JP2015219558A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a printing apparatus capable of easily inputting a character string selected from a plurality of character strings into a block of a template. A CPU of a printing apparatus receives an operation for selecting one of a plurality of templates (S15). The CPU displays a first image representing the accepted template and a second image representing a candidate character string that can be associated with each of the plurality of blocks included in the template (S17). The CPU accepts an operation of dragging any one of the plurality of candidate character strings (S19). The CPU accepts an operation of dropping the selected character string that is the dragged candidate character string into any of the plurality of blocks of the first image (S23). The CPU prints a print image in which the selected character string is associated with the dropped selection block on the print medium. [Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of creating a label by printing on a tape.

  2. Description of the Related Art Printing apparatuses that can create a label by printing on a tape are known. As one of the functions of a printing apparatus, template printing for performing printing based on a template prepared in advance is known. The template prescribes only the layout of a block capable of inputting a plurality of printable characters and symbols (hereinafter simply referred to as “character string”). The user can input a desired character string into each of the plurality of blocks. The printing apparatus performs printing after arranging the character strings input to each of the plurality of blocks based on the template.

  Normally, when a character string is input for each block, the user first performs an operation of selecting a specific block, and then performs an operation of inputting the character string to the selected block. The user performs the above operation on each of the plurality of blocks. Therefore, for example, when a common character string is input to a plurality of blocks, the user needs to input the character string a plurality of times even though the character string is common, and the operation is troublesome. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for dragging and dropping a character string input in a character input box to each of a plurality of conversion boxes. If this technique is applied so that the user can drag and drop the character string input in the character input box to a plurality of blocks, the user can suppress the number of input operations of the common character string.

JP 2010-128672 A

  In the above case, only one character string can be input in the character input box. Therefore, the user cannot input a plurality of character strings into the character input box and drag and drop each of the plurality of character strings separately. For this reason, there is a problem that the user cannot easily perform an operation of selecting a desired character string from a plurality of character strings and inputting it to the block.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of easily inputting a character string selected from a plurality of character strings into a block of a template.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention stores a first storage unit that stores a plurality of template data indicating an arrangement of a plurality of blocks that can be associated with character strings, and a plurality of candidate character strings that are candidates for the character strings. A second storage unit; a first receiving unit that receives an operation of selecting any of the arrangements indicated by the plurality of template data stored in the first storage unit; and the first receiving unit that receives the operation received by the first receiving unit First display means for displaying a first image representing an arrangement and a second image representing the plurality of candidate character strings stored in the second storage section on the display section, and the display by the first display means A second accepting unit that accepts an operation of dragging any one of the plurality of candidate character strings represented by the second image displayed on the section, and the operation accepted by the second accepting unit. A third accepting unit for accepting an operation of dropping a selected character string, which is a candidate character string dragged according to the above, into any of the plurality of blocks whose arrangement is represented by the first image; A print image in which the selected character string is associated with a selected block that is the block in which the selected character string is dropped in accordance with the operation received by the means, and the selected block is arranged according to template data. Printing means for printing on a print medium.

  According to the present invention, the printing apparatus can display character string candidates (a plurality of candidate character strings) that can be associated with each of a plurality of blocks in the template on the display unit. The printing apparatus accepts a candidate character string associated with each of the plurality of blocks by the user's drag and drop operation. The printing apparatus prints a print image in which blocks associated with a plurality of candidate character strings are arranged according to layout data on a print medium. The user can select a desired candidate character string from among a plurality of candidate character strings and associate it with a block by a drag-and-drop operation. Therefore, the user can easily associate the selected candidate character string with the block.

