Patent Publication Number: US-8125656-B2

Title: Label data creating apparatus, label data creating method, and computer program product

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-260557, filed on Oct. 4, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a label data creating apparatus, a label data creating method, and a computer program product for creating and editing print data to be printed on a long print medium. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Conventionally, various kinds of technologies have been suggested for creating and editing print data to be printed on a print medium such as a long tape or a rolled sheet or the like. For instance, in one type of label data creating apparatus, a display screen of a display is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion displays a tape display area and the lower portion displays a data file display area. This apparatus is configured so as to display a virtual tape on the upper tape display area. This virtual tape indicates frame information according to which a template indicating assignment of the label data in the print area of the print tape is arranged (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.2006-99254). 
     However, with the configuration disclosed in the above-described Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-99254, the virtual tape is displayed extending up to one side edge portion of the tape display area. To find out the size of this virtual tape, a user must read the graduations on a ruler displayed at the other side edge portion of the tape display area. This makes it difficult to find out the size of the virtual tape at a first glance. Also, it is impossible to know whether the print area is set to a free length or a fixed length. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure has been worked out in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a label data creating apparatus, a label data creating method and a computer program product which allow a user to instantly find out the size of a print medium, and at the same time, allow a user to instantly find out whether the print area of the print medium is set to a free length or a fixed length. 
     To achieve the purpose of the disclosure, there is provided a label data creating apparatus comprising: a display having a display screen; a layout display unit that displays a layout of a long print medium onto which print data will be printed, on the display screen of the display, in a vertical direction or horizontal direction corresponding to a vertical writing or horizontal writing of label data to be printed on the print medium; and a size display unit that displays a size of the print medium at an exterior side of a tip edge portion of the layout in a conveying direction. 
     According to the label data creating apparatus, the layout of the print medium is displayed in a vertical direction or horizontal direction, enabling the user to instantly determine whether the label data is vertical writing or horizontal writing. The size of the print medium is displayed at an exterior side of a tip edge portion in a conveying direction, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. The user can thus instantly find out the size of the print medium and can also find out at a first glance the conveying direction of the layout. 
     To achieve the purpose of the disclosure, there is provided a label data creating method comprising: a layout display step of displaying a layout of a long print medium onto which print data will be printed, on a display screen of a display, in a vertical direction or horizontal direction corresponding to a vertical writing or horizontal writing of label data to be printed on the print medium; and a size display step of displaying a size of the print medium at an exterior side of a tip edge portion of the layout displayed in said layout display step in a conveying direction thereof, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. 
     According to the label data creating method, the layout of the print medium is displayed in a vertical direction or horizontal direction, enabling the user to instantly determine whether the label data is vertical writing or horizontal writing. The size of the print medium is displayed at an exterior side of the tip edge portion in a conveying direction, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. The user can thus instantly find out the size of the print medium and can also find out at a first glance the conveying direction of the layout. 
     To achieve the purpose of the disclosure, there is provided a computer program product used and executed by a label data creating apparatus comprising: a computer readable recording medium; and a computer program stored in the computer readable recording medium, wherein the computer program includes: a layout display step of displaying a layout of a long print medium onto which print data will be printed, on a display screen of a display, in a vertical direction or horizontal direction corresponding to a vertical writing or horizontal writing of label data to be printed on the print medium; and a size display step of displaying a size of the print medium at an exterior side of a tip edge portion of the layout displayed in said layout display step in a conveying direction thereof, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. 
     According to the computer program product, the computer loads the program stored in the recording medium and displays the layout of the print medium in a vertical direction or horizontal direction so as to correspond to vertical writing or horizontal writing for label data to be printed on the print medium. The computer displays the size of the print medium at an exterior side of the tip edge portion in a conveying direction, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. 
     Displaying the layout of the print medium in a vertical direction or horizontal direction enables a user to instantly determine whether the label data is vertical writing or horizontal writing. The size of the print medium is displayed at an exterior side of the tip edge portion of the layout, and in parallel with the tip edge portion. The user can thus instantly find out the size of the print medium and can also find out at a first glance the conveying direction of the layout. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of a label printing system according to a preset embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view taken from an upper right side of a tape printer as shown in  FIG. 1 , with a top cover thereof open, and a rolled sheet holder mounted therein; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view showing the state wherein the rolled sheet holder is mounted in the tape printer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view taken from an upper left front side of the tape printer, with the top cover thereof open; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view taken from an upper left rear side of the tape printer, with the top cover thereof open; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view taken from a lower side and shows one example of a rolled sheet holder having a rolled sheet loaded therein; 
         FIG. 7  is a circuit block diagram that shows a circuit configuration of a main section in the computer device as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a circuit block diagram that shows a circuit configuration of a main section in the tape printer as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing one example of a sheet type table stored in the ROM of the tape printer; 
         FIG. 10  is a view showing one example of a die cut type table stored in the ROM of the tape printer; 
         FIG. 11  is a flow chart showing a display control process of displaying a layout edit window on a display screen of the display, carried out by the CPU of the computer device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window at its activation, in the case that the non-fixed length rolled sheet is set to a free length print mode; 
         FIG. 13  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window in the case that text is entered in the form of one character in the print area shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window in the case that text in the form of two characters is further entered in the print area of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window in the case that the non-fixed length rolled sheet is set to a fixed length print mode; 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing one example of switching display of the layout in the case that a free length/fixed length switch button as shown in  FIG. 12  is clicked with a mouse; 
         FIG. 17  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window in the case that text in the form of two characters is entered in the print area of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window at its activation, in the case of a die cut; and 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing one example of the layout edit window in the case that text in the form of three characters is entered in the print area of  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one exemplary embodiment of a label data creating apparatus, a label data creating method, and a computer program product as applied to a label printing system according to the disclosure will now be given referring to the accompanying drawings. 
