Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-267918, which was filed on Dec. 7, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a recording medium on which a fixed form print information processing program used by an operation terminal connected to a print label producing apparatus is recorded. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There are already known systems wherein an operation terminal (computer device) and print label producing apparatus (tape printer) are connected, making it possible for an operator to produce a print label (printed tape) by operating the print label producing apparatus via the operation terminal According to this prior art, the print label producing apparatus is capable of using fixed form print information (a so-called template), making it possible for an operator to simply produce a print label of a desired mode. Further, a predetermined application program (editor) for producing fixed form print information is preinstalled in computing device of the operation terminal, making it possible for the operator to edit the contents of the fixed form print information as desired. The operator can verify the contents of the edited fixed form print information via a display by display device, and then transfer the fixed form print information to the print label producing apparatus. 
         [0006]    The prior art has the following problems. That is, the fixed form print information includes, for example, a diagram section of frames, ruled lines, and the like, and a character string section suitably disposed in a position associated with that diagram section. The operation terminal comprises a PC, etc., and thus, from the operator viewpoints of visibility and aesthetics, fonts are normally prepared for a character string that comprise both a width direction margin on both tape width direction end sides and a longitudinal direction margin on both tape longitudinal direction end sides of the character string. On the other hand, the print label producing apparatus forms print on a printed tape restricted in size in the tape width direction and thus, unlike the above, often has fonts prepared for a character string that do not have a width direction margin on both tape width direction end sides of the character string. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, when fixed form print information edited by the operator as previously described is transferred to a print label producing apparatus and a print label is produced using that fixed form print information, the difference between whether or not the font margin described above is present may cause the mode of the character string formed into print on the print label to differ from the mode intended by the operator when the operator edited the fixed form print information. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a recording medium capable of preventing the mode of the character string formed into print on a print label from differing from the mode intended by the operator when the operator edited the fixed form print information, thereby improving convenience. 
         [0009]    In order to above-described object, according to the aspect of the present application, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, storing a fixed form print information processing program for executing steps on a control device, the control device provided to an operation terminal that is configured to be connected to a print label producing apparatus configure to form desired print on a tape to produce a print label and comprises an operation device, a display device, the control device, and font data that expresses the shape of characters, the steps comprising: a fixed form print producing step for producing fixed form print information used by the print label producing apparatus when producing the print label, using a predetermined application program for producing fixed form print information preinstalled on the operation terminal, based on an operation via the operation device; a margin area deleting step for deleting at least a width direction margin area of the width direction margin area and a longitudinal direction margin area respectively set on each side of both ends in a tape width direction as well as each side of both ends in a tape longitudinal direction of font data corresponding to a character string included in the fixed form print information, by the application program for producing fixed form print information; a fixed form print displaying step for displaying on the display device the fixed form print information from which the margin area has been deleted in the margin area deleting step; and a fixed form print transferring step for transferring the fixed form print information displayed in the fixed form print displaying step to the print label producing apparatus using a predetermined application program for transferring fixed form print information preinstalled on the operation terminal. 
         [0010]    The target operation terminal of the present disclosure is connected to a print label producing apparatus. The operator can produce a print label by operating the print label producing apparatus via the operation terminal. At this time, the print label producing apparatus is capable of using fixed form print information (a so-called template), making it possible for the operator to simply produce a print label of a desired mode. According to the fixed form print information processing program of the present disclosure, a fixed form print producing step and a margin area deleting step are executed in the operation terminal to avoid adverse effects that result from inconsistency between the margins of the font on the operation terminal side and the margins of the font on the print label producing apparatus side. 
         [0011]    That is, in the fixed form print producing step, fixed form print information is produced by an application program for producing fixed form print information based on an operation of the operator via an operation device. At this time, the application program for producing fixed form print information that is installed in the operation terminal normally has a width direction margin area set on both tape width direction end sides of the character string and a tape longitudinal direction margin area set on both tape longitudinal direction end sides of the character string included in the fixed form print information. Here, in the margin area deleting step, at least the width direction margin area of the width direction margin area and longitudinal direction margin area is deleted. The fixed form print information with the width direction margin area thus deleted is displayed on the display device in the fixed form print displaying step, and then transferred to the print label producing apparatus in the fixed form print transferring step. 