1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1. It is a figure which shows the 1st table 4051. This is a table showing the second table 4052. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display unit 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on a display unit 4. FIG. It is a flowchart of a main process. It is a flowchart of the main process, and is a continuation of FIG. It is a flowchart of the main process in a modification, Comprising: It is a continuation of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the upper side, the lower side, the right diagonal upper side, the left diagonal lower side, the left diagonal upper side, and the right diagonal lower side of FIG. 1 are respectively referred to as the front side, rear side, upper side, and lower side of the printing apparatus 1. Side, left side, and right side.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 is a handheld electronic device that a user can hold and operate. The printing apparatus 1 is an apparatus capable of creating a label by forming a plurality of dots on a printing medium and performing printing. The printing apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 and a cover 3. The apparatus main body 2 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the vertical direction. The apparatus main body 2 includes a display unit 4, a keyboard 5, a cut operation lever 6, and a touch panel 7. The display unit 4 and the keyboard 5 are provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, and the cut operation lever 6 is provided on the left side surface of the apparatus main body 2. The display unit 4 is a liquid crystal display capable of displaying characters to be printed and a template to be described later. The touch panel 7 is provided on the surface of the display unit 4. The keyboard 5 is provided below the display unit 4. The keyboard 5 includes character keys (characters, symbols, numbers, etc.) and function keys. The cut operation lever 6 cuts the label with a cutter in response to being pressed.

  The apparatus body 2 includes a cassette mounting portion (not shown) on the rear side. A tape cassette can be mounted on the cassette mounting portion. The cover 3 is provided on the rear side of the cassette mounting portion. The cover 3 can be opened and closed. The cover 3 covers the tape cassette in a closed state. The user can replace the tape cassette with the cover 3 opened. The tape cassette includes an ink ribbon roll, a base tape roll, and a cover film roll.

  The printing apparatus 1 pulls out the ink ribbon, the base tape, and the cover film from each of the ink ribbon roll, the base tape roll, and the cover film roll of the tape cassette. The printing apparatus 1 heats the ink ribbon by the thermal head 10 (see FIG. 2) and prints on the cover film. The printing apparatus 1 applies a base tape to the printed cover film. Thus, the printing apparatus 1 creates a label to which the printed cover film and the base tape are attached.

  In addition, although mentioned later for details, the printing apparatus 1 has a function which prints on a cover film using a template. The template is data indicating the layout of each of a plurality of blocks that can be associated with character strings. Hereinafter, printing using a template is referred to as template printing. The outline of template printing is as follows. A user associates a character string with each of a plurality of blocks included in a template prepared in advance. The printing apparatus 1 determines the positions of a plurality of associated character strings according to the positions of the plurality of blocks. The printing apparatus 1 prints a plurality of character strings whose positions are determined on a cover film to create a label.

  The electrical configuration of the printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 includes a control circuit 400. The control circuit 400 is formed on a control board fixed in the apparatus main body 2 (see FIG. 1). The control circuit 400 includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, EEPROM 403, RAM 404, flash ROM 405, and input / output interface 410. The CPU 401, ROM 402, EEPROM 403, RAM 404, flash ROM 405, and input / output interface 410 are electrically connected via a bus 411.

  The CPU 401 controls the entire printing apparatus 1. The ROM 402 stores a program of main processing (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that can be executed by the CPU 401. The CPU 401 performs various calculations based on programs stored in the ROM 402. In the EEPROM 403, print dot pattern data for printing characters, symbols, numbers, barcodes, and the like is classified according to format and size and stored in correspondence with the code data. The RAM 404 stores temporary data. The flash ROM 405 stores a first table 4051 (see FIG. 3) and a second table 4052 (see FIG. 4) which will be described later.

  The input / output interface 410 is connected to the keyboard 5, the touch panel 7, and the drive circuits 406, 407, and 408. The drive circuit 406 includes a video RAM (not shown) for displaying an image on the display unit 4 and performs display control of the display unit 4. The keyboard 5 outputs information indicating the type of the selected key to the input / output interface 410. The touch panel 7 outputs coordinate information indicating the touched position to the input / output interface 410. The drive circuit 407 can cause the heating element of the thermal head 10 to generate heat. The drive circuit 408 rotationally drives the motors 231 and 241. The motor 231 is connected to the platen roller 23. The platen roller 23 rotates while pressing the cover film and the ink ribbon against the thermal head 10 in response to the rotation of the motor 231. The motor 241 is connected to the pressing roller 24. The pressing roller 24 rotates while pressing the base tape against the printed cover film in response to the motor 241 being driven to rotate.