     First, a schematic configuration of a label printing system  1  according to the present embodiment will now be described based on  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the label printing system  1  according to this embodiment is composed of a computer device  2 , given as one example of a label data creating apparatus and including a personal computer and the like; and a tape printer  3  connected to the computer device  2  through a signal cable K 1 . 
     The computer device  2  comprises a host controller  4 , a display (such as CRT, LCD and the like)  5 , a keyboard  6 , a mouse  7 , an image scanner  8 , and a CD-R/W drive  9 . It is noted that the mouse  7  may be replaced with a joy stick or a track ball. CD-RW drive  9  may also be substituted by a MO device or a DVD device. 
     Next, a general configuration of a tape printer  3  will be described based on  FIG. 2  through  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  thorough  FIG. 5 , the tape printer  3  includes a resin body case  11 , a rolled sheet holder  12 , a rolled sheet holder housing section  13  and a top cover  14 . The rolled sheet holder housing section  13  houses the rolled sheet holder  12  having rolled sheet  12 A of a predetermined width wound thereon. The top cover  14  is made of a transparent resin and is formed in a substantially semicircular shape in side view, being fixed to a rear upper edge part of the tape printer  3 , in a freely openable manner so as to cover the upper side of the rolled sheet holder housing section  13 . The rolled sheet  12 A is wound up on the rolled sheet holder  12  and includes a long thermal sheet (so called, thermal paper) having self color development characteristics, a non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A obtained by adhering a release sheet to one side of the thermal sheet through an adhesive agent, or a die cut and the like obtained by half-cutting the thermal sheet of this non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A in a predetermined shape with a fixed pitch. 
     A sheet discharging port  15 A through which the printed rolled sheet  12 A is discharged outside is formed on the front cover  15  at a front side of the top cover  14 . A power button  16 A, a cut button  16 B and a feed button  16 C are arranged substantially in a horizontal manner on a front surface at an upper side of the sheet discharging port  15 A. Upon being depressed, the cut button  16 B drives a cutter unit  17  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) provided inside the sheet discharging port  15 A to cut the rolled sheet  12 A. Upon being depressed, the feed button  16 C discharges the rolled sheet  12 A by a fixed amount in the conveying direction. 
     Here, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cutter unit  17  is composed of a fixed blade  17 A and a movable blade  17 B. The movable blade  17 B is operated to move in a vertical direction by a cutting motor  84  including a DC motor or the like. The printed rolled sheet  12 A is conveyed so that a cutting position at a rear side in a conveying direction reaches a position facing the fixed blade  17 A. At this point, the cutting motor  84  causes the movable blade  17 B to move in a vertical direction, cutting the printed rolled sheet  12 A. Also, the rolled sheet  12 A that was cut by the fixed blade  17 A and the movable blade  17 B is discharged from the sheet discharging port  15 A. The movable blade  17 B is formed in a V-shape, in front view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , a tray member  18  is fixed to a lower edge part of the front cover  15  in a freely openable manner so as to cover the front side of the front cover  15 . The tray member  18  can be opened by placing a finger in a recess portion  18 A formed at an upper end part and pushing towards the front side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , an inlet  19  to which a power cord not shown is connected is provided at a rear part of the body case  11 , and at the same time, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector  20  to which a signal cable K 1  is connected is provided at a side part (in  FIG. 5 , the left side) thereof. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the tape printer  3  has a holder support member  23  provided at one side edge part (in  FIG. 2 , the right-side edge part) of the rolled sheet holder housing section  13 , in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to a conveying direction. The holder support member  23  can fit a fixing member  22  which has a substantially rectangular shape in cross section and is projected in an outer direction of a holding member  21  constituting a rolled sheet holder  12 . This holder support member  23  has a first positioning groove part  24  formed therein, the groove being U-shaped in a substantially longitudinal direction in front view. The groove opens upward in a width direction and at the same time, at both sides in a width direction. 
     A loading portion  29  is also provided which extends in a substantially horizontal direction between a rear edge part of an insertion opening  26  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) into which the rolled sheet  12 A is inserted, and a front upper edge part of the rolled sheet holder housing section  13 . Five second positioning groove parts  30 A through  30 E having a substantially L-shape in cross section are formed at a rear edge corner of the loading part  29  in a conveying direction, at each position corresponding to a plurality of width dimensions of the rolled sheet  12 A. The respective second positioning groove parts  30 A through  30 E are formed so as to enable fitting, from upwards, of a tip lower end part of a guide member  28  that constitutes the rolled sheet holder  12 , which tip lower end part comes in contact with the loading part  29 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     A positioning recess part  13 A is formed in a bottom part of the rolled sheet holder housing section  13 . The positioning recess part  13 A is rectangular in plan view and long sideways in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to a conveying direction, and extends between an inner base end part and an opposite side base end part of the holder supporting member  23 . The positioning recess part  13 A has a predetermined depth (in the present embodiment, approximately 1.5 through 3 mm). The positioning recess part  13 A is formed so that the width dimension in a conveying direction is substantially equal to the width dimensions of the respective lower edge parts of the holding member  21  and guide member  28  constituting the rolled sheet holder  12 . 
     A discrimination recess part  13 B is formed at the inner base end part of the holder support member  23  of the positioning recess part  13 A. The discrimination recess part  13 B is rectangular in plan view and long in a longitudinal direction with respect to a conveying direction. The discrimination recess part  13 B is formed so that a portion facing the sheet discrimination part  60  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) extending inward from a lower edge part of the holding member  21  at a substantially right angle therewith is formed to be deeper than the positioning recess part  13 A by a predetermined depth (in the present embodiment, approximately 1.5 through 3 mm deep). 
     The discrimination recess part  13 B is provided with six discrimination sensors P 1 , P 2 , P 3 , P 4 , P 5  and P 6  arranged in an L-shaped pattern, for distinguishing the type, material, width and the like of the rolled sheet  12 A. These sensors are each constructed of a push-type micro-switch, etc. 
