Information processing apparatus, tape printing apparatus, printing system, method of controlling information processing apparatus, and storage medium storing program for controlling information processing apparatus

An information processing apparatus includes: a display controller; a letter-size setting section that sets a letter size of a letter string over a plurality of lines which has been entered through an edit screen; and a print controller that prints the letter string in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section. The letter-size setting section can differently set letter sizes of the letter string. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line preset in accordance with a user's designation, the letter-size setting section sets a letter size of one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length of letter string over the plurality of lines is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area.

The present application is based on, and claims priority from JP Application Serial Number 2021-085233, filed May 20, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, a tape printing apparatus, a printing system, a method of controlling such an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium that stores a program for controlling such an information processing apparatus.

2. Related Art

As disclosed in JP-A-2008-021248, some tape printing apparatuses known in the art display an edit screen that allows a user to edit a letter string before it is printed on a print medium. In addition, when receiving the entry of a letter string over a plurality of lines through the edit screen, such tape printing apparatuses allow the user to differently set the letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines.

When receiving a user's line feed operation on an n-th line (n: integer≥1) whose letter size has been designated, a tape printing apparatus, as described above, sets the letter size of the n-th and (n+1)-th lines to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. On the other hand, if a print medium is a tape, when a tape printing apparatus prints a letter string over a plurality of lines on this tape with a line direction (orthogonal to an extending direction of each line) aligned with a width direction of a tape, the length of the printable area in the line direction may be insufficient. For example, when a tape printing apparatus receives a user's line feed operation on the n-th line whose letter size has been designated, the letter string over the plurality of lines may partly protrude from the printable area in the line direction during the editing. In this case, the tape printing apparatus may reject this line feed operation and display an error message. As a result, the user needs to perform some inconvenient processes, such as decreasing the letter size of the n-th line, performing the line feed operation again, and setting the letter size of the n-th line to the previous size.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing apparatus includes: a display controller that causes a display section to display an edit screen that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area on a print medium by a tape printing apparatus; a letter-size setting section that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen; and a print controller that causes the tape printing apparatus to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section. The letter-size setting section is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a tape printing apparatus includes: a printing section that prints an image on a print medium; a display controller that causes a display section to display an edit screen that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area on the print medium by the printing section; a letter-size setting section that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen; and a print controller that causes the printing section to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section. The letter-size setting section is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system includes: an information processing apparatus; and a tape printing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus, the tape printing apparatus configured to communicate with the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus includes: a display controller that causes a display section to display an edit screen that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area on a print medium by the tape printing apparatus; a letter-size setting section that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen; and a print controller that causes the tape printing apparatus to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section. The letter-size setting section is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling an information processing apparatus includes: causing, by using the information processing apparatus, a display section to display an edit screen that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area on a print medium by a tape printing apparatus; setting, by using the information processing apparatus, a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen; and causing, by using the information processing apparatus, the tape printing apparatus to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen with the set letter size. In setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, letter sizes of the letter string are configured to be differently set on the respective lines and, when a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation is set so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores a program that includes: causing, by using an information processing apparatus, a display section to display an edit screen that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area on a print medium by a tape printing apparatus; setting, by using the information processing apparatus, a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen; and causing, by using the information processing apparatus, the tape printing apparatus to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen with the set letter size. In setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the information processing apparatus is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the information processing apparatus sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a description will be given below of an information processing apparatus, a tape printing apparatus, a printing system, a method of controlling such an information processing apparatus, and a program of controlling such an information processing apparatus. It should be noted that some of the drawings employ an X-Y-Z orthogonal coordinate system to facilitate understanding of embodiments that will be described below, and it is not intended to limit the embodiments accordingly.

FIG.1illustrates the appearances of a portable terminal1and a tape printing apparatus2; the portable terminal1is an example of an “information processing apparatus” and the tape printing apparatus2is an example of a “tape printing apparatus”. The portable terminal1and the tape printing apparatus2are interconnected via wireless communication5to constitute a printing system SY. Instead of the wireless communication5, the portable terminal1and the tape printing apparatus2may be interconnected via a physical connecting member, such as a wire or a cable.

The portable terminal1has a touch panel11, which is an example of a “display section”. The portable terminal1stores a label creation application30(seeFIG.2) preinstalled thereon to create a label L (seeFIG.3) in cooperation with the tape printing apparatus2; the label creation application30may be an example of a “program”. The portable terminal1executes the label creation application30to generate print data to be used to create the label L and then transmits this print data to the tape printing apparatus2. Although the portable terminal1is a smartphone inFIG.1, the portable terminal1may also be a tablet terminal or a notebook personal computer (PC). Alternatively, an information processing apparatus other than the portable terminal1may generate the print data and then transmit this print data to the tape printing apparatus2.

The tape printing apparatus2includes a keyboard21, a display22, a cartridge mounting section23, and a tape ejection port24.

The keyboard21receives the entry of various operations, such as editing a printed image G (seeFIG.3) to be printed on the label L. In this embodiment, the printed image G to be printed on the label L may be an image of a letter string over a plurality of lines. The display22displays various information, such as a screen through which the printed image G is to be edited. The cartridge mounting section23can removably accommodate a tape cartridge C, which contains a tape T and an ink ribbon R in its case; the tape T may be an example of a “print medium”.

The cartridge mounting section23has a thermal head25, which is thermally driven in accordance with the edit of the printed image G with the tape cartridge C being accommodated in the cartridge mounting section23. As a result, the ink is transferred the ink ribbon R to the tape T, thereby printing the printed image G on the tape T.

After having printed the printed image G on the tape T, the tape printing apparatus2ejects the tape T to the outside via the tape ejection port24. The tape printing apparatus2further includes a cutter26between the cartridge mounting section23and the tape ejection port24. The cutter26cuts the tape T in a width direction, thereby separating the portion on which the printed image G has been printed from the tape T; this portion is used as the label L.