         [0012]    As described above, according to the present disclosure, at least the width direction margin area of the margin areas automatically set around the character string of the fixed form print information is deleted and displayed on the operation terminal. Subsequently, the fixed form print information is transferred to the print label producing apparatus. With this arrangement, the mode of the character string formed into print by the print label producing apparatus can be made to conform closer to the mode of the character string intended by the operator when the operator edited the fixed form print information on the operation terminal. As a result, the convenience can be improved for the operator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a system configuration diagram showing a label manufacturing system comprising the print label producing apparatus of an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of the print label producing apparatus, as viewed from the front and above. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a conceptual view showing the control system of the print label producing apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a conceptual explanatory view showing a template before editing, and a template after editing of print labels formed by the templates. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is a respective example of a conceptual explanatory view showing a template before editing, and a template after editing of print labels formed by the templates. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is another respective example of a conceptual explanatory view showing a template before editing, and a template after editing of print labels formed by the templates. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a conceptual explanatory view respectively showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by a print label producing apparatus according to the template. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is another example of a conceptual explanatory view respectively showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by a print label producing apparatus according to the template. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an explanatory view showing an input operation screen of an application program for producing fixed form print information, displayed on a display part of the operation terminal. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an explanatory view showing an input operation screen of an application program for transferring fixed form print information, displayed on a display part of the operation terminal. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing the control procedure executed by the control circuit of the print label producing apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the PC. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10A  is an explanatory view showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by the print label producing apparatus according to the template, in a modification wherein a template having a fixed frame size is displayed. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10B  is another example of an explanatory view showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by the print label producing apparatus according to the template, in a modification wherein a template having a fixed frame size is displayed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the PC. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12A  is an explanatory view showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by the print label producing apparatus according to the template, in a modification wherein a template that includes long text extended across a plurality of lines is displayed. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12B  is another example of an explanatory view showing a template displayed on the operation terminal and a print label formed by the print label producing apparatus according to the template, in a modification wherein a template that includes long text extended across a plurality of lines is displayed. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the CPU of the PC. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The following describes one embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0032]    A label manufacturing system comprising a print label producing apparatus which serves as the operation target of this embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0033]    In a label manufacturing system LS shown in  FIG. 1 , a print label producing apparatus  1  is connected to a PC  118  via a communication line NW which is either wired or wireless. The above described PC  118  has a control part comprising a display part  118   a,  such as a liquid crystal display, etc., an operation part  118   b,  such as a keyboard, mouse, etc., and a CPU, memory (RAM and ROM), and the like (not shown). The above described CPU performs processing in accordance with a program stored in advance in ROM while utilizing a RAM temporary storage function. This program includes a fixed form print information processing program (details described later) for executing a control procedure of  FIG. 9  described later. Note that the fixed form print information processing program may be recorded in advance on a suitable recording medium rather than stored on ROM. In such a case, the CPU of the PC  118  reads the recording medium based on suitable timing to acquire the fixed form print information processing program and, once the program is acquired, the CPU executes the program. 
         [0034]    The configuration of the print label producing apparatus  1  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the print label producing apparatus  1  comprises a main body housing  2  made of resin, and an upper cover  5  made of transparent resin and installed in an openable and closeable manner to a rear side upper end edge so that it covers the upper side of the main body housing  2 . A discharging exit  6 A configured to discharge a label tape  30 A after print formation to the outside is formed on a front cover  6  on the front side of the upper cover  5 . 
         [0035]    The main body housing  2  houses a label tape roll  30  around which is wound the above described label tape  30 A of a predetermined width into a roll shape (refer to  FIG. 3 ). This label tape  30 A comprises a long thermal sheet (so-called thermal paper) having self chromogenic characteristics, and a separation sheet bonded to one surface of the thermal sheet via an adhesive. The label tape roll  30  is made into a cartridge, for example, and a cartridge holder (not shown) that freely detaches this cartridge is provided to the main body housing  2 . Note that, rather than a cartridge type as described above, the label tape roll  30  may be directly housed inside the main body housing  2  so that the label tape  30 A is fed out while the label tape roll  30  is rotated inside the main body housing  2 . 
         [0036]    The label tape  30 A fed out from the label tape roll  30  is fed from a platen roller  26  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The platen roller  26  is driven by a platen roller motor  208 . A feeding force acts on the label tape  30 A via that drive, feeding out the label tape  30 A from the label tape roll  30 . The platen roller motor  208  is controlled by the platen roller driving circuit  209 . The fed label tape  30 A is guided between a thermal head  31  and the platen roller  26  to the discharging exit  6 A. Note that, if a suitable identification mark is provided to the above described label tape  30 A, a sensor  239  detects the mark. 