     These sheet discrimination sensors P 1  to P 6  are each constructed of a well known mechanical switch including a plunger and a micro-switch, etc. Each plunger is placed so that an upper end part thereof protrudes from the bottom part of the discrimination recess part  13 B to the vicinity of the bottom part of the positioning recess part  13 A. It is detected whether the sheet discrimination part  60 , which extends inward from the lower edge part of the holding member  21  at a substantially right angle therewith, has sensor holes  60 A to  60 F (see  FIG. 6 ), mentioned later, at the positions corresponding to the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  to P 6  respectively. Based on an ON/OFF signal representing a detection result by the sensors P 1  to P 6 , the type, material, width and the like of the rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the rolled sheet holder  12  are detected. 
     In the present embodiment, the plungers of the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  to P 6  normally protrude from the bottom surface of the discrimination recess part  13 B to the vicinity of the bottom surface of the positioning recess part  13 A. At this time, each micro-switch is in an OFF state. In the case where the sheet discrimination part  60  has sensor holes  60 A through  60 F at the positions corresponding to the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  to P 6 , the plungers of the sensors are not depressed, leaving the corresponding micro-switches in the OFF state, which generates an OFF signal. 
     On the other hand, in the case where the sheet discrimination part  60  does not have sensor holes  60 A through  60 F at the positions corresponding to the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  to P 6 , the plungers of the sensors are depressed, bringing the corresponding micro-switches into an ON state, which generates an ON signal. Accordingly, the respective sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6  output 6-bit signals made up of [0] and [1]. Thus, if the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6  are all in an OFF state, specifically, if the rolled sheet holder  12  is not loaded, a 6-bit signal [000000] is output. 
     An engaging shaft  33  is erected in an inner side of the top cover  14 , at the periphery of the opening for the cover, facing the side edge part opposite the holder support member  23  of the holder housing part  4 . The engaging shaft  33  has a circular shape in cross section and its height is substantially equal to the thickness of the link lever  34 . This engaging shaft  33  is fitted in a through hole formed in one edge part of the link lever  34  for operating the vertical movement of the thermal head  32  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) so as to allow the edge part of this link lever  34  to freely rotate and detach with respect to the engaging shaft  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , a roller shaft  35 A of the platen roller  35  is supported, in a freely rotatable manner, at a back side of the insertion opening  26  in a conveying direction of the rolled sheet. The thermal head  32  is fixed on an upper surface of a head support member  37  which is biased upward by a pressure sensitive spring  36 . The rear edge part of the head support member  37 , with respect to a conveying direction, is supported on a rear side of a frame  38  so as to allow swinging thereof in a vertical direction. 
     When the top cover  14  is turned backward for opening, the link lever  34  moves backward in cooperation with the movement of the top cover  14 , causing the thermal head support member  37  to move downward, and separating the thermal head  32  from the platen roller  35  arranged opposite therefrom. The rolled sheet  12 A is then fed from the insertion opening  26 , allowing insertion of the rolled sheet  12 A between the platen roller  35  and the thermal head  32 . 
     When closing the top cover  14 , the link lever  34  is moved forward in cooperation with the movement of the top cover  14 , causing the thermal head support member  37  to move upward. The thermal head  32  then forces the rolled sheet  12  against the platen roller  35  by means of the pressure sensitive spring  36 , whereby a printable state is obtained. 
     Further, below the rolled sheet holder housing section  13 , there is provided, through a dividing wall  39 , a control board  40  on which a control circuit is formed to drivingly control mechanisms such as the thermal head  32 , etc. in response to commands from a computer device  2  or the like. 
     A schematic configuration of the rolled sheet holder  12  will next be described based on  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the rolled sheet holder  12  which has the rolled sheet  12 A wound on a sheet core loaded therein in a rotatable manner, has the following configuration. 
     The guide member  28  constituting the rolled sheet holder  12  is formed with a first extended portion  63  which extends downward and is fitted in the positioning recess part  13 A formed in the bottom part of the rolled sheet holder housing section  13  so as to be brought in contact with the bottom surface of the positioning recess part  13 A. The guide member  28  is also formed with a second extended portion  64  which has an upper edge part thereof sloped downward to the front side of the loading part  29 , so as to cover a substantially front quarter round of the outer end face of the rolled sheet  12 A. 
     The second extended portion  64  has a lower end part which extends substantially horizontally, and a tip lower end part which is inserted in any of the second positioning groove parts  30 A to  30 E facing the sheet width of the rolled sheet  3 A thus loaded. The second extended portion  64  is formed so that one side edge of the rolled sheet  12 A thus loaded is guided along the inner surface of the second extended portion  64  up to the insertion opening  26  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). 
     A holder shaft member  62  erected on an inner surface of the guide member  28  and an inner surface of the holding member  21  serves to rotatably support the sheet core onto which the rolled sheet  12 A is wound. The holder shaft member  62  may be selected from amongst a plurality of types of shafts (five shafts including 12 mm, 17 mm, 29 mm, 38 mm and 62 mm in the present embodiment) of different lengths individually corresponding to the lengths of the sheet core for the rolled sheet  12 A. 
     A mounting member  22  of the holding member  21  is formed so as to become narrower in a downward direction in a front view (bottom in  FIG. 6 ) and to be fitted in the first positioning groove part  24  having a narrower width towards the bottom of the holder support member  23  in the tape printer  3 . The mounting member  22  is formed so that the protruding height thereof becomes almost equal to the width of the first positioning groove part  24 . Accordingly, to mount the rolled sheet holder  12 , the mounting member  22  is inserted into the first positioning groove part  24 . Thus, the rolled sheet holder  12  can be fitted in place. 