  The first table 4051 will be described with reference to FIG. In the first table 4051, file names, block data, and first format data are associated with each other. The file name is the name of a file indicating a template. The block data is data that can specify the position and size of each of a plurality of blocks included in the corresponding file name template. The first format data is data indicating a plurality of formats of character strings that can be associated with a block specified by the corresponding block data. Specifically, the plurality of formats include font type, font size, number of characters, presence / absence of underline, and presence / absence of bold line display. The first table 4051 is stored in the flash ROM 405 when the printing apparatus 1 is shipped.

  Note that the plurality of formats shown in the first format data in FIG. 3 is an example, and at least one other format may be included. The data stored in the first table 4051 may be added via the keyboard 5. The data stored in the first table 4051 may be changeable via the keyboard 5.

  The second table 4052 will be described with reference to FIG. In the second table 4052, the character string data and the second format data are associated with each other. The character string data is data indicating candidate character strings that can be associated with each of a plurality of blocks included in the template. Hereinafter, the character string indicated by the character string data is referred to as a candidate character string. The second format data is data indicating a plurality of formats of the corresponding candidate character string. Although details will be described later, the CPU 401 stores the data in the second table 4052 according to the input operation via the keyboard 5 by executing the process of S13 (see FIG. 7) of the main process.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a display image (display image 41) displayed on the display unit 4 when the printing apparatus 1 performs template printing. The display image 41 includes a first image 42 and a second image 43. The first image 42 represents the positions and sizes of a plurality of blocks “block01_1”, “block01_2”, and “block01_3” included in the template of the file name “temp01.tmp” in the first table 4051 (see FIG. 3). The first image 42 includes a corresponding file name 421 “temp01.tmp”. In the case of the first image 42, the block “block01_1” is arranged on the upper side. The blocks “block01_2” and “block01_3” are arranged side by side in the left-right direction below the block “block01_1”, respectively.

  The second image 43 represents a plurality of candidate character strings “CIV model”, “PT-E550W”, and the like stored in the second table 4052 (see FIG. 4). Each of the plurality of candidate character strings is associated with indexes “1”, “2”. The second image 43 includes a scroll bar 431 capable of scrolling and displaying candidate character strings that do not fit in the second image 43 among the plurality of candidate character strings. The plurality of candidate character strings represented by the second image 43 are represented in a predetermined format (MS Gothic, 12 pt, no underline, no thick line), and a plurality of candidate character strings represented by the second format data in the second table 4052. The format is not reflected. The candidate character string may be expressed in a plurality of formats indicated by the second format data in the second table 4052.

  The operation procedure performed by the user via the display image 41 is as follows. The user selects a character string to be associated with each of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 from the plurality of candidate character strings in the second image 43. The user touches the position of the selected candidate character string with the finger on the display unit 4 (S451). The user moves the finger in the state of touching the candidate character string to the position of a specific block of the first image 42 (S452). Thereafter, the user releases his / her finger from the display unit 4 at a specific block position (S453). Accordingly, the candidate character string displayed at the position touched in S451 is associated with the block displayed in a position where the finger is separated from the display unit 4 in S453. Hereinafter, the user operation indicated in S451 and S452 is referred to as a drag operation. The user operation indicated in S453 is referred to as a drop operation. A series of user operations in S451 to S453 is also referred to as a drag-and-drop operation. A candidate character string selected by the drag operation is referred to as a selected character string. A block associated with a selected character string by a drop operation is called a selected block.

  In the case of the display image 41, the user performs a drag-and-drop operation of dragging the candidate character string “CIV model” of the second image 43 and dropping it on the block “block01_1” of the first image 42. Thus, the selected character string “CIV model” is associated with the position of the selected block “block01_1” of the template with the file name “temp01.tmp”.