         [0037]    The thermal head  31  comprises a plurality of heating elements (not shown) in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the label tape  30 A. The above described platen roller  26  is disposed on a side of the thermal head  31  that faces the surface on which the heating elements are provided. Electricity is conducted to the heating elements in accordance with dot pattern data to be printed, thereby printing the characters, images, etc., on the label tape  30 A fed out from the label tape roll  30 . Each of the heating elements provided to the thermal head  31  is driven by a print-head driving circuit  205 . 
         [0038]    A cutter unit  40  comprising a fixed blade  41 B and a movable blade  41 A is disposed on the inside of the discharging exit  6 A (refer to  FIG. 3 ). The label tape  30 A on which printing was performed by the thermal head  31  is cut by the reciprocation of the movable blade  41 A at a predetermined timing by an actuator (not shown), such as a cutting motor, solenoid, or the like, thereby discharging a print label L (refer to  FIG. 4C  described later) of a predetermined length from the discharging exit  6 A. Note that, rather than performing the cutting operation automatically via the driving force of such an actuator, the operator may perform the cutting operation manually by manually reciprocating the movable blade  41 A. 
         [0039]    An above described key input part  4  is disposed on the front surface part of the upper side of the discharging exit  6 A (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The key input part  4  comprises a plurality of (nine according to this example) keys  4 A,  4 B,  4 C,  4 D,  4 E,  4 F,  4 G,  4 H, and  4 I. 
         [0040]    A tray member  9  is installed in a freely openable and closeable manner to the lower side edge of the front cover  6  so that it covers the front side of the front cover  6  (refer to  FIG. 2 ). The tray member  9  opens when the operator hooks a finger onto a concave part  9 A formed on the upper end, rotating the finger toward the front side. Note that, while not shown, an inlet to which a power code (not shown) is connected and a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectors are provided to the back surface of the main body housing  2 . A power switch configured to turn the power supply of the apparatus ON and OFF by the power supplied via the above described power cord is provided to a suitable location on the main body housing  2  (or, any one of the keys  4 A- 4 I may comprise this power switch function). Connection with the PC  118  is possible via the communication line NW using the above described USB connectors. 
         [0041]    A control circuit  210  is a so-called microcomputer, and comprises a memory  210 A made of RAM and ROM, for example. While detailed illustrations are omitted, the control circuit comprises a CPU (central processing unit), etc., in addition to the memory  210 A. This CPU performs processing in accordance with a program stored in advance in ROM while utilizing a RAM temporary storage function. This program includes a print label producing program for executing a control procedure of  FIG. 8  described later. The control circuit  210  controls the operation of the overall print label producing apparatus  1  via the platen roller driving circuit  209 , the print-head driving circuit  205 , etc. That is, the control circuit  210  executes printing by the thermal head  31  while feeding out the label tape  30 A from the platen roller  26  in accordance with the edited print data (including the template described later) transferred from the PC  118 , thereby producing the print label L. 
         [0042]    Further, a timer  201  configured to clock the current time and the above described key input part  4  are connected to the control circuit  210 . Although not shown, a cutting driving circuit configured to control the actuator for the above described cutting is also connected. Note that the control circuit  210  is supplied power via a power circuit  211 A connected to the above described power cord, and connected to the above described communication line NW via a communication circuit  211 B. As a result, the control circuit  210  is capable of exchanging information with the above described PC  118  connected to the communication line NW, a server (not shown), other terminals, and the like. 
         [0000]    Special Characteristics of this Embodiment 
         [0043]    In the above described basic configuration, the special characteristic of this embodiment lies in the fact that the mode of the character string formed into print on the print label L by the print label producing apparatus  1  is made to conform closer to the mode of the character string intended by the operator when the operator edited the template using the PC  118 . In the following, details on the functions will be described in order. 
       Producing a Print Label Using a Template 
       [0044]    According to this embodiment, the PC  118  is connected to the print label producing apparatus  1  as previously described. The operator can produce the print label L by performing an editing operation on the editing screen of the display part  118   a  via the operation part  118   b  of the PC  118 . At this time, according to this embodiment, a template of fixed form print information is prepared so that the operator can simply produce the print label L of a desired mode. The template generally includes a diagram section of frames, ruled lines, and the like, and a character string section suitably disposed in a position associated with that diagram section (in some cases, there is no diagram section). Further, the character string section normally includes a section where the operator can freely input operations. According to this embodiment, the operator can produce a print label L using a template by performing suitable input operations with respect to the template, editing the above described character string section, and then transferring the edited template to the print label producing apparatus  1  using the PC  118 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4A  shows a conceptual configuration of an original template T- 0  before the above described editing. In  FIG. 4A , the original template T- 0  in this example has prepared in advance an area AR- 1  for printing main text corresponding to a character string of seven characters (in this example, the alphabet characters “abcdefg” as described later), and an area AR- 0  provided therebelow for printing subordinate text (in this example, the characters indicating the current time information, such as “2011/1224/0742” as described later). Note that the areas AR- 0  and AR- 1  are actually blank as is at this point in time since nothing has been input in the areas. 
