Abstract:
A method of creating a label to be printed on a label printing apparatus comprising: determining at least one option to be made available to a user relating to a label-creating process; displaying said at least one option on a display; and enabling a user to select said at least one option; wherein said determination of the at least one option to be made available to the user is based upon at least one parameter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/529,943, filed Jun. 21, 2012. The priority application, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/529,943, is incorporated herein by reference 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present invention relates to a label printer for printing an image onto a label. In particular but not exclusively, some embodiments relate to a user interface of such a label printer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Known label printing apparatuses are disclosed in EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919 (Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) and EP-A-267890 (Varitronic). The label printing apparatuses each include a cassette receiving bay for receiving a cassette or tape holding case. In EP-A-267890, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon and a substrate tape, the latter comprising an upper image receiving layer secured to a backing layer by an adhesive. In EP-A-322918 and EP-A-322919, the tape holding case houses an ink ribbon, a transparent image receiving tape and a double sided adhesive tape which is secured at one of its adhesive coated sides to the image tape after printing and which has a backing layer peelable from its other adhesive coated side. With both these apparatus, the image transfer medium (ink ribbon) and the image receiving tape (substrate) are in the same cassette. 
     It has also been proposed by the present applicants in, for example, EP-A-578372 to house the ink ribbon and the substrate tape in separate cassettes. 
     In all of these cases, the image receiving tape passes in overlap with the ink ribbon to a print zone consisting of a fixed print head and a platen against which the print head can be pressed to cause an image to transfer from the ink ribbon to the image receiving tape. There are many ways of doing this, including dry lettering or dry film impression, but the most usual way currently is by thermal printing where the print head is heated and the heat causes ink from the ink ribbon to be transferred to the image receiving tape. 
     In other known tape printing apparatuses, so-called direct thermal tapes are used, in which an image is created directly onto the direct thermal tape without the interposition of an ink ribbon cassette. Elements of a print head are heated, and the heat causes chemicals within the direct thermal tape to react and produce an image in or on the tape. 
     The apparatuses of the type described above are provided with a keyboard which enables a user to enter characters, symbols and the like to form an image to be printed by the tape printer. The keyboard usually has text character keys and number keys for entering letters and numbers respectively, plus some function keys which, among other things, operate menus and allow printing attributes to be set. 
     “Stand-alone” label printers can be distinguished from “label printer systems”, which comprise a printer connected to a PC or other computing device. In such label printer systems, a user creates or edits a label for printing using a PC, and then sends print data to a printer to cause the printer to print the print data onto a label medium. In such label printer systems, the user will view a display of the PC to create a label, rather than a display of the printer. Also, the label-editing software used for creating the label will be stored and run on the PC, rather than the printer. 
     In contrast, stand-alone label printers are operable independently of a PC or other computer to create and print a label. Although some stand-alone printers are connectable to a PC or other computer to receive some data, they are nevertheless operable independently of the PC or other computer to create a label for printing, since label-editing software used for creating the label is stored and run on the label printer itself. Stand-alone label printers thus usually include an integral display via which the user can view an interface of the label-editing software. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect there is provided a method of creating a label to be printed by a label printing apparatus comprising: providing a user, on a display, with at least one option relating to a type of object to which the label to be printed is to be applied; and following selection of said at least one option displaying on said display an image of the label to be printed and an image of the object to which the label to be printed is to be applied. 
     The method may comprise displaying said image of the label adjacent to said image of the object to which the label is to be applied. 
     The method may comprise displaying said image of the label in a manner representative of how the label will appear when applied to the object. 
     The type of object may be selectable from a memory. 
     The type of object may comprise one of: a cable; a wire; a patch-panel; a terminal-block; a fuse-box; a 110-block; a module; a breaker block; a distribution panel. 
     The type of object may be captured as a photograph. 
     The parameters of said object may be adjustable. 
     The parameters of said label to be printed may be adjustable. 
     The adjustments to said parameters of said object may cause an update of the image of said object and/or the image of the label. 
     The adjustments to said label to be printed may cause an update of the image of the label and/or the image of the object. 
     The updates of said images may be displayed in real-time. 
     The label printing apparatus may be a stand-alone label printing apparatus. 