The tape printing apparatus2can print not only an image based on the printed image G that has been edited through the keyboard21but also an image based on print data received from the portable terminal1. In this embodiment, a description will be given regarding a case where the tape printing apparatus2prints an image based on the print data received from the portable terminal1.

FIG.2is a block diagram of hardware configurations of the portable terminal1and the tape printing apparatus2. The portable terminal1includes the touch panel11, a portable-terminal-side communication section12, and a portable-terminal-side controller13.

The touch panel11receives the entry of various user's operations and displays various information. For example, the touch panel11displays an edit screen D1(seeFIG.8and others) through which the printed image G is to be edited.

The portable-terminal-side communication section12communicates with the tape printing apparatus2via the wireless communication5. For example, the portable-terminal-side communication section12transmits the print data to the tape printing apparatus2and, in turn, receives cartridge information from the tape printing apparatus2which indicates the type of the tape cartridge C accommodated in the tape printing apparatus2.

The portable-terminal-side controller13includes a portable-terminal-side central processing unit (CPU)13a, portable-terminal-side read-only memory (ROM)13b, and portable-terminal-side random access memory (RAM)13c.

The portable-terminal-side CPU13areads various control programs from the portable-terminal-side ROM13b, expands those control programs in the portable-terminal-side RAM13c, and executes the control programs, thereby performing various control. Instead of the portable-terminal-side CPU13a, the portable-terminal-side controller13may include a hardware circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) as a processor. In this case, the processor may have a configuration in which one or more CPUs operate in cooperation with a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

The portable-terminal-side ROM13b, which may be a rewritable ROM, stores various control programs and control data. For example, the portable-terminal-side ROM13bstores the label creation application30, which may be an application program for use in creating the label L as described above.

The tape printing apparatus2includes a printing-apparatus-side communication section41, a cartridge information acquisition section42, a printing section43, and a printing-apparatus-side controller44.

The printing-apparatus-side communication section41communicates with the portable terminal1via the wireless communication5.

The cartridge information acquisition section42has an optical reader (not illustrated) that optically reads a code image labeled or printed on the case of the tape cartridge C. After the optical reader has read the image, the cartridge information acquisition section42decodes this read image to acquire the cartridge information, which may contain the width, color, and material of the tape T contained in the tape cartridge C and the color of the ink ribbon R.

The printing section43, which may be a mechanism for printing an image on the tape T, includes a thermal head25, a feed motor43a, and a cutter motor43b. The thermal head25, which may have a plurality of heater elements, thermally transfers the ink from the ink ribbon R to the tape T, thereby printing an image on the tape T. The feed motor43aserves as a drive source that feeds both the tape T and the ink ribbon R; the cutter motor43bserves as a drive source for the cutter26.

The printing-apparatus-side CPU44areads various control programs from the printing-apparatus-side ROM44b, expands those control programs in the printing-apparatus-side RAM44c, and executes the control programs, thereby performing various control. Instead of the printing-apparatus-side CPU44a, the printing-apparatus-side controller44may include a hardware circuit such as an ASIC as a processor. In this case, the processor may have a configuration in which one or more CPUs operate in cooperation with a hardware circuit such as an ASIC.

The printing-apparatus-side ROM44bstores various control programs such as firmware. The printing-apparatus-side CPU44aexecutes a control program stored in the printing-apparatus-side ROM44bto print an image on the tape T based on the print data received from the portable terminal1. When receiving a cartridge information request signal from the portable terminal1or when the tape cartridge C is replaced with another, the printing-apparatus-side CPU44aacquires the cartridge information from the tape cartridge C via the cartridge information acquisition section42and then transmits the acquired cartridge information to the portable terminal1.

Next, with reference toFIG.3, a description will be given below of the label L created by the tape printing apparatus2.FIG.3illustrates an example of the label L on which the printed image G of a letter string over a plurality of lines is printed. InFIG.3, the +X direction corresponds to a length direction of the tape T; the +Y direction corresponds to a width direction of the tape T; and the +Z direction corresponds to a thickness direction of the tape T. In this embodiment, the letter string over the plurality of lines is printed on the label L so that a plurality of letter lines are arranged in the width direction of the tape T, or in the +Y direction, which is an example of a “line direction”. On the edit screen D1that will be described later, the length direction of the tape T also corresponds to the +X direction; and the width direction of the tape T also corresponds to the +Y direction.

The tape T includes: a print layer Ta; and a release paper layer Tb formed on the −Z-directional side of the print layer Ta. The +Z-directional side of the print layer Ta corresponds to the printed surface, whereas the −Z-directional side of the print layer Ta corresponds to the adhesive surface to which a bonding agent is applied. After the printed image G has been printed on the tape T of the label L, the release paper layer Tb is separated from the print layer Ta, and the print layer Ta is then bonded to the surface of a desired object (not illustrated).

The printed image G is printed within a printable area PE on the tape T; the printable area PE is a rectangular region defined by the broken line inFIG.3. In this case, a length L3of the printable area PE in the +X direction is equal to the value obtained by subtracting a length L5aof a front margin, which is the margin of the tape T on the −X-directional side, and a length L5bof a rear margin, which is the margin of the tape T on the +X-directional side, from a length L1of the tape T. Each of the length L5aof the front margin and the length L5bof the rear margin may be constant. If the tape printing apparatus2operates in a fixed-length printing mode to create the label L having a designated length, the length L3of the printable area PE in the +X direction depends on the designated length. If the tape printing apparatus2operates in a flexible length printing mode to create the label L having a variable length in accordance with a letter string entered through the edit screen D1, the length L3of the printable area PE in the +X direction depends on the number and size of letters entered.