         [0046]    The operator can perform desired editing using the operation part  118   b  with the above described original template T- 0  displayed on the editing screen of the display part  118   a.  For this editing, a predetermined application program (a so-called editor) for producing fixed form print information is preinstalled on the PC  118 .  FIG. 4B  shows a conceptual configuration of a template T after this editing. In  FIG. 4B , a character string R- 1  of “abcdefg” is input via the above described editing of the operator into the area AR- 1  in this example. Note that the area AR- 0  is blank as is at this point in time since it is a location where the print label producing apparatus  1  will input a character string according to the time information from the above described timer  201  (and is not edited by the operator). 
         [0047]    Here, a predetermined application program (a so-called transfer manager) for transferring fixed form print information is preinstalled on the PC  118 . The operator can verify the contents of the edited template T via a predetermined transfer screen display on the display part  118   a  by the above described application program for transferring fixed form print information, and then transfer the template T to the print label producing apparatus  1 . The print label producing apparatus  1  produces the print label L using this transferred template T.  FIG. 4C  shows an example of the formed print label L. In  FIG. 4C , a character string R- 2  of “abcdefg” corresponding to the character string R- 1  of “abcdefg” of the above described template T is formed into print on the print label L in this example. Further, the current time at that moment is input into the area AR- 0  of the above described template T based on the time information acquired from the timer  201  as previously described when the print label L is produced, forming into print a character string R- 3  of “2011/1224/0742” which indicates the current time under the character string R- 2 . Note that, after the above described transfer, the print label L may be produced with the print label producing apparatus  1  alone, disconnected from the PC  118 . 
       Changing the Print Mode Due to Font Inconsistency 
       [0048]    In the PC  118  of this embodiment, fonts that take into consideration visibility and aesthetics from the viewpoint of the operator are prepared as font data that expresses the shape of characters. That is, as shown in  FIG. 5A , according to the font, font comprising both width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  on both tape width direction end sides and longitudinal direction margin areas S- 3  and S- 4  on both tape longitudinal direction end sides of the character string R- 1  are prepared for the character string R- 1  on the display screen (also refer to an edit preview display screen  16   c  of  FIG. 6  described later). 
         [0049]    On the other hand, the print label producing apparatus  1  forms print on the label tape  30 A, which is restricted in size in the tape width direction, and thus, unlike the above, has prepared a font that does not have a margin area on both tape width direction end sides such as the above described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  for the character string R- 2 , as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         [0050]    Accordingly, when the template T is transferred to the print label producing apparatus  1  to produce the print label L as described above, the mode of the character string R- 1  of the template T intended by the operator at the time of editing slightly differs from the mode of the character string R- 2  of the print label L due to the difference of whether or not the above-described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the font are present, as is understood from the comparison of  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . 
       Margin Area Deletion Process 
       [0051]    According to this embodiment, to avoid the above-described adverse effects that result from inconsistency between the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  on both tape width direction end sides of the font on the PC  118  side and the font on the print label producing apparatus  1  side, a deletion process of the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the template T is performed on the PC  118 . This process will now be described with reference to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 . 
       Input Operation Screen When Producing a Template 
       [0052]      FIG. 6  shows an example of an input operation screen  16 A displayed on the display part  118   a  based on the above described application program for producing fixed form print information installed in the above described PC  118 . In  FIG. 6 , the input operation screen  16 A is provided with a processing icon  16   a,  an editing icon  16   b,  the edit preview display screen  16   c,  a font type display area  16   e,  and a character size display area  16   f  for performing various processing on the edited data. 
         [0053]    The template T based on the application program for producing fixed form print information is produced by a suitable operation performed by the operator using the operation part  118   b  on the edit preview display screen  16   c.  At this time, the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  on both tape width direction end sides exist on the template T. 
         [0054]    Note that an edit finish button  16   d  is provided on the lower side of the preview display screen  16   c.  For example, when the operator operates the operation part  118   b  and clicks this edit finish button  16   d,  the input operation screen  17 A of the application program for transferring fixed form print information automatically opens on the input operation screen  16 A. 
