JP2006099261A - Label producing apparatus, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label producing apparatus, a program and a recording medium capable of effectively utilizing a printable area in a label and automatically setting an appropriate layout.
Each frame information relating to a selected template is read from the template storage area 43B and stored in the object storage area 43A, and then the label data of each frame input via a keyboard 6 or the like is used as the object list number of each frame. Is stored in the label data storage area 43C, and “0” is substituted into the object algebra I and stored in the RAM 43 (S1 to S4). Thereafter, “object movement processing” and “object size adjustment processing” are executed, and when each size-adjusted frame goes out of the print area, “object resetting processing 1” is executed, and then “ “Object movement process” and “object size adjustment process” are executed (S5 to S8).
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a label producing apparatus, a program, and a recording medium for printing label data including at least character string data on a long tape.

Conventionally, printing means has been used to print label data consisting of character string data and design data at a character size set in each frame arranged based on a template in which a plurality of frames are allocated in advance on a long tape. Various proposals have been made regarding label producing apparatuses for driving control.
For example, a conventional label producing apparatus includes: an input unit that inputs character string data; a template storage unit that stores a template in which a plurality of frames in which character strings are arranged are assigned in advance according to a tape; and the input unit When the input character string data does not fit in the frame set with a set character size, an expansion unit that expands the set frame, and the frame expanded by the expansion unit is adjacent to the frame A judging means for judging whether or not they overlap; a changing means for expanding the frame within a range that does not overlap when it is judged by the judging means; and printing the character string data on the tape in the frame. Printing means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In such a configuration, when the character string data does not fit within the set frame, the frame is expanded. When the expanded frame overlaps with the adjacent frame, the frame is expanded within the non-overlapping range. Therefore, a user can easily create a good-looking label without changing the setting of the frame each time.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-114547 (paragraphs (0007) to (0035), FIGS. 1 to 9)

  However, in the above-described conventional label producing apparatus, even if the frame is expanded by the expansion means, if this frame overlaps with the adjacent frame, the frame is expanded within the range that does not overlap. Even if there is extra space or there is printing space outside the next frame, the frame cannot be expanded beyond the part that overlaps the next frame, and the printable area in the label cannot be used effectively. There is also a problem that the character size of each frame is unbalanced or characters are missing.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, effectively utilizing the printable area in the label, balancing the character size of each frame, and further improving the character of each frame. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label producing apparatus, a program, and a recording medium that can automatically set an appropriate layout without missing.

  In order to achieve the above object, a label producing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a printing unit that prints label data including at least character string data on a long tape, and a printing control unit that drives and controls the printing unit. In the label producing apparatus, the print control means includes a template storage means for storing a plurality of templates in which a plurality of frames are assigned in advance according to a print area of the tape, and a selection means for selecting one template from the plurality of templates. And input means for inputting the label data arranged in each frame of the template selected by the selection means, and the label data of each frame input by the input means with the character size set in advance. First determination means for sequentially determining whether or not printing can be performed in each frame, and printing in the frame by the first determination means If it is determined that the frame cannot be printed, the frame size adjusting means for expanding the frame to a size that can be printed, and the adjacent frame so that the extended frame expanded by the frame size adjusting means and the adjacent frame do not overlap. Frame moving means for sequentially moving in the tape longitudinal direction or tape width direction, second determination means for determining whether or not each frame moved by the frame moving means is within the print area, and the second determination If it is determined by the means that any of the frames does not fall within the print area, the frames are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the character size is reduced by a predetermined ratio. Resetting means for resetting and resetting the size of each frame and the position of each frame via the first determination means, the frame size adjusting means, and the frame moving means, and the print control means , The first determination means, the frame If each frame set via the noise adjusting means, the frame moving means, and the resetting means is determined to be within the print area by the second determining means, it is set to each frame. The printing unit is driven and controlled so as to print the label data in a character size.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label producing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints at least label data including character string data on a long tape; and a printing control unit that drives and controls the printing unit. The printing control means includes a template storage means for storing a plurality of templates assigned in advance in accordance with a printing area of a tape having a plurality of frames, and a selection means for selecting one template from the plurality of templates. And input means for inputting the label data arranged in each frame of the template selected by the selection means, and the label data of each frame input by the input means in the first character size set in advance First determination means for sequentially determining whether printing can be performed in each frame, and printing can be performed in the frame by the first determination means. If it is determined that the adjacent frame is not overlapped with the frame size adjusting means for expanding the frame to a size that can be printed, and the extended frame expanded by the frame size adjusting means. A first frame moving means for sequentially moving in the longitudinal direction or the tape width direction; a second determining means for determining whether or not each frame moved by the first frame moving means is within the print area; If it is determined by the second determination means that any of the frames does not fall within the print area, the frames are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the frames are moved slowly. The first character size is sequentially reset to a second character size reduced by a predetermined ratio, and the size of each frame and each frame are again set via the first determination unit, the frame size adjusting unit, and the frame moving unit. Reset the frame position Resetting means, and the printing control means is configured such that each frame set via the first determining means, the frame size adjusting means, the frame moving means, and the resetting means is printed by the second determining means. When it is determined that the image is within the area, the printing unit is driven and controlled to print the label data with the first character size or the second character size set in each frame. .

  The label producing apparatus according to claim 3 is the label producing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the resetting unit sets the second character size even if all the character sizes of the frames are set to the second character size. If it is determined by the determination means that any of the frames does not fall within the print area, the frames are returned to their original size and position, and the frames are moved in order from the slowest. The character size of each frame is sequentially reset to a character size reduced by a predetermined ratio, and the process is repeatedly performed.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as a print control unit of the label producing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  Further, a recording medium according to claim 4 is recorded with a program for causing a computer to function as a print control means of the label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and readable by the computer. Features.

In the label producing apparatus according to the first aspect, the print control means assigns a plurality of frames to the print area of the tape based on the template selected via the selection means. Then, the print control means determines whether label data arranged in each frame input via the input means can be printed in each frame with a preset character size of each frame. Subsequently, when it is determined that the label data cannot be printed entirely in the frame, the print control unit expands the frame to a size that can be printed, and the adjacent frame and the expanded frame do not overlap. The adjacent frames are sequentially moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction. Then, after the print control means moves the frames so as not to overlap each other, if it determines that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, each frame is returned to its original size. In addition to returning to the original position, the character size set in each frame is reduced by a predetermined ratio and reset, and the size of each frame and the position of each frame are reset again. In addition, the print control means moves the frames such as the extended frames so that they do not overlap each other, and then determines that any frame is within the print area of the tape. The printing unit is driven and controlled to print the label data with the set character size.
Thus, when it is determined that the entire label data cannot be printed in the frame, the frame is expanded to a size that allows printing, and the adjacent frame is moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so as not to overlap, When each frame is within the print area of the tape, each label data is printed in a predetermined character size on each frame. Therefore, the printable area in the label is used effectively, and each frame is printed. Therefore, it is possible to automatically set an appropriate layout without causing the characters in each frame to be lost. In addition, after moving each frame such as the extended expansion frame so as not to overlap, if it is determined that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, each frame is restored to the original. In addition to returning to the original size and position, the character size set for each frame is reset by reducing the ratio by a predetermined ratio, and the size of each frame and the position of each frame are reset again. Effective use of the available area allows each label data to be reliably printed on each frame by assignment based on the desired template, and an appropriate layout is automatically set to easily unify the character size of each frame. A nice-looking label can be created.