  A plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string selected by the drag operation (S451, S452) in the second table 4052 are associated with the selected character string by the drop operation (S453) in the first table 4051. As an example, a case where a plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block are matched. As for the number of characters in the plurality of formats, when the number of characters corresponding to the selected character string in the second table 4052 is equal to or less than the number of characters corresponding to the selected block in the first table 4051, It is regarded. When a plurality of formats match on both sides, the selected character string is represented in the selected block in the first image 42. The selected character string is represented in a plurality of formats indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block in the first table 4051. The plurality of formats are the same as the plurality of formats indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string in the second table 4052.

  A candidate character string is associated with each of a plurality of blocks included in the template, a plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block of the first table 4051, and a plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string of the second table 4052 If the format matches, the candidate character string is represented in all blocks of the first image 42. In this state, the first image 42 is an image printed on the cover film by the printing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, an image printed on the cover film is referred to as a print image. By visually recognizing the first image 42, the user can easily recognize a template in which a candidate character string is associated with each of a plurality of blocks as a print image.

  In the second table 4052, at least one of a plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string selected by the drag operation (S451, S452) corresponds to the selected character string by the drop operation (S453) in the first table 4051. The case where it differs from at least one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected selection block will be described as an example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, priority is given to a different format among a plurality of formats indicated by the first format data stored in the first table 4051, or to the second table 4052 as shown in FIG. A sub-window 46 capable of selecting whether to give priority to a different format among a plurality of formats indicated by the stored second format data is displayed so as to overlap the first image 42 and the second image 43. Hereinafter, in the first table 4051, a different format among a plurality of formats indicated by the first format data associated with the block data of the selected block is referred to as a format of the first table 4051. In the second table 4052, a different format among a plurality of formats indicated by the second format data associated with the character string data of the selected character string is referred to as a format of the second table 4052. “Style Select” in the sub-window 46 indicates that it is a sub-window 46 for the font type. The selection button 461 “Tmplate” is a button for selecting to give priority to the format of the first table 4051. The selection button 462 “Text” is a button for selecting to give priority to the format of the second table 4052.

  When giving priority to the format of the first table 4051, the user touches the position of the selection button 461 on the display unit 4 with a finger. In this case, the selected character string represented in the format of the first table 4051 is represented in the selected block of the first image 42. On the other hand, when giving priority to the format of the second table 4052, the user touches the position of the selection button 462 on the display unit 4 with a finger. In this case, the selected character string represented in the format of the second table 4052 is represented in the selected block of the first image 42. Thus, the user can select one of the formats when the first table 4051 and the second table 4052 are different from each other in at least one of the formats. Further, the user can easily recognize a template including a selected character string represented in the selected format as a print image.

  As described above, regarding the number of characters in the plurality of formats, when the number of characters corresponding to the selected character string in the second table 4052 is larger than the number of characters corresponding to the selected block in the first table 4051, The format is considered different. When the sub window 46 is displayed on the display unit 4 according to the difference in the number of characters and the position of the selection button 461 is touched, only the number of characters in the first table 4051 from the top of the selected character string is included in the selected block. It is expressed in On the other hand, when the position of the selection button 462 is touched, the entire selected character string is displayed in the selected block. If the entire selected character string does not fit within the selected block, the end of the selected character string is deleted.

  When a candidate character string is associated with each of all the plurality of blocks included in the template and the format of each candidate character string is determined, candidate character strings are included in all the blocks of the first image 42. expressed. In this state, the first image 42 represents a print image printed on the cover film by the printing apparatus 1.

  When the candidate character string is associated with all the blocks included in the template, the printing apparatus 1 overlaps the first image 42 and the second image 43 with a selection button capable of issuing a print image print instruction. Display. Hereinafter, a selection button capable of giving a print instruction is referred to as a print button. When the printing apparatus 1 detects that the portion of the display unit 4 on which the print button is displayed is touched, the printing apparatus 1 prints a print image on the cover film and applies a base tape to the printed cover film. Run. As a result, a label on which the print image is printed is created.