       Input Operation Screen When Transferring a Template 
       [0055]      FIG. 7  shows an example of the above described input operation screen  17 A. This input operation screen  17 A is provided with an equipment display box  17   a  configured to selectably display the model name of the print label producing apparatus  1 , a Transfer button  17   b,  a Close button  17   c,  a template list box  17   d  that displays the plurality of prepared templates T in list format on the PC  118 , and a transfer preview display screen  17   f  where the preview images corresponding to each template T are displayed. 
         [0056]    According to this example, a plurality of model names of the print label producing apparatus  1  is displayed together (via a pull-down display in this example) in the equipment display box  17   a.  When the operator suitably operates the operation part  118   b  and selects one of the model names of the print label producing apparatus  1  displayed in this manner, a search is conducted for the template T corresponding to the selected model name. This search result is displayed in list format in the above described template list box  17   d.    
         [0057]    The name, version name, and capacity (size) of each of the templates T are displayed in that order in the template list box  17   d.  According to this example, six types of templates T corresponding to the selection of “QL-700” in the above described equipment display box  17   a  are displayed: “Equipment management label (18 mm) template,” “Equipment management label (24 mm) template,” “File label (12 mm) template,” “File label (18 mm) template,” “Nametag label (18 mm) template,” and “Nametag label (24 mm) template.” 
         [0058]    On the other hand, a check box for allowing the operator to select the template T is provided on the left end of the display of the name of each template T in the template list box  17   d.  When the operator suitably operates the operation part  118   b  and enters a check in one of the check boxes of the above described templates T displayed in list format to select the template T, an image of this template T is displayed in a preview on the transfer preview display screen  17   f.  At this time, as previously described, in a case where the print label producing apparatus  1  is to form print on the label tape  30 A that is restricted in size in the tape width direction, the previously described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  are deleted in advance (unlike the template T displayed on the input operation screen  16 A of the above described  FIG. 6 ) and the template T is displayed on the transfer preview display screen  17   f  in that deleted mode.  FIG. 7  shows an example where the template T, which includes the character string “abcdefg” shown in  FIG. 6 , is displayed on the input operation screen  17 A. 
         [0059]    Then, the operator presses the Transfer button  17   b  by suitably operating the operation part  118   b,  thereby transferring the template T selected as described above from the PC  118  to the print label producing apparatus  1 . Note that the example in the illustration shows the state in which a check has been entered in the “File label (12 mm) template” check box to select that template. Also note that the Close button  17   c  is a button for closing this input operation screen  17 A (or for changing to the screen before the screen change). 
       Control Procedure of Print Label Producing Apparatus 
       [0060]    The contents of the label producing process executed by the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  of the print label producing apparatus  1  for achieving the aforementioned technique will now be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
         [0061]    First, in step S 10 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  reads the template T stored in the above described memory  210 A already acquired from the PC  118  from the memory  210 A. 
         [0062]    Subsequently, in step S 20 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  acquires the current time information from the timer  201 . 
         [0063]    Then, in step S 30 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  outputs a control signal to the platen roller driving circuit  209 . With this arrangement, the platen roller motor  208  drives the platen roller  26  and starts the feeding of the label tape  30 A. 
         [0064]    Then, in step S 40 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  generates print data, which includes the current time acquired in the above described step S 20 , while using the template T read in the above described step S 10 , and outputs a control signal corresponding to the generated print data to the print-head driving circuit  205 . With this arrangement, the thermal head  31  starts printing the template T (including the previously described character string R- 2  and the character string R 3  corresponding to the current time) corresponding to the above described print data on the label tape  30 A. 
         [0065]    Subsequently, in step S 50 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  determines whether or not the printing on the label tape  30 A is complete. In a case where the printing on the label tape  30 A is complete, the decision is made that condition of step S 50  is satisfied (S 50 : YES) and the flow proceeds to step S 60 . In a case where the printing on the label tape  30 A is not complete (S 50 : NO), the flow loops and waits until the decision is made that the condition of step S 50  is satisfied. 
         [0066]    In step S 60 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  determines whether or not the label tape  30 A has arrived at a predetermined cutting position, that is, whether or not the end part of the printing range of the thermal head  31  has been fed a predetermined length from the fixed blade  41  of the cutter unit  40 , for example. This decision can be sufficiently made by detecting a suitable identification mark provided to the above described label tape  30 A using the above described sensor  239 , for example. Or, the fed distance from a certain reference position may be detected by a predetermined known method (by counting the number of pulses output by the platen roller driving circuit  209  that drives the platen roller motor  208 , which is a stepping motor, etc.). In a case where the label tape  30 A has arrived at the predetermined cutting position, the decision is made that condition of step S 60  is satisfied (S 60 : YES) and the flow proceeds to step S 70 . In a case where the label tape  30 A has not arrived at the predetermined cutting position (S 60 : NO), the flow loops and waits until the decision is made that the condition of step S 60  is satisfied. 