A length L4of the printable area PE in the +Y direction is equal to the value obtained by subtracting a length L6aof an upper margin, which is the margin of the tape T on the +Y-directional side, and a length L6bof a lower margin, which is the margin on the −Y-directional side, from a width L2of the tape T. Each of the length L6aof the upper margin and the length L6bof the lower margin may be constant. The length L4of the printable area PE in the +Y direction depends on the width of the tape T.

Next, with reference toFIG.4, a functional configuration of the portable terminal1will be described below. The functional configuration of the portable terminal1includes a display controller110, a letter-size setting section120, and a print controller130. This functional configuration is realized by the portable-terminal-side CPU13aexecuting the label creation application30.

The display controller110causes the touch panel11to display the edit screen D1, through which a letter string over a plurality of lines to be printed within the printable area PE on the tape T by the tape printing apparatus2can be edited. In addition, the display controller110causes the edit screen D1to display a tape image64, which is a mimic image of the tape T, a letter string image CI, which is an image of a letter string over one or more lines to be edited, and a cursor K, which indicates an edit point (seeFIG.8and others).

The letter-size setting section120sets the letter size of a letter string that has been entered in the portable terminal1through the edit screen D1. When a letter string over a plurality of lines is entered through the edit screen D1, the letter-size setting section120can set the letter sizes of this letter string on the respective lines. For example, if a user designates the letter size of a letter string on a certain line, the letter-size setting section120sets this letter size to the designated size. If the user does not designate the letter size of a letter string on a certain line, the letter-size setting section120automatically sets this letter size.

The express “automatically set a letter size of a letter string over a plurality of lines” refers to, if the letter size of a plurality of lines is not designated by a user, automatically setting this letter size so that the length, in the line direction (+Y direction), of the letter string entered through the edit screen D1to be equal to or shorter than the length of the printable area PE in the +Y direction. More specifically, if the letter size of a certain line is not designated by the user, the letter-size setting section120sets the letter size of a letter string on this line so that the letter string maximally expands in the +Y direction across the area defined by subtracting the area occupied by the designated line from the printable area PE. Furthermore, if the letter sizes of a letter strings over a plurality of lines are designated by the user, the letter-size setting section120sets those letter sizes to the same value.

When the tape printing apparatus2is instructed by the user to perform a fixed-length packing function while operating in the fixed-length printing mode, the letter-size setting section120determines the letter size of a line to be automatically set, in accordance with the designated length of the tape T. The fixed-length packing function refers to a function by which, when the total length, in the +X direction, of one or more paragraphs entered through the edit screen D1exceeds a designated length, the letter size of each paragraph is automatically set such that the total length of the paragraphs is equal to or shorter than the designated length. In this case, a paragraph refers to a single line or a group of a plurality of lines. When receiving the entry of a plurality of paragraphs through the edit screen D1, the portable terminal1arranges these paragraphs on the tape T in the +X direction. When the portable terminal1is instructed to perform the fixed-length packing function, the letter-size setting section120gradually decreases the letter size of the letter strings in the designated paragraph from the +X side to the −X side of the tape T. However, if the letter size of a line in a paragraph on which the fixed-length packing function is to be performed is designated by the user, the letter-size setting section120does not change the letter size of this line and changes only the letter size of lines to be automatically set. Furthermore, if a line whose letter size has been designated by the user is longer in the +X direction than any other line in the paragraph, the fixed-length packing function is not performed on this paragraph.

In the case where the user performs the line feed operation on an n-th (n: integer≥1) line for which the letter size has been set in accordance with the user's designation through the edit screen D1, the letter-size setting section120may automatically set the letter size of at least one of the n-th and (n+1)-th lines after the line feed operation.

More specifically, in the case where the user performs the line feed operation at the head of the n-th line on which a letter has been entered, the letter-size setting section120automatically sets the letter size of the n-th line and then sets the letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. The head of the n-th line refers to a location on the n-th line at which no letters are present on the left of a cursor K placed thereon.

In the case where the user performs the line feed operation at the end of the n-th line, the letter-size setting section120sets the letter size of the n-th line to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation and then automatically sets the letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation. The end of the n-th line refers to a location on the n-th line at which no letters are present on the right of a cursor K placed thereon.

In the case where the user performs the line feed operation in the middle of the n-th line, the letter-size setting section120sets the letter size of the n-th and (n+1)-th lines after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. The middle of the n-th line refers to any location on the n-th line except the head and the end.

When the user performs the line feed operation on the n-th line whose letter size has not been designated, namely, whose letter size is to be automatically set, the letter-size setting section120automatically sets the letter size of both the n-th and (n+1)-th lines after the line feed operation.

The print controller130causes the tape printing apparatus2to print a letter string over a plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1, in accordance with the letter sizes that have been set in the above manner by the letter-size setting section120. More specifically, the print controller130generates print data for use in printing the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in the letter sizes that have been set by the letter-size setting section120and then transmits the generated print data to the tape printing apparatus2.

Next, with reference toFIGS.5to7, a description will be given below of a letter-size setting process performed by the letter-size setting section120in the portable terminal1. This letter-size setting process is performed in response to any user's operation through the edit screen D1displayed by the touch panel11in the portable terminal1.

FIG.5is a flowchart of the letter-size setting process performed in response to the line feed operation. At Step S01, the portable terminal1determines whether the user has performed the line feed operation. When determining that the user has performed the line feed operation (Yes at Step S01), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S02. When determining that the user has not performed the line feed operation (No at Step S01), the portable terminal1performs the process in accordance with the user's operation.

At Step S02, the portable terminal1determines whether the line feed operation has been performed at the end of a line. When determining that the line feed operation has been performed at the end of a line (Yes at Step S02), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S06. When determining that the line feed operation has not been performed at the end of a line (No at Step S02), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S03.