     The label-printing apparatus may be connectable to an external apparatus. 
     In another aspect there is provided a method of creating a label to be printed on a label printing apparatus comprising: determining at least one option relating to a label-creating process to be made available to a user, said determining at least one option dependent upon a type of image receiving medium in said label printing apparatus; displaying said at least one option on a display; and enabling a user to select said at least one option; and following selection of said at least one option determining at least one further option relating to the label-creating process to be made available to the user; and modifying said display to display said at least one further option. 
     In another aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for providing a user, on a display, with at least one option relating to a type of object to which the label to be printed is to be applied; and means for displaying on said display, following selection of said at least one option, an image of the label to be printed and an image of the object to which the label to be printed is to be applied. 
     In another aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: 
     at least one processor; and at least one memory; the at least one processor and the at least one memory arranged to cause the apparatus at least to provide a user, on a display, with at least one option relating to a type of object to which the label to be printed is to be applied; and arranged to display, following selection of said at least one option, an image of the label to be printed and an image of the object to which the label to be printed is to be applied on said display. 
     In another aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for determining at least one option relating to a label-creating process to be made available to a user, said determining at least one option dependent upon a type of image receiving medium in said label printing apparatus; means for displaying said at least one option on a display; means for enabling a user to select said at least one option; wherein said apparatus is arranged to, following selection of said at least one option, determine at least one further option relating to the label-creating process to be made available to the user; and is arranged to modify said display to display said at least one further option. 
     In another aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising: 
     at least one processor; and at least one memory; the at least one processor and the at least one memory arranged to cause the apparatus at least to determine at least one option relating to a label-creating process to be made available to a user, dependent upon a type of image receiving medium in said label printing apparatus; and display said at least one option on a display; and enable a user to select said at least one option; and following selection of said at least one option said apparatus is arranged to determine at least one further option relating to the label-creating process to be made available to the user; and modify said display to display said at least one further option. 
     In another aspect there is provided a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the above defined method when said program is run on a computer. 
     For a better understanding, and to show how embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only, to the accompanying figures in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows certain features of one embodiment of a tape printing apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  shows certain features of another embodiment of a tape printing apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows circuitry of an embodiment of a label printing apparatus. 
         FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of a label printer user interface. 
         FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of a label printer user interface. 
         FIGS. 6 to 13  each show a preview of a label to be created in relation to various respective objects, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  shows a visualization of a patch panel and associated label where the patch panel has two groups. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows in plan view a first label printer which has two cassettes arranged therein. Typically, this label printer  1  is powered by batteries at least part of the time. Alternatively the label printer may be mains powered. 
     The upper cassette is located in a first cassette receiving portion  26  and contains a supply of image receiving tape  4  which passes through a print zone  3  of the label printer  1  to an outlet  5  of the label printer  1 . The image receiving tape  4  comprises an upper layer for receiving a printed image on its upper surface and has its other surface coated with an adhesive layer to which is secured a releasable backing layer. The upper cassette  2  has a recess for accommodating a platen  8  of the label printer  1 , and guide portions  22  and  24  for guiding the tape through a print zone  3 . The platen  8  is mounted for rotation within a cage moulding  10 . Alternatively the platen could be mounted for rotation on a pin. 
     The lower cassette  11  is located in the second cassette receiving portion  28  and contains a thermal transfer ribbon  12  which extends from the supply spool  30  to a take-up spool  32  within the cassette  11 . The thermal transfer ribbon  12  extends through the print zone  3  in overlap with the image receiving tape  4 . The cassette  11  has a recess  14  for receiving a print head  18  of the label printer  1  and guide portions  34  and  36  for guiding the thermal transfer ribbon  12  through the print zone  3 . Print head  18  is moveable between an operative position shown in  FIG. 1 , in which it is in contact with the platen  8  and holds the thermal transfer ribbon  12  and the image receiving tape  4  in overlap between a print head  18  and the platen  8  in an inoperative position in which it is moved away from the platen  8  to release thermal transfer ribbon  12  and image receiving tape  4 . In the operative position, the platen  8  is rotated to cause the image receiving tape  12  to be driven past print head  18  and the print head  18  is controlled to print an image on the image receiving tape  4  by thermal transfer of ink from the ribbon  12 . Each of the printing elements on the print head  18  is activatable separately and is activated in accordance with the desired image to be printed. The label printer  1  has a lid (which is not shown) which is hinged along the rear of the cassette receiving portions  26  and  28  and which covers both cassettes when in place. 