         [0067]    In step S 70 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  stops the output of the control signal to the platen roller driving circuit  209 , for example. With this arrangement, the rotation of the platen roller  26  stops, stopping the feeding of the label tape  30 A. 
         [0068]    Then, in step S 80 , the above described CPU of the control circuit  210  outputs a control signal to the cutting driving circuit. With this arrangement, the above described actuator drives the movable blade  41 A of the cutter unit  40 , and the movable blade  41 A cuts the label tape  30 A. As a result, for example, the print label L on which the character strings R- 2  and R 3  are formed into print as shown in the previously described  FIG. 5C  is formed. This routine then terminates here. 
       PC Control Procedure 
       [0069]    Next, the contents of the template producing process executed by the above described CPU of the PC  118  in order to achieve the aforementioned technique will be described with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
         [0070]    First, in step S 110 , the CPU of the PC  118  determines whether or not a suitable editing operation (original template selection, reading, character input, etc.) for producing a label was performed by the operator via the operation part  118   b.  In a case where an editing operation was performed, the decision is made that the condition of step S 110  is satisfied (S 110 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 120 . In a case where an editing operation was not performed, the decision is made that the condition of step S 110  is not satisfied (S 110 : NO), and the CPU loops and waits until the editing operation is performed. 
         [0071]    In step S 120 , the CPU of the PC  118  responds to the operation performed by the operator on the above described input operation screen  16 A via the above described operation part  118   b,  and produces the template T based on the above described application program for producing fixed form print information. As a result, the above described template on which the suitable character string R- 1  has been input into the area AR- 1  of the above described original template T- 0  in the aforementioned example is completed. 
         [0072]    Subsequently, in step S 130 , in response to the operation performed by the operator on the above described input operation screen  17 A via the above described operation part  118   b,  the CPU of the PC  118  executes the deletion process of the above described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  automatically set (by the above described application program for producing fixed form print information) around the character string of the template T produced in the above described step S 120 , based on the above described application program for transferring fixed form print information. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 140 . 
         [0073]    In step S 140 , the CPU of the PC  118  displays the template T from which the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  were deleted in the above described step S 130  on the transfer preview display screen  17   f  of the input operation screen  17 A. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 150 . 
         [0074]    In step  150 , the CPU of the PC  118  determines whether or not the above described Transfer button  17   b  displayed on the transfer preview display screen  17   f  has been operated via the above described operation part  118   b.  In a case where the Transfer button  17   b  has been operated, the decision is made that the condition of step S 150  is satisfied (S 150 : YES), and the flow proceeds to step S 160 . In a case where the Transfer button  17   b  has not been operated, the decision is made that the condition of step S 150  is not satisfied (S 150 : NO), and the flow loops and waits until the Transfer button  17   b  is operated. 
         [0075]    In step S 160 , the CPU of the PC  118  transfers the template T displayed on the transfer preview display screen  17   f  to the print label producing apparatus  1 , based on the application program for transferring fixed form print information. This routine then terminates here. 
         [0000]    As described above, the PC  118  of this embodiment deletes at least the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the margin areas automatically set around the character string of the template T, displaying the result on the transfer preview display screen  17   f  of the input operation screen  17 A. Subsequently, the template T is transferred to the print label producing apparatus  1 . With this arrangement, the mode of the character string formed into print by the print label producing apparatus  1  can be made to conform closer to the mode of the character string intended by the operator when the operator edited the template T on the PC  118 . As a result, the convenience can be improved for the operator. 
         [0076]    Note that while only the margins on both tape width direction end sides were deleted in the above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, both deletions of the margins on both tape width direction end sides as well as deletion of the longitudinal direction margins on both tape longitudinal direction end sides may be executed. In this case, the mode of the character string formed into print by the print label producing apparatus  1  can be made to be more reliably consistent with the mode of the character string intended by the operator when the operator edited the template T on the PC  118 . 
         [0077]    Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The following describes such modifications one by one. Note that, in each modification, the same parts and steps are denoted using the same reference numerals as the above described embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. 
       (1) When Displaying a Template Having a Fixed Frame Size 
       [0078]    When the template T is to be produced on the edit preview display screen  16   c  of the PC  118 , the template T is sometimes produced under conditions where the overall size of the template T (that is, the outer frame size) is fixed to a predetermined value, for example. In such a case, since the outer frame size is fixed, the displayed font size decreases when the size of the character string disposable area decreases or the number of characters increases, and conversely increases when the size of the character string disposable area increases or the number of characters decreases. 