At Step S03, the portable terminal1determines whether the line feed operation has been performed at the head of a line. When determining that the line feed operation has been performed at the head of a line (Yes at Step S03), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S05. When determining that the line feed operation has not been performed at the head of a line (No at Step S03), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S04.

If the line feed operation has been performed on the n-th line, at Step S04, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of both the n-th and (n+1)-th lines to the letter size of the n-th which has been set before the line feed operation. The expression “set the letter size of both the n-th and (n+1)-th lines to the letter size of the n-th which has been set before the line feed operation” means that, when the letter size of the n-th line is designated by the user, the portable terminal1sets the letter size to the designated size, and when the letter size of the n-th line is not designated by the user, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size.

At Step S05, the portable terminal1determines whether a letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed. When the portable terminal1determines that a letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed (Yes at Step S05), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S07. When the portable terminal1determines that no letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed (No at Step S05), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S06.

If the line feed operation has been performed on the n-th line, at Step S06, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation and automatically sets the letter size of the (n+1)-th line.

If the line feed operation has been performed on the n-th line, at Step S07, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the n-th line and sets the letter size of the (n+1)-th line to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation.

FIG.6is a flowchart of the letter-size setting process performed in response to a line deletion operation. The line deletion operation refers to a line deletion operation performed when the cursor K is placed at the head of a line. For example, when the line deletion operation is performed on the (n+1)-th line, the portable terminal1moves the letter string on the (n+1)-th line to the end of the n-th line.

At Step S11, the portable terminal1determines whether the user has performed the line deletion operation. When determining that the user has performed the line deletion operation (Yes at Step S11), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S12. When determining that the user has not performed the line deletion operation (No at Step S11), the portable terminal1performs the process in accordance with the user's operation.

At Step S12, the portable terminal1determines whether a letter has been entered on the line previous to the line on which the cursor K is placed. When determining that a letter has been entered on the line previous to the line on which the cursor K is placed (Yes at Step S12), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S15. When determining that no letter has been entered on the line previous to the line on which the cursor K is placed (No at Step S12), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S13.

At Step S13, the portable terminal1determines whether a letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed. When determining that a letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed (Yes at Step S13), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S14. When determining that no letter has been entered on the line, at the head of which the line feed operation has been performed (No at Step S13), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S15.

At Step S14, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line on which the cursor K is placed after the line deletion operation to the letter size of the (n+1)-th line which has been set before the line deletion operation.

At Step S15, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line on which the cursor K is placed after the line deletion operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line deletion operation.

FIG.7is a flowchart of the letter-size setting process performed in response to a range selection and deletion operation on a plurality of lines. The range selection and deletion operation on a plurality of lines refers to a delete operation performed on a plurality of lines within a selected range.

At Step S21, the portable terminal1determines whether the user has performed the range selection and deletion operation on a plurality of lines. When determining whether the user has performed the range selection and deletion operation on a plurality of lines (Yes at Step S21), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S22. When determining whether the user has not performed the range selection and deletion operation on a plurality of lines (No at Step S21), the portable terminal1performs the process in accordance with the user's operation.

At Step S22, the portable terminal1determines whether a letter is present on the left of the cursor K after letters within a selection range81(seeFIG.28and others) have been deleted. The expression “a letter is present on the left of the cursor K after letters within a selection range81have been deleted” means that a letter is present on the left of the cursor K placed on a line after a letter within the selection range81has been deleted. When determining that a letter is present on the left of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted (Yes at Step S22), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S25. When determining that no letter is present on the left of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted (No at Step S22), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S23.

At Step S23, the portable terminal1determines whether a letter is present on the right of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted. The expression “a letter is present on the right of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted” means that a letter is present on the right of the cursor K placed on a line after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted. When determining that a letter is present on the right of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted (Yes at Step S23), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S24. When determining that no letter is present on the right of the cursor K after the letters within the selection range81have been deleted (No at Step S23), the portable terminal1makes the process proceed to Step S25.

At Step S24, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the line on which the cursor K is placed after the deletion to the letter size of the last line within the selection range81which has been set before the deletion.

At Step S25, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the line on which the cursor K is placed after the deletion to the letter size of the first line within the selection range81which has been set before the deletion.

Next, with reference toFIGS.8to11, a description will be given below of the edit screen D1displayed by the touch panel11in the portable terminal1. As illustrated inFIG.8, the edit screen D1includes: a first area51at an upper location; a second area52at a middle location; and a third area53at a lower location. The touch panel11displays tape size information61and letter size information62within the first area51.

The tape size information61may be information that indicates a length L1and a width L2of the tape T if a letter string being edited is printed on the tape T (seeFIG.3). Examples of the length L1of the tape T are illustrated inFIGS.8and10when the tape printing apparatus2operates in the flexible length printing mode. In this case, the portable terminal1varies the length L1of the tape T in the tape size information61, in accordance with an editing result displayed within the second area52(described later). In addition, the portable terminal1also displays the width L2of the tape T in the tape size information61, based on the information indicating the tape width which is contained in the cartridge information received from the tape printing apparatus2. When the tape cartridge C accommodated in the tape printing apparatus2is replaced with another, the portable terminal1changes the width L2of the tape T in the letter size information62. The letter size information62may be information indicating a letter size at the location of the cursor K displayed within the second area52, or at an edit location.

The portable terminal1displays, within the second area52, the tape image64, which is a mimic image of the tape T, a paragraph area65that indicates the range of a paragraph, the letter string image CI, which indicates a letter string to be edited over one or more lines, and the cursor K, which indicates the edit location. The label creation application30displays a plurality of paragraphs arranged in the +X direction, which enables the user to create any given number of lines and differently edit and design paragraphs on a single label L. The touch panel11displays the tape image64so that its tape width maximally expands in the +Y direction across the second area52, based on the information indicating the tape width contained in the cartridge information.