     A DC motor  7  (see  FIG. 3 ) continuously drives the platen  8 . The platen is arranged to drive the image receiving tape  4  through the print zone  3  by the actuation of its own rotation. In other embodiments, transport of the image receiving tape across the print head can be done by other means, such as by a separate driven roller of the printer or of the cassette, or by a pair of cooperating rollers positioned on opposite sides of the tape, or by other means. 
     The image is printed by the print head  18  on the image receiving tape on a column by column basis with the columns being adjacent one another in the direction of movement of the tape  4 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates in plan view a cassette bay of a second label printer  1 ′ which uses a one cassette system. Like reference numerals are used for those parts which are also shown in  FIG. 1 . The cassette bay is shown by the dotted line  40 . The cassette bay  40  includes a thermal print head  18  and a platen  8  which cooperate to define a print zone  3 . 
     The print head  18  is pivotable about a pivot point so that it can be brought into contact with the platen  8  for printing and moved away from the platen  8  to enable the cassette to be removed and replaced as in the first embodiment. Alternatively the platen is pivotable so that it can be brought into contact with the printhead for printing and moved away from the printhead to enable the cassette to be inserted. A cassette inserted into the cassette bay  40  is denoted generally by reference numeral  44 . The cassette  44  holds a supply spool  46  of image receiving tape  4 . The image receiving tape  4  is guided by a guide mechanism (which is not shown) through the cassette  44 , past the print zone  3  and out of the cassette  44  through an outlet O to a cutting location C. The same cassette  44  also has an ink ribbon supply spool  48  and an ink ribbon take up spool  50 . The ink ribbon  12  is guided from the ink ribbon supply spool  48  through the print zone  3  and taken up on the ink ribbon take up spool  50 . As with the first embodiment, the image receiving tape  4  passes in overlap with the ink ribbon  12  through the print zone  3  with its image receiving layer in contact with the ink ribbon  12 . The platen of this second embodiment is also driven by a motor  7 . The motor rotates to drive continuously the image receiving tape through the print zone  3  during printing. In either of the embodiments, it is possible that the tape be driven in a step wise manner by a stepper motor. 
     An image is printed on the tape fed out from the print zone to the cutting location C which is provided at a location in a portion of the wall of the cassette  44  which is close to the print zone  3 . The portion of the wall on the cassette  44  where the cutting location C is defined is denoted by reference  52 . A slot  54  is defined in the wall portion  52  and the image receiving tape  4  is fed past the print zone  3  and out of the cassette  44  through an outlet O to the cutting location C where it is supported by facing wall portions on either side of the slot  54 . 
     The second label printing device  1 ′ includes a cutting mechanism  56  including a cutter support member  58  which carries a blade  60 . The blade  60  cuts the image receiving tape  4  and then enters the slot  54 . It should be appreciated that the first embodiment will usually also include a cutting mechanism. 
     These example label printers  1  and  1 ′ may act as stand-alone printing devices including a controller for receiving inputs from a user and to alter what is displayed on a display of the printing devices. Furthermore, the label printers  1  and  1 ′ may also be connectable or connected to a PC, in which case the PC also includes a controller to receive inputs from a user and to alter what is displayed on a display of the printer or of the PC. 
     Basic circuitry for controlling the label printer  1  of  FIG. 1  or the label printer  1 ′ of  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 3 . There is a controller or “control means” (such as a micro controller unit (MCU) or processor)  600 , a non-volatile memory  602  which is for example a read only memory (ROM) or a flash type of memory. The flash type of memory may be used in place of, or in addition to the read only memory. A volatile memory comprising a random access memory RAM  604  and/or display RAM is also provided. The MCU  600  is connected to receive label data input to it from a data input device such as a touch panel  608  of a touchscreen  612  via a touch panel controller  606 . In alternative embodiments, the data input device may comprises one or more of a hardware keyboard including plural keys, a mouse, a digital pen or tracker ball, or any other means for enabling a user to send commands to the controller  600 . In some embodiments, the touchscreen  612  is omitted. The MCU  600  outputs data to drive the display  610  (which together with the touch panel  608  form the touchscreen  612 ) to display a label to be printed (or a part thereof) and/or a message for the user. Additionally, the MCU  600  also outputs data to drive the print head  18  so that the label data is printed onto the image receiving tape to form a label. Finally, the MCU  600  also controls the motor  7  for driving the platen. The MCU  600  may also control the cutting mechanism  56  of  FIG. 2  or a cutting mechanism of the device shown in  FIG. 1  to allow a length of tape to be cut off. In alternative embodiments at least part of the cutting mechanism may be manually operated. 