  The main process executed by the CPU 401 will be described with reference to FIGS. The main process is started when the CPU 401 executes a program stored in the ROM 402 when an instruction to perform template printing is input via the keyboard 5.

  The CPU 401 causes the display unit 4 to display a candidate character string and an image in which a plurality of formats can be input, a selection button “OK”, and a selection button “Cancel”. The CPU 401 detects an operation of inputting a candidate character string or a plurality of formats, and then determines whether an operation of selecting the selection button “OK” is detected via the keyboard 5 (S11). If the CPU 401 detects an operation for inputting a candidate character string or a plurality of formats and then determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “OK” is detected (S11: YES), the CPU 401 indicates the input candidate character string. Character string data or second format data indicating a plurality of input formats is associated with each other and stored in the second table 4052 (S13). The CPU 401 advances the process to S15. If the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “cancel” has been detected (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S15.

  The CPU 401 causes the display unit 4 to display a selection button capable of selecting any of a plurality of templates having a plurality of file names stored in the first table 4051 and a selection button “cancel”. The CPU 401 detects a selection button selection operation corresponding to one of the plurality of templates, and then determines whether an operation for selecting the selection button “OK” has been detected (S15). When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “cancel” has been detected (S15: NO), the process returns to S11. The CPU 401 continuously monitors input operations of candidate character strings and a plurality of formats.

  When the CPU 401 detects a selection button selection operation corresponding to one of the plurality of templates and then determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “OK” is detected (S15: YES), the CPU 401 Among them, the first image 42 (see FIG. 5) is displayed on the display unit 4 based on the block data associated with the file name of the template selected by the selection button (S17). The CPU 401 displays the second image 43 (see FIG. 5) on the display unit 4 based on the character string data stored in the second table 4052 (S17).

  The CPU 401 determines whether an operation of touching any position of the plurality of candidate character strings included in the second image 43 in the display unit 4 has been detected (S19). If the CPU 401 determines that an operation of touching any position of the plurality of candidate character strings is not detected (S19: NO), the process returns to S19. The CPU 401 continuously monitors the operation of touching any position of the plurality of candidate character strings. If the CPU 401 determines that an operation of touching any position of the plurality of candidate character strings has been detected (S19: YES), has the display unit 4 been touched for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) or more? Judgment is made (S21).

  When the CPU 401 determines that the state in which the display unit 4 is touched does not elapse for a predetermined time or more (S21: NO), the process proceeds to S27. In this case, the touch is released within a predetermined time after any of the plurality of candidate character strings is touched. The CPU 401 causes the display unit 4 to display an image in which a plurality of formats of a selected character string selected by a touch operation among a plurality of candidate character strings can be input, a selection button “OK”, and a selection button “cancel”. . The CPU 401 detects an operation of inputting a plurality of formats, and then determines whether an operation of selecting the selection button “OK” is detected (S27). If the CPU 401 detects an operation for inputting a plurality of formats and then determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “OK” is detected (S27: YES), the second format data indicating the plurality of formats input. Is stored in the second table 4052 in association with the character string data indicating the selected character string (S29). The CPU 401 returns the process to S19. When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “cancel” has been detected (S27: NO), the process returns to S19.

  When the CPU 401 determines that the state in which the display unit 4 is touched has elapsed for a predetermined time or longer (S21: YES), the CPU 401 determines whether an operation for releasing the touch is detected (S23). When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for releasing the touch is not detected (S23: NO), the CPU 401 returns the process to S23. The CPU 401 continuously monitors the operation for releasing the touch. When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for releasing the touch has been detected (S23: YES), the CPU 401 identifies the position of the display unit 4 where the touch is released. The CPU 401 determines whether the identified position matches any position of a plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 (S25). If the CPU 401 determines that the specified position does not match any position of the plurality of blocks (S25: NO), the process returns to S19. If the CPU 401 determines that the specified position matches any of the plurality of blocks (S25: YES), the process proceeds to S33 (see FIG. 8).