FIG.8illustrates an example of a letter string to be edited which forms a single paragraph. In this case, the paragraph area65corresponds to the printable area PE (seeFIG.3) of the tape T. When the letter string to be edited forms a single paragraph, the paragraph area65is equivalent to the area by subtracting the length L5a, which is the front margin in the +X direction, and the length L5b, which is the rear margin in the +X direction, the length L6a, which is the upper margin in the +Y direction, and the length L6b, which is the lower margin in the +Y direction, from the entire area of the label L. In this case, the user can edit the letter string only within the paragraph area65.

In the example ofFIG.8, the letter string is entered over three lines, and the letter size is set to “16 pt”. Although the letter string image CI is partly lacking in the length direction of the tape T in the example ofFIG.8, the user can see the entire letter string image CI by moving the cursor K in the right or left direction.

The portable terminal1displays, within the third area53, selections66of the letter size which include manual selections and an automatic selection. Each manual selection is, of letter sizes supported by the label creation application30, one that can be printed on the tape T having a tape width displayed within the first area51. When the user selects the automatic selection, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size. By default, the portable terminal1may automatically set the letter size. Hereinafter, the expression “the user designates a letter size” means that the user selects one of the manual selections except the automatic selection included in the selections66.

With reference toFIG.9that illustrates an example of a tape width support table50, the manual selections will be described below. The tape width support table50is a portion of the label creation application30which is stored in the portable terminal1. The tape width support table50lists supported letter sizes in relation to a plurality of tape widths. As an example, when the tape T has a tape width of 36 mm, all the letter sizes indicated by the tape width support table50are printable. As another example, when the tape T has a tape width of 24 mm, all the letter sizes, except “64 pt” and “79 pt”, indicated by the tape width support table50are printable. When the portable terminal1prints an image on a tape T having a tape width of 24 mm as in the example ofFIG.8, the portable terminal1displays all the letter sizes, except “64 pt” and “79 pt”, indicated by the tape width support table50as the manual selections included in the selections66.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the portable terminal1displays one of the manual selections included in the selections66which has been selected by the user and also displays a selection box68around this manual selection within the third area53. In the example ofFIG.8, the selection box68surrounds the automatic selection, which means that the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the first line on which the cursor K is placed. Although only the seven manual selections are displayed as the selections66in addition to the automatic selection, the user can see other manual selections supported for the tape T having a tape width of 24 mm by sliding the selection box68in the +X or −X direction.

When receiving the selection of an X mark67within the third area53, the portable terminal1hides the selections66and, in turn, displays a functional button group (not illustrated) within the third area53. This functional button group may contain buttons for use in selecting the decoration of letters and adding a new paragraph. When the portable terminal1receives the selection of the letter size information62after having displayed the functional button group within the third area53, the portable terminal1hides this functional button group and, in turn, displays the selections66within the third area53.

In the example ofFIG.8, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the letter string over three lines, which has been entered and is displayed within the second area52. In this case, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the letter string over one or more lines to be automatically set so that these lines maximally expand in the +Y direction across the printable area PE, as described above. Furthermore, the portable terminal1sets the letter sizes of those lines to the same value, as described above. In the example ofFIG.8, the letter size information62indicates that the letter size of the letter string over the three lines is set to “16 pt”.

FIG.10illustrates an example of the edit screen D1when the letter size of the first line which has been in the state ofFIG.8is increased to “32 pt”. By placing the cursor K on the first line as illustrated inFIG.8and selecting the manual selection “32 pt” from among the manual selections included in the selections66, the user can increase the letter size of the first line to “32 pt”. In response to the increase in the letter size of the first line from “16 pt” to “32 pt”, the portable terminal1decreases the letter sizes of the second and third lines. In this case, the portable terminal1sets the letter sizes of the second and third lines to the same value. Moreover, in response to the increase in the letter size of the first line, the portable terminal1updates the length L1in the tape size information61.

FIG.11illustrates an example of an error display screen D2, which appears when the user edits a letter string over one or more lines through the edit screen D1so that the length, in the +X direction, of the printed image G of the letter string exceeds the length of the printable area PE in the +X direction or so that the length, in the +Y direction, of the printed image G of the letter string exceeds the length of the printable area PE in the +Y direction. For example, when the user increases the letter size of a letter string on one of the first to third lines in the state ofFIG.10so that the total length of the three lines in the +Y direction exceeds the length of the printable area PE in the +Y direction, the portable terminal1displays the error display screen D2.

Next, with reference toFIGS.12to19, a description will be given below of the edit screen D1when the line feed operation is performed. The description will be given regarding a case where the portable terminal1operates in the fixed-length printing mode and the tape size information61indicates that the tape T has a constant length of “30.0 cm”.

On the edit screen D1ofFIG.12, the letter size on the first line is set to “26 pt”, and the cursor K is placed in the middle of the letter string.FIG.13illustrates the edit screen D1when the line feed operation is performed in the state ofFIG.12. When the line feed operation is performed, as illustrated inFIG.13, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation to “26 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line feed operation. In addition, the portable terminal1also sets the letter size of the first line after the line feed operation to “26 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line feed operation, although this is not illustrated inFIG.13. Thus, when the cursor K moves to the first line in the state ofFIG.13, the portable terminal1displays the selection box68around “26 pt” within the third area53to indicate the letter size is set to “26 pt”. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.12is changed to the state ofFIG.13in response to the line feed operation corresponds to Step S04inFIG.5.