In the label producing apparatus according to claim 2, the print control means assigns a plurality of frames to the print area of the tape based on the template selected via the selection means. Then, the print control unit determines whether the label data arranged in each frame input via the input unit can be printed in each frame with the preset first character size of each frame. Subsequently, when it is determined that the label data cannot be completely printed in the frame, the print control unit expands the frame to a size that allows printing, and the adjacent frame and the expanded frame do not overlap. The adjacent frames are sequentially moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction. Then, after the print control means moves the frames so as not to overlap each other, if it determines that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, each frame is returned to its original size. In addition to returning to the original position, the first character size is sequentially reset to the second character size reduced by a predetermined ratio in order from the slow moving frame, and the size of each frame and the position of each frame are set again. Reset it. In addition, the print control means moves the frames such as the extended frames so that they do not overlap each other, and then determines that any frame is within the print area of the tape. The printing unit is driven and controlled to print the label data with the set first character size or second character size.
Thus, when it is determined that the entire label data cannot be printed in the frame, the frame is expanded to a size that allows printing, and the adjacent frame is moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so as not to overlap, When each frame is within the print area of the tape, each label data is printed in a predetermined character size on each frame. Therefore, the printable area in the label is used effectively, and each frame is printed. Therefore, it is possible to automatically set an appropriate layout without causing the characters in each frame to be lost. In addition, after moving each frame such as the extended expansion frame so as not to overlap, if it is determined that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, each frame is restored to the original. The size and the original position are restored, and the first character size is sequentially reset to the second character size reduced by a predetermined ratio in order from the last moved frame to the slower moving frame. In order to reset the size of each frame and the position of each frame, the printable area in the label can be used effectively, and each label data can be printed reliably on each frame by assignment based on the desired template, and an appropriate layout Is automatically set, the character size of the frame set first can be set to the first character size, and a label having a high recognition effect can be created by giving priority to each frame of the template. .

In the label producing apparatus according to claim 3, even if all the character sizes of each frame are set to the second character size through the resetting unit, any one of the frames is printed by the second determining unit. If it is determined that the frame does not fall within the range, each frame is returned to its original size and position, and the character size of each frame is sequentially reduced to a character size that has been reduced by a predetermined ratio in order from the frame with the slower movement order. The resetting is repeated.
As a result, even when the first character size preset in each frame is changed to a second character size reduced by a predetermined ratio, these frames such as the expanded extended frame are moved so as not to overlap, If it is determined that one of the frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, the character size of each frame is reset again to the character size that has been reduced by a predetermined ratio, starting with the frame that has been moved slowly. Thus, since the size of each frame and the position of each frame are reset, the user can print each label data by assigning a desired template.

  In the program according to claim 4, since the computer functions as the print control means of the label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 by reading the program, the user can Effective use of the printable area, the character size in the frame does not become smaller or missing, it is possible to automatically set an appropriate layout, and each label data can be assigned based on the desired template. A printed label having a good appearance can be easily obtained, and the workability of label production can be improved.

  Furthermore, the recording medium according to claim 5 can be provided with a function for realizing the print control means of the label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 as a program executed by a computer. In the case of such a program, for example, semiconductor memory, hard disk, floppy (registered trademark) disk, data card (IC card, magnetic card, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), magneto-optical disk (MD, etc.), It can be used by recording on a computer-readable recording medium such as a phase change disk, magnetic tape, etc., and loading and starting the computer if necessary. In addition, the program may be recorded in a ROM or backup RAM, and the ROM or backup RAM may be incorporated into a computer.

  Hereinafter, the label producing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on the first and second embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 1, a label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment includes a computer apparatus 2 composed of a personal computer and the like, and a tape printer 3 connected to the computer apparatus 2 via a signal cable K1. It is configured.
The computer device 2 includes a host controller 4, a display device (for example, CRT, LCD, PD, etc.) 5, a keyboard 6, a mouse 7, an image scanner 8, and a CD read / writer (CD-R / W) 9. Has been. The mouse 7 may be replaced with a joystick or a trackball. Further, the CD-R / W 9 may be replaced with an MO device, a DVD device or the like.

Further, the tape printer 3 has a tape cassette 3D (described later) in which a printing tape having a long adhesive medium having a predetermined width dimension or less (about 70 mm or less in Example 1) on the back side is incorporated. 2) and is a printer that prints on this printing tape. Based on a printing command from the computer apparatus 2, a printing tape with an adhesive material on which desired characters are printed is created.
Here, the tape printer 3 has an apparatus main body, and an open / close lid 3A is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body so as to be opened and closed. When the open / close button 3B disposed on the upper side of the apparatus main body is pressed, the lock between the open / close lid 3A and the apparatus main body is released, and the open / close cover 3A is opened by the action of a biasing member (not shown). It is configured as follows.
Further, a see-through window 3C covered with a transparent cover is formed at a portion inclined forward of the opening / closing lid 3A. Inside the see-through window 3C, a cassette mounting portion is disposed, and a tape cassette 3D (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) described later is mounted on the cassette mounting portion. On the upper surface of the tape cassette 3D, a tape specific display portion 3E is provided, and this tape specific display portion 3E can be visually recognized from the outside of the tape printer 3 through a transparent window 3C.

Here, the tape identification display unit 3E displays, for example, the tape width, the color of the tape, and the like of a long print tape with an adhesive material built in the tape cassette 3D. Incidentally, the tape identification display section 3E shown in FIG. 1 indicates that the tape width of the tape built in the tape cassette 3D is 60 mm. Can be visually confirmed. Further, since a tape discharge port 3F for discharging the printing tape to the outside is formed on the side wall of the tape printer 3, printing with an adhesive material on which desired characters are printed based on a print command from the computer device 2 The tape is discharged from the tape discharge port 3F.
A button 3G adjacent to the open / close button 3B of the apparatus main body is a power button for turning on / off the power of the tape printer 3. A button 3H adjacent to the power button 3G is a cutter driving button that drives a cutter mechanism (see FIG. 2), which will be described later, disposed in the apparatus main body. When the cutter driving button 3H is operated, printing is performed. The character-attached tape is cut to a desired length, and a label with an adhesive material having a predetermined length is created.