     The holding member  21  is designed to have its lower edge part of the guide member  28  extending downward longer by a predetermined length (about 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm in this embodiment) than the lower edge part of the guide member  28 . The holding member  21  is also provided, at the lower edge part thereof, with a sheet discrimination part  60  of a substantially rectangular shape extending inward by a predetermined length at substantially right angle therewith. As mentioned earlier, the sheet discrimination part  60  is formed with the sensor holes  60 A to  60 F arranged at predetermined positions corresponding to the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6  respectively, in an L-shaped pattern.  FIG. 6  shows that the sensor holes  60 A through  60 C from amongst sensor holes  60 A through  60 F have been formed in the sheet discrimination part  60 . 
     Here, out of the 6 sensor holes  60 A through  60 F, maximum 5 sensor holes are formed in the sheet discrimination part  60 . Specifically, the presence and absence of the respective sensor holes  60 A through  60 F are allocated “1” and “0” respectively so that the type, material and width of the rolled sheet  12 A held in the rolled sheet holder  12  can be represented by 6-bit codes such as [000001] through [111111]. A 6-bit code such as [000000] shows that the rolled sheet holder  12  is not loaded. 
     Next, the circuit configuration of the computer device  2  constituting the label printing system  1  will now be described based on  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the host controller  4  of the computer device  2  has a CPU  41 , a ROM  42 , a RAM  43 , an input/output interface (I/F)  44 , a communication interface (I/F)  45 , a Floppy™ disc controller (FDC)  46 , a Floppy™ disc drive (FDD)  47 , a hard disc controller (HDC)  48 , a hard disc drive (HDD)  49 , a display controller  50 , a modem  51 , and the like. The CPU  41 , the ROM  42 , the RAM  43 , the input/output interface (I/F)  44 , the communication interface (I/F)  45 , and the modem  51  are interconnected through a bus line  52 , whereby exchange of data is performed. To the input/output I/F  44 , the FDD  47  and the HDD  49  are connected through the FDC  46  that drivingly controls the FDD  47 , and the HDC  48  that drivingly controls the HDD  49 , respectively. The display controller  50  is also connected to the input/output I/F  44 . A telephone line  53  is connected to a modem  51 . 
     The keyboard  6 , the mouse  7 , the image scanner  8  and the CD-R/W drive  9  are connected to the host controller  4 . The keyboard  6  is used for entering characters and symbols through the input/output I/F  44 . The mouse  7  is used for entering the coordinates on the display screen of the display  5 . The image scanner  8  is used for capturing visible outline data and the like from drawings. The CD-R/W drive  9  is used for writing into and reading from a CD-ROM  56 , print data and various kinds of application software such as layout editing software and the like for displaying a layout editing window  89  (refer to  FIG. 12 ), as will be described later. Also, the display  5  is connected to the host controller  4  through the display controller  50 . The display  5  displays the layout editing window  89  as will be described later, and the layout and the like of a non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A. Further, the tape printer  3  is connected to the host controller  4 , through the communication I/F  45  and the signal cable K 1 . 
     The CPU  41  controls the entire label printing system  1 , and manages all data concerning the operation of the label printing system  1 . The ROM  42  stores a startup program for booting the computer device  2  at power-on to start up the CPU  41 , which is in common with general personal computers. 
     The RAM  43  temporarily stores different types of data when the CPU  41  performs various kinds of control. The RAM  43  has an object information storage area  43 A and a label data storage area  43 B. The object information storage area  43 A stores object information such as image data or the like. The label data storage area  43 B stores template data transmitted to the tape printer  3  and label data including character string data, drawing pattern data and the like entered through the keyboard  6 . 
     The communication I/F  45  is composed of, for instance, a Centronics interface and USB (Universal Serial Bus), which allows interactive data communications with the tape printer  3  and an external electronic device (such as a computer or a laser printer). 
     The hard disc mounted on the HDD  49  stores an operating system (OS) of various kinds such as MS-DOS™ and Windows™. In addition, the hard disc also stores communication protocols for data communications with the tape printer  3  and the external electronic device, application software of various kinds, such as word processing software executable in the browser and the OS and a layout editing software for creating the label data for printing, as required. 
     A Floppy™ disc (FD)  55  which is easy to be inserted in or removed from the FDD  47  stores a variety of print data. 
     An optical disc (CD-ROM)  56  which is easy to be inserted in or removed from the CD-R/W drive  9  stores control programs of the control process such as the layout editing window for editing text and objects by inserting and displaying such in a print area to be described later, and object information included in objects of various formats, such as GIF, JPEG, BMP or the like (for instance, object name, length dimension of the original image for the object, width dimension of the original image for the object, image data and the like). This information is then supplied to the respective label creating apparatuses. 
     Next, the circuit configuration of the tape printer  3  constituting the label printing system  1  will be described based on  FIG. 8  through  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a control circuit  70  formed on the control board  40  of the tape printer  3  has a CPU  71 , a CG (character generator) ROM  72 , a ROM  73 , a flash memory (EEPROM)  74 , a RAM  75 , an input/output interface (“I/F”)  76 , a communication interface (I/F)  77  and the like. The CPU  71 , CGROM  72 , ROM  73 , flash memory  74 , RAM  75 , input/output interface (“I/F”)  76  and the communication interface (I/F)  77  are interconnected through a bus line  78 , whereby exchange of data is performed. 
     The CGROM  72  stores dot pattern data corresponding to individual characters. The dot pattern data is read out from the CGROM  72  and a dot pattern is printed on the thermal sheet of the rolled sheet  12 A based on that dot pattern data. 
     The ROM  73  stores various types of programs, such as a label creating process program of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A, required to control the tape printer  3 . The ROM  73  stores a sheet type table  731  (refer to  FIG. 9 ) including the types of rolled sheet  12 A with respect to the respective 6-bit codes inputted from the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6 , and the material, etc. of the thermal sheet of the rolled sheet  12 A corresponding to the respective 6-bit codes that were inputted from the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6 . The ROM  73  stores a die cut type table  732  (refer to  FIG. 10 ) including the dimensions of the die cut label for each die cut. 