FIG.14illustrates the edit screen D1on which a letter string has been entered on the first line with its letter size set to “38 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the head of this letter string.FIG.15illustrates the edit screen D1after the line feed operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.14. As illustrated inFIG.15, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line feed operation. In addition, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the first line after the line feed operation, although this is not illustrated inFIG.15. Thus, when the cursor K moves to the first line in the state ofFIG.15, the portable terminal1displays the selection box68around “Auto” within the third area53to indicate that the letter size is automatically set. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.14is changed to the state ofFIG.15in response to the line feed operation corresponds to Step S07inFIG.5.

FIG.16illustrates the edit screen D1on which a letter string has been entered along the first line with its letter size set to “38 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the end of the first line.FIG.17illustrates the edit screen D1after the line feed operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.16. As illustrated inFIG.17, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation. In this case, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation is to the “13 pt”, as indicated by the letter size information62. In addition, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the first line after the line feed operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line feed operation, although this is not illustrated inFIG.17. Thus, when the cursor K moves to the first line in the state ofFIG.17, the portable terminal1displays the selection box68around “38 pt” within the third area53to indicate the letter size is set to “38 pt”. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.16is changed to the state ofFIG.17in response to the line feed operation corresponds to Step S06inFIG.5.

FIG.18illustrates the edit screen D1on which no letter string has been entered on the first line with its letter size set to “38 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the head of the letter string on the first line.FIG.19illustrates the edit screen D1after the line feed operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.18. As illustrated inFIG.19, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation. In this case, the portable terminal1automatically sets the letter size of the second line after the line feed operation to the “13 pt”, as indicated by the letter size information62. In addition, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the first line after the line feed operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line feed operation, although this is not illustrated inFIG.19. Thus, when the cursor K moves to the first line in the state ofFIG.19, the portable terminal1displays the selection box68around “38 pt” within the third area53to indicate the letter size is set to “38 pt”. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.18is changed to the state ofFIG.19in response to the line feed operation corresponds to Step S06inFIG.5.

Next, with reference toFIGS.20to27, a description will be given below of the edit screen D1when a line deletion operation is performed.FIG.20illustrates the edit screen D1on which a letter string has been entered over two lines. The letter size of the first line is set to “38 pt”, whereas the letter size of the second line is set to “13 pt”. On the edit screen D1ofFIG.20, the cursor K is placed on the left of the letter string on the second line.

FIG.21illustrates the edit screen D1after the line deletion operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.20. As illustrated inFIG.21, the portable terminal1moves the letter string on the second line before the line deletion operation to the end of the letter string on the first line. In addition, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the first line after the line deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.20is changed to the state ofFIG.21in response to the line deletion operation corresponds to Step S15inFIG.6.

FIG.22illustrates the edit screen D1on which a letter string has been entered on the second line with its letter size set to “38 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the head of the letter string on the second line. On the edit screen D1ofFIG.22, no letter string has been entered on the first line with its letter size set to “13 pt”.

FIG.23illustrates the edit screen D1after the line deletion operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.22. As illustrated inFIG.23, the portable terminal1moves the letter string on the second line before the line deletion operation to the first line. In addition, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the first line after the line deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the second line which has been set before the line deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.22is changed to the state ofFIG.23in response to the line deletion operation corresponds to Step S14inFIG.6.

FIG.24illustrates the edit screen D1on which no letter string has been entered on the second line with its letter size is automatically set to “13 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the head of the letter string on the second line. On the edit screen D1ofFIG.24, a letter string has been entered on the first line with its letter size set to “38 pt”.

FIG.25illustrates the edit screen D1after the line deletion operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.24. As illustrated inFIG.25, the portable terminal1deletes the second line and then moves the cursor K that has been placed on the second line to the end of the first line. In this case, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the first line after the line deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.24is changed to the state ofFIG.25in response to the line deletion operation corresponds to Step S15inFIG.6.

FIG.26illustrates the edit screen D1on which no letter string has been along the second line with its letter size automatically set to “13 pt”, and the cursor K is placed at the head of the second line. On the edit screen D1ofFIG.26, no letter string has been entered on the first line with its letter size set to “38 pt”.

FIG.27illustrates the edit screen D1after the line deletion operation has been performed in the state ofFIG.26. As illustrated inFIG.27, the portable terminal1moves the cursor K to the first line and then sets the letter size of the first line after the line deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the line deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.26is changed to the state ofFIG.27in response to the line deletion operation corresponds to Step S15inFIG.6.

Next, with reference toFIGS.28to35, a description will be given below of the edit screen D1when the range selection and deletion operation is performed on a plurality of lines. On the edit screen D1inFIG.28, a letter string is entered over two lines. The letter size of the first line is set to “38 pt”, whereas the letter size of the second line is set to “13 pt”. In addition, on the edit screen D1inFIG.28, the selection range81spans between the middles of the first and second lines. In the example ofFIG.28, the shaded area corresponds to the selection range81. When the selection range81contains a plurality of lines with different letter sizes as illustrated inFIG.28, the portable terminal1hides the letter size information62from the first area51and the selection box68from the third area53(seeFIG.8and others). This also applies toFIGS.30,32, and34.

FIG.29illustrates the edit screen D1after the range selection and deletion operation has been performed on a plurality of lines in the state ofFIG.28. As illustrated inFIG.29, the portable terminal1deletes the letters within the selection range81and then sets the letter size of the first line after the range selection and deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the range selection and deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.28is changed to the state ofFIG.29in response to the range selection and deletion operation on the plurality of lines corresponds to Step S25inFIG.7.

On the edit screen D1inFIG.30, a letter string is entered over two lines. The letter size of the first line is set to “38 pt”, whereas the letter size of the second line is set to “13 pt”. In addition, on the edit screen D1inFIG.30, the selection range81spans between the head of the first line and the middle of the second line.