Next, a schematic configuration when the tape cassette 3D is mounted on the printing mechanism of the tape printer 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular tape cassette 3D is detachably attached to the printing mechanism PM. A tape spool 12 around which a laminate film tape 11 is wound, and an ink ribbon 13 are mounted on the tape cassette 3D. Is wound with a ribbon supply spool 14, a take-up spool 15 for winding the ink ribbon 13, and a double-sided adhesive tape 16 having the same width as the laminate film tape 11 with the release paper as the outside. 17 and a joining roller 18 for joining the laminated film tape 11 and the double-sided adhesive tape 16 are rotatably provided.

A thermal head 19 is erected at a position where the laminate film tape 11 and the ink ribbon 13 overlap, a platen roller 20 that presses the laminate film tape 11 and the ink ribbon 13 against the thermal head 19, and the laminate film tape 11. The feeding roller 21 that presses the adhesive tape 16 and the double-sided adhesive tape 16 against the joining roller 18 to create the printing tape 23 pivots on a support 22 pivotally attached to the main body frame of the tape printer 3. It is supported. The thermal head 19 includes a group of 512 heat generating elements arranged in the vertical direction.
Accordingly, the joining roller 18 and the take-up spool 15 are driven in synchronization with each other in the predetermined rotation direction by the tape feed motor 72 (see FIG. 4) being driven in the predetermined rotation direction, and the heating element group of the thermal head 19 is driven. When energized, characters, barcodes, etc. are printed on the laminate film tape 11 by a plurality of dot rows, and the laminate film tape 11 is in the tape feed direction A as the printing tape 23 with the double-sided adhesive tape 16 joined. The tape is fed and fed out from the tape outlet 3F. Note that the details of the printing mechanism PM are substantially the same as the mechanism described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-106555, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Next, the cutting device 30 that automatically cuts the printing tape 23 will be briefly described. A plate-like auxiliary frame 31 is erected immediately inside the main body frame of the tape printer 3 corresponding to the left side of the tape cassette 3D, and a fixed blade 32 is fixed to the auxiliary frame 31 upward. A pivotal support shaft 33 that is fixed to the auxiliary frame 31 and that faces in the left-right direction is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the front end of the operation lever 34 extending in the front-rear direction. The movable blade 35 is attached to face the fixed blade 32 at the corresponding portion. Further, the rear end portion of the operation lever 34 is configured to be vertically swingable by a swing drive mechanism (not shown) connected to a cutting motor 74 (see FIG. 4), and the movable blade 35 is always a fixed blade. It is held in a state separated from 32.
The printing tape 23 printed by the thermal head 19 extends from the tape discharge port 3F through the space between the fixed blade 32 and the movable blade 35 from the tape cassette 3D, so that the cutting driven by the cutting signal is performed. The motor 74 swings the rear end of the operation lever 34 up and down via the swing drive mechanism, the movable blade 35 approaches the fixed blade 32, and the printing tape 23 is cut by both the blades 32 and 35. .

  By the way, five types of tape widths of 40 mm, 50 mm, 55 mm, 60 mm, and 70 mm are prepared as the printing tape 23 fed out from the tape cassette 3D. In order to detect any of the types of tape widths, a protruding piece 24 is provided that combines the presence or absence of four protruding claws. A cassette sensor 68 (see FIG. 4) for detecting the tape width from the combination of the protruding claws of the protruding piece 24 is attached to the main body frame that supports the lower side of the tape cassette 3D. That is, the cassette sensor 68 outputs a cassette signal of “0100” when the tape width is 70 mm, for example, and a cassette of “1100” when the tape width is 60 mm. A signal is output, and a cassette signal of “0000” is output when the tape cassette 3D is not loaded.

Next, the circuit configuration of the computer apparatus 2 constituting the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the host controller 4 of the computer apparatus 2 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, an input / output interface (I / F) 44, a communication interface (I / F) 45, a floppy (registered trademark) disk controller ( FDC) 46, floppy (registered trademark) disk drive (FDD) 47, hard disk controller (HDC) 48, hard disk drive (HDD) 49, display device controller 50, modem 51, and the like. The CPU 41, ROM 42, RAM 43, input / output interface (I / F) 44, communication interface (I / F) 45, and modem 51 are connected to each other via a bus line 52 and exchange data with each other. Is called. The input / output I / F 44 is connected to the FDD 47 via the FDC 46 that controls the drive of the FDD 47, the HDD 49 and the display device controller 50 via the HDC 48 that controls the drive of the HDD 49. A telephone line 53 is connected to the modem 51.
The host controller 4 has a keyboard 6 for inputting characters, symbols, and the like via the input / output I / F 44, a mouse 7 for inputting coordinates on the display screen of the display device 5, and outline data from the drawings. Are connected to an image scanner 8 for reading and the like, and a CD-R / W 9 for writing and reading print data, a print control program described later, and the like to and from the CD-ROM 56. The host controller 4 is connected to a display device 5 for displaying a print tape or the like (see FIG. 14) to which label data is assigned as will be described later via the display device controller 50. Further, the tape printer 3 is connected to the host controller 4 via a communication I / F 45 and a signal cable K1.

The CPU 41 controls the entire label producing apparatus 1 and manages all data related to the operation of the label producing apparatus 1. The ROM 42 stores a startup program for starting up the computer device 2 and starting up the CPU 41 when the power is turned on, as in a general personal computer.
The RAM 43 temporarily stores various data when the CPU 41 executes various controls, and stores information on each frame arranged on the printing tape 23 from a selected template as will be described later. The object storage area 43A to be read and stored, the template storage area 43B in which a plurality of templates to which a plurality of frames are assigned in advance according to the print area of the printing tape 23 are stored, and printing on each frame input via the keyboard 6 or the like A label data storage area 43C for storing label data to be stored is provided.
The communication I / F 45 includes, for example, a Centronics interface and the like, and enables bidirectional data communication with the tape printer 3 and an external electronic device (for example, a computer, a laser printer, etc.).

