it not only creates the rearranged database, but also automatically associates each field of the rearranged database with each object placed in the label area 31 of the label editing screen 30 (see Figure 4) (S25). For example, the print application 22 associates field "F1" with object 311, field "F2" with object 312, and so on. As a result, one object is associated with each panel data contained in the generated record. S25 is an example of the automatic association process.

[0048] Furthermore, when the print application 22 receives a command to change the layout, it is advisable to create a copy of the currently displayed panel DB 23 and then use the copy of panel DB 23 to create a database with the changed layout. In this way, even if the layout change is canceled after it has been made, the print application 22 can easily display the original panel DB 23.

[0049] Once the database creation is complete through relocation, the user operates the Complete button 47 on the database display screen shown in Figure 6 (S31). When the Complete button 47 is operated, the print application 22 determines that the relocated database, which is the database displayed on the database display screen at that time, will be the database to be printed. S31 is the process of specifying the database to be printed, and is an example of such a specification process.

[0050] The print application 22 then becomes capable of receiving instructions to execute database printing based on the relocated database that has been selected as the print target. Furthermore, the print application 22 ends the display of the database display screen and displays the label editing screen 30 as shown in Figure 7 (S32). In the label editing screen 30 shown in Figure 7, the database display field 38 and the export button 39 are displayed instead of the database selection buttons 35 and 36 shown in Figure 4. In addition, the label area 31 displays label data in which the four panel data included in the first record of the completed relocated database have been written to objects 311 to 314, respectively.

[0051] In the label editing screen 30 shown in Figure 7, the database display area 38 shows the relocated database within the viewable range and includes check boxes 381 and 382 for each record to indicate whether or not to print it. In S32, the print application 22 displays all check boxes 381, 382, ​​etc., with the check box checked to indicate that the record should be printed. If there are records that the user does not want to print, they can uncheck the check box for those records to indicate that they should not be printed. The process of accepting the selection of print targets using check boxes 381 and 382 is an example of a selection process. By being able to select the label data to be printed, unnecessary printing can be avoided.

[0052] Furthermore, the print application 22 can accept export instructions by operating the export button 39 on the label editing screen 30 shown in Figure 7. Upon receiving an export instruction (S34), the print application 22 generates a database file from the relocated database displayed in the database display field 38 and exports it to the specified export destination (S35). S35 is an example of the export process. By exporting the relocated database, it can be used on other terminals as well.

[0053] Up to this point, we have described an example of reading a panel DB23 containing panel data in one column or one row. However, the print application 22 can also process databases containing multiple fields and multiple records. In that case, the data display field 41 of the database display screen 40 shown in Figure 5 will display multiple fields and multiple records, and the print application 22 can accept the selection of fields to be rearranged in the field specification field 43. When the print application 22 receives the selection of fields in the field specification field 43 and the instruction to change the layout, it extracts the panel data contained in the specified fields from the original database in the number obtained in S22 and creates a database rearranged according to the object placement.

[0054] Furthermore, the print application 22 can accept instructions to manually turn off the automatic assignment button 44, which was automatically turned on when an instruction to change the layout was received. When the automatic assignment button 44 is turned off, the print application 22 can manually accept the assignment of the rearranged database to each object 311 to 314 located in the label area 31 of the label editing screen 30. If the operation to the complete button 47 is accepted in this state, the print application 22 may display the label editing screen 30 in S32 with no panel data written to the label area 31.

[0055] In other words, the print application 22 sets whether or not to automatically perform associations based on the operation of the auto-assign button 44. S21, which includes the operation to turn off the auto-assign button 44, is an example of the setting process. Then, S25, which is an example of the manual association process when the auto-assign button 44 is turned off and the panel data of each record is associated with each object based on the database modified based on the user's operation, is an example of the manual association process. Enabling manual association increases the flexibility of associations and further enhances the convenience of database printing.

[0056] With the label editing screen 30 displayed, the user can initiate printing by operating the print button 34. When the print button 34 is operated (S41), the print application 22 displays the print screen 50 shown in Figure 8 to the user interface 13 (S42). The print screen 50 accepts the selection of the printer to print to and the number of copies to print.

[0057] The print screen 50 shown in Figure 8 includes, for example, cut instruction buttons 51-53 that accept cut selections, a cancel button 54, and a print button 55. Cut instruction button 51 accepts a cut instruction to cut both the label paper and the release liner for each label. Cut instruction button 52 accepts a cut instruction to cut the label paper but not the release liner for each label. Cut instruction button 53 accepts a cut instruction to cut only the trailing edge of the last printed label, without cutting between labels.