     It should also be understood that where the label printer  1  or  1 ′ is connected to an external apparatus such as a PC, then the PC also contains similar components such as at least one memory and at least one processor to enable the PC to carry out the operations of creating a label to be printed. Such a PC will also be connected to a display means such as a monitor. 
     Hereafter it should be understood that labels may be created on either or both of the label printing apparatus itself or on an external apparatus such as a PC connected to the label printer. Accordingly, it shall be understood that hereafter terms such as “memory”, “processor” and “display” may refer to these components on either or both of a label printing apparatus and a PC. 
     A user interface according to an exemplary embodiment will now be described.  FIG. 4  shows a user interface  70  displayed on display  610 . In  FIG. 4  a user is presented with a graphical control panel  72  which enables the user to select a label type. In this example the user has selected a 1 inch continuous label type  74 , and accordingly this icon has been enlarged to demonstrate to the user that this option is selected. 
     Other options available to the user via this graphical control panel  72  include patch panel label type  76 , cable wrap label type  78 , 110-block label type  80 , fixed length label type  82 , module label type  84 , flag label type  86 , and breaker label type  88 . 
     At the bottom of the display the user can also select a further option to continue editing  90 , to open a folder  92  (from where saved labels can be selected for example), and a settings menu  94  from where printer settings can be adjusted. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary graphical user interface  100  in a further embodiment. In this embodiment it has been detected that a user has inserted a tape cassette containing continuous tape of 0.5″ width, as displayed in region  102  of display  610 . The graphical user interface  100  displays all types of labels that are available to the user for a cassette of this width. The options available to a user via menu  100  include a general label type  104 , a terminal block label type  106 , a patch panel label type  108 , a flag label type  109 , a die-cut flag label type  112 , a fixed length label type  114 , a 110-block label type  116 , a cable wrap label type  118 , a heat shrink tubing label type  120 , and a self-laminating cable label type  122 . 
     More or less than these types of label may be provided. Additionally or alternatively different types of label may be available. 
     Additional or alternative types of label comprise one or more of a fuse box label type, a quick label type, a breaker box label type, a distribution panel label type, and a module type. 
     In  FIG. 5  the heat shrink tubing label type is shown with an exclamation mark  121 . This exclamation mark  121  indicates to the user that such a label cannot be properly printed with the presently inserted cassette. 
     The user is thus automatically presented with the label types that are available for the particular type of cassette that has been inserted into the printer. This reduces the number of key strokes required for a user to select a suitable label, and also prevents a user from attempting to create a label type that is unsuitable for the type of cassette inserted. 
     The graphical user interface  100  also includes a region  124  from which a user can select recently created labels. This portion of the menu is separated from the rest of the menu area by a divider line  126 . 
     In another embodiment (not shown) this region  124  may be omitted. 
     Via this graphical user interface  100  the user can also select to continue editing by selecting icon  128 , to open a saved labels folder using icon  130 , or to enter a settings menu using icon  132 . 
     The display also shows a battery power level  134 , and also the strength of wireless connection  136  for embodiments where the printer is connected to a wireless network. 
     The menu and user interface structure described above leads the user through the label-creating process. 
     In some embodiments, once the user is at the label editing stage the display  610  shows a preview of the label in relation to a selected object type. This is shown for example in  FIGS. 6 to 13 . 
     In  FIG. 6  the user is editing a label  250 . The user has already selected “cable wrap” as the label type. The user is now presented on the display  610  with a preview of the label  250  and a preview of the cable  252 . To get to this stage the user may have already inputted data related to the label and object, such as the label width and the dimensions of the object. For example the label properties may have been automatically detected by the label printing apparatus upon insertion of a label cassette. The object properties may also have been captured in another way, such as uploading a photograph of the object to the label printing apparatus or external apparatus to which the label printing apparatus is connected. A cursor  254  shows where the text will be displayed once it has been entered by the user. This provides the user with a very accurate representation of how the label  250  will look in relation to the object  252 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the same principle but in relation to a patch panel label. The label  256  is shown next to a representation of a patch panel  258 . In this example the user is clearly shown how the sections  260 ,  262  and  264  of the label line up relative to respective ports  266 ,  268  and  270  of the patch panel  258 . Again, the user is provided with an accurate representation of how the label  256  will look when applied to the object, in this case patch panel  258 . 