         [0079]    As a result, according to the template T where there exists the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  displayed on the display part  118   a  of the PC  118 , such as shown in  FIG. 10A , the font size decreases since the size of the character string disposable area decreases. On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 10B , when print is actually formed by the print label producing apparatus  1 , the above described character string disposable area is large in size due to the nonexistence of margins equivalent to the above described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  as previously described, resulting in an increase in font size. 
         [0080]    Accordingly, when the template T edited by the operator as previously described is transferred to the print label producing apparatus  1  and the print label L is produced using that template T, the font size of the character string formed into print on the print label L may differ from the font size intended by the operator at the time of editing (due to the above described difference of whether or not the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the font are present), as shown in the above described  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B . 
         [0081]    Here, according to this modification, when at least the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the margin areas automatically set for the character string of the template T are deleted as previously described, the font size for the character string after that deletion is determined once again (changed). Then, the font size of the above described character string of the final template T is set (converted) to the new font size. 
         [0082]    That is, after the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the template T are deleted, the CPU of the PC  118  determines the font size to be applied to the character string of the template T contained in the above described outer frame once again. Then, the CPU of the PC  118  applies the above described determined font size to the font size of the character string included in the template T where the above described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  were deleted, and the result is displayed on the display part  118   a.    
         [0083]    The control procedure executed by the CPU of the PC  118  of this modification will now be described with reference to  FIG. 11 . Steps equivalent to those in the above described  FIG. 9  are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. 
         [0084]    According to the flow shown in  FIG. 11 , step S 120 ′ is provided in place of step S 120  of the flow shown in  FIG. 9 , and step S 240  and step S 250  are newly provided between step S 130  and step S 140 . 
         [0085]    That is, the CPU of the PC  118 , as previously described, determines whether or not an editing operation was performed in step S 110  and, if the decision is made that the condition is satisfied (S 110 : YES), the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S 120 ′. 
         [0086]    In step S 120 ′, the CPU of the PC  118 , similar to the previously described step S 120 , responds to the operation performed by the operator on the above described input operation screen  16 A via the above described operation part  118   b,  and produces the template T based on the above described application program for producing fixed form print information. However, in this step S 120 ′, the template T is produced under the condition of the aforementioned fixed outer frame size. 
         [0087]    Subsequently, in the same step S 130  as the above described  FIG. 9 , the CPU of the PC  118  executes the deletion process of the above described width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  automatically set (by the above described application program for producing fixed form print information) around the character string of the template T produced in the above described step S 120 ′. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S 240 . 
         [0088]    In step S 240 , the CPU of the PC  118  newly determines (changes) the font size to be applied to the character string in response to the increase in size of the sting disposable area caused by the deletion process of the above described step S 130  of the template T contained in the outer frame having a fixed size of a predetermined value. Subsequently, the flow proceeds to step S 250 . 
         [0089]    In step S 250 , the CPU of the PC  118  applies the font size determined in the above described step S 240  to the character string of the template T produced in the above described step S 120 ′. In other words, the CPU converts the font size of the character string of the template T produced in the above described step S 120 ′ to the font size determined in the above described step S 240 . 
         [0090]    The subsequent steps S 140 , S 150 , and S 160  are the same as those of the above described  FIG. 9 , and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0091]    According to this modification, as previously described, at least the width direction margin areas S- 1  and S- 2  of the margin areas automatically set for the character string of the template T are deleted, and the font size for the character string after that deletion is determined. Then, the font size of the above described character string is converted to the above described determined font size. With this arrangement, the font size of the character string formed into print by the print label producing apparatus  1  can be made to conform closer to the font size of the character string intended by the operator when the operator edited the template T on the PC  118 . 
       (2) When a Template That Includes Long Text Extended Across a Plurality of Lines is Displayed 
       [0092]    When the template T is produced on the edit preview display screen  16   c  of the PC  118 , the outer frame size is sometimes fixed to a predetermined value as described above, causing the template to be produced so that the character string extends across a plurality of lines. In such a case, when the size of the character string disposable area and the number of characters are changed, the location where a line break is entered for the character string changes accordingly. In other words, the mode of distribution of the plurality of characters of the character string on each line changes. 