[0058] When the printing application 22 receives an operation on any of the cut instruction buttons 51 to 53, it adds cut information to each label data to indicate that it should be cut. When the label printer 3 receives label data with the cut information added, it performs printing based on that label data, and then performs cutting based on the cut information.

[0059] When the print button 55 is pressed on the print screen 50 (S51), the print application 22 instructs the label printer 3 to perform database printing based on the database to be printed (S52). S52 is an example of the printing process. For example, if the database to be printed is a relocated database, the print application 22 generates label data by writing each panel data to the associated object for each record of the database displayed in the database display field 38 of the label editing screen 30, and sends the generated label data to the label printer 3. In this case, S52 is an example of a specific printing process. As a result, the label printer 3 performs printing based on the label data, and panel labels are created.

[0060] Up to this point, we have described the procedure for the user to place the required number of panel label objects in the label area 31 on the label editing screen 30 (see Figure 4) (S15), and then to accept the database specification (S16) and the rearrangement instruction (S21). The print application 22 may accept the database specification without placing objects and may also accept the rearrangement instruction for that database.

[0061] The print application 22 may, for example, accept database selection even when no objects are placed in the label area 31. In that case, for example, as shown in Figure 9, it may display a reception screen 61 that accepts input of the object type and its quantity, allowing the user to make a selection. Based on the user's selection received on the reception screen 61, the print application 22 may determine the type and quantity of objects to be placed and automatically place them in the label area 31. The process of placing the number of objects entered on the reception screen 61 in the label area 31 is an example of an automatic placement process.

[0062] Alternatively, if the print application 22 receives a database specification when no objects are placed in the label area 31 (Figure 10(A)), as shown in Figure 10, it may display a database display screen 40 (Figure 10(B)) which includes a quantity selection field 62 for selecting the number of fields to rearrange. If the quantity "4" is selected on this database display screen 40 and the user requests an operation on the layout change button 42, the print application 22 may change the database layout as shown in Figure 6.

[0063] As explained in detail above, when the print application 22 of this form receives an operation on the layout change button 42, it generates records that group multiple panel data arranged in a column or row according to the number of objects placed in the label area 31, and associates each panel data in that record with its respective object. The print application 22 is then configured to cause the label printer to print based on the label data in which each associated object has its panel data written, for each record. As a result, even when multiple panel data without record separators are read, labels are output with the panel data divided into the number of sections desired by the user, thereby improving the convenience of database printing.

[0064] Furthermore, this form of printing application 22 can print, for example, a patch panel label, which is a label in which port numbers are arranged in a horizontal row and is attached to a patch panel, using database printing. By using this form of printing application 22, when generating a label with a predetermined number of panel data, such as this patch panel label, the user can create the desired label based on a database file without record delimiters.

[0065] This embodiment is merely illustrative and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, the printing medium of the label printer is not limited to roll-shaped label paper, but may also be fanfold paper or cut-sheet-shaped label paper.

[0066] Furthermore, the configurations of each display screen illustrated in the attached drawings are not limited to the illustrated examples and can be changed as appropriate. For example, the arrangement and shape of each button are not limited to the illustrated examples. For instance, the embodiment shows an example of label data that prints only one line of text, but it may be possible to print multiple lines of text in the width direction of the label. In addition, panel labels may include text and shapes other than panel data.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when multiple panel label objects are placed in the label area 31, vertical lines 310 are placed between the objects, but this is not limited to this. The print application 22 may choose not to place the vertical lines 310, may surround each object with a border, may separate them with shapes other than vertical lines, or may accept user selection.

[0068] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the layout change button 42 is turned on, the auto-assign button 44 is automatically turned on, but this is not limited to this. For example, the operation of turning on the layout change button 42 and the operation of turning on the auto-assign button 44 may be accepted as separate operations. Also, the print application 22 may accept a setting to determine whether or not to automatically link these buttons.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the system accepts the selection of records to be printed from the database displayed in the data display field 41, but this selection is not required. Even without this, for example, by generating a database that does not include records that should not be printed, only the records that should be printed can be printed.

[0070] Furthermore, it is not necessary to be able to export the database. Specifically, the export button 39 on the label editing screen 30 does not need to be there.

[0071] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of any multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as no inconsistencies arise in the processing content.