     The representation of the patch panel consists of single ports with a fixed width and height. 
     The representation may be changed by one or more of: 
     Changing the number of ports. This may be done by changing the number of ports in a property menu. The icons may be added to or removed from the right side to depict the set number of ports. In some embodiments, the icon may be added to or removed from the left side or in the middle. The position at which the icons are added or removed may depend on a cursor position. 
     Changing the centre to centre distance of the ports. This may be done by changing the centre to centre ports in a property menu. The distance between the icons of the ports will depend on the set center to center distance. This may cause the position of each icon to change with respect to for example the icon to the left or right. 
     Changing the number of groups. This may be done by changing the number of groups in a menu. The number of groups can be one or more. 
     Changing the port grouping. This may be done by changing the number of ports in a group in a property menu. The ports may be grouped together in dependence on the number of ports in two or more groups. 
     Changing the group clearance. This may be done by changing the clearance in a property menu. The distance between two groups of ports is based on the group clearance. 
     In some embodiments, the properties of the patch panel may be shown as different options in a list or menu. The user can change or select the value associated with one or more of the options. Alternatively or additionally one or more of the listed options may take the user to another screen in which the user is able to input one or more values for one or more properties of the patch panel and/or the label. 
     In this regard, reference is made to  FIG. 14  which shows an example where the number of groups is two. The first group is referenced  300  and the second group is referenced  301 . The distance between the two groups (group clearance) is referenced  304 . The number of ports in each group is six. In some embodiments all the groups have the same number of ports. In other embodiments, one or more groups may have a different number of ports to one or more other groups. The port center to port center distance is referenced  305 . 
     In some embodiments, each group of ports has an individual background visually representing the patch panel groups. The background may avoid blank areas (white or unshaded areas) between ports in a group. White or unshaded areas may be provided between groups. In some embodiments, a background is provided behind all ports in a group with a different or no background provided between groups. In some embodiments, no background is provided for all ports in a group and a background between groups. 
     The background for the ports may have a border which extends above and below the group of ports as well as to the right and left. The background may provide a border around each group. 
     In some embodiments a border may be provided in addition to or as an alternative to the background. 
     The label visualization of the patch panel label will have label placeholders with a dynamic width and length. Object boxes (e.g. sections  260 ) will be provided in dependence on the number of ports. Each port will have an associated object box. The size and position of the object boxes will depend on the properties of the patch panel (number of ports, number of groups of ports, number of ports in each group, group clearance, center to center distance between two ports). As one or more of these properties are changed, the appearance of the label and/or object boxes will change. The length of the label may change. The number of object boxes, the size of the object boxes, and/or the position of the object boxes may change. 
     In some embodiment, the user may select if two or more groups will have a single label or if one or more groups will share a label. The appearance of the label and respective object boxes will reflect this. 
     The label width may be selected by a user or may be selected in dependence on the width present in the label cassette. 
     In some embodiments, the user can select to show or hide a label outline. The user can additionally or alternatively select how the label outline is represented and/or at what location. 
     The user can additionally or alternatively select if label separator lines are to be shown and if so how. 
       FIGS. 8 to 13  show this principle in relation to different objects. 
       FIG. 8  shows a flag label  272  including a flag portion  274 . As the user enters text the flag portion  274  will extend so as to accommodate the entered text. Alternatively the flag label  272  may be displayed in relation to a cable which the flag label could be applied to. 
       FIG. 9  shows a representation of a label  276  in relation to a fuse-box  278 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a representation of a label  280  next to a representation of a breaker-box  282 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a representation of a label  286  next to a representation of a terminal block  288 . 
       FIG. 12  shows a representation of a label  284  next to a representation of a 110-block  290 . 
       FIG. 13  shows a representation of a label  292  next to a representation of a cable  294 . 
     The following table summarizes for each label type the associated properties associated with that label type and if the properties can be modified. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Label application 
                 Properties 
                 Editable 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Quick label 
                 Label orientation 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                   
                 Leader/trailer match 
               