In addition to the various operating systems (OS) such as MS-DOS (registered trademark) and Windows (registered trademark) system, the hard disk mounted on the HDD 49 stores data for the tape printer 3 and external electronic devices. A variety of application programs, such as a communication protocol for sending and receiving data, word processor software and print data creation software executable by the OS, are stored as necessary, and printing that automatically adjusts the layout of labels, which will be described later A control program for control processing such as data creation processing is stored and stored.
A floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 55 that is detachably attached to the FDD 47 stores and saves various data obtained by print data creation processing described later.
In addition, a plurality of frames are allocated in advance on an optical disk (CD-ROM) 56 that is detachably mounted on the CD-R / W 9 according to a print area of the print tape 23 together with a print data creation control program described later. A plurality of templates and the like are recorded and supplied to various label producing apparatuses.

Next, the circuit configuration of the tape printer 3 constituting the label producing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit unit 60 of the tape printer 3 includes a CPU 61, a CG (character generator) ROM 62, a ROM 63, a RAM 64, an input / output interface (I / F) 65, and a communication interface (I / F). 66 etc. The CPU 61, the CGROM 62, the ROM 63, the RAM 64, the input / output interface (I / F) 65, and the communication interface (I / F) 66 are connected to each other via a bus line 67 and exchange data with each other. .
Here, the CGROM 62 stores dot pattern data corresponding to each character.
The ROM 63 stores various programs, and various programs necessary for controlling the tape printer 3 such as a print control program described later are stored. The CPU 61 performs various calculations based on various programs stored in the ROM 63. In addition, the ROM 63 classifies outline data (outline data) that defines the outline of each character for each type of character (gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, etc.) for each character such as a large number of characters. Stored in correspondence with the code data. Based on the outline data, dot pattern data is developed on the image buffer.

The RAM 64 is for temporarily storing various calculation results calculated by the CPU 61. Further, print data is temporarily stored when printing on the laminate tape 11 via the thermal head 19. Further, the RAM 64 is provided with various memories such as a text memory, an image buffer, and a print buffer.
The input / output I / F 65 also has a cassette sensor 68, a drive circuit 71 for driving the thermal head 19, a drive circuit 73 for driving the tape feed motor 72, and a cutting motor 74. These drive circuits 75 are connected to each other.
In addition, the communication I / F 66 is constituted by, for example, a Centronics interface or the like, and is capable of bidirectional data communication with the computer apparatus 2.

Next, an example of object data stored in the object storage area 43A of the RAM 43 of the host controller 4 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the object data is information regarding a plurality of frames allocated to the print area to be printed on each print tape 23, and corresponds to a template selected from a plurality of types of templates stored in the template storage area 43B as will be described later. Each frame information to be performed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the object data 431 stored in the object storage area 43A is composed of a plurality of frames (for example, frame 1, frame 2,...) Allocated to the print area. The “object 1 information” relating to the frame 1, the “object 2 information” relating to the frame 2,...
In addition, each “object 1 information”, “object 2 information”,... Includes a position in the print area of each frame, that is, a “position” representing coordinate position data of the upper end on the front end side in the tape transport direction. The size of each frame, that is, the “size” representing data composed of the length CX of each frame in the tape longitudinal direction and the length CY of each frame in the tape width direction, and a label printed on each frame It consists of “font size” that represents the initial font size (initial character size) of the data and “font type” that represents the font type (character type such as Gothic, Mincho, etc.) of the label data printed on each frame. ing.

Next, an example of a plurality of types of templates stored in the template storage area 43B of the RAM 43 of the host controller 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6, when selecting a template representing the layout of the print area as described later, a plurality of types of templates stored in the template storage area 43 </ b> B of the RAM 43 of the host controller 4 are displayed on the display device 5. Is done.
For example, a template 81 is displayed on the upper left of the display screen of the display device 5, a template 82 is displayed on the upper right, a template 83 is displayed on the lower left, and a template 84 is displayed on the lower right. Further, “07 Text2”, “08 Text3”, “09 Text4”, “10 Address” and the names assigned to the templates 81 to 84 are displayed below the templates 81 to 84. The white portions of the templates 81 to 84 represent the print areas 81A to 84A.

Further, the template 81 has a horizontally long rectangular frame 81B having a large vertical width arranged on the upper side of the printing area 81A, and a horizontally long rectangular frame 81C having a narrow vertical dimension on the lower side of the printing area 81A. Further, the template 82 has a horizontally long rectangular frame 82B whose vertical width is substantially equal to the tape width on the left half of the printing area 82A, and a horizontal rectangular frame 82C whose vertical width is slightly narrower than the tape width on the right half of the printing area 82A. Is assigned. The template 83 has a horizontally long rectangular frame 83B whose vertical width is substantially equal to the tape width in the left half of the printing area 83A, and a frame 83C whose vertical width is slightly narrower than 1/2 of the tape width above the right half of the printing area 83B. A frame 83D whose vertical width is slightly narrower than ½ of the tape width is allocated to the lower right half of the printing area 83B. The template 84 is assigned with four horizontally-long rectangular frames 84B, 84C, 84D, and 84E in the vertical direction of the print area 84A.
The templates 81 to 84 displayed on the display device 5 can be selected by clicking with the mouse 7 or by clicking with a cursor key (not shown) on the keyboard 6 and pressing a return key (not shown). Can be performed.

Next, control processing such as print data creation processing for automatically adjusting the label layout of the label creation apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 7, in step (hereinafter abbreviated as S) 1, the CPU 41 of the host controller 4 of the label producing apparatus 1 executes template selection processing.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a template selection key (not shown) on the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 41 reads out and displays each template having a plurality of frame information representing the layout of the print area from the template storage area 43B. The templates 81 to 84 are displayed on the display screen of the device 5. When any of the displayed templates 81 to 84 is selected with the mouse 7 and clicked, the CPU 41 stores the name of the selected template in the RAM 43.

In S2, the CPU 41 reads the name of the selected template from the RAM 43, reads each frame information related to the template corresponding to this name from the template storage area 43B, and stores it in the object storage area 43A. That is, the object data 431 of the “position”, “size”, “font size”, and “font type” of each frame (each object) of the selected template is changed to “object 1 information” and “object 2 information”. ,..., In order, “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”,... “N” (n is an integer) are assigned object list numbers, and are stored in the object storage area 43A. Store (see FIG. 5). The object list number is arranged in the tape longitudinal direction and the tape width direction from the frame arranged at the upper end on the front end side in the tape conveying direction of the printing area to the frame arranged at the lower end on the rear end side in the tape conveying direction. Each frame is given in turn.
Subsequently, in S3, the CPU 41 displays label data for arranging characters, symbols, graphics, etc. for each frame (each object) input via the keyboard 6 or the like in each frame. Corresponding to the list number, it is stored in the label data storage area 43C.