         [0093]    For example, in  FIG. 12A , the character string R- 1  made of the six characters “abcdef” is disposed vertically on the template T used for long vertical text. At this time, in a case where the font of each of the characters R comprises the tape width direction (vertical direction) margin area S- 3 , the characters R are allocated so that the three characters R “a” “b” and “c” are disposed on the right side and the three characters R “d” “e” and “f” are disposed on the left side, in accordance with the height of the template T of the above described fixed size. That is, a line break is automatically entered in front of the character R “d.” This is because the font of each of the characters R comprises the above described margin area S- 3  on the upper side and, when the three characters R “a” “b” and “c” are first arranged, the open space below these characters R is small, causing “d” to stick out from the template T when an attempt is made to dispose the character R “d” below the character R “c.” As a result, the character R “d” cannot be disposed below the character R “c,” and the above described line break is entered. 
         [0094]    In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 12B , when print is actually formed by the print label producing apparatus  1 , a margin equivalent to the above described width direction margin area S- 3  does not exist for each of the characters R of the character string R- 2  as previously described, further increasing the open space below the three characters R “a” “b” and “c” after arrangement, making it possible to further dispose the character R “d” below the character R “c.” Thus, according to the print label L, the characters R are allocated so that the four characters R “a” “b” “c” and “d” of the character string R- 2  are disposed on the line on the right side, and the two characters R “e” and “f” are disposed on the line on the left side. That is, a line break is automatically entered in front of the character R “e.” 
         [0095]    Accordingly, when the template T edited by the operator as previously described is transferred to the print label producing apparatus  1  and the print label L is produced using that template T, the mode of distribution of each of the characters R of the character string R- 2  formed into print on the print label L on each line may differ from the mode of distribution intended by the operator at the time of editing due to the above described difference of whether or not the margin area S- 3  of the font is present. 
         [0096]    Here, according to this modification, when the width direction margin area S- 3  automatically set for the upper part of each of the characters R of the character string R- 1  of the template T is deleted, the font size for the character string R- 1  after that deletion is determined once again (changed), as previously described. Further, the font size of the above described character string of the template T is set (converted) to the new font size. Then, the mode of distribution on each line when each of the characters R of the character string R- 1  is arranged on a plurality of lines is determined using that converted font size. 
         [0097]    That is, after the width direction margin area S- 3  of the template T is deleted, the CPU of the PC  118  determines the font size to be applied to the character string of the template T contained in the above described outer frame once again. Then, the CPU of the PC  118  applies the above described determined font size to the font size of the character string included in the template T where the above described width direction margin area S- 3  was deleted. Furthermore, the CPU of the PC  118  determines the mode of distribution on each line when each of the characters R of the character string R- 1  is arranged on the plurality of lines according to the above described font size, and the display is executed on the display part  118   a  in accordance with that determined mode of distribution. 
         [0098]    Next, the control executed by the CPU of the PC  118  of this modification will be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . 
         [0099]    The control procedure executed by the CPU of the PC  118  of this modification will now be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . Steps equivalent to those in the above described  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 11  are denoted using the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. 
         [0100]    In the flow shown in  FIG. 13 , step S 360  is newly provided between step S 250  and step S 140  of the flow shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0101]    That is, the CPU of the PC  118 , as previously described, executes the deletion process of the above described width direction margin area S- 3  automatically set (by the above described application program for producing fixed form print information) around the character string of the template T produced in the above described step S 120 ′ in the same manner as described above, in step S 130  via step S 110  and step S 120 ′. Subsequently, as previously described, after the font size determination process of step S 240  and the font size replacement process of step S 250 , the flow proceeds to the newly provided step S 360 . 
         [0102]    In step S 360 , the CPU of the PC  118  determines the mode of distribution on each line when each of the characters R of the character string R- 1  of the template T is arranged on a plurality of lines using the font size converted in the above described step S 250 . 
         [0103]    The subsequent steps S 140 , S 150 , and S 160  are the same as those of the above described  FIG. 11 , and descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
         [0104]    In this modification, as previously described, each of the characters R of the character string R- 1  included in the template T is rearranged and displayed using the font size after conversion. With this arrangement, the mode of distribution of the characters of the character string R- 2  formed into print by the print label producing apparatus  1  on a plurality of lines can be made to conform closer to the mode of distribution intended by the operator when the operator edited the template T on the PC  118 . 
         [0105]    Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the procedures shown in the above described flowcharts of each of the illustrations  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 11 , and  FIG. 13 , and additions and deletions as well as sequence changes to the procedure may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         [0106]    Further, in the above, the arrow shown in the above described  FIG. 3  denotes an example of signal flow, but the signal flow direction is not limited thereto. 
         [0107]    Further, other than that already stated above, techniques based on the above described embodiments and each of the modifications may be suitably utilized in combination as well.

Technology Category: g