FIG.31illustrates the edit screen D1after the range selection and deletion operation has been performed on a plurality of lines in the state ofFIG.30. As illustrated inFIG.31, the portable terminal1deletes the letters within the selection range81and then sets the letter size of the first line after the range selection and deletion operation to “13 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the second line which has been set before the range selection and deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.30transmits to the state ofFIG.31in response to the range selection and deletion operation on the plurality of lines corresponds to Step S24inFIG.7.

On the edit screen D1inFIG.32, a letter string is entered over two lines. The letter size of the first line is set to “38 pt”, whereas the letter size of the second line is set to “13 pt”. In addition, on the edit screen D1inFIG.32, the selection range81spans between the middle of the first line and the end of the second line.

FIG.33illustrates the edit screen D1after the range selection and deletion operation has been performed on a plurality of lines in the state ofFIG.32. As illustrated inFIG.33, the portable terminal1deletes the letters within the selection range81and then sets the letter size of the first line after the range selection and deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the range selection and deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.32is changed to the state ofFIG.33in response to the range selection and deletion operation on the plurality of lines corresponds to Step S25inFIG.7.

On the edit screen D1inFIG.34, a letter string is entered over two lines. The letter size of the first line is set to “38 pt”, whereas the letter size of the second line is set to “13 pt”. In addition, on the edit screen D1inFIG.34, the selection range81spans between the head of the first line and the end of the second line.

FIG.35illustrates the edit screen D1after the range selection and deletion operation has been performed on a plurality of lines in the state ofFIG.34. As illustrated inFIG.35, the portable terminal1deletes the entire letter string over the first and second lines within the selection range81and then sets the letter size of the first line after the range selection and deletion operation to “38 pt”, which is equal to the letter size of the first line which has been set before the range selection and deletion operation. The letter-size setting process performed when the state ofFIG.34is changed to the state ofFIG.35in response to the range selection and deletion operation on the plurality of lines corresponds to Step S25inFIG.7.

As described above, a portable terminal1according to this embodiment, when a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through an edit screen D1, automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line. As a result, the portable terminal1can suppress the length, in +Y direction, of a letter string over a plurality of lines which has been entered through the edit screen D1from exceeding the length of a printable area PE in the +Y direction, as opposed to a case where a letter size of the n-th and (n+1)-th lines is set to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. In this way, the portable terminal1does not have to display an error display screen D2so frequently that it is possible to provide good operability to a user.

When a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation. When the line feed operation is performed at the head of the n-th line on which a letter is entered, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation. When the line feed operation is performed at an end of the n-th line, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the n-th line to the letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation. In this way, even when a line feed operation is performed, the portable terminal1does not have to always automatically set the letter size of both the n-th line and (n+1)-th line and, depending on the situation, may maintain the letter size of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line which was set before the line feed operation. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

When a line deletion operation is performed, the portable terminal1may determine whether a letter is entered on a line previous to a line on which a cursor K is placed and may further determine whether the line deletion operation is performed at a head of a line on which a letter is entered. Then, depending on the determination result, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the n-th line on which the cursor K is placed after the line deletion operation. In this way, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line on which the cursor K is placed after the line deletion operation to one of the letter sizes of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line, depending on the situation upon the line deletion operation. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

When a range selection and deletion operation is performed on a plurality of lines, the portable terminal1may determine whether a letter is present on a right of the cursor K after deletion of letters within the selection range81and may further determine whether a letter is present on a left of the cursor K after the deletion of the letters within the selection range81. Then, depending on the determination result, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the line on which the cursor K is placed after the deletion. In this way, the portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line on which the cursor K is placed after the deletion to one of letter sizes of a first line within the selection range81and a last line within the selection range81, depending on the situation upon the range selection and deletion operation on the plurality of lines. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

It should be noted that the foregoing embodiment is not intended to limit the present disclosure and may be modified in the following ways.

In the foregoing embodiment, a portable terminal1prints a letter string over a plurality of lines arranged in a line direction, which is aligned with a width direction of a tape T, or the +Y direction. However, the portable terminal1may print a letter string over a plurality of lines arranged in a line direction, which is aligned with a length direction of the tape T, or the +X direction. In the case where the length of a printable area PE in the +X direction is fixed because the portable terminal1operates in the fixed-length printing mode, for example, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of a letter string on a line to a designated size when the letter size of this line is designated by a user. Then, the portable terminal1may automatically set the letter size of a letter string on the other lines so that the letter string maximally expands in the +X direction across the area defined by subtracting the area occupied by the designated line from the printable area PE.

The portable terminal1may perform the letter-size setting process inFIG.5only if some conditions as described below are not satisfied. One example of those conditions is that “when a line feed operation is performed on an n-th line with a designated letter size and, in response, a portable terminal1sets the letter size of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation so that the total length, in the line direction, of the letter string over a plurality of lines which has been entered through an edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than the length of a printable area PE in the line direction”. The portable terminal1may perform a process of determining whether this condition is satisfied, instead of the process at Step S01inFIG.5. When determining that this condition is not satisfied, the portable terminal1may perform the process starting with Step S02. When determining that this condition is satisfied, the portable terminal1may set the letter size of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. With this configuration, when a line feed operation is performed, the portable terminal1does not have to display an error display screen D2frequently and, nevertheless, can suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line, a portable terminal1may automatically set the letter sizes of the n-th line and (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation. Moreover, when receiving a line feed operation at the head of an n-th line, the portable terminal1may automatically set the letter size of the n-th line and may set the letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation, regardless of whether a letter has been entered on the n-th line.

A tape printing apparatus2may include a detector that detects a projection or a recess formed in a tape cartridge C, instead of a cartridge information acquisition section42. With this configuration, the tape printing apparatus2may acquire cartridge information from the detection result of the detector. Alternatively, the tape printing apparatus2may acquire the cartridge information from a circuit board with a memory element which is mounted on the case of the tape cartridge C.