In S <b> 4, the CPU 41 reads the object algebra I from the RAM 43, substitutes “0” for the object algebra I, and stores it in the RAM 43.
In S5, the CPU 41 executes “object movement processing” (see FIG. 8) described later, and in S6, the CPU 41 executes “object size adjustment processing” (see FIG. 9) described later.
Subsequently, in S <b> 7, the CPU 41 reads the region determination algebra ret from the RAM 43 and executes a determination process for determining whether or not it is “1”. When the area determination algebra ret is not “1”, that is, when the area determination algebra ret is “0” (S7: NO), in S8, the CPU 41 determines the “object resetting process 1” described later (FIG. 10), the processing after S4 is executed again.
On the other hand, when the area determination algebra ret read from the RAM 43 is “1” (S7: YES), in S9, the CPU 41 reads the object algebra I from the RAM 43, adds “1” to the object algebra I, and again. Store in the RAM 43.

In S10, the CPU 41 again reads the object algebra I from the RAM 43, and determines whether or not the object algebra I is equal to or less than the maximum value “n” of the object list number assigned to each object stored in the object storage area 43A. The determination process to be executed is executed. When the object algebra I is equal to or less than the maximum value “n” of the object list number (S10: YES), the CPU 41 executes the processes after S5 again.
On the other hand, when the object algebra I is larger than the maximum value “n” of the object list number (S10: NO), in S11, when the print key (not shown) of the keyboard 6 is pressed, the CPU 41 Each label data corresponding to the object list number assigned to each frame is printed in each frame (each object) automatically adjusted based on each “object 1 information”, “object 2 information”,... Other processing is performed.
Subsequently, in S12, the CPU 41 executes determination processing for determining whether or not an end key (not shown) of the keyboard 6 or an end button (not shown) displayed on the display screen is clicked with the mouse 6. If the end key has not been pressed and the end button has not been clicked (S12: NO), the CPU 41 executes the processing subsequent to S11 again.
On the other hand, when the end key is pressed or the end button is clicked (S12: YES), the CPU 41 ends the process.

Next, sub-processing of “object movement processing” executed in S5 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8, in S21, the CPU 41 reads out the object algebra I from the RAM 43, object data 431 to which an object list number equal to the numerical value of the object algebra I is assigned, and object data 431 in a frame adjacent to the object data 431. Is read from the object storage area 43A, and it is determined whether or not the left side or the upper side of the tip side portion in the tape transport direction of the frame (object) to which the object list number is attached overlaps with an adjacent frame (object) Execute the process.
When the left side or upper side of the front end side portion of this frame overlaps the adjacent frame, that is, when this frame overlaps the left side or the upper side frame (S21: YES), in S22 The CPU 41 calculates the tape width direction length IY of the portion where the left side of this frame overlaps with another adjacent frame, and stores it in the RAM 43.
In S <b> 23, the CPU 41 calculates the tape transport direction length IX of the portion where the upper side of this frame overlaps with another adjacent frame, and stores it in the RAM 43.

  Subsequently, in S24, the CPU 41 reads the tape transport direction length IX and the tape width direction length IY from the RAM 43 again, and executes a determination process for determining whether the length IY is larger than the length IX. To do. If the length IY is greater than the length IX (S24: YES), in S25, the CPU 41 moves the left side of the frame to the position where it does not overlap, and the right side of the frame is Position it in its original state. That is, the coordinate X in the tape transport direction of the “position” data of the object data 431 of the frame is changed to a new coordinate X that has been moved to a position that does not overlap, and is stored in the object storage area 43A. At the same time, a new tape when the length CX in the tape longitudinal direction of the “size” data frame of the object data 431 of this frame is moved in the tape transport direction to a position where the left sides of the frame do not overlap each other. The length is changed to the length CX in the longitudinal direction and stored in the object storage area 43A. Then, the sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart.

  On the other hand, when the length IY is equal to or shorter than the length IX (S24: NO), in S26, the CPU 41 moves the upper side of the frame to the position where it does not overlap in the tape width direction, and the lower side of the frame is Place it in its original state. That is, the coordinate Y in the tape width direction of the “position” data of the object data 431 of this frame is changed to a new coordinate Y that has been moved to a position that does not overlap, and is stored in the object storage area 43A. At the same time, a new tape is obtained when the length CY of the “size” data frame of the object data 431 of the frame is moved in the tape width direction to a position where the upper side of the frame does not overlap. The width is changed to the length CY and stored in the object storage area 43A. Then, the sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart.

On the other hand, when the left side or the upper side of the front end side portion of the frame in the tape transport direction does not overlap with the adjacent frame, that is, when the frame does not overlap with the left side or the upper side frame (S21: NO), the CPU 41 Then, the sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart.
Note that each “size” data of the object data 431, that is, each value of the length CX of each frame in the tape longitudinal direction and the length CY of each frame in the tape width direction is temporarily (for example, in the tape longitudinal direction). Or, when the frame to be moved is included in the area of another frame in at least one direction of the tape width direction), it may take a negative value.

Next, sub-processing of “object size adjustment processing” executed in S6 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 9, in S31, the CPU 41 reads out the object algebra I from the RAM 43, reads out the object data 431 attached with the object list number equal to the numerical value of the object algebra I from the object storage area 43A, The “position data” of the object), that is, the coordinates X and Y at the upper left of the frame are read out and stored in the RAM 43.
In S32, the CPU 41 reads the label data corresponding to the object list number assigned to the frame (object) from the label data storage area 43C, and reads the data of “font size” of the frame from the object data 431. .

In S33, the CPU 41 calculates the length NX in the tape longitudinal direction and the length NY in the tape width direction of the frame size necessary for printing the label data, and stores them in the RAM 43.
Subsequently, in S34, the CPU 41 reads the “size” of the frame (object), that is, the length CX of the frame in the tape longitudinal direction and the length CY of the frame in the tape width direction from the object storage area 43A, and stores them in the RAM 43. Remember.
In S35, the CPU 41 determines the size of the template print area selected in the process of S1, that is, the length PX in the tape longitudinal direction and the length PY in the tape width direction of the template print area in the template storage area. Read from 43B and store in RAM 43.

In S36, the CPU 41 reads the length CX of the frame in the tape longitudinal direction and the length NX in the tape longitudinal direction of the frame size necessary for printing the label data from the RAM 43, and this length CX. Is executed to determine whether or not is smaller than the length NX. If the length CX is smaller than the length NX (S36: YES), in S37, the CPU 41 determines the frame size necessary for printing the label data at the upper left coordinate X of the frame in the tape longitudinal direction. A determination process for determining whether or not the value of (X + NX) obtained by adding the length NX is smaller than the length PX in the tape longitudinal direction of the printing area of the template is executed.
If the value of (X + NX) is equal to or longer than the length PX of the template printing area in the tape longitudinal direction (S37: NO), in S38, the CPU 41 reads the area determination algebra ret from the RAM 43, and determines this area determination. After substituting “0” into the algebra ret and storing it again in the RAM 43, the sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart.