  Note that an operation of touching any position of the plurality of candidate character strings of the second image 43 is detected by the process of S19, and touching is performed at any position of the plurality of blocks of the first image 42 by the process of S25. An operation to release is detected. Therefore, a drag and drop operation is performed. Any of the plurality of candidate character strings included in the second image 43 selected by the touch operation detected by the process of S19 is a selected character string dragged by the drag operation. Of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42, the block at the position where the touch release operation detected by the process of S25 is performed is a selection block in which the selected character string is dropped by the drop operation.

  The CPU 401 identifies the selected block and the selected character string. The CPU 401 refers to the first table 4051 and specifies a plurality of formats indicated by the first format data associated with the block data of the selected block. The CPU 401 refers to the second table 4052 and identifies a plurality of formats indicated by the second format data associated with the character string data of the selected character string. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the CPU 401 determines whether there is at least one format that is different between the plurality of formats of the specified first table 4051 and the plurality of formats of the second table 4052 (S33). If the CPU 401 determines that there is at least one different format (S33: YES), the display unit displays the sub window 46 (see FIG. 6) corresponding to the different format on the first image 42 and the second image 43. 4 is displayed (S35).

  The CPU 401 determines whether an operation for selecting the selection button 461 (see FIG. 6) for selecting the format of the first table 4051 has been detected (S36). When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button 461 (see FIG. 6) has been detected (S36: YES), the CPU 401 stores the format of the first table 4051 in the RAM 404 (S37). The CPU 401 advances the process to S39. When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button 462 (see FIG. 6) for selecting the format of the second table 4052 has been detected (S36: NO), the CPU 401 stores the format of the second table 4052 in the RAM 404 (S38). ). The CPU 401 advances the process to S39.

  The CPU 401 determines whether the processing of S36 to S38 has been executed for all the formats that are determined to be different by the processing of S33 (S39). When the CPU 401 determines that the processes of S36 to S38 are not executed for all the different formats (S39: NO), the process returns to S35. The CPU 401 displays the sub-window 46 corresponding to a different format for which the processing of S36 to S38 is not executed (S35), and repeats the processing of S36 to S38. If the CPU 401 determines that the processes of S36 to S38 have been executed for all the different formats (S39: YES), the process proceeds to S41.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 401 determines that the plurality of formats in the first table 4051 and the plurality of formats in the second table 4052 all match (S33: NO), the process proceeds to S41.

  The CPU 401 selects at least one format that matches the plurality of formats in the first table 4051 and the plurality of formats in the second table 4052, and the selected character string expressed in the format stored in the RAM 404 by the processing in S37 and S38. Are arranged in the selected block of the first image 42 and displayed on the display unit 4 (S41). The CPU 401 determines whether the candidate character string is associated with all of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 (S43). When the CPU 401 determines that the candidate character strings are not associated with all of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 (S43: NO), the process returns to S19 (see FIG. 7). If the CPU 401 determines that the candidate character string is associated with all of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 (S43: YES), the process proceeds to S45.

  The CPU 401 causes the display unit 4 to display a selection button “print” and a selection button “cancel”. When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “print” has been detected (S45: YES), the CPU 401 covers the first image 42 (print image) in which the selected character string is associated with each of the plurality of blocks. Printing on the film (S47). The CPU 401 creates a label by attaching a printed cover film and a base tape. The CPU 401 ends the main process. When the CPU 401 determines that an operation for selecting the selection button “cancel” has been detected (S45: NO), the CPU 401 ends the main process without executing the label creation.

  As described above, the CPU 401 can specify a candidate character string associated with each of a plurality of blocks included in the template by the user's drag and drop operation (S19 to S23). The CPU 401 can display the first image 42 in which the candidate character string is represented at each position of the plurality of blocks on the display unit 4 as a print image (S41). The CPU 401 can print a print image on a cover film (S47) and create a label. For this reason, the user can select a desired candidate character string from among a plurality of candidate character strings represented by the second image 43 and associate it with the selected block by a drag-and-drop operation. Therefore, the user can easily associate the selected candidate character string with the selected block.