[0072] Furthermore, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, such as a recording medium or method that stores a program for executing the process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Mobile device 3. Label printer 11 CPU 13 User Interface

Claims

1. A program executable by a computer of an information processing device, To the aforementioned computer, A reading process is performed to read multiple text data arranged in a column or row, and the first operation is made possible once the multiple text data have been read. Furthermore, the computer, based on the first operation, A retrieval process to obtain the number of text objects to be included in a specific label data, Based on the multiple text data read in the aforementioned reading process, a generation process is performed to extract data for each number obtained in the aforementioned acquisition process and to generate a specific record that combines the extracted number of text data. An automatic association process that associates one of the text objects included in the specific label data with each of the text data included in the specific record, Make it run, Furthermore, the computer, For each of the specific records generated in the generation process, a specific printing process is executed to cause a label printer to print based on the specific label data written to the text object associated with each of the text data of the specific record. A program that is structured in such a way.

2. In the program described in claim 1, To the aforementioned computer, The system executes a placement process to place the text object to be included in the specific label data into the work area. Furthermore, the computer, In the acquisition process, after the placement process is executed, the number of text objects placed in the work area is acquired. In the aforementioned automatic association process, one of the text objects located in the work area is associated with each of the text data contained in the specific record. A program that is structured in such a way.

3. In the program described in claim 2, To the aforementioned computer, A setting process is executed to determine whether or not to automatically associate the text data contained in the specific record with the text object placed in the work area. Furthermore, the computer, If the setting process is configured to automatically perform the association, the automatic association process will be executed after the generation process is completed. If the setting process is configured not to perform association automatically, after the generation process is executed, the automatic association process is not performed. Instead, for each text data contained in the specific record, the user is prompted to select one of the text objects located in the work area, and a manual association process is performed to associate the selected text object. A program that is structured in such a way.

4. In the program described in claim 2, To the aforementioned computer, In the aforementioned automatic association process, for each text data contained in the specific record, one of the text objects is associated in the order in which they are placed in the work area. A program that is structured in such a way.

5. In the program described in claim 1, To the aforementioned computer, In the acquisition process described above, the number of text objects is input, and the input number is acquired. Furthermore, the computer, After the acquisition process is executed, and before the automatic association process is executed, an automatic placement process is performed to place the number of text objects acquired in the acquisition process into the work area. A program that is structured in such a way.

6. In the program described in claim 1, To the aforementioned computer, After the generation process is executed, and before the specific printing process is executed, a list display process is performed to display the specific records generated in the generation process in a list on the user interface of the information processing device. A program that is structured in such a way.

7. In the program described in claim 6, To the aforementioned computer, With the specific records generated in the generation process displayed in a list, a selection process is executed to accept the selection of the specific records to be printed from among the specific records generated in the generation process. Furthermore, the computer, In the aforementioned specific printing process, for each of the specific records selected in the selection process, the label printer is instructed to print based on the specific label data written to the text object associated with each of the text data of the specific record. A program that is structured in such a way.

8. In the program described in claim 1, To the aforementioned computer, The system executes an export process to export a new database file containing the specific records generated in the aforementioned generation process. A program that is structured in such a way.

9. In the program described in claim 1, To the aforementioned computer, A specification process for specifying a database file in which multiple fields are defined and records storing text data corresponding to each field can be registered. The association process involves associating one text object with each field defined in the database file specified in the above-mentioned designation process, For each record registered in the database file, label data is generated in which the text data corresponding to each field is written to each text object associated with the field, and a printing process is executed to cause a label printer to print based on the generated label data. A program that is structured in such a way.

10. User interface and Computers and, An information processing device comprising, The aforementioned computer, It is possible to perform a reading process to read multiple text data arranged in a column or row, and to enable a first operation when the multiple text data have been read. Furthermore, when the first operation is performed via the user interface, the computer will A retrieval process to obtain the number of text objects to be included in a specific label data, Based on the multiple text data read in the aforementioned reading process, a generation process is performed to extract data for each number obtained in the aforementioned acquisition process and to generate a specific record that combines the extracted number of text data. An automatic association process that associates one of the text objects included in the specific label data with each of the text data included in the specific record, Execute, Furthermore, the aforementioned computer, For each of the specific records generated in the generation process, a specific printing process can be executed to cause a label printer to print based on the specific label data written to the text object associated with each of the text data of the specific record. An information processing device configured in such a way.