               
                 General (fixed length) 
                 Label orientation 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Label length 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                   
                 Leader/trailer match 
               
               
                 Patch panel 
                 Port numbers 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 # ports 
               
               
                   
                 # ports per group 
               
               
                   
                 Label setup 
               
               
                   
                 Dimensions 
               
               
                   
                 Center on center 
               
               
                   
                 distance 
               
               
                   
                 Group clearance 
               
               
                   
                 Separator lines 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Breaker 
                 Breaker numbers 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Number of 
               
               
                   
                 breakers 
               
               
                   
                 Breaker height 
               
               
                   
                 Number of poles 
               
               
                   
                 (for each individual 
               
               
                   
                 breaker) 
               
               
                   
                 Separator lines 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Module 
                 Fuse numbers 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Number of fuses 
               
               
                   
                 Fuse width 
               
               
                   
                 Fuse multiplier (for 
               
               
                   
                 each individual 
               
               
                   
                 module) 
               
               
                   
                 Separator lines 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Cable wrap 
                 Wire/cable diameter 
                 Yes 
               
               
                 Self-laminating cable 
                 Wire/cable diameter 
                 No, except for label 
               
               
                 wrap 
                 Label outline 
                 outline 
               
               
                 Flag 
                 Flag type 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Flag length 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 110-block 
                 Block type 
                 No, except for separator 
               
               
                   
                 Separator bar 
                 bar and label layout 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Terminal block 
                 Terminal numbers 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Number of 
               
               
                   
                 terminals 
               
               
                   
                 Terminal height 
               
               
                   
                 Separator bar 
               
               
                   
                 between labels 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Distribution panel 
                 Connector numbers 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Number of 
               
               
                   
                 connectors 
               
               
                   
                 Center to center 
               
               
                   
                 distance 
               
               
                   
                 Separator bar 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Asset tracking 
                 Label length 
                 No, except for label 
               
               
                   
                 Orientation 
                 outline 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                 Heat-shrink tubing 
                 Label length 
                 Yes 
               
               
                   
                 Orientation 
               
               
                   
                 Label outline 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In some embodiments, the user can select to show or hide a label outline. The user can additionally or alternatively select how the label outline is represented and/or at what location. 
     The user can additionally or alternatively select if label separator lines or bars are to be shown and if so how. 
     In some embodiments, the property setting screens may contain one, two or more values which can be set/changed. 
     In all of these cases the user is provided with an accurate visual representation of their label next to the object to which the label is to be applied. In some embodiments any label edits will be displayed on the display  610  in real time. Therefore the user will be able to make adjustments as necessary to the label and will be able to see how the label looks relative to the object to which it is to be applied. This provides a user-friendly label-creating experience, and gives the user an accurate preview of how the label will look when it is applied to the selected object. 
     In some embodiments, thus label application visualization shows an image of the label application that is selected on the home screen. The image changes based on the properties set for the label application. The label application visualization may be a 1:1 mapping of the actual label application: the number of pixels used to represent the label application matches the size of the actual label application. In this way the on-screen label application representation is a good representation of the actual object that is being labelled. 
     For every label application a specific label application visualization may be supported. The display is thus dependent on a number of parameters which vary per label application and the selected label type/cassette. 
     While in the label edit screen, the visualization can be changed by changing values in the label property boxes. Making a change will have an immediate effect on the visualization. 
     Values may be changed by using one or more of: a slider bar to change a value, inputting a desired value, increment or decrementing a current value either in unit values or defined steps and using a value from a drop down menu. 
     The ways in which a user can navigate through the menus and user interfaces discussed above are various. For example, the user may operate keys on a hardware keyboard of the label printing apparatus to navigate around the display  610 . Where the label printing apparatus is connected to an external apparatus such as a PC, the user may use other input means such as a mouse or tracker-pad. Alternatively, where the label printing apparatus has a touch-screen, the user may navigate through the display by directly touching the display. 
     The skilled person would appreciate that any of the methods described herein may be implemented using a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium (such as a CDROM or memory within a stand-alone printer) for controlling a controller (or other similar apparatus as discussed above). 
     Embodiments may be used with continuous tape or die cut labels. Die cut labels are provided on a continuous backing layer but are discrete, pre-cut labels. The tape or die cut labels may be provided in a cassette or simply on a roll. 
     The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of certain embodiments. Modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teaching herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art would be able to devise numerous techniques which although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the described embodiments and are thus within the scope defined by the claims.