On the other hand, if the value of (X + NX) is smaller than the length PX of the template printing area in the tape longitudinal direction (S37: YES), in S39, the CPU 41 stores the object data 431 of this frame in the object storage area 43A. From this data, the numerical value of the length NX in the tape longitudinal direction of the frame size necessary for printing the label data is substituted into the length CX in the tape longitudinal direction of the “size” data of the frame. The data is again stored in the object storage area 43A.
On the other hand, if the length CX of the frame in the tape longitudinal direction is equal to or larger than the length NX in the tape longitudinal direction of the frame size necessary for printing label data (S36: NO), the CPU 41 The data value of the length CX in the tape longitudinal direction of the “size” data is not changed.

In S40, the CPU 41 reads from the RAM 43 the length CY of the frame in the tape longitudinal direction and the length NY of the frame size necessary for printing the label data in the tape width direction, and this length. A determination process for determining whether CY is smaller than length NY is executed. When the length CY is smaller than the length NY (S40: YES), in S41, the CPU 41 determines the frame size necessary for printing the label data at the upper left coordinate Y of the frame in the tape width direction. A determination process for determining whether or not the value of (Y + NY) obtained by adding the length NY is smaller than the length PY of the print area of the template in the tape width direction is executed.
If the value of (Y + NY) is equal to or greater than the length PY of the template print area in the tape width direction (S41: NO), the process of S38 is executed, that is, the CPU 41 determines the area from the RAM 43. The algebra ret is read out, “0” is substituted into the area determination algebra ret, stored again in the RAM 43, the sub-process is terminated, and the process returns to the main flowchart.

On the other hand, when the value of (Y + NY) is smaller than the length PY of the template printing area in the tape width direction (S41: YES), in S42, the CPU 41 stores the object data 431 of this frame in the object storage area 43A. From the frame size data, substitute the numerical value of the tape width direction length NY of the frame size necessary for printing the label data in the tape width direction length CY of the “size” data of the frame. The data is again stored in the object storage area 43A.
On the other hand, when the length CY in the tape width direction of the frame is equal to or larger than the length NY in the tape width direction of the frame size necessary for printing the label data (S40: NO), the CPU 41 The data value of the length CY in the tape width direction of the “size” data is not changed.
In S43, the CPU 41 reads the area determination algebra ret from the RAM 43, substitutes “1” for the area determination algebra ret, stores it in the RAM 43 again, ends the sub-process, and returns to the main flowchart.

Next, the sub-process of “object resetting process 1” executed in S8 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, in S51, the CPU 41 sequentially reads out the “position” and “size” data from the template storage area 43B from the frame information about the template, and stores the object data 431 in the object storage area 43A. Substituting and storing the “position” and “size” of each. That is, in the processing of S5 and S6, each frame (object) expanded or moved by this template is returned to the original position, and the size is restored.
In S52, the CPU 41 sequentially reads out the character size of “font size” of each frame from the object storage area 43A, reduces each character size by one step, and stores it again in the object storage area 43A. The sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart.
For example, when “Font size” of “Object 1 information” is “11 points”, the character size of “10 points” is stored. When the “font size” of “object 2 information” is “10 points”, the character size of “9 points” is stored.

Next, as a specific example, the template 82 shown in FIG. 6 is selected in the process of S1, and “Kagawa 1-chome, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi” is input as the label data of the frame 82B in the process of S3. Further, an example of automatically adjusting the label layout when “ABC Co., Ltd.” is input as the label data of the frame 82C will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 12, a frame 82 </ b> B that is an object O (0) of the print area 82 </ b> A has “Kazuichi Kawagishi, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi” of “Mizuho-ku, Nagoya-shi 1 chome”. "Ding" is arranged. In addition, “ABC Co., Ltd.” is all arranged in the frame 82C that is the object O (1) of the print area 82A.
Then, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 13, the left side and the upper side of the frame 82 </ b> B that is the object O (0) are not moved because they do not overlap with other frames by the process of S <b> 5. Then, by the process of S6, the frame 82B is expanded in the longitudinal direction of the tape in order to print all the “eyes” of “1 Kawagoe Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City”. Further, since the length CX of the expanded frame 82B in the tape longitudinal direction is smaller than the length PX of the print region 82A in the tape longitudinal direction, the process of S8 is not executed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 11C and 14, the process of S5 is executed again, and the left side and the upper side of the frame 82C overlap the frame 82B (see FIGS. 11B and 13). . Further, the length IY in which the left side of the frame 82C overlaps with the frame 82B is larger than the length IX in which the upper side of the frame 82C overlaps with the frame 82B (see FIGS. 11B and 13). The frame 82C is moved to a position where the left side of the frame 82C does not overlap the frame 82B, and the frame 82C is contracted in the longitudinal direction of the tape while the right side of the frame 82C remains unchanged. As a result, the right half of “company” at the right end of “ABC Inc.” as the label data is missing in the frame 82C.
Then, as shown in FIG. 11D and FIG. 15, the process of S6 is executed again, the frame 82C is expanded in the longitudinal direction of the tape, and all the label data “ABC Co., Ltd.” can be printed. Further, since the expanded frame 82C is in the print area 82A, the process of S8 is not executed.

Next, as a specific example, a template 90 in which two frames (objects) O (0) and O (1) are arranged in the tape width direction is selected in the process of S1. In the case where “Mizuho-ku Kawagishi 1-chome” is input as the label data for the upper frame O (0) and “ABC Co., Ltd.” is input as the label data for the lower frame O (1). An example of automatically adjusting the label layout will be described with reference to FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 16 (A), the upper frame, object O (0), lacks the lower part of “Kawagishi 1-chome” in “Mizuho-ku, Kawagoe 1-chome” of the label data. Yes. The object O (1), which is the lower frame, has all the label data “ABC Co., Ltd.” arranged therein.
Then, as shown in FIG. 16B, the left side and the upper side of the object (0) are not moved because they do not overlap other frames by the process of S5. In the process of S6, this object O (0) is expanded in the tape width direction in order to print all “Kawagishi 1-chome” in the label data “Mizuho-ku, Kawagoe 1-chome”. Further, the length CY of the expanded object O (0) in the tape width direction is smaller than the length PY of the print area 91 in the tape width direction, so the process of S8 is not executed.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 16C, the process of S5 is executed again, and the left side and the upper side of the object O (1) overlap with the object O (0) (see FIG. 16B). . Further, the length IY where the left side of the object O (1) overlaps the object O (0) is less than the length IX where the upper side of the object O (1) overlaps the object O (0) (see FIG. 16 (B)), the upper side of the object O (1) is moved to a position where it does not overlap the object O (0), and the lower side of the object O (1) is left as it is. Shrink in the width direction. Thereby, the lower half of “ABC Co., Ltd.” which is the label data of the object O (1) is missing.
Then, as shown in FIG. 16D, the process of S6 is executed again, the object O (1) is expanded in the tape width direction, and all the label data “ABC Co., Ltd.” can be printed. Further, since the expanded object O (1) is in the print area 91, the process of S8 is not executed.