  When at least one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block in the first table 4051 is different from at least one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string in the second table 4052 (S33: YES), The sub window 46 is displayed on the display unit 4 (S35). Thus, the user can easily recognize that at least one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block is different from at least one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string.

  When the CPU 401 detects an operation of selecting the selection button 461 while displaying the sub window 46 (S36: YES), the CPU 401 stores the format of the first table 4051 in the RAM 404 (S37). When the CPU 401 detects an operation for selecting the selection button 462 while the sub window 46 is displayed (S36: NO), the CPU 401 stores the format of the second table 4052 in the RAM 404 (S38). As described above, the CPU 401 can determine whether to give priority to the format of the first table 4051 or the format of the second table 4052 depending on which of the selection buttons 461 and 462 of the sub window 46 is selected. For this reason, even when the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block in the first table 4051 and the plurality of character strings corresponding to the selected character string in the second table 4052 are different from each other, the CPU 401 stores in any table. The format can be determined based on this.

  The flash ROM 405 that stores the first table 4051 is an example of the “first storage unit” in the present invention. The flash ROM 405 that stores the second table 4052 is an example of the “second storage unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S15 is an example of the “first receiving unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S17 is an example of the “first display unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S19 is an example of the “second receiving unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S23 is an example of the “third receiving unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S47 is an example of the “printing unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S36 is an example of the “determination unit” in the present invention. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S35 is an example of the “notification unit” in the present invention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible. Only when the plurality of formats in the first table 4051 and the plurality of formats in the second table 4052 match, the CPU 401 displays the first image 42 in which the selected character string is represented in the selected block in S41. May be displayed. When the plurality of formats in the first table 4051 and the plurality of formats in the second table 4052 are different, the CPU 401 may prohibit the display of the selected character string in the selected block after the drag and drop operation. . In this case, the CPU 401 can easily notify the user that an operation of dragging and dropping a selected character string associated with a plurality of formats different from the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected block has been performed on the selected block. The CPU 401 that performs the process of S41 in the above is an example of the “second display unit” in the present invention.

  The CPU 401 may permit printing by the processing of S47 only when the plurality of formats in the first table 4051 and the plurality of formats in the second table 4052 match. In this case, the CPU 401 can prevent the selected character string from being printed in a format different from the plurality of formats corresponding to the selected character string.

  The flash ROM 405 may store in advance setting information that specifies whether the first table 4051 is prioritized or the second table 4052 is prioritized. The setting information may be changeable via the keyboard 5. A modification of the main process will be described with reference to FIG. The main process of FIG. 9 is executed after the process of S25 of FIG. The same processes as the main process of FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  When the CPU 401 identifies the position of the display unit 4 where the touch is released in the course of the drag-and-drop operation and determines that the position matches any of the plurality of blocks included in the first image 42 (S25: YES) , S51 is executed. The CPU 401 determines whether to give priority to the first table 4051 or the second table 4052 according to the setting information stored in the flash ROM 405. When the CPU 401 determines that the setting information giving priority to the first table 4051 is stored in the flash ROM 405 (S51: YES), the CPU 401 represents the selected character string in the format of the first table 4051 and displays it in the selected block ( S53). The CPU 401 advances the process to S43. When the CPU 401 determines that the setting information giving priority to the second table 4052 is stored in the flash ROM 405 (S51: NO), the CPU 401 represents the selected character string in the format of the second table 4052 and displays it in the selected block ( S55). The CPU 401 performs processing in S43. A description of the processing of S43 to S47 is omitted.