     Here, one example of the sheet type table  731  which stores the various types of rolled sheet  12 A corresponding to the individual 6-bit codes inputted from the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6  will now be described based on  FIG. 9 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the sheet type table  731  is composed of a [sheet discrimination sensor] column showing the 6-bit codes inputted from the respective sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6 , and a [rolled sheet type] column showing the type of the rolled sheet  12 A corresponding to the respective 6-bit codes. 
     For instance, item [12 mm non-fixed length] in the [rolled sheet type] column corresponds to the case that the [sheet discrimination sensor] is [110100], and shows a rolled sheet  12 A having 12 mm width and non-fixed length. Also, item [12 mm die cut  1 ] in the [rolled sheet type] column corresponds to the case that the [sheet discrimination sensor] is [111001] and shows a die cut wherein the thermal sheet of a 12 mm-wide non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is half cut by a fixed pitch in a predetermined shape. 
     Here, one example of the die cut type table  732  wherein the dimensions of the die cut label for each individual cut are stored, will now be described based on  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the die cut type table  732  is composed of a [die cut type] column that shows the type of the die cut and a [width×length] column showing the dimensions of the die cut labels that were half-cut. For instance, item [12 mm×54 mm] in the [width×length] column corresponds to the case that the [die cut type] is [12 mm die cut  1 ]. Specifically, the [12 mm die cut  1 ] shows that the thermal sheet of the 12 mm-wide non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is half-cut in advance by a fixed pitch into die cut labels of [12 mm×54 mm]. 
     The CPU  71  serves to execute various operations in accordance with the various programs stored in the ROM  73 . The ROM  73  stores outline data related to individual large numbers of characters for defining outlines of the characters. The characters of the outline data are classified in units of a typeface (Gothic typeface, Mincho typeface, or the like), in correlation to code data. The dot pattern data is extracted to a print buffer  75 A in accordance with the outline data. 
     The flash memory  74  serves to store dot pattern data such as extended character data received from an external computer device  2 , etc. and dot pattern data such as various types of drawing pattern data, which have been allocated registration numbers. The flash memory  74  retains the stored contents even when the power of the tape printer  3  is OFF. 
     The RAM  75  temporarily stores results of various operations performed by the CPU  71 . In the RAM  75  are provided various types of memories such as a print buffer  75 A and a work area  75 B or the like. The print buffer  75 A stores print dot patterns such as a plurality of characters and symbols and number of applied pulses representing the energy amount for creating the dots, as dot pattern data. The thermal head  32  carries out dot printing in accordance with dot pattern data stored in the print buffer  75 A. 
     The input/output I/F  76  is connected to the sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6 , a drive circuit  81 , a drive circuit  83  and a drive circuit  85 , etc., respectively. The drive circuit  81  is used for driving the thermal head  32 . The drive circuit  83  is used for driving the sheet feed motor  82  which causes the platen roller to rotate. The drive circuit  85  is used for driving the cutting motor  84  that operates the vertical movement of the movable blade  17 B. 
     The communication I/F  77  is connected to the USB connector  20 , and to an external computer device  2  through a signal cable K 1 , allowing interactive data communications therewith. Accordingly, in case of a request for transmission of information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the tape printer  3 , from the CPU  41  of the computer device  2 , the CPU  71  reads out information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the tape printer  3  from the sheet type table  731  or the die cut type table  732 , based on the output signal from the respective sheet discrimination sensors P 1  through P 6 . The CPU  71  then transmits this information to the computer device  2 . The CPU  71  creates the label sheet based on the print instruction command and print data that were transmitted from the CPU  41  of the computer device  2 . 
     Next, a display control process carried out by the CPU  41  of the computer device  2  in the tape printing system  1  having the above configuration will be described based on  FIG. 11  through  FIG. 19 . According to this process, the layout edit window  89  for editing the layout of label data to be printed on the rolled sheet  12 A is displayed on the display screen of the display  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , at step (hereinafter referred to as S)  11 , upon activation of a layout editing software for creating label data to be printed on the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A, etc., the CPU  41  of the computer device  2  first acquires, from the CPU  71  of the tape printer  3 , information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A such as the type (non-fixed rolled sheet, die cut, etc.), sheet width and the dimensions of the die cut label and the like of the rolled sheet  12 A which is loaded in the tape printer  3 , through the communication interface  45 . 
     Next, at S 12 , the CPU  41  carries out a judgment process to judge whether or not information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A could be acquired from the tape printer  3 . If information concerning the rolled sheet  12 A can be acquired from the tape printer  3  (S 12 : YES), the CPU  41  shifts the flow to process S 13 . At S 13 , the CPU  41  stores the information concerning the rolled sheet  12 A acquired from the tape printer  3  in the HDD  49 , and then shifts the flow to process S 15 . 
     For instance, if the rolled sheet  12 A is non-fixed length rolled sheet, a message indicating this and the sheet width and the like are stored in the HDD  49  as information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A. If the rolled sheet  12 A is die cut, a message indicating this and the width and length dimensions and the like of the die cut label are stored in the HDD  49  as information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A. 
     Alternatively, if information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A cannot be acquired from the tape printer  3  (S 12 : NO), the CPU  41  shifts the flow to process S 14 . At S 14 , the CPU  41  reads out information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A last used in printing the text etc., from the HDD  49  and after storing again this information in the HDD  49  as information with respect to the rolled sheet  12 A for text printing, the flow shifts to process S 15 . 
     Next, at S 15 , the CPU  41  executes a judgment process of reading out information concerning the rolled sheet  12 A onto which text will be printed from the HDD  49  and judging whether the rolled sheet  12 A is non-fixed length rolled sheet. 
     If the rolled sheet  12 A is non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A (S 15 : YES), the CPU  41  shifts the flow to process S 16 . At S 16 , the CPU  41  displays the layout edit window  89  wherein the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is set to the free length print mode, on the display screen of the display  5 . If the layout editing software has been activated, the print mode of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is set to the free length print mode, setting the label data such as the text to be printed to horizontal writing. 