The functional configuration of the portable terminal1as illustrated inFIG.4may be implemented by a tape printing apparatus2. In this case, the three components constituting the functional configuration as illustrated inFIG.4may be implemented by a printing-apparatus-side CPU44aexecuting various control programs stored in a printing-apparatus-side ROM44b. Furthermore, the tape printing apparatus2may print a printed image G, based on an editing result with a keyboard21. In the tape printing apparatus2, a display controller110may cause a display22to display an edit screen D1and an error display screen D2. In the tape printing apparatus2, a print controller130may cause a printing section43to print a letter string over a plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in a letter size set by a letter-size setting section120.

Other Modifications

In the foregoing embodiment, a tape printing apparatus2employs a thermal ink transfer system to print an image on a tape T; however, the tape printing apparatus2may employ an ink jet or other printing system. In the foregoing embodiment, the tape printing apparatus2creates labels L by cutting a long tape T; however, the tape printing apparatus2may create labels L by printing images on respective short label members bonded onto a long tape T. In this case, a printable area PE depends on the size of each label member and a paragraph configuration. A tape printing apparatus2according to the foregoing embodiment may be applied to printers that print an image on a print medium, such as a copy paper sheet, other than a tape T and a label member. Moreover, other appropriate modifications are also possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Supplementary Note

A description will be given below of supplementary notes of an information processing apparatus, a tape printing apparatus, a printing system, a method of controlling such an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium that stores a program for controlling such an information processing apparatus.

A portable terminal1includes: a display controller110that causes a touch panel11to display an edit screen D1that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area PE on a tape T by a tape printing apparatus2; a letter-size setting section120that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen D1; and a print controller130that causes the tape printing apparatus2to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section120. The letter-size setting section120is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area PE in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

A tape printing apparatus2includes: a printing section43that prints an image on a tape T; a display controller110that causes a display22to display an edit screen D1that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area PE on the tape T by the printing section43; a letter-size setting section120that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen D1; and a print controller130that causes the printing section43to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section120. The letter-size setting section120is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area PE in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

A printing system SY includes: a portable terminal1; and a tape printing apparatus2that is connected to the portable terminal1and configured to communicate with the portable terminal1. The portable terminal1includes: a display controller110that causes a touch panel11to display an edit screen D1that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area PE on a tape T by the tape printing apparatus2; a letter-size setting section120that sets a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen D1; and a print controller130that causes the tape printing apparatus2to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in the letter size set by the letter-size setting section120. The letter-size setting section120is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the letter-size setting section automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area PE in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

A method of controlling a portable terminal1includes: causing, by using the portable terminal1, a touch panel11to display an edit screen D1that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area PE on a tape T by a tape printing apparatus2; setting, by using the portable terminal1, a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen D1; and causing, by using the portable terminal1, the tape printing apparatus2to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1in the set letter size. In setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, letter sizes of the letter string are configured to be differently set on the respective lines and, when a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation is set so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area PE in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores a label creation application30that includes: causing, by using a portable terminal1, a touch panel11to display an edit screen D1that allows for an edit of a letter string over a plurality of lines, the letter string to be printed within a printable area PE on a tape T by a tape printing apparatus2; setting, by using the portable terminal1, a letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the letter string being entered through the edit screen D1; and causing, by using the portable terminal1, the tape printing apparatus2to print the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1with the set letter size. In setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, the portable terminal1is configured to differently set letter sizes of the letter string on the respective lines. When a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line being preset in accordance with a user's designation, n being an integer equal to or more than one, the information processing apparatus sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation so that a length, in a line direction, of the letter string over the plurality of lines entered through the edit screen D1is equal to or shorter than a length of the printable area PE in the line direction, the line direction being orthogonal to an extending direction of the lines.

According to the above configurations, a portable terminal1or a tape printing apparatus2, when a line feed operation is performed at a head or an end of an n-th line through an edit screen D1, automatically sets a letter size of at least one of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line. Therefore, the portable terminal1or the tape printing apparatus2can suppress a length, in a line direction, of a letter string over a plurality of lines which has been entered through the edit screen D1from exceeding a length of a printable area PE in the line direction, as opposed to a case where a letter size of the n-th and (n+1)-th lines is set to the letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. In this way, the portable terminal1or the tape printing apparatus2does not have to display an error display screen D2so frequently that it is possible to provide good operability to a user.

In the above portable terminal1, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter-size setting section120may set a letter size of the n-th line and the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

In the above tape printing apparatus2, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter-size setting section120may set a letter size of the n-th line and the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

In the above printing system SY, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter-size setting section120may set a letter size of the n-th line and the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

According to the above method of controlling a portable terminal1, in setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line and the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation may be set to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

According to the above label creation application30, in setting of the letter size of the letter string over the plurality of lines, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, a letter size of the n-th line and the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation may be set to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

According to the above configurations, when a line feed operation is performed in a middle of an n-th line, a portable terminal1may set a letter size of the n-th line and an (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

In the above portable terminal1, when the line feed operation is performed at the head of the n-th line on which a letter is entered through the edit screen D1, the letter-size setting section120may automatically set a letter size of the n-th line after the line feed operation and may set a letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation.

According to the above configurations, when the line feed operation is performed at the head of the n-th line on which a letter is entered through the edit screen D1, the portable terminal1may set a letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which has been set before the line feed operation. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.

In the above portable terminal1, when the line feed operation is performed at the end of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, the letter-size setting section120may set a letter size of the n-th line after the line feed operation to a letter size of the n-th line which was set before the line feed operation and may automatically set a letter size of the (n+1)-th line after the line feed operation.

According to the above configuration, when the line feed operation is performed at the end of the n-th line through the edit screen D1, the portable terminal1maintains a letter size of an n-th line that has been set before the line feed operation. Consequently, it is possible to suppress the user from feeling there is something strange about the screen image.