  Here, the tape printer functions as a printing unit. The host controller 4 functions as a print control unit. The template storage area 43B functions as a template storage unit. Further, the display device 5, the keyboard 6, and the mouse 7 constitute selection means. The display device 5 and the keyboard 6 constitute input means. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 constitute first determination means, frame size adjustment means, frame movement means, second determination means, and resetting means.

  As described above in detail, in the label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the CPU 41 is in each of the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. of the printing areas 81A to 84A. If it is determined that all of the label data cannot be printed, the frame is expanded to a size that allows printing, and the adjacent frames are moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so as not to overlap each other, and the frames 81B to 81C, 82B. ˜82C, 83B˜83D, 84B˜84E, etc. are contained in the respective print areas 81A˜84A of the tape, etc., the respective label data are stored in the respective frames 81B˜81C, 82B˜82C, 83B˜83D, 84B. ˜84E etc. are printed with a predetermined character size, so that the printable areas 81A to 84A etc. in the label are effectively used, and each frame 81 ~81C, 82B~82C, 83B~83D, with the balance of the character size can be taken, such as 84B～84E, without or missing characters, automatically it becomes possible to set an appropriate layout. In addition, after moving the respective extended frames such as the extended frames so as not to overlap, when it is determined that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, the frames 81B to 81C. , 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the character sizes set in the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. Are reduced by a predetermined ratio and reset, and again, the sizes of the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, and the like and the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84B In order to reset the position of 84E and the like, the printable areas 81A to 84A in the label are effectively used, and each label data is assigned to each frame 81B to 81 by assignment based on a desired template. , 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc., and an appropriate layout is automatically set, and characters such as each frame 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. It is possible to easily create a good-looking label with a uniform size.

Next, a label producing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, the same reference numerals as those of the label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment in FIGS. 1 to 16 denote the same or corresponding parts as those of the label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. It is shown.
The schematic configuration of the label producing apparatus according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Various control processes of the label producing apparatus are substantially the same control processes as the label producing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
However, the difference is that “object resetting process 2” is executed instead of “object resetting process 1” in S8.

A control process such as a print data creation process for automatically adjusting the label layout of the label creating apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 17, in S61 to S63, the CPU 41 executes the processes of S1 to S3.
In S <b> 64, the CPU 41 reads the font change algebra J from the RAM 43, substitutes the maximum value “n” of the object list number for the font change algebra J, and stores it again in the RAM 43.
Subsequently, in S65 to S67, the CPU 41 executes the processes of S4 to S6.
In S <b> 68, the CPU 41 reads the area determination algebra ret from the RAM 43 and executes a determination process for determining whether or not “1”. If the area determination algebra ret is not “1”, that is, if the area determination algebra ret is “0” (S68: NO), in S69, the CPU 41 determines the “object resetting process 2” described later (FIG. 18), the processing after S65 is executed again.
On the other hand, when the area determination algebra ret read from the RAM 43 is “1” (S68: YES), in S70 to S73, the CPU 41 executes the processes of S9 to S12 and ends the process.

Next, the sub-process of “object resetting process 2” executed in S69 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, in S81, the CPU 41 sequentially reads out “position” and “size” data from the template storage area 43B from among the pieces of frame information about the template, and each object data 431 in the object storage area 43A. Substituting and storing the “position” and “size” of each. That is, in the processing of S66 and S67, each frame (object) expanded or moved in the template is returned to the original position, and the size is returned to the original.
In S82, the CPU 41 reads the font change algebra J from the RAM 43, and sets the “font size” of the “object (J + 1) information” of the object data 431 to which the object list number equal to the numerical value of the font change algebra J is attached. Decrease it by one level and store it again in the object storage area 43A.
For example, when the font change algebra J is “1”, the “font size” of the “object 2 information” shown in FIG. 5 is reduced by one step and stored again in the object storage area 43A.

Subsequently, in S83, the CPU 41 reads the font change algebra J from the RAM 43, and executes a determination process for determining whether or not the value of the font change algebra J is “0”. If the value of the font change algebra J is not “0” (S83: NO), in S84, the CPU 41 reads the font change algebra J from the RAM 43 and subtracts “1” from the value of the font change algebra J. Then, after storing again in the RAM 43, the sub-process is terminated, and the process returns to the main flowchart.
On the other hand, when the value of the font change algebra J is “0” (S83: YES), in S85, the CPU 41 assigns the maximum value “n” of the object list number to the font change algebra J, and again. After storing in the RAM 43, the sub-process is terminated and the process returns to the main flowchart. As a result, even if the “font size” of all the object data 431 is reduced by one level, if all of the label data cannot be printed in each frame moved / expanded, the “font size” of the object data 431 is again displayed. Are sequentially reduced by one step for each layout.

  Here, the tape printer functions as a printing unit. The host controller 4 functions as a print control unit. The template storage area 43B functions as a template storage unit. Further, the display device 5, the keyboard 6, and the mouse 7 constitute selection means. The display device 5 and the keyboard 6 constitute input means. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 constitute first determination means, frame size adjustment means, frame movement means, second determination means, and resetting means.