     Here, one example of the layout edit window  89  at its activation will now be described in the case that the free length print mode of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is set, based on  FIG. 12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the CPU  41  displays, on the display  5 , a layout edit window  89  having a layout display window  90  formed therein. When a non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A being 29 mm wide is loaded in the tape printer  3 , the CPU  41  displays a rectangular layout  91 , indicating a non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A, which is 29 mm wide and has a predetermined length in a conveying direction (in the preset embodiment, approximately 28 mm), on the layout display window  90 . Because the label data such as text to be printed is horizontal writing, the layout  91  is displayed so that the conveying direction thereof is along a left-to-right direction of the layout display window  90 . The rectangular print area  91 A is displayed by a broken line inside the layout  91 . Specifically, the layout  91  is displayed to have a length at which maximum font size text which can be displayed in the print area  91 A can be entered in the form of 2 to 3 characters in a conveying direction. 
     The CPU  41  indicates that the label data such as text to be printed is horizontal writing and the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded. In this case, a semi-transparent rectangular outline  92  which is 29 mm wide and long sideways is displayed from the right side edge portion (rear side in a conveying direction) of the layout  91  up to the side edge portion of the layout display window  90 . Also, characters [Auto] are displayed at a left upper corner of the outline  92  as a free length setting notation indicating that the free length print mode is set. At the same time, the brightness of the outline  92  is increased so as to show that the free length print mode is set, and the outline  92  is displayed in an illuminated fashion. The outline  92  can be displayed to have a length corresponding to the maximum free length which can be set in the free length print mode. 
     A free length/fixed length switch button  93  is arranged at an upper side of the layout display window  90 . This button  93  is used to enter a command for switching between the free length print mode and the fixed length print mode. A fixed length input frame  94  is provided at a left side of the free length/fixed length switch button  93 . The fixed length input frame  94  is used to set the fixed length of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A. At a lower side of the fixed length input frame  94  is displayed a sheet width input frame  95  which displays the width of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the tape printer  3 . A horizontal writing setting button  97  and a vertical writing setting button  98  are provided in parallel with each other. The horizontal writing setting button  97  is used for setting the label data such as text to horizontal writing. The vertical writing setting button  98  is used for setting the label data such as text to vertical writing. A font size display frame  99  is also provided for displaying the font size of the text. 
     If the free length print mode is set, text [Auto] is displayed in the fixed length input frame  94 . If the fixed length print mode is set, the fixed length is displayed on the fixed length input frame  94 . If a die cut is loaded in the tape printer  3 , the sheet width dimension and the length dimension in the conveying direction of the die cut label is displayed on the sheet width input frame  95 . 
     The CPU  41  displays the character string [29 mm] indicating the sheet width, at the exterior of the left side edge portion (tip edge portion in the conveying direction) of the layout  91  in a conveying direction, in parallel with the left side edge portion. When the user designates the coordinate position inside this print area  91 A with the mouse  7  to identify and enter the respective characters or graphic symbols through the keyboard  6  as label data, the CPU  41  arranges and displays the characters and graphic symbols at the designated position at a predetermined size such as the maximum font size at which the text can be displayed in the print area  91 A. The CPU  41  stores the respective label data in the RAM  43  as text data or image data corresponding to the print area  91 A. 
     Here, one example of entering text in the print area  91 A of  FIG. 12  will be described based on  FIG. 13  and  FIG. 14 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , when [1] is entered from the keyboard  6  and the free length print mode is set, the CPU  41  displays [1] at a maximum font size allowable for the print area  91 A and shrinks this layout  91  in a crosswise direction to a length corresponding to one character. Simultaneously, the CPU  41  displays the outline  92  in an extended manner so that a left end thereof connects with the layout  91 . Also, the text [Auto] indicating that the free length print mode is set is displayed at a left upper corner of the outline  92 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 14 , if characters [2] and [3] are further entered from the keyboard  6  and the free length print mode is set, characters [23] are displayed following character [1] at a maximum font size which can be entered in the print area  91 A. At the same time, this layout  91  is extended in a crosswise direction over the length of 3 characters. Simultaneously, the CPU  41  displays the outline  92  so that the left end thereof is connected to the layout  91 . Text [Auto] indicating that the free length print mode is set is displayed at the left upper corner of the outline  92 . 
     The text [Auto] may be displayed at the exterior of the outline  92 , as long as it is in the neighborhood of the rear edge portion of the layout  91  in a conveying direction. In place of text [Auto], text such as [Free length], [Auto setting], or a symbol or mark such as a circle, a double circle or the like may be displayed at a left upper corner of the outline  92  to indicate that the free length print mode is set. 
     In the state as shown in  FIG. 12 , if the vertical writing setting button  98  is clicked with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates clockwise by 90 degrees the following items: the layout  91 ; the outline  92 ; the character string [29 mm] indicating the sheet width; and text [Auto] indicating that the free length print mode is set. Then, those items are displayed in a vertical direction with respect to the layout display window  90 . The CPU  41  shrinks the outline  92  in a lengthwise direction so as to display the outline  92  from the lower side edge portion of the layout  91  to the lower side edge portion of the layout display window  90 . 
     If the horizontal writing setting button  97  is depressed once again, the CPU  41  collectively rotates collectively counterclockwise by 90 degrees the following items: the layout  91 ; the outline  92 ; the character string [29 mm] indicating the sheet width; and text [Auto] indicating that the free length print mode is set. Thereby, it results in obtaining the display state shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     If the layout  91  is displayed in a vertical direction, the vertical ruler is changed so that the layout  91  and outline  92  are displayed inside the layout display window  90 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 11 , at S 17 , the CPU  41  executes a judgment process of judge whether or not the free length/fixed length switch button  93  has been clicked with mouse  7 , specifically, whether or not the fixed length print mode has been set. If the free length/fixed length switch button  93  is not clicked with the mouse  7  (S 17 : NO), the CPU  41  ends the process. 