  In the above case, the user can always validate any one of the plurality of formats corresponding to the template or the plurality of formats corresponding to the candidate character strings for the plurality of formats of the selected character string. For this reason, for example, the user inputs setting information for designating the priority of the first table 4051 to the printing apparatus 1, so that an appropriate font type or a size corresponding to the size or arrangement of a plurality of blocks included in the template can be obtained. It is possible to cause the printing apparatus 1 to print a print image including the selected character string represented by the font size. On the other hand, the user inputs the setting information designating that the second table 4052 is prioritized to the printing apparatus 1, and is expressed by an appropriate font type and character effect (underlined, bold) according to the candidate character string. It is possible to cause the printing apparatus 1 to print a print image including the selected character string.

  In the above modification, the setting information that specifies whether to give priority to the first table 4051 or the second table 4052 may be set for each of a plurality of formats. The user may individually set whether to give priority to the first table 4051 or the second table 4052 for each of a plurality of formats.

  When any of the plurality of candidate character strings in the second image 43 is dragged, the CPU 401 specifies the second format data corresponding to the character string data of the dragged candidate character string in the second table 4052. Good. The CPU 401 may specify a block indicated by block data associated with the first format data identical to the specified second format data in the first table 4051. The CPU 401 may display the specified block in the first image 42 separately from other blocks. Accordingly, the user can easily recognize a block assigned the same format as the dragged selected character string as a block that can be dropped.

  When any of the plurality of blocks of the first image 42 is touched, the CPU 401 may specify the first format data corresponding to the block data of the touched block in the first table 4051. The CPU 401 may specify a character string indicated by character string data associated with the second format data identical to the specified first format data in the second table 4052. The CPU 401 may display a candidate character string corresponding to the specified character string among the plurality of candidate character strings of the second image 43 in distinction from other candidate character strings. Thus, the user can easily recognize candidate character strings that can be assigned using the block format as it is.

1: Printing device 4: Display unit 5: Keyboard 7: Touch panel 42: First image 43: Second image 401: CPU
402: ROM
403: EEPROM
404: RAM
405: Flash ROM
4051: First table 4052: Second table 4502: Second table

Claims (5)

A first storage unit that stores a plurality of template data indicating the arrangement of a plurality of blocks that can be associated with character strings;
A second storage unit that stores a plurality of candidate character strings that are candidates for the character string;
First receiving means for receiving an operation of selecting any of the arrangements indicated by the plurality of template data stored in the first storage unit;
First display means for displaying a first image representing the arrangement received by the first accepting means and a second image representing the plurality of candidate character strings stored in the second storage unit on a display unit. When,
Second receiving means for receiving an operation of dragging any of the plurality of candidate character strings represented by the second image displayed on the display unit by the first display means;
An operation of dropping a selected character string, which is a candidate character string dragged in accordance with the operation received by the second receiving unit, onto any of the plurality of blocks whose arrangement is represented by the first image. A third receiving means for receiving;
The selected character string is associated with a selected block that is the block in which the selected character string is dropped in accordance with the operation received by the third receiving unit, and the selected block is arranged according to template data. A printing apparatus comprising printing means for printing a print image on a print medium. The first storage unit stores first format data indicating a format of the character string that can be associated with each of the plurality of blocks in association with each of the plurality of blocks;
The second storage unit stores second format data indicating a format of each of the plurality of candidate character strings in association with each of the plurality of candidate character strings;
A determination means for determining format data having priority among the first format data and the second format data;
The printing unit is configured to display the print image in which the selected character string in the format indicated by the first format data or the second format data determined as the format data having priority by the determining unit is associated with the selected block. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing is performed on the print medium.   A notification means for notifying a user when the format indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block is different from the format indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string; The printing apparatus according to claim 2. When an operation of dropping the selected character string on the selected block is received by the third receiving unit,
When the format indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block is the same as the format indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string, the selection included in the first image Display the selected string in the block,
When the format indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block is different from the format indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string, the selected block included in the first image The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second display unit that does not display the selected character string. The printing means includes
If the format indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block is the same as the format indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string, the print image is printed on the print medium. And
If the format indicated by the first format data associated with the selected block is different from the format indicated by the second format data associated with the selected character string, the print image is not printed on the print medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing apparatus is a printer.

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