  As described above in detail, in the label producing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the CPU 41 is in each of the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. of the printing areas 81A to 84A. If it is determined that all of the label data cannot be printed, the frame is expanded to a size that allows printing, and the adjacent frames are moved in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so as not to overlap each other, and the frames 81B to 81C, 82B. -82C, 83B-83D, 84B-84E, etc. are contained in the print areas 81A-84A of the tape, etc., each label data is stored in each frame 81B-81C, 82B-82C, 83B-83D, 84B- 84E is printed with a predetermined character size, so that the printable areas 81A to 84A in the label are effectively used, and each frame 81B is used. 81C, 82B~82C, 83B~83D, with the balance of the character size can be taken, such as 84B～84E, without or missing characters, automatically it becomes possible to set an appropriate layout. In addition, after moving the respective extended frames such as the extended frames so as not to overlap, when it is determined that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, the frames 81B to 81C. , 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the character size of the “font size” of the object data 431 is sequentially increased by one step in order from the slow moving frame. The printable areas 81A to 84A in the label are set again in order to reset the size and reset the sizes and positions of the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. The label data can be reliably printed on each frame 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc. by using the desired template. At the same time, an appropriate layout is automatically set, and the character size of the frame set first can be set to the initial character size, and each frame 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E of the template can be set. It is possible to create a label having a high recognition effect by providing a priority order to the above. Even if the character sizes of all frames such as the frames 81B to 81C, 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E are set to be reduced by one step, the frames 81B to 81C such as the extended expansion frames are set. , 82B to 82C, 83B to 83D, 84B to 84E, etc., after moving so as not to overlap, if it is determined that any of these frames does not fall within the print area of the tape, it is moved again. In order from the slowest frame, the character size of each frame is sequentially reset to a character size reduced by a predetermined ratio, and repeatedly, the size of each frame and the position of each frame are reset. Each label data can be printed easily and in good quality with the layout of the templates 81 to 84 and the like.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a label producing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a top view which shows schematic structure at the time of mounting | wearing with the tape cassette in the printing mechanism of the tape printer of the label production apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a main part of a computer device that constitutes a label producing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a main part of a tape printer that constitutes a label producing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the object data memorize | stored in the object storage area of RAM of the host controller which comprises the label production apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. An example of a template selection screen displayed on a display device when selecting one template from a plurality of types of templates stored in a template storage area of a RAM of a host controller constituting the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment is shown. FIG. 3 is a main flowchart illustrating a control process such as a print data creation process for automatically adjusting the layout of the label creating apparatus according to the first embodiment. 10 is a sub-flowchart illustrating an object moving process executed when the layout of the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment is automatically adjusted. 6 is a sub-flowchart illustrating an object size adjustment process executed when the layout of the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment is automatically adjusted. 10 is a sub-flowchart illustrating an object resetting process 1 executed when the layout of the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment is automatically adjusted. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of automatic layout adjustment when a frame is arranged in the tape longitudinal direction of the printing area of the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment, where (A) is an initial state and (B) is a leading edge. (C) is a figure explaining the time of the movement of an adjacent frame, (D) is a figure explaining the time of expansion of an adjacent frame at the time of expansion of the side frame. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display displayed on the display apparatus corresponding to FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display displayed on the display apparatus corresponding to FIG. 11 (B). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display displayed on the display apparatus corresponding to FIG.11 (C). It is a figure which shows an example of the screen display displayed on the display apparatus corresponding to FIG.11 (D). FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of automatic layout adjustment when a frame is arranged in the tape width direction of the printing area of the label producing apparatus according to the first embodiment, where (A) is an initial state and (B) is an upper side. (C) is a figure explaining the time of the movement of an adjacent frame, (D) is the figure explaining the time of expansion of an adjacent frame. 10 is a main flowchart illustrating a control process such as a print data creation process for automatically adjusting the layout of the label creating apparatus according to the second embodiment. 12 is a sub-flowchart showing an object resetting process 2 executed when the layout of the label producing apparatus according to the second embodiment is automatically adjusted.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Label production apparatus 2 Computer apparatus 3 Tape printing apparatus 3D Tape cassette 4 Host controller 5 Display apparatus 6 Keyboard 7 Mouse 41 CPU
42 ROM
43 RAM
431 Object data 81, 82, 83, 84, 90 Template 81A, 82A, 83A, 84A, 91 Print area 81B, 81C, 82B, 82C Frame (object)
83B-83D, 84B-84E Frame (object)

Claims (5)

In a label producing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints label data including at least character string data on a long tape; and a printing control unit that drives and controls the printing unit.
The print control means includes a template storage means for storing a plurality of templates in which a plurality of frames are assigned in advance according to a print area of the tape;
Selecting means for selecting one template from the plurality of templates;
Input means for inputting the label data arranged in each frame of the template selected by the selection means;
First determination means for sequentially determining, for each frame, whether or not the label data of each frame input by the input means can be printed in each frame with a preset character size;
A frame size adjusting unit that expands the frame to a size that can be printed when the first determination unit determines that the frame cannot be printed;
A frame moving means for sequentially moving the adjacent frames in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so that the extended frames expanded by the frame size adjusting means do not overlap with the adjacent frames;
Second determining means for determining whether or not each frame moved by the frame moving means is within the print area;
If it is determined by the second determination means that any of the frames does not fall within the print area, the frames are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the character size is set to a predetermined value. A resetting unit that resets the ratio by reducing the ratio and resets the size of each frame and the position of each frame again through the first determination unit, the frame size adjustment unit, and the frame movement unit;
The print control means determines that each frame set via the first determination means, the frame size adjustment means, the frame movement means, and the resetting means is within the print area by the second determination means. If so, the label producing apparatus controls driving of the printing means so as to print the label data with the character size set in each frame. In a label producing apparatus comprising: a printing unit that prints label data including at least character string data on a long tape; and a printing control unit that drives and controls the printing unit.
The print control means includes a template storage means for storing a plurality of templates in which a plurality of frames are assigned in advance according to a print area of a long tape;
Selecting means for selecting one template from the plurality of templates;
Input means for inputting the label data arranged in each frame of the template selected by the selection means;
First determination means for sequentially determining, for each frame, whether or not label data of each frame input by the input means can be printed in each frame with a preset first character size;
A frame size adjusting unit that expands the frame to a size that can be printed when the first determination unit determines that the frame cannot be printed;
First frame moving means for sequentially moving the adjacent frames in the tape longitudinal direction or the tape width direction so that the extended frames expanded by the frame size adjusting means do not overlap with the adjacent frames;
Second determination means for determining whether or not each frame moved by the first frame moving means is within the print area;
If it is determined by the second determination means that any of the frames does not fall within the print area, the frames are returned to their original sizes and positions, and the order of movement is slow. In order from the frame, the first character size is sequentially reset to a second character size reduced by a predetermined ratio, and the size of each frame and the frame size are adjusted again through the first determination unit, the frame size adjusting unit, and the frame moving unit. Resetting means for resetting the position of each frame;
The print control means determines that each frame set via the first determination means, the frame size adjustment means, the frame movement means, and the resetting means is within the print area by the second determination means. If so, the label producing apparatus controls driving of the printing means so as to print the label data with the first character size or the second character size set in each frame.   When the resetting unit determines that any one of the frames does not fall within the print area by the second determination unit even if the character size of each frame is set to the second character size. In this case, the frame is returned to the original size and position, and the character size of each frame is sequentially reset to a character size reduced by a predetermined ratio in order from the frame with the slower movement order. The label producing apparatus according to claim 2.   A program that causes a computer to function as print control means of the label producing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as printing control means of the label producing apparatus according to claim 1 is recorded and readable by the computer.