     Alternatively, if the free length/fixed length switch button  93  is clicked with the mouse  7  (S 17 : YES), the CPU  41  shifts the flow to process S 18 . At S 18 , the CPU  41  changes the layout edit window  89  wherein the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is set to the free length print mode to the layout edit window  89  wherein the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is set to the fixed length print mode. Then, the CPU  41  ends the process. 
     Here, one example of the layout edit window  89  will be described based on  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16 . This layout edit window  89  corresponds to the case that the free length/fixed length switch button  93  of the layout edit window  89  as shown in  FIG. 12  is clicked with the mouse  7  to set the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A to the fixed length print mode. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , in place of the rectangular layout  91  which is 29 mm wide and has a predetermined length in a conveying direction (in the present embodiment, approximately 28 mm), the CPU  41  displays a rectangular layout  101  on the layout display window  90 . This layout  101  is long sideways, and has a width of 29 mm and a fixed length of 90 mm, which is entered in the fixed length input frame  94 . Inside the layout  101 , a rectangular print area  101 A which is long sideways is displayed by a broken line. 
     When the label data such as text to be printed is horizontal writing and the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded, the CPU  41  displays the semi-transparent rectangular outline  102  which is 29 mm wide and long sideways from the right side edge portion of the layout  101  to the side edge portion of the layout display window  90 . When the fixed length print mode is set, the text [Auto] indicating that the free length print mode is set is deleted. At the same time, the brightness of the outline  102  is decreased as compared to the brightness of the outline  92 , being displayed in a darker fashion. 
     The CPU  41  displays the character string [29 mm] indicating the sheet width, at the exterior of the left side edge portion (tip edge portion in the conveying direction) of the layout  101 , in parallel with the left side edge portion, to indicate the conveying direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , each time the free length/fixed length switch button  93  is clicked with the mouse  7 , display is switched between the layout  91  corresponding to the case the free length print mode is set and the layout  101  corresponding to the case the fixed length print mode is set. 
     In the state shown in  FIG. 15 , if the vertical writing setting button  98  is clicked with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates the layout  101 , the outline  102  and the character string [29 mm] indicating the sheet width clockwise by 90 degrees for display in a vertical direction of the layout display window  90 . The CPU  41  shrinks the outline  102  in a vertical direction so as to allow display thereof from the lower side edge portion of the layout  101  to the lower side edge portion of the layout display window  90 . 
     If the horizontal writing setting button  97  is depressed again, the CPU  41  collectively rotates the layout  101 , the outline  102  and the character string [29 mm] showing the sheet width counterclockwise by 90 degrees, obtaining the display state as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
     If the layout  101  is displayed in the vertical direction, the vertical ruler is changed so that the layout  101  and the outline  102  are displayed inside the layout display window  90 . 
     When the user designates the coordinate position inside the print area  101 A with the mouse  7  to identify and enter the respective characters and graphic symbols and the like as label data through the keyboard  6 , the CPU  41  arranges and displays the characters and graphic symbols at the designated position at a predetermined size, such as the maximum font size at which this data can be displayed in the print area  101 A. The CPU  41  then stores the label data as text data or image data corresponding to the print area  101 A in the RAM  43 . 
     Here, one example of entering text in the print area  101 A as shown in  FIG. 15  will be described based on  FIG. 17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , when characters [A] and [B] are entered from the keyboard  6 , and the fixed length print mode is set, the CPU  41  displays characters [A] and [B] towards the left side of the print area  101  at the maximum font size allowable in the print area  101 A, without changing the length of the layout  101 . The CPU  41  also stores the label data in the RAM  43 , as text data corresponding to the print area  101 A. 
     The semi-transparent outline  92  which is rectangular in shape and long sideways and is displayed in case the free length print mode is set and the semi-transparent outline  102  which is rectangular in shape and long sideways and is displayed in the case that the fixed length print mode is set are divided by changing their brightness. However, the outlines  92  and  102  may also be divided by changing their color or by assigning different patterns thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , at S 15 , if the rolled sheet  12 A is other than the non-fixed length rolled sheet, specifically, if the rolled sheet  12 A is a die cut obtained by half-cutting a thermal sheet of the non-fixed length rolled sheet into a predetermined shaped at a constant pitch (S 15 : NO), the CPU  41  shifts the flow to process S 19 . At S 19 , the CPU  41  displays the layout edit window  89  wherein layout  105  of a die cut label obtained by half-cutting the thermal sheet is displayed on the layout display window  90 , on the display screen of the display  5  and then ends the process. 
     Here, one example of the layout edit window  89  at its activation will be described based on  FIG. 18 , in the case the rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the tape printer  3  is die cut. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the CPU  41  displays on the display  5 , the layout edit window  89  having the layout display window  90  formed therein. If a die cut is loaded in the tape printer  3 , the die cut including a die cut label being 38 mm wide and 90 mm long in a conveying direction and formed at a predetermined pitch, the CPU  41  displays a layout  105  on the layout display window  90 , indicating a die cut label and being 38 mm wide and 90 mm long in a conveying direction. At an inner side of the layout  105  is displayed a rectangular print area  105 A which is long sideways, by a broken line. 
     Here, when the label data such as text to be printed is horizontal writing, the CPU  41  displays the long side of the rectangular layout  105  which is long sideways along a left-to-right direction of the layout display window  90 . The CPU  41  displays the character string [38 mm×90 mm], indicating the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in the conveying direction, in two rows at the exterior side of the left side edge portion (tip edge portion in the conveying direction) of the layout  105 , in parallel with the left side edge portion, to show the conveying direction of the layout  105 . 
     The CPU  41  displays, in the sheet width input frame  95 , the character string [38 mm×90 mm] indicating the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in a conveying direction. 
     Because the rolled sheet  12 A is die cut, the CPU  41  does not display an outline corresponding to the outline  92  or the outline  101  on the layout display window  90 . 
     In the state shown in  FIG. 18 , if the vertical writing setting button  98  is clicked with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates the layout  105  and the character string [38 mm×90 mm] indicating the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in a conveying direction clockwise by 90 degrees for display in a vertical direction of the layout display window  90 . Then, if the horizontal writing setting button  97  is clicked once again with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates the layout  105  and the character string [38 mm×90 mm] indicating the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in a conveying direction counterclockwise by 90 degrees to obtain the state as shown in  FIG. 18 . If the layout  105  is displayed in a vertical direction, the vertical ruler is changed so as to allow display of the layout  105  inside the layout display window  90 . 
     When the user designates the coordinate position inside this print area  105 A with the mouse  7  to identify and enter the size of the respective characters or graphic symbols through the keyboard  6  as label data, the CPU  41  arranges and displays the characters and graphic symbols at the designated position at a predetermined size. The CPU  41  stores the respective label data in the RAM  43  as text data or image data corresponding to the print area  105 A. 
     Next, one example of entering text to the print area  105 A as shown in  FIG. 18  will be described based on  FIG. 19 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , after the align left button  100  is clicked with the mouse  7  and characters [A], [B] and [C] are entered from the keyboard  6 , the CPU  41  displays text [ABC] at the central part of the print area  105 A in a vertical direction thereof, as horizontal writing aligned to the left side, at the font size displayed in the font size display frame  99 . The CPU  41  then stores this label data in the RAM  43  as text data corresponding to the print area  105 A. 
     As was described earlier in detail, in the label printing system  1  according to the present embodiment, if the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded in the tape printer  3 , the CPU  41  of the computer device  2  displays the width dimension of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A at the exterior of the left side edge portions (tip edge portion in a conveying direction) of the respective layouts  91  and  101  displayed on the layout display window  90  of the layout edit window  89 , in parallel with the left side edge portion. As a result, the user can find out at a first glance the width of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A, and at the same time can also find out at a first glance the conveying direction of the respective layouts  91  and  101 . 
     If the rolled sheet  12 A loaded in the tape printer  3  is die cut, the CPU  41  displays the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in the conveying direction at the exterior of the left side edge portion (tip edge portion in a conveying direction) of the layout  105  for the die cut label displayed on the layout display window  90  of the layout edit window  89 , in parallel with the left side edge portion. As a result, the user can find out at a first glance the sheet width and the length of the die cut label, and at the same time can also find out at a first glance the conveying direction of the layout  105 . 
     If the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded in the tape printer  3 , the CPU  41  displays the respective semi-transparent rectangular outlines  92  and  102  which are longer sideways and have the same width as the layouts  91  and  101  so as to extend from the right side edge portions (rear side in a conveying direction) of the layouts  91  and  101  to the side edge portion of the layout display window  90 . The CPU  41  displays the outlines  92  and  102  at different brightness. As a result, the user can instantly find out whether the rolled sheet  12 A is the non-fixed length roll sheet can be set to the free length print mode or the fixed length print mode. The outlines  92  and  102  have different brightness, which enables a user to determine whether the free length print mode is set wherein the print area  91 A of the layout  91  is extended toward the rear side in the conveying direction. 
     If the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded in the tape printer  3  and the free length print mode is set, the CPU  41  displays the text [Auto] at the edge portion closer to the layout  91  of the outline  92 . Alternatively, if the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded in the tape printer  3  and the fixed length print mode is set, the CPU  41  does not display the text [Auto] at the edge portion closer to the layout  101  of the outline  102 . Depending on the presence or absence of the text [Auto], the user can find out at a first glance, whether the free length print mode is set wherein the print area  91 A of the layout  91  is extended at a rear side in the conveying direction. 
     If the fixed length print mode is set, the CPU  41  displays a layout  101  with a print area  101 A of a fixed length formed therein, and displays an outline  102  corresponding to a free maximum length of the layout  101  at a rear side in a conveying direction. This enables a user to find out the fixed length of the print area  101 A and easily find out whether the free length print mode can be set again. 
     If the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A is loaded in the tape printer  3  and the free length print mode is set, the CPU  41  displays a layout  91  having a length enabling input of text, in the form of 2 to 3 characters, in a conveying direction, at a maximum font size which can be displayed in the print area  91 A, when the layout edit window  89  is activated. If text is entered from the keyboard  6 , the entered text is displayed on the print area  91 A and the layout  91  is displayed by changing its length to the printing length of the text that was entered. The user can thus start entering the text simply by clicking the print area  91 A with the mouse  7  at the time of activating the layout edit window  89 . The user can thus easily confirm the length of the label sheet onto which the entered text is printed. 
     If the vertical writing switch button  98  is clicked with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates the respective layouts  91 ,  101  and outlines  92  and  102  displayed on the layout display window  90 , the character string [29 mm] showing the sheet width and text [Auto] showing that the free length print mode is set clockwise by 90 degrees. Thus, a user can easily find out whether the label data such as text is vertical writing or horizontal writing based on the position of the character string [29 mm] showing the sheet width and the direction of the outlines  92  and  102 . The user can thus find out at a first glance the width dimension of the non-fixed length rolled sheet  12 A, from the character string [29 mm] showing the sheet width. At the same time, the user can find out at a first glance, the conveying direction of the layouts  91  and  101 . 
     If the vertical writing setting button  98  is clicked with the mouse  7 , the CPU  41  collectively rotates the layout  105  displayed on the layout display window  90 , and the character string [38 mm×90 mm] showing the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in the conveying direction clockwise by 90 degrees. Thus, a user can easily find out whether the label data such as text is vertical writing or horizontal writing based on the position of the character string [38 mm×90 mm] showing the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in the conveying direction. The user can thus find out at a first glance the dimensions of the die cut label, from the character string [38 mm×90 mm] showing the sheet width and the length of the die cut label in the conveying direction. At the same time, the user can find out at a first glance, the conveying direction of the layout  105 . 
     While the presently exemplary embodiment has